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Attention Enhancement Seats

Rock On' Keeps Your ADHD Child Intrigued and Active

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What a neat seat! I can't see this being used in a traditional classroom, but I think that you could find a lot of uses for it at home. The site has some really nice designs; they even have a rocking chair that takes up very little space and is close to the floor:

If you decide to buy it (I am not an affiliate) let me know who uses it in your house, and when.

How do you take 5 minutes for yourself?

Mom, Take 5!

It's not easy being a mom. So often we spend time giving to our husbands, children, friends, work, and others that we forget we need to give to ourselves as well. When I was a young mom I often felt guilty taking time for myself (unless it was to read a book!), but as my children grew and I grew along with them, I realized how ridiculous that was.

Mind you, my main reason I felt guilty was because I thought Supermoms like me should never need to take a break. Believe me, it didn't take too many years before I changed my mind about that. Nowadays my favorite escape is still reading a good book, but since we live near fields and woods taking a walk, those are also fine by me.

What do you do to take a break?

 

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Child’s Ordeal Shows Risks of Psychosis Drugs for Young

http://video.nytimes.com/?src=vidm                    

When I saw this article in the NY Times, it struck a chord in me. That's because I have seen over and over again children who are misunderstood: by their parents, by their caretakers, by the professionals that treat them. I think the missing piece is the understanding that children don't want to act in a way that gains them negative approval, censure- that causes those around them to like them just a little bit less. 

When faced with a child who acts out so severely, professionals need to ask themselves, "What is this child trying to tell me by this kind of behavior? And why does he feel the need to tell me in such an extreme, self-injurious fashion? Ths sad thing in this case is that anyone who would have done an hour-long observation should have seen instantly what the problem was. Kyle at 3 was barely even speaking single words. Even at 18 months such a severe speech delay is quite noticeable. A half-hour follow-up discussion with the mother would most likely have revealed an inexperienced mother who needed support and direction dealing with a child who would be a challenge even for an experienced parent.

Unfortunately, it all comes down to money; it's a lot cheaper to medicate, than it is to put in the type of family supports a child like this needs in order to be successful. But I have to wonder if in the long run such reliance on medication alone is truly cheaper: add up the cost of Risperadol an all the other medications this child's insurance company was paying, and multiply that by the number of years Kyle spent heavily medicated. I have a feeling the two treatments are a lot closer in price than many would like to admit.

So what it comes down to is parent awareness, and parent advocacy. Just because you don't know the answer, don't assume that every professional who treats your child does know. If you feel something isn't quite right, get a second opinion, from other professionals, and from other parents who are in your situation. In the end, you know your child best.

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Autism and Learning: Difference in Sensory Processing Proven by Researchers

Researchers have confirmed what parents and professionals have known for years: autistics have an impaired ability to process sensory information. Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine were able to map an autistic brain with a neurotypical subject's brain using an EEG. They found that not only was there a significant difference in how sound and vibration were processed, but there was a delay for sensory information in general reaching the brain.

This information is especially valuable in determining appropriate therapies for parents and other care providers, as it points to a definity therapeutical direction.

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 Does Your ADHD Child Have Trouble Getting to Sleep?

Feeling frustrated and at your wits end because your ADHD child can't seem to settle down? Actually, it's quite common for ADHD children to settle down at night. Here are 3 tips you can try to help ensure your child goes to sleep at a reasonable hour:

1. Make sure you have a bedtime routine. Children who have ADHD function better when they know what to expect. Although some children do crave change, even those children will put up less of a fight if they have a chance to ease themselves into the idea of going to bed. A consistent bed routine: bath, song, stories, and a little private time with a parent to talk, does this wonderfully.
2. Give your child time to wind down after she's in bed. Many children who haven't had time an entire day to talk with their parents, suddenly develop a desire to bond with their parents at bedtime. As one parent put it, " An entire day I'm available to talk with him and hear about his day. Why now at bedtime does he decide he want to spill the beans?" Actually, a child with ADHD is physically and mentally very active throughout the day. 

          If you look at a graph, you would see their physical responses are simply higher than children without ADHD. It is only at   

          bedtime that the line starts to fall somewhere around the "normal" line in terms of activity. This is their "down time," which  

          means they are simply physically more able to sit and have a good conversation with you.

          Practically this means your child will need additional time for his body to reach the level at which most people are ready to go to 

          sleep. You can allow your child to listen to peaceful music, hear stories on tape, or another soothing activity (lights off) for a 

          specific period of time. Then you can call a lights out.

      3. Try natural herbs to help your child fall asleep. Lavender underneath your child's pillow can help induce sleep, and gives a    

          pleasant smell to the room as well. Catnip, passiflora, and peppermint make a delicious, safe tea you can give even to a toddler. 

          For children over the age of 4, you can try extract of valerian root with or without lobelia; ask your pharmacist how much to give,  

          and mix it with juice or water. It starts to work in about a half hour.For children who have a very difficult time getting to sleep, you              

          might also try melatonin for the child above 9; consult an alternative health practitioner or pharmacist for specific dosages.