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                  A One Minute ADHD Quiz

                            & Suggestions to Live With ADHD

                                                                   Behaviors Associated with ADHD

                                                                       

1. Do you have difficulty finishing tasks?

2. Do you hate doing paperwork or homework?

3. Are you disorganized? Are you continuously losing your keys? If you are a student, do you frequently misplace your school books and notebooks?

4. Are you easily distracted?

5. Are you forgetful?

6. Do you frequently feel pressured or rushed?

7. Do you accomplish the most under pressure?

8. Do you have lots of ideas and very few finished products?

9. Do you easily get off-track during a conversation?

10. If you are a student, does it take you forever to finish your homework?

If you answered yes to more than 7 of these questions, you may be overextended and stressed out , or you may be one of the nine million men or women estimated to have ADHD that go undiagnosed.

 

What is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?

  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that involves  behaviors of  inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. The symptoms can develop during childhood and continue into adulthood.
  • In addition, children with Attention Deficit Disorder may experience deficits in executive function skills.  This can affect social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral development and impede learning and academic adjustment. The frontal lobes, which are the area of the brain responsible for these processes, continue to develop well into adulthood. Therefore some of the skills affected in childhood will automatically develop as children mature. Also, some skills can be developed by direct instruction and repetitive experience. Children with executive dysfunction can be taught the skills needed to do better in school.
  • ADHD  can affect performance in school, in the workplace, and  in social relationships.
  • Research strongly suggests that ADHD is genetic and therefore runs in families.

What are the statistics of who is affected by ADHD?

  • Approximately 4 million  school-age children in the U.S. have ADHD
  • An estimated 9 million adults have ADHD; many men and women who have the behaviors of ADHD are undiagnosed.

If you answered yes to 7 or more of the quiz questions, most likely you spend a lot of time trying to organize, find lost objects and time trying to get things done. . here are things you can do for yourself or your child to help relieve your stress.

Strategies to relieve stress:
  • Break tasks into small steps; Do one step at a time .
  • Eat well, exercise, read, model appropriate behavior;
  • Rejuvenate with Yoga, meditation CD’s, music, hot bath, a good protein shake with fresh berries.
  • Remember children and adults  with ADHD have poor self-monitoring skills, weak working memories, difficulty with organizing, managing time etc., Instead of criticizing, make suggestions:  Use stickies as reminders, write things down as much as possible, write out as well as tell them instructions, use tape recorders, alarms, reminders on the computer, make a To Do list and check  off and review daily tasks and always record appointments, assignments, etc. on a large wall , calendar. Adults can also send themselves reminders on the computer.
  • Set aside time each day to organize
  • Simplify; the less you have around, the easier to organize

 Excellent Nutrition:  Stress uses up nutrients. Eat well to replace the large amounts of vitamins and minerals used up under the stress of making deadlines, losing things, trying to organize, etc.

·         Limit sugar, white flour, and artificial colorings and heavily processed foods

·         Read books that provide information about food for optimal mental performance like, Making a Good Brain Great by Daniel Amen, M.D. or The Better Brain Book by David Perlmutter.

·         Eliminate trans fats completely from the diet. Good fats like olive oil, avocado, walnuts help nourish the brain; trans fats interfere with thinking and  learning. Kids and adults with ADHD cannot afford any trans fats or hydrogenated oils in their diet. Read all labels; read excellent books like The LCP Solution by Jacqueline Stordy. ( This is a must)

·         Check for allergies that may interfere with concentration, focus etc.

·         Eat whole fresh foods that are high in antioxidants, fiber, and protein; choose an orange over orange juice, eat a baked potatoes over French fries

·         Eat  protein at every meal; students and adults with ADD experience a great deal of stress, protein can help regulate blood sugar levels.

·         Eat  healthy snacks like seeds, nuts, cut up vegetables, fresh fruit, low fat cheese sticks, air popped popcorn, homemade soup available for snacks. Plan ahead and be prepared. Take snacks with you when you know you will be out for long periods of time.

·         Always anticipate and be prepared with the right kinds of snacks before you leave the house.

 

Establish Good Sleep Habits:

  • Children need sleep to function well in school ; adults need to function well at the workplace
  • Find ways to reduce stress as you get closer to bedtime; listen to relaxing or soft music, read to your child (even older children love to be read to), take a warm bath, do a guided meditation CD
  • Keep bedrooms free of distractions and electromagnetic waves from things like computers, televisions, telephones. These electronic devices may interfere with sleep.

 

        Exercise:

  • Helps circulation to the brain which is very important for memory
  • Releases tension and therefore helps with stress
  • Helps keep you or your child fit and energized

 

      Routine and Structure:

·        Establish a routine and stick to it; kids and adults  with ADHD get distracted and off course very easily;

·        Structure your time if you are an adult with ADHD.  For a child, it is essential to help structure the child’s time; weak self-monitoring and management skills means that you cannot depend on your child to structure and manage his or her own time.

Homework

  • Provide a scheduled time for homework
  • Do not schedule anything else during homework time
  • Provide a quiet place to work
  • Provide all supplies at the workplace  ( pencils, pen, ruler, calculator, scotch tape, stapler, computer with printer that has ink in it,  paper etc.) Students with ADD have a difficulty staying on task, stopping to find supplies can  sabotages their focus.
  • Provide a 3 ring pencil case in each notebook and fill weekly with pencils, pens, and supplies needed in the classroom.
  • Provide one day a week to jointly clean, organize and restock notebooks and book bags
  • Help student break homework down into do-able steps
  • Do not allow television on school nights ( for anyone in the family) ; a child with ADD has difficulty staying focused, do not add an additional distraction of television on school nights. A solid rule avoids continuous arguments. No means NO.
  • Record any favorite shows to watch on the weekend.
  • Know your child’s learning style; teach your child to use mnemonics, associations, and manipulatives to study.

Positive reinforcement:

  • Focus on things that your child does well
  • Talk about what is working and positive
  • Help your child understand why he/she may have executive function difficulties
  • Teach your child to organize, manage time, and behave.
  • Read books that offer organizational tips and strategies for kids ( and families) ; The Organized Student by Donna Goldberg;  Get Organized Without Losing It by Janet Fox; Organizing from Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern

 

Alternative ideas:

·         Look into ideas like Brain Gym to help increase focus, reduce stress and improve concentration. Read books that provide simple exercise like Making the Brain Body Connection by Sharon Promislow or Brain Gym; Simple activities for Whole Brain Learning by Paul Dennison.\

·         EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique ) to help with stress and emotional distractions

  • Hair Analysis to determine if heavy metals,  other toxins or mineral deficiencies exist.

 

  Judee Algazi is a special education teacher and nutritional consultant with over 25 years of experience teaching students with Attention Deficit Disorder and learning Disabilities. She is currently teaching in a private school where her mission is to help struggling students experience success. In addition, Ms. Algazi is an SAT tutor and works with students who have ADD or learning disabilities  prepare or raise scores for the SATs.  She is also is a available to consult with parents who have concerns and need guidance and resources. Ms. Algazi can be reached at 267-981-4546 or E-mail vegyid2@yahoo.com ; web: energyplusonline.com

 

 

                                                          

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