You are here: Home / Archives for Brock

Honing Life Skills

Posted by Brock
cooking with adhd child

For a child who’s diagnosed with ADHD-inattentive, school is all consuming for the entire family. Evening life in a typical school week is a series of doing exactly what needs to be done for tomorrow. At times when the next test, regular homework and upcoming project comes close to overwhelming, it’s easy to overlook passing on certain life skills. In hindsight, I can say we did some things better than others, so I hope what we suffered through or merely survived can help you figure out what works at your house. While household chores teach children a variety of life skills, I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ADHD in Real Life

SAT Prep for an ADHD Student

Posted by Brock
testing hint for adhd child

Just when you thought high school was falling into a predictable pattern, you discover it’s time for your student to take the SAT - the Scholastic Aptitude Test. SAT Prep for your ADHD student sounds like a nightmare, but you can help him prepare so he’ll know what to expect. She may not thank you today, but one day you’ll hear about how grateful she is for your support. Start your best strategic plan early and be sure to: 1. Secure test accommodations. The College Board can grant your student special testing accommodations like extra time or more breaks, but you must apply for these, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: School and ADHD-Inattentive Tagged With: ,

What To Do When They Just Can’t Sit Still

Posted by Brock
can't sit still in classroom

You know the type. You can easily recognize her in a classroom setting. The teacher’s talking, and he’s in constant motion. She’s drumming her fingers on the desk. His leg is bouncing up and down with a rhythm to match the tune in his head….except he doesn’t recognize that he’s moving. The good news is that often, the wiggling and jiggling is an attempt to pay attention. The bad news is that the constant movement looks like distracting and annoying hyperactivity. Aside from starting gym class a little early, what can you do? Take a look at the following tried and true tips to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Focusing Tagged With: ,

Book Review…The Gift in You by Dr. Caroline Leaf

Posted by Brock
the gift in you

The Gift in You. I love this book. I can't stop talking about it - so much of what this author says strikes a chord in me. No intelligence test can truly test your giftedness or your intelligence level. You are one-of-a-kind: no one else processes information, approaches a problem or thinks exactly like you. You are gifted like no one else! While this is written to help you discover your gift, it will also help you understand the ones you love who have very different gifts. Dr. Carolyn Leaf has researched the science of thought since 1985, and what she's found will fascinate you. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ADHD-I Products Tagged With:

Realistically Resolve to Reorganize

Posted by Brock
adhd getting rid of clutter

How do you see the new year? Just another day? Or is this the year to bring about the changes you've longed for? New Year's resolutions can be tricky. While it's great to set goals, pinpointing achievable goals is a delicate balance between simple, challenging and downright unrealistic. Organizing a child or teen with ADHD-inattentive tendencies sounds impossible - like the proverbial nailing of Jello to the wall or herding cats. But finding ways to help your child is achievable. As parents and advocates, your job is two-fold: 1) simplify the task. 2) equip the child for the task. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Organizing

New Research Regarding ADHD Medicines: Guilt-Free News

Posted by Brock
ADHD Medicine Research

Do you medicate? Or do you hesitate to medicate? As expert opinions swing from one extreme to another, parents like you are making decisions daily in the best interest of your child or teen. While there’s no such thing as guilt-free parenting, a recent study conducted by the University of Florida should encourage you. The latest research confirms that children who take Ritalin and Adderall (stimulants for ADHD-I) are not more inclined to have cardiac problems during treatment. The study published in British Medical Journal in August decisively answers a ten-year debate regarding … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ADHD Medication Tagged With:

Perpetual Thankfulness…Keep it Going!

Posted by Brock
thank you note

You've probably seen a number of posts saying "I'm thankful for....." Personally, I love reading them, because thankfulness changes us. It allows us to see the glass half full instead of half empty. Thankfulness allows us to remember what we might otherwise forget or take for granted. I believe our perspective positively changes when we realize the gift a new day brings. Rainy day? What a great day to stay inside! Fog? What a fantastic special effect for our Facebook pictures! Hail? Hmmmm. I’m thankful it doesn’t hail every day?? You get my point – there’s always, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Encouraging Tagged With: ,

A Helpful Tool to Foster Independence

Posted by Brock
ADHD On Task On Time for Kids

At Ketchup, we've often recommended the use of a timer to keep your child on task for a set amount of time. This one caught our eye -- it looks efficient and should help your family feel that way too. What’s nice about this particular one is that it comes with three disks. In theory, you could set up a routine for morning, after school and evening activities. For instance, a morning disk could be set so your child would have an allowed set amount of time for breakfast, dressing and teeth brushing without you reminding her of each step. You decide the important tasks, timings and a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ADHD-I Products

Helping Your ADHD-Inattentive Child or Teen: How Much is Too Much?

Posted by Brock
test for learning styles

"You do too much! She should do it herself." This was the unsolicited advice our 19-year-old daughter gave me when she found out that her 16-year-old sister Lesley continued to ask for my editing help for an English essay. I immediately replied: "She still has ADHD-I, you know. That's not changed." Olivia was adamant: I helped too much. At the same time, I felt strongly that Lesley needed the help. My older daughter is majoring in English at her university, and any sort of writing project continues to be her strength. Meanwhile, Lesley's taking her first Advanced Placement English … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ADHD in Real Life Tagged With: ,

How to Help your ADHD-I Child Greet the Dawn…or at least the School Bus

Posted by Brock
wake up light for adhd child

If your idea of a good morning is one where you don’t have to get your children up, you must be a parent. The same erratic sleep patterns that can wreak havoc with an established bedtime also make wake-up calls a repeated, frustrating exercise. Some folks take mornings better than others, but unless everyone in your family has agreed to take night jobs and night classes, getting up in the morning remains a necessity of life. Take a look at these tips to keep mornings more civil for all involved: 1. Pay attention to alarming details. First of all, you shouldn’t be the token alarm … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ADHD in Real Life, Products for ADHD Tagged With: ,
«Older Posts