Blog
Surviving the Holidays and Time Changes with an ADHD Child
Time Changes If you thought time changes and the holidays were exhausting, it pales in comparison to getting your ADHD child back on schedule in the weeks following. An interruption in the routine/schedule of an ADHD child causes him/her to spiral out of control unlike other children. Something as ordinary as a time change (“Springing forward” or “Falling back”) may interrupt your child’s daily routine and take him/her twice as long to recover. The medical explanation for this is the change in circadian rhythm (the internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle). The parental definition is bedtime arguments and morning yelling to drag them out of bed. Modifying...
Read MorePart 2: Supporting Someone with a Chronic Disease
Millions of people around the world suffer from chronic diseases such as: cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, COPD and many more. This means millions of friends and family members will be affected by their loved one’s diagnosis, and will feel the stresses and responsibilities that come with it. In our previous article, Dealing with Chronic Disease, Licensed Mental Health Counselor Glenn Barron gives advice to patients struggling to cope with their diagnosis. In this article, we focus on guidance for the patient’s immediate caregiver. The caregiver, whether it’s a parent, son/daughter, sibling, spouse, or friend, will play a vital role in the patient’s life. They...
Read MorePart 1: Dealing with a Diagnosis of a Chronic Disease
We hear about the diagnosis of disease often in our day-to-day lives. Chronic illness might affect our coworkers, our family members, the celebrities we watch on television, and the politicians we vote for. It’s a natural and common thought to assume, “it won’t happen to me,” but in reality, it very well could. According to the American Cancer Society, 38.4% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, while 9.4% will be diagnosed with diabetes, and millions of others will be diagnosed with respiratory disease, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and other chronic illnesses. If you have been recently diagnosed with a chronic disease, you’re likely feeling...
Read MoreBack to “Middle” School w/ ADHD
Here we are again; the start of another school year; new school, new teachers, new classes, new homework. If you are the parent of a child/adolescent with ADHD and they are transitioning to a new school environment, you are probably feeling the anxiety as much as your child. The middle school environment will have your child moving at a faster pace with different classrooms and teachers for each subject. Will they be able to find the classrooms, on time and in order? Yes, they will…eventually. Orientation Day Most schools will have an orientation/open house – take your ADHD student! As you are moving from class to class, use the school map and let...
Read MoreBlending Families: Making it Work
Children often have difficulties when it comes to adjusting to life with a blended family. Children grow up thinking and believing that their family dynamic will never change, and they are, understandably, very attached to the family they know. Children expect their lives to always follow the same rules and routines they’ve grown up with. It’s no surprise that changing your family into a blended family can be extremely upsetting and emotional for your kids. They may be hesitant to accept new family members, may be reluctant to change, and may develop emotional or behavioral issues while they try to cope with these life changes. The transition will be...
Read MoreStrengthening Family Bonds through Quality Time
Spending quality time with your children is one of the most important things you can do for them. This means more than just a quick talk in the car on the way to soccer practice or school, and more than a hug and kiss goodnight. Studies show that children whose parents spend regular quality time with them, develop higher levels of self-esteem, as well as good communication and social skills. Spending regular quality time also helps to increase children’s positive behaviors, while simultaneously minimizing negative behaviors. The Child Development Institute emphasizes that spending quality family time together helps children feel valued and...
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