I have written several times about Omega 3's, the fatty acids necessary for cell health, most commonly found in fish oil. Studies have shown that deficiencies in Omega 3's are related to ADHD. The body cannot make these fatty acids, and since the foods we eat contain very little, it's necessary to use supplements. I've done a good bit of reading on the subject of Omega 3's or LCP's, and it convinced me that our family needed to start taking fish oil capsules. We started taking the supplements last year, and while we didn't see spectacular results, I really think that the boys were better … [Read more...]
Medication Reminders
January 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment
A mom emailed asking for ideas about how to help an almost ten year old begin to take responsibility for remembering to take his medication in the morning. Here are a few ideas; if you have more, post a comment! ~A friend of mine puts her daughter's medication in a weekly dispenser, and places it beside her daughter's bed. It's the first thing her daughter is supposed to do in the morning - before she gets out of bed. ~And if she forgets...When he was old enough, we had an agreement with the school secretary. If our son forgot, she had a bottle for him at school. He or I could tell her … [Read more...]
Gifts of Time
January 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Here's an organizing hint for mom or dad! Many stores are having major clearance sales at this time of year. Make it a habit to visit the clearance section each time you visit a store, and keep an eye out for items you will need for birthdays or (gasp!) even Christmas. Last week my husband came home with a shaving cream warmer he found for $5.00, and it is now stashed in our attic waiting for Father's Day. I found some great sweaters for next fall for almost nothing. The few extra minutes it takes us to see what's on clearance saves us lots of time - and … [Read more...]
Spelling Hints Part 5 – Sign Language
January 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Yet another great hint from a mom... "What we did is looked up the general sign language picture list on the internet and I had my daughter spell the words with sign language and saying the letter as she did... the process of looking for the letter making the letter with her had and saying it set the words in her head. The day of the test I told her to use the camera in her head to look at how she shaped the letters with her hand. We did this in the kitchen as I was making dinner on Mondays ( the day she got the list and practiced all week when we had the chance) She missed 2 to 0 words a … [Read more...]
Happy Birthday, Ash
January 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment
When my children were preschoolers, the grandmother across the street from me regularly admonished me to enjoy my time while the boys were little, because it would pass all too quickly. Her gentle prodding shaped the way I faced each day, and I'm grateful for it. Lately, I heard a proverb that summarized Miss Lillie's sentiments. "The minutes drag, but the days fly." It's all too true... Happy 16th birthday, Ash, my youngest son. Help your kids to be more focused, organized, encouraged and successful! Visit Kayla Fay at http://www.adhd-inattentive.com. … [Read more...]
Spelling Hints Part 4 – The Dyslexic Speller
January 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The mother of a child with ADHD and dyslexia writes: "I must admit that I am often in awe of the inventive variety of ways my 9 year old inattentive dyslexic son chooses to construct the words he uses to express himself in writing. In an odd way it seems to be a bit of an art form. What kind of spelling are you asking about? Most people think there is only one kind of spelling but for my dyslexic son spelling comes in three flavors. For him son spelling a word verbally, spelling a word on a test (in a list) and spelling that same word in a sentence or story are three separate events. … [Read more...]
Learning Styles and Testing
January 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
•Are you frustrated with your child's low grades or lack of motivation? •Is your homelife stressful due to homework hassles and poor report cards? •Have you tried absolutely everything to help your child get higher grades? •Do you have a bright child who seems to know information, then forgets it during the test? •Are you truly serious about doing something different to help your child succeed? Finding out your child's learning style is key to helping your child really learn. Discovering your child's learning style will raise grades and test scores! Go here to … [Read more...]
Spelling Hints Part 3 – Routines
January 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
A mom wrote to me about the routines she established to help her daughter study spelling: On Spelling, for my daughter, with poor speech and auditory issues, here's our method, for stress free, no tears spelling, started around first grade, now in fourth: Monday: We look at and READ the words out loud a couple of times. If they are harder, I will read and she will repeat. No testing on this day, Tuesday: She does some of her spelling workbook pages, and we look at and READ the words again, maybe do an oral test if she has mastered reading them. Wednesday: Finish spelling workbook, … [Read more...]
Go Outside and PLAY – ADHD and Outdoor Activity
January 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment
I know it doesn't seem like it, but the days are growing longer, now that the Winter Solstice has passed. Despite the cold, encourage your child to get outside more. Studies show that activity -especially if it takes place outside - reduces ADHD symptoms. Try practicing spelling words or math facts in the great outdoors. While you're studying, sit on a swing, kick a soccer ball back and forth, or dig in the garden. It just might make those math facts more fun! Even if you're like a friend of mine, who lives in the sub-zero of Alaska (60 below...), remember that inside activity works well, … [Read more...]
Spelling Hints Part 2 – for Kids with Auditory Processing Disorders
January 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment
A mom who has a child with Auditory Processing Disorders along with other "quirks", wrote, "Some kids have visual sequential memory problems. (They) can, on the other hand, find the correct spelling of a word in a list of incorrectly spelled words. Children can be tested for this and other spelling issues as well. And kids who have APD have the added problem of not processing information they hear correctly. The child may hear well enough, but not process the word as he hears it. (My son) still says "word" as worde - long o, for example. While this issue of his used to make my skin crawl, I … [Read more...]
