3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

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3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

adhd evaluation

3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

Raising children with ADHD can be difficult at times. These tips are meant to help foster positive growth for your children’s success. Here is a couple:

1) Take a closer look:

It is important to have a thorough understanding of your child’s everyday life. This means having a thorough understanding of how ADHD impacts their daily life. For example, understanding how their talents and interests are impacted by ADHD will enable you to comprehend what they are doing well and reward them for it. Ultimately, the goal of taking a closer look is providing your child with a strong support system.

2) Relationship:

This is an extension of tip number one. Building a deep relationship with your child is crucial in being on the same page on their development. By working on a deep relationship it establishes trust and bond between you and your child. In turn, this makes it easier to manage ADHD. By developing trust in your relationship,  you must be willing to be more open and transparent. Relationship building is important and it requires both of you to work on these improvements together.

3) Create a System:

This can be in the form of a rewards system to keep track of progress and encourage your children’s growth.  You can put up a chart in the house and use gold stars that accumulate for which your child can trade it in for money. This provides a valuable learning opportunity for your child to have a deeper understanding of goals and rewards.  In essence, it is something that benefits both you and your child. The consistency and clear rules in creating a system is important because it establishes positive reinforcement which is the best method of teaching a new productive behavior.

The Takeaway

There are many parenting techniques when it comes to raising a child with ADHD. These tactics are important so as to create the best possible environment for your child’s success and future. It is important to note that progress comes in waves and to not become discouraged by one bad day’s performance. Luckily, here at Pathways, we can you help establish a plan going forward specifically catered for your child’s specific needs in order to deal with ADHD in a proactive manner. 

 

Dr. Gordon is an experienced ADHD expert. He is devoted to helping you learn more about ADHD and find solutions for each individual’s needs. Please feel free to contact us for any concerns or questions regarding ADHD about yourself, or a loved one.

The Pathways team of professionals has helped thousands of people with ADHD. We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with neurological challenges.

LET’S GET STARTED

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Source: Pathways Neuropsychology
3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

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3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

adhd evaluation

3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

Raising children with ADHD can be difficult at times. These tips are meant to help foster positive growth for your children’s success. Here is a couple:

1) Take a closer look:

It is important to have a thorough understanding of your child’s everyday life. This means having a thorough understanding of how ADHD impacts their daily life. For example, understanding how their talents and interests are impacted by ADHD will enable you to comprehend what they are doing well and reward them for it. Ultimately, the goal of taking a closer look is providing your child with a strong support system.

2) Relationship:

This is an extension of tip number one. Building a deep relationship with your child is crucial in being on the same page on their development. By working on a deep relationship it establishes trust and bond between you and your child. In turn, this makes it easier to manage ADHD. By developing trust in your relationship,  you must be willing to be more open and transparent. Relationship building is important and it requires both of you to work on these improvements together.

3) Create a System:

This can be in the form of a rewards system to keep track of progress and encourage your children’s growth.  You can put up a chart in the house and use gold stars that accumulate for which your child can trade it in for money. This provides a valuable learning opportunity for your child to have a deeper understanding of goals and rewards.  In essence, it is something that benefits both you and your child. The consistency and clear rules in creating a system is important because it establishes positive reinforcement which is the best method of teaching a new productive behavior.

The Takeaway

There are many parenting techniques when it comes to raising a child with ADHD. These tactics are important so as to create the best possible environment for your child’s success and future. It is important to note that progress comes in waves and to not become discouraged by one bad day’s performance. Luckily, here at Pathways, we can you help establish a plan going forward specifically catered for your child’s specific needs in order to deal with ADHD in a proactive manner. 

 

Dr. Gordon is an experienced ADHD expert. He is devoted to helping you learn more about ADHD and find solutions for each individual’s needs. Please feel free to contact us for any concerns or questions regarding ADHD about yourself, or a loved one.

The Pathways team of professionals has helped thousands of people with ADHD. We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with neurological challenges.

LET’S GET STARTED

The post 3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD appeared first on Pathways Neuropsychology Associates.


Source: Pathways Neuropsychology
3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

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3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

adhd evaluation

3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

Raising children with ADHD can be difficult at times. These tips are meant to help foster positive growth for your children’s success. Here is a couple:

1) Take a closer look:

It is important to have a thorough understanding of your child’s everyday life. This means having a thorough understanding of how ADHD impacts their daily life. For example, understanding how their talents and interests are impacted by ADHD will enable you to comprehend what they are doing well and reward them for it. Ultimately, the goal of taking a closer look is providing your child with a strong support system.

2) Relationship:

This is an extension of tip number one. Building a deep relationship with your child is crucial in being on the same page on their development. By working on a deep relationship it establishes trust and bond between you and your child. In turn, this makes it easier to manage ADHD. By developing trust in your relationship,  you must be willing to be more open and transparent. Relationship building is important and it requires both of you to work on these improvements together.

3) Create a System:

This can be in the form of a rewards system to keep track of progress and encourage your children’s growth.  You can put up a chart in the house and use gold stars that accumulate for which your child can trade it in for money. This provides a valuable learning opportunity for your child to have a deeper understanding of goals and rewards.  In essence, it is something that benefits both you and your child. The consistency and clear rules in creating a system is important because it establishes positive reinforcement which is the best method of teaching a new productive behavior.

The Takeaway

There are many parenting techniques when it comes to raising a child with ADHD. These tactics are important so as to create the best possible environment for your child’s success and future. It is important to note that progress comes in waves and to not become discouraged by one bad day’s performance. Luckily, here at Pathways, we can you help establish a plan going forward specifically catered for your child’s specific needs in order to deal with ADHD in a proactive manner. 

 

Dr. Gordon is an experienced ADHD expert. He is devoted to helping you learn more about ADHD and find solutions for each individual’s needs. Please feel free to contact us for any concerns or questions regarding ADHD about yourself, or a loved one.

The Pathways team of professionals has helped thousands of people with ADHD. We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with neurological challenges.

LET’S GET STARTED

The post 3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD appeared first on Pathways Neuropsychology Associates.


Source: Pathways Neuropsychology
3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

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3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

adhd evaluation

3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

Raising children with ADHD can be difficult at times. These tips are meant to help foster positive growth for your children’s success. Here is a couple:

1) Take a closer look:

It is important to have a thorough understanding of your child’s everyday life. This means having a thorough understanding of how ADHD impacts their daily life. For example, understanding how their talents and interests are impacted by ADHD will enable you to comprehend what they are doing well and reward them for it. Ultimately, the goal of taking a closer look is providing your child with a strong support system.

2) Relationship:

This is an extension of tip number one. Building a deep relationship with your child is crucial in being on the same page on their development. By working on a deep relationship it establishes trust and bond between you and your child. In turn, this makes it easier to manage ADHD. By developing trust in your relationship,  you must be willing to be more open and transparent. Relationship building is important and it requires both of you to work on these improvements together.

3) Create a System:

This can be in the form of a rewards system to keep track of progress and encourage your children’s growth.  You can put up a chart in the house and use gold stars that accumulate for which your child can trade it in for money. This provides a valuable learning opportunity for your child to have a deeper understanding of goals and rewards.  In essence, it is something that benefits both you and your child. The consistency and clear rules in creating a system is important because it establishes positive reinforcement which is the best method of teaching a new productive behavior.

The Takeaway

There are many parenting techniques when it comes to raising a child with ADHD. These tactics are important so as to create the best possible environment for your child’s success and future. It is important to note that progress comes in waves and to not become discouraged by one bad day’s performance. Luckily, here at Pathways, we can you help establish a plan going forward specifically catered for your child’s specific needs in order to deal with ADHD in a proactive manner. 

 

Dr. Gordon is an experienced ADHD expert. He is devoted to helping you learn more about ADHD and find solutions for each individual’s needs. Please feel free to contact us for any concerns or questions regarding ADHD about yourself, or a loved one.

The Pathways team of professionals has helped thousands of people with ADHD. We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with neurological challenges.

LET’S GET STARTED

The post 3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD appeared first on Pathways Neuropsychology Associates.


Source: Pathways Neuropsychology
3 Tips on Parenting Children With ADHD

How Do Stimulants Work For Treating ADHD?

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How Do Stimulants Work For Treating ADHD?

adhd medication evaluation psychologist toms river nj

How Do Stimulants Work For Treating ADHD?

 What Are Stimulants?

Stimulants are medications that produce a temporary increase in the functionality or efficiency of an organism. They work by increasing the availability of certain chemicals in the brain, thus making the pathways in the brain work more effective. Stimulants are the most common type of medicine used to treat ADHD.

How Do Stimulants Work?

Our brains are made up of nerve cells called neurons. These neurons are separated by tiny gaps called synapses. All functions of the brain and nervous system are based on communication among these neurons and across these synapses. The neurons relay information to each other by sending chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. What happens to individuals with ADHD is their neural network can’t relay messages in an adequate and timely manner.

Stimulants increase the release of certain brain chemicals such as dopamine. It also prolongs how long these chemicals will remain active which results in helping messages within the brain be transmitted more effectively.

What are Examples Of ADHD Medication?

The two main forms of ADHD stimulant medication are Methylphenidate and amphetamines. Methylphenidate includes brand name medications like Ritalin and Concerta. Amphetamines include name brand medicines like Vyvanse and Adderall.

Methylphenidate focuses on slowing down how much of the neurotransmitter is being reabsorbed back into the neuron so that more is left in the synapse.  Methylphenidate also seems to facilitate the direct release of neurotransmitter from within the neuron where it’s produced and stored, which sends more out into the synapse space. Amphetamines focus on increasing the release of dopamine and other brain chemicals.

The differences in the way these stimulants work may explain why some people with ADHD respond to one type of medication than another. However, as a whole, stimulants lessen ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80 percent of people who take them.

The Takeaway

Stimulants don’t cure ADHD. What they do is help to alleviate or reduce symptoms while the stimulant is active in your system. Although there does seem to be a high efficacy rate, as of right now it’s efficacy is not conclusive.

It still holds true that some of the best ways to improve basic cognitive processes likely do not involve medication. Behavioral treatment and parent training can be very powerful in strengthening these cognitive processes in your children. We here at PathwaysNeuroPsychology can help come up with a comprehensive plan to cater to your child’s specific needs.

Dr. Gordon is an experienced ADHD expert. He is devoted to helping you learn more about ADHD and find solutions for each individual’s needs. Please feel free to contact us for any concerns or questions regarding ADHD about yourself, or a loved one.

The Pathways team of professionals has helped thousands of people with ADHD. We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with neurological challenges.

LET’S GET STARTED

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Source: Pathways Neuropsychology
How Do Stimulants Work For Treating ADHD?

An In-Depth look at Biofeedback

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An In-Depth look at Biofeedback

biofeedback | therapy

An In-Depth look at Biofeedback 

What is Biofeedback?

Biofeedback is done to deal with anxiety, stress, ADHD, and a host of other issues.

Biofeedback is an appealing option for a lot of people because it’s noninvasive, and it can be a substitute for medication. It is a technique you can use to learn to control your body’s functions. 

A typical session lasts about 60 minutes. The length and number of sessions are determined by your condition and how quickly you learn to control your physical responses. This feedback helps you focus on making subtle changes in your body, such as relaxing certain muscles, to achieve the results you want, such as reducing pain.

Types of biofeedback methods

There are numerous methods for conducting biofeedback and depending on your health problems and goals we can understand the correct method of biofeedback. For instance,  a couple of methods are Brainwave, Breathing, and Heart Rate. The brainwave method uses scalp sensors to monitor your brain waves. During breathing biofeedback, bands are placed around your abdomen,chest or ear lobe to monitor your breathing pattern and respiration rate. Heart rate biofeedback uses a finger or earlobe sensors with a device or sensors placed on your chest, lower torso or wrists to measure your heart rate and heart rate variability.

The Takeaway

It is generally safe. Biofeedback might not be appropriate for everyone, though. Be sure to discuss it with your doctor first.

The feedback teaches you to change or control your body’s physiological reactions by changing your thoughts, emotions or behavior. In turn, this can help the condition for which you sought treatment.

For instance, biofeedback can pinpoint tense muscles that are causing headaches. You then learn how to invoke positive physical changes in your body, such as relaxing those specific muscles, to reduce your pain. The ultimate goal of biofeedback is to learn to use these techniques at home on your own.

Be aware that some products might be falsely marketed as biofeedback devices, and that not all biofeedback practitioners are reputable. Also, it is important to be aware that although biofeedback can be a substitute for medication it is important to create a comprehensive plan with your doctor in order to make the proper plan catered for you. That’s where we come in. Here at Pathways, we help you create a comprehensive plan to treat a host of issues ranging from ADHD to anxiety with a host of methods to cater to your specific needs.

LET’S GET STARTED

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Source: Pathways Neuropsychology
An In-Depth look at Biofeedback

The Relationship Between Sugar and ADHD

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The Relationship Between Sugar and ADHD

Relationship Between Sugar and ADHD

The Relationship Between Sugar and ADHD

How Does Sugar Impact ADHD?

A study2 conducted at Yale University indicates that high-sugar diets may increase inattention in some kids with ADHD.  However, the consensus thus far seems to demonstrate no correlation between refined sugar and increased hyperactivity in children with ADHD. An answer for the  Yale University study is that it suggests that some kids with ADHD are sensitive to copious amounts of sugar.

Alternatives To Sugar

If resorting to candy or sweets use white peppermints sweetened with sorbitol or sugar-free gum. Manage the candy your child is allowed to consume on a daily basis. Substitute sugary products with nuts, fresh veggies,  and colorful fruits with tasty dips.  Avoid fruit “drinks”, which are high in sugar.

Sugar by Any Other Name

The following ingredients are all code words for sugar. When grocery shopping and looking at an item that has an overwhelmingly long list of ingredients, you can use this to help understand what does and what doesn’t have some form of sugar in it.

  • corn sweetener
  • corn syrup
  • corn syrup solids
  • dehydrated cane juice
  • dextrin
  • dextrose
  • maltodextrin; malt syrup; maltose
  • molasses
  • rice syrup
  • saccharose
  • sorghum or sorghum syrup
  • sucrose

The Takeaway

You can conduct your own experiment at home to determine whether your child is sensitive to sugar intake.  For a week allow your child to consume sugar and monitor his behavior, and keep a written log. Then remove the sugar from his diet for a week. Then repeat so you have a month’s worth of data to compare the results.

Bottom line is, sugar is not healthy regardless of the effects on behavior. From cavities to suppressing the immune system, to taking the place of healthy foods, to increasing the risk of diabetes, to obesity, it’s well known that too much sugar can cause a host of problems.

Dr. Gordon is an experienced ADHD expert. He is devoted to helping you learn more about ADHD and find solutions for each individual’s needs. Please feel free to contact us for any concerns or questions regarding ADHD about yourself, or a loved one.

The Pathways team of professionals has helped thousands of people with ADHD. We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with neurological challenges.

LET’S GET STARTED

The post The Relationship Between Sugar and ADHD appeared first on Pathways Neuropsychology Associates.


Source: Pathways Neuropsychology
The Relationship Between Sugar and ADHD

What is Chronic Pain and how can you combat it?

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What is Chronic Pain and how can you combat it?

What is Chronic Pain and how can you combat it?

What is Chronic Pain and how can you combat it?

Pain involves nerve endings in the body and nerve pathways from the brain to the body.  Pain becomes chronic when it lasts for over 6 months. Our thoughts, personalities,  social environment and learned behaviors can all contribute to how severe the pain is experienced. 

What are methods to Combat Chronic Pain?

1. Deep Breathing, Meditation, & Biofeedback

Meditation techniques can help relax your body. This may help ease pain since the tension and tightness from themuscles can receive a quiet message to relax from meditation. The key in meditation is focusing on the breath, observing thoughts, and possibly repeating a word or phrase which can help the body relax.

Another relaxation technique similar to meditation is deep breathing.  Find a quiet location and a comfortable body position. Then, imagine a spot just below your navel. Breathe into that spot, filling your abdomen with air. Let the air fill you from the abdomen up, then let it out in a cycle you create. 

There are many, many different relaxation and meditation techniques.  During biofeedback you can see the body relax and learn the best strategy for you!

2. Reduce stress in your life

Negative feelings like depression, anxiety, stress, and anger can increase the body’s sensitivity to pain. By learning to better manage stress, you may find some relief from chronic pain.

There are many techniques that can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. A therapist can review these strategies and help you determine what helps you reduce stress the most.  Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a proven intervention to teach an individual to better manage their stress and their pain.

3. Exercise

Exercising causes the release of brain chemicals called Endorphins that help improve your mood while also blocking pain signals. Exercise also strengthens muscles, which helps prevent re-injury and further pain. Plus, exercise can help keep your weight down, reduce heart disease risk, and control blood sugar levels.

The Takeaway

It is important to realize that pain isn’t necessarily something over which we have no control. We are able to combat pain in numerous ways mentioned such as meditation, changing our negative attitudes and thoughts, reducing stress, and exercising.  At Pathways Neuropsychology are here to help you learn the techniques that work best for you!

LET’S GET STARTED

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Source: Pathways Neuropsychology
What is Chronic Pain and how can you combat it?

How Cognitive Behavior Therapy May Help Suicidal People

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How Cognitive Behavior Therapy May Help Suicidal People

COGMED - Cognitive Behavior Therapy

How Cognitive Behavior Therapy May Help Suicidal People


Excerpt from New York Times. read the full story here

In Cognitive Behavior Therapy (C.B.T.), clear steps are intended to help build hope, solve problems and make a plan to avoid relapses.

After a week of devastating news about suicide, there has been much discussion of the need for people who may be thinking of ending their lives to reach out for help. But some people who are suffering may be skeptical that therapy could make a difference.

Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy, or C.B.T., in treating suicidal individuals and decreasing subsequent attempts. A 2016 review of 15 randomized controlled trialsfound that C.B.T. “is a useful strategy in the prevention of suicidal cognitions and suicidal behaviors.”

Throughout my career I have used this method to treat patients with many different types of problems and diagnoses, including suicidal behavior — which may occur along with problems like depression, addictions, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Medications can be very effective in treating certain diagnoses, but those medications may take some time to take effect. Therefore the suicidality must be addressed before the medications will be helpful. Sometimes individuals will need to be hospitalized in order to keep them safe until C.B.T. or medications can help. But inpatient treatment is not necessary for everyone who has suicidal thoughts.

Excerpt from New York Times. read the full story here

The Pathways team of professionals has helped thousands of people with brain injuries. We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with neurological challenges.

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How Cognitive Behavior Therapy May Help Suicidal People

How Can Birds help with Dyslexia Research?

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How Can Birds help with Dyslexia Research?

How Can Birds help with Dyslexia Research

How Can Birds help with Dyslexia Research?

Currently, there is a study being conducted through the University of Virginia’s Brain Institute to develop a model for dyslexia and other language disorders through birds. Specifically, the Zebra Finch.  Unlike some other animals, Zebra Finches learn how to communicate through song from their parents. In the same manner, these Finches are similar to infants, as their auditory system is shaped by exposure to adult speech. 

What is The Study Trying To Accomplish?

Dyslexia, a disorder which affects millions of children, is often characterized by a difficulty with reading. The goal of the study is to be able to observe how changing the birds genes can alter how the finches brain processes sound.  There are several genes that have been implicated in the development of dyslexia and other speech disorders. Changes in one of the genes called KIAA0319 has been associated with an increase in the likelihood of developing dyslexia.

Coming to an understanding of how these changes affect the Finch, we can start coming to conclusions on how we as human being process sound. Also, we can further our understanding of how people develop dyslexia. 

The Bottom Line

This new research is exciting because it can help further understanding of how someone may get Dyslexia.  A study like this can also try and apply its model in a therapeutic setting. However, the research is still being conducted. Although an exciting and promising study, we do not know how different genes in proteins associated with dyslexia-related disorders will manifest in these birds. 

The Pathways team of professionals has helped thousands of people with Dyslexia. We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with neurological challenges.

LET’S GET STARTED

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Source: Pathways Neuropsychology
How Can Birds help with Dyslexia Research?