Posts Tagged ADD children
Parents… Of ADHD Children
Almost everything written about ADHD (ADD) in children is, understandably, about the problems of children with this disorder. There is, however, another significant problem associated with ADHD in children (aside from the fact that ADHD, often being genetic, may also reside in one or both parents). That problem is the ramifications of the disorder to the parents and family of the child with ADHD.
The types of problems faced depend on the type of ADHD involved. There are three sub-types of ADHD: Primarily Inattentive, Hyperactive-Impulsive, and Combined. Whichever the type, however, these problems run the gamut (or should I say “the gauntlet”) from; parents losing their much needed evening’s rest and relaxation due to “homework wars”, the child’s unnecessary fighting with siblings and parents, calls and notes sent home from the teacher/principal…to; fights with spouse over how to manage the problems, not enough time spent with the other children, constantly cleaning up after them, fighting to get them out of the house in the morning and into bed a night! And then weekends are always fun too (or not!)
On top of all this, lies the parent’s worry for the academic and social success of their child, and his or her happiness and self-esteem.
Let’s look at a couple of typical scenarios, and see if they describe scenes in your home. It’s homework time (if that hasn’t been given up entirely). We begin with a struggle to understand (guess) what needs to be done, and to see if the materials have actually been brought home. Then the lucky parent gets to try to manage the distraction filled (real and imaginary), excuse ridden, stop and start, struggle. All the while trying to attend to the other kids, prepare dinner, answer the phone, and not go crazy. Then, the other parent may arrive home, which, in a way, starts the process all over again. Everyone gets tired, tempers flare, fingers get pointed, feelings get hurt, people give up (on themselves, and the process).
Another sad scenario is the parents’s discussion amongst themselves about the problem. Some parents deny that there is a problem. This is often, but not always, a father’s position. Dads typically are quicker to deny that there is anything wrong with their child. I know this not only professionally, but also as a father myself. Whether it’s because we see our children so much as an extension of ourselves (and we’re perfect, aren’t we?), or for some other reason, this position misses the problem (and any hope for solving it) and results in more finger pointing, hurt feelings, and giving up.
Sound familiar?… Unfortunately, even when the real problem is recognized, parents often understandably resist testing and treatment due to the fear of medication, with its frequent side effects and rigors. There is, fortunately, an alternative to this scenario.
Neurofeedback is a highly effective, drug free, safe, non-invasive and painless procedure in which the child this area of the brain, correcting the problem. Once training is complete, no further treatment is necessary.
To request information on the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD, ADHD), Mild to Moderate Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sleep Disorders, Chronic Depression, Chronic Anxiety, and Peak Performance Training contact:
Dr. Stephen A. Ferrari Alta Neuro-Imaging Neurofeedback 1075 Yorba Place Suite 105 Placentia, CA 92870 714.990.6536 Website: www.ocbiofeedback.com
Add comment June 29, 2009
Teenagers and ADHD
Attention Deficit/Hyperactiity Disorder is behind lots of problems for those who struggle with it, as well as for their parents and families. For most of these individuals, and their uninformed parents, they can lose sight of the fact that these problems are caused by the disorder, and not an indication of their true personality, desires, or abilities. In fact, most individuals with ADHD (ADD) have a higher than average I.Q., though they usually have significant difficulty expressing it fully. This results in the blaming of themselves (and not the disorder), and causes lowered self-esteem, hopelessness, anxiety, and depression.
For a teenager, with their heightened (over?) sense of self consciousness and perhaps self doubt, these negative feelings can be overwhelming to both the teenager and their parents. The following are some frightening statistics that bring into focus the serious problems confronting these teenagers and their parents.
*Teenagers with ADHD have 400% more traffic accidents and traffic tickets than teen without ADHD.
*Twice as many teens with this disorder will run away from home (about 32%) than teens without ADHD.
*As many as 50% of the teenagers in juvenile detention facilities have untreated ADHD.
*Teens with untreated ADHD are three times more likely to be arrested for arson (16%) as those without ADHD.
*Teenagers with untreated ADHD are ten times more likely to get pregnant, or cause a pregnancy, than those without the disorder.
*Teens untreated for ADHD are 400% more likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease than those without ADHD.
*Teens untreated for ADHD will average two arrests by the age of 18.
*Approximately 20% of teenagers with untreated ADHD will be arrested for a felony.
In addition to the above, teenagers with ADHD suffer from increased amounts of anxiety, a sense of being overwhelmed, and depression. Depression can look very different in teens from its appearance in adults. Since as many as 25% of teenagers with ADHD suffer from depression, let’s take a moment to describe it. Teenagers with depression can be anti-social and overly negative. Sometimes he or she may stop caring about personal appearance, and there may be an increased sensitivity to being loved (unloved?) and accepted. There may also be the more usual signs of adult depression.
It is critical to a teenager with ADHD that the disorder be treated properly to avoid these pitfalls, and allow them to experience success and gain confidence. Unfortunately, many parents avoid testing for and treating this disorder because they fear the rigors and side effects of medication. There is however a very successful alternative to this scenario. Neurofeedback is a highly effective, drug free, safe, non-invasive and painless procedure in which the patient learns to retrain the brain, correcting the problem. Once training is complete, no further treatment is necessary.
To request information on the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD, ADHD), Mild to Moderate Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sleep Disorders, Chronic Depression, Chronic Anxiety, and Peak Performance Training contact:
Dr. Stephen A. Ferrari Alta Neuro-Imaging Neurofeedback 1075 Yorba Place Suite 105 Placentia, CA 92870 714.990.6536 Website: www.ocbiofeedback.comAdd comment March 19, 2009
Homework…and the ADHD Child
Simply put, homework is supposed to be like this. At a certain time, the child sits down and completes their assignments, with a reasonable degree of success, in a timely fashion, and perhaps with some interaction with their parent(s). The purpose of homework is to allow the child further opportunities to independently master their coursework, and perhaps allow the parent to become involved in what is happening for their child at school.
Unfortunately, with a child who has ADHD, the experience and outcome can be quite different. After much cajoling, and struggle the parent gets the child to begin their homework. Then ensues a multiple hours long battle, involving countless distractions, struggles (and phone calls?) to understand material and directions which unfortunately, the inattentive child did not get straight in class, and outbursts of frustration and anger from both parties. The outcome of this homework session is (along with hopefully some learning), exhaustion, hurt feelings, distrust, lowered self-esteem, and anger. Sound familiar…?
This damaging experience actually begins at school. Often the ADHD child has extra homework added on because of work uncompleted in class, and/or as punishment for poor behavior or inattention. By the time they get home they are frustrated, tired and stressed. Mom and/or Dad may be feeling this way too (they have their own struggles). When the “getting started” battle is finally over, parents often find that the child is behind in assignments (again?), hasn’t written down directions properly, and doesn’t know how to do the work (want to repeat fifth grade?) What’s very important to understand, and correct this scenario, is that with the ADHD child, they cannot stop this from happening, it’s part of the uncorrected disorder. However, often teachers, other students, and parents lose site of this, and blame the child. The result is a child who feels very badly about themselves, and gives up, or rebels, or both.
These daily episodes are very damaging to family dynamics. In addition to the harm done to the parent-child relationship, there are other significant consequences. Other children’s needs go unattended (not to mention the parent’s), important tasks around the house go undone (dinner anyone?), and last, but definitely not least, the parent’s own relationship suffers as blaming, overwork, and loss of quality time together are also casualties.
Remember what we said homework was for and was supposed to be like in the first paragraph? The homework experience with the ADHD child is not any kind of “Building Up”…it is a “Tearing Down” experience.
Fortunately, this can be changed, without the side-effects and rigors of medication. Neurofeedback is an effective, drug free, painless procedure in which the child learns to retrain the attention mechanisms of their brain, alleviating the condition. Once training is completed, no further treatment is necessary.
Add comment October 21, 2008
