ADHD Coaching – ADD & ADHD Tips & Advice on Dealing with ADD & ADHD. ADHD Coaching solutions by Jay B. Gordon, Ph.D. Neuropsychologist.

The Importance of ADHD Relaxation Techniques for Your Child

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The Importance of ADHD Relaxation Techniques for Your Child

ADHD Relaxation Techniques for Your Child | Psychologists | Toms River, NJ | Manahawkin, NJ | Freehold, NJ – Ocean County NJ

The Importance of ADHD Relaxation Techniques for Your Child

As a parent with a child with ADHD, you might struggle to find ways to help your child calm down and relax. Many with ADHD have difficulty paying attention to one task or activity, jumping from one thing to the next, and struggling to follow through with tasks until completion.

Research also shows how ADHD and stress are closely linked, meaning your child may have trouble with feeling overwhelmed or anxious. And this is why relaxation techniques and strategies are so important for individuals (and children) with ADHD. So, let’s dig into this a little bit further. What should you know?

Why Explore Relaxation Techniques for ADHD?

Relaxation techniques offer a helpful tool, allowing your child to self-soothe and relax. This can help your child find ways to reduce stress in their daily life and potentially even enhance their concentration and attention. In fact, learning ways to relax is a crucial piece in ADHD management and treatment plans.

So, what kind of relaxation techniques should you and your child consider exploring?

1. Deep Breathing Techniques

Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest-and-digest system) and switches off the stress response. It’s also really simple!

For an easy go-to deep breathing strategy, inhale for four counts, ensuring it’s a full belly breath. Then, hold for four counts and exhale for another four counts. Continue to do this for 5-8 rounds.

2. Journaling

Journaling can offer a way to get your child’s thoughts out on paper and help them de-stress, as well as organize them. The key is just to write down whatever comes to their mind. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes, and allow them to “brain dump” onto the paper.

3. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude practice helps foster a positive mindset and prevent negative spirals, which can happen when your mind jumps quickly from one thought to the next. Like journaling, set a timer and have your child jot down everything and anything they are grateful for. Make sure you emphasize the importance of truly feeling that sense of appreciation!

4. Move!

Yes, exercise can offer a way for your child with ADHD to relax and de-stress. Try performing some quick jumping jacks or go for a quick and brisk walk around the block. This can bump up endorphins and decrease cortisol (the stress hormone).

5. Do a Five Senses of Mindfulness Exercise

This involves having your child point out five things they can see, the farthest sound they can hear and the closest sound they can hear, something they can smell, something they can taste, and how their body feels. This can further nurture a mind-body connection early on for your child, helping them grow into a healthy adult.

For more strategies to manage ADHD, Pathways Neuropsychology Associates is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

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At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates we use evidence-based evaluation instruments and treatments to get you, your loved one, or your child on the path to success. If you or someone you love are struggling with the symptoms of ADHD, call now and get started!

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The Importance of ADHD Relaxation Techniques for Your Child

4 ADHD Tips for Teens

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4 ADHD Tips for Teens

4 ADHD Tips for Teens | Psychologist Toms River NJ

4 ADHD Tips for Teens

If your teen has been diagnosed with ADHD, they may often feel misunderstood. It can further be frustrating for them to navigate school and friendships. Yet, there are various strategies that can help your child manage their ADHD and corresponding symptoms.

Unfortunately, there is no quick fix. It often takes a combination of approaches to find what works for each individual. While your teen may also find ADHD coaching beneficial, other strategies and tips for ADHD that you might want to explore include:

Tip #1: Limiting Distractions

This may mean encouraging your teen to sit at the front of the class so that they are less likely to get off track. Furthermore, you should discuss a “no-phone” rule with them during school hours as this can also prove to be a huge distraction.

Tip #2: Talking About It

When we try to shy away from discussing what’s going on, it can lead to further issues, including shame and low self-esteem. Instead, encourage your teen to talk about their ADHD with their teacher and friends. The teacher may be able to help you and your teen plan correctly. Furthermore, close friends can foster understanding in situations where ADHD symptoms may arise.

Tip #3: Moving Around During School Breaks

Research shows that individuals with ADHD experience improved attention with regular exercise. It can also prove beneficial for individuals with ADHD when they’re feeling restless to take a break, then come back to the task after they’ve moved around a bit. Again, this may be something you want to discuss with your teen’s teacher.

Tip #4: Focusing on the Positive!

An ADHD diagnosis is just one thing about you or your teen. Inevitably, they have various other positive traits and attributes. Maybe they are ultra-creative. Or perhaps they are very talented in a particular sport.

Part of ADHD coaching involves focusing on a person’s strengths. If you and your teen are looking for ADHD management strategies, Pathways Neuropsychology Associates are here to help. Together, we can uncover the ADHD management strategies that work best for your teen. Contact us today for more information.

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At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates we use evidence-based evaluation instruments and treatments to get you, your loved one, or your child on the path to success. If you or someone you love are struggling with the symptoms of ADHD, call now and get started!

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4 ADHD Tips for Teens

5 Tips to Keep Your Brain Sharp As You Age

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5 Tips to Keep Your Brain Sharp As You Age

Dementia Tips | Psychologist Toms River NJ

5 Tips to Keep Your Brain Sharp As You Age

About 55 million individuals worldwide have dementia. While taking care of your overall health can lower your risk and ensure you live a long and healthy life, exercising your brain is just as important.

As we age, the brain naturally shrinks and blood flow slows. However, you can combat this to some extent. Here’s how!

1. Continue Learning

Learning doesn’t just stop when school ends. It should be a continuous cycle throughout your life. When you learn a new skill or new information, your brain forms new neurological connections. This can keep your mind sharp and in tip-top shape as you age. Research even suggests this to be the case!

2. Eat Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Studies show a link between omega-3 fatty acid consumption and decreased cognitive decline. Ensuring you get enough of these fatty acids on a regular basis is undeniably important. Good food sources of omega-3 include mackerel, salmon, tuna, and nuts.

3. Prioritize Using Your Brain

Need to do some quick math? Instead of pulling out a calculator, try doing it in your head. This can, again, help build and solidify neural connections, making these tasks faster for you in the future.

4. Exercise Regularly

This probably comes as a no-brainer. Exercise can help improve blood flow to your brain, ensuring this organ gets the nutrients and oxygen it needs to function properly. Furthermore, exercise can help reduce high blood pressure and other health markers that are closely linked with the development of dementia.

5. Read More

Research demonstrates how reading has the potential to decrease the chances of memory decline by over 30%. Picking up a book to read before heading to bed or first thing in the morning can provide your brain with the stimulation it needs. Alternatively, you may also choose to join a book club or read to your children or grandchildren.

If you or someone you love is battling memory issues and cognitive decline, get tested for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates, we can help you or your loved one uncover what exactly is going on, as well as navigate this difficult time. We can also provide information regarding the next steps. Get in touch with us today.

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Source: ADHD
5 Tips to Keep Your Brain Sharp As You Age

Medication in Your DMs?

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Medication in Your DMs?

adhd medication evaluation psychologist toms river njMedication in Your DMs?

Lets face it: we have been living in the social media age for quite some time. As we scroll through our Instagram or TiKTok feeds, we are met with countless ads for clothes and streaming subscriptions. More recently, however, a new player has made its way to our smartphone screens (see Times link below for more). Medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as Adderall and Ritalin, are now part of the online subscription ecosystem without the need of meeting anyone in person. On average, patients meet with online doctors for only thirty minutes using these new apps. The mixture of powerful medication with social media may have potential benefits in the sake of healthcare access, but it undoubtedly also may lead to harmful treatment practices.

Historically, in person visits with doctors were needed to obtain ADHD medications, many of which are controlled substances. However, the COVID19 lockdowns led to lax guidelines for obtaining these prescriptions. While these new guidelines made it easier for patients to obtain medication during a pandemic, society is now balancing a fine line between access, medical ethics, and legal compliance to the Controlled Substances Act. Companies such as Cerebral Inc have capitalized on the new digital age, setting patients up with doctor referrals remotely and providing ADHD medications to new patients for the first time without any in-person visits to a care provider.

Patients taking stimulants or other medications for ADHD are often carefully monitored by their doctors for side effects and efficacy. Side effects such as racing heart, appetite suppression, insomnia, sweating, and emotional distress are sometimes experienced with stimulants. Moreover, because there are so many treatment options on the market, patients often work closely with their care providers to see what medications and dose regimens work as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Much of this workflow can be disrupted by streamlined medication startups such as Cerebral. Some of their clientele, for instance, may be trying ADHD medications for first time without previous treatments and may benefit from a close patient-doctor relationship. 

While ADHD medications have drastically improved productivity, organization, and well-being of many patients, the controlled substances can have harmful effects if put in the wrong hands or provided at the wrong doses. That is why it is especially troubling to see reports from social-media platforms of online-physicians feeling pressured to prescribe. The low standards of ADHD diagnoses have led many to believe that smartphone-based medication access is leading to a form of medical malpractice. In fact, this serves the basis of a recent investigations into Cerebral, which already serves 200,000 patients.

Here at Pathways Associates, we are committed to the highest standards of care. Contact us today for comprehensive ADHD evaluation if you believe you or a loved one are experiencing inattention that is disruptive to life, school, or work. Our team has years of experience that avoids potential risks posed by social media-based ADHD treatments. Our providers will work closely with you to provide an accurate diagnosis with a comprehensive and safe treatment plan that may include medication.

Read more here:  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/13/well/mind/cerebral-adhd-medication-tiktok.html

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At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates we use evidence-based evaluation instruments and treatments to get you, your loved one, or your child on the path to success. If you or someone you love are struggling with the symptoms of ADHD, call now and get started!

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Source: ADHD
Medication in Your DMs?

The Dos and Don’ts of Caring for a Loved One with Dementia

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The Dos and Don’ts of Caring for a Loved One with Dementia

The Dos and Don’ts of Caring for a Loved One with Dementia | Psychologist Toms River NJ

The Dos and Don’ts of Caring for a Loved One with Dementia

Watching someone you love experience dementia is heart-wrenching. However, knowing how to care for your loved one with dementia can help maintain that connection for as long as possible and in the best way possible.

Ultimately, it may take some practice. Yet, starting with the dos and don’ts below can offer a guide on what you should and shouldn’t be doing.

Dementia Caregiver Dos and Don’ts

One of the most important things you can do when caring for your loved one with dementia is to practice patience and forgiveness. They aren’t being forgetful on purpose.  And if anything, it’s just—if not more—frustrating for them. So, what should you do?

Here are a few “Dos” for caring for someone with dementia:

  • Talk in short sentences and keep things simple.
  • Ask simple questions with limited options.
  • Repeat instructions or sentences the exact same way you did the first time.
  • Agree with them.
  • Listen attentively and pay attention to their body language.
  • Limit distractions during conversations.
  • Always be respectful.

In contrast, here are some “Don’ts”:

  • Don’t argue or correct.
  • Don’t remind them they have a memory issue (“Don’t you remember? I just told you”)
  • Don’t ask open-ended questions (remember, limit the choices! Instead of “what do you want for dessert?” Ask: “Would you like cake or ice cream?”)
  • Don’t show signs of frustration, such as yelling or anger.
  • Don’t make the individual with dementia have to guess something.
  • Don’t try to complete their sentences or thought (allow them the chance to recall or remember).
  • Don’t take things personally.

Help Your Loved One Get the Care They Need

It can be challenging caring for your loved one alone. Yet, the good news is you don’t need to do it alone. At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates, our team is here to help. Get in touch with us today for more information.

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At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates we use evidence-based evaluation instruments and treatments to get you, your loved one, or your child on the path to success. If you or someone you love are struggling with the symptoms of Dementia, call now and get started!

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Source: ADHD
The Dos and Don’ts of Caring for a Loved One with Dementia

5 Coping Strategies for ADHD

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5 Coping Strategies for ADHD

ADHD Tips - ADHD coaching

5 Coping Strategies for ADHD

Coping with ADHD in your everyday life can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. You might feel distracted or find yourself becoming overwhelmed. Yet, developing proper coping strategies can help you manage your ADHD in an effective and efficient way, allowing you to achieve all your goals and more.

In this article, we outline five coping strategies to help you manage your ADHD. Keep reading to find out more.

1. Find Time to Move

Research shows how exercise is an effective short-term and long-term management tactic for those with ADHD. This is because exercise increases dopamine release, as well as can improve attention and focus while reducing impulsiveness for those with ADHD.

On top of this, regular exercise is associated with decreased risk of depression and anxiety, which are known to be closely linked with ADHD diagnosis.

2. Create Systems for Yourself

If you know you have a tendency to get increasingly distracted as the day goes on, use this to your advantage! Plan on doing priority tasks first so that you, at the very least, complete those and can feel accomplished knowing your priorities are done.

3. Practice Acceptance

An ADHD diagnosis can help you understand yourself more or why you do things the way you do. Yet, don’t let these entities become excuses. Rather, accept yourself and any limitations you may have—while finding systems to help avoid these limitations from becoming problematic (see the above point for more on creating systems!).

4. Create Small Steps for Big Tasks

With ADHD, many individuals find they can quickly become overwhelmed, especially if a task seems large in comparison. This may mean you avoid the task or maybe avoid finishing it. Instead, when tasks seem overwhelming, try breaking them down into steps. Focus on each individual step at a time, not bothering with the next one until the current one is complete. This can make everything much more simple and much less overwhelming!

5. Add Deadlines to Tasks

Even for chores around the house, give yourself a set time to do it. This avoids procrastination or distraction, ensuring things get done and you are less likely to stray off task.

What Else Can You Do?

At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates, we offer ADHD Coaching for individuals struggling with work, school, or social events. Together, we can help you find strategies to manage and overcome what holds you back. Individuals with ADHD can lead relatively normal lives—all it takes is finding the right strategies that work for you. Contact us today.

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At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates we use evidence-based evaluation instruments and treatments to get you, your loved one, or your child on the path to success. If you or someone you love are struggling with the symptoms of ADHD, call now and get started!

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Source: ADHD
5 Coping Strategies for ADHD

ADHD Coaching Tips

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ADHD Coaching Tips

ADHD Coaching Tips Psychologists | Toms River, NJ | Manahawkin, NJ | Freehold, NJ – Ocean County NJ

ADHD Coaching Tips

  • Break large assignments and tasks into smaller parts.
  • Work for 25 minutes, then take a short break. Use a timer!
  • Keep to a routine. For example, homework can be done the same place and same time every day.
  • Set up intrinsic and extrinsic reinforcer/reward
  • Set a schedule. Right the schedule out and make it conspicuous (i.e., using a whiteboard, etc.).
  • Use a written planner. Using your phone, computer, or watch to set a schedule can be helpful, but the act of writing out a schedule further helps with remembering to complete tasks.

At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates we use evidence-based evaluation instruments and treatments to get you, your loved one, or your child on the path to success. If you or someone you love are struggling with the symptoms of ADHD, call now and get started!

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Source: ADHD
ADHD Coaching Tips

ADHD – Back To School Tips

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ADHD – Back To School Tips

ADHD Coaching | Toms River, NJ | Manahawkin, NJ | Freehold, NJ - Ocean County NJADHD – Back to School Tips 

Going back to school can be a stressful experience for a child with ADHD. Here are some tips to make the transition a little less stressful:

Tip #1

Communication! Discuss with your child what he/she should expect, what the morning routine prior to school going to be and what your expectations are of your child.

Tip #2

Listen! Have a discussion with your child and listen to his/her concerns, worries, expectations, and goals. Listen to your child and find our what he/she is excited about for school. This is not a time to lecture or teach. This is a time to listen, empathize, and use your positive attention parenting skills.

Tip #3

Do your prep work. Prior to the start of the school year meet with the principal and discussed your child’s special issues. Advocate for the teacher that works well with ADHD children. Set up the communication system before the school year even starts.

At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates we use evidence-based evaluation instruments and treatments to get you, your loved one, or your child on the path to success. If you or someone you love are struggling with the symptoms of ADHD, call now and get started!

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Source: ADHD
ADHD – Back To School Tips

ADHD versus Bipolar: What Are the Differences?

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ADHD versus Bipolar: What Are the Differences?

ADHD versus Bipolar: What Are the Differences? | Psychologists | Toms River, NJ | Manahawkin, NJ | Freehold, NJ - Ocean County NJ

ADHD versus Bipolar: What Are the Differences?

Life can be hard enough in children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Unfortunately, comorbidities can make matters even more challenging, whether trying to succeed at school or work. Bipolar disorder is more likely to occur in children and adults with ADHD by several fold. What is bipolar disorder, how is it diagnosed, and how does it change ADHD treatment plans?

Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating manic and depressive phases. Depressive phases of bipolar disorder are characterized by feelings of hopelessness and loss of interest in activities. Meanwhile, restlessness, impulsivity, defiant behavior, and inattention are often experienced during manic episodes. While ADHD and bipolar disorder can often coexist (up to 70% of those with bipolar also have ADHD), the two disorders can also be confused with one another since the symptoms of both manic and depressive episodes often overlap with ADHD symptoms.

ADHD is a developmental disorder that affects attention and ability to prioritize tasks and schedules. Those with ADHD often experience inattention, restlessness, insomnia, and quick loss of interest in actives that use to bring joy and excitement. Bipolar disorder, on the other hand, is a mood disorder even though it could mimic signs of ADHD. The key difference is ADHD is constant and more situationally dependent. Whenever a task demands self-regulation or executive control, an individual with ADHD will struggle.  Bipolar, conversely, is less situational and constant. Depressive and manic phases of bipolar come and go as they please, with very little dependent on context and environment. 

Another difference in the manic symptoms of bipolar and the racing thoughts of ADHD is discussed on ADDITUDE.com, “People with ADHD report racing thoughts, which they can grasp and appreciate but can’t necessarily express or record quickly enough. With mania, the patient’s racing thoughts flash by like a flock of birds overtaking them so fast that their color and type is impossible to discern.” It may take a professional to discern the subtle differences. At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates, we have many experts here to help make an accurate diagnosis. 

While it is possible to differentiate between bipolar disorder and ADHD, it is also possible that they can occur at same time. The overlap happens quite often. However, too often one of the two is misdiagnosed or masked by the other. It is important to make an accurate assessment because the treatment depends on it. For instance, stimulants are effective treatments for ADHD, but may exacerbate manic episodes of bipolar. The accuracy of treatment is also important because the outcomes depend on it. For instance, those with bipolar disorder are up to fifteen times more likely to attempt suicide. 

If you or loved one is experiencing symptoms of ADHD and/ or bipolar disorder, please contact Pathways today! We can help you make sense of your symptoms and get you on the right track with our seasoned professionals.

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Source: ADHD
ADHD versus Bipolar: What Are the Differences?

ADHD diagnosis

Early Behavior Therapy Found to Aid Children With ADHD

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Early Behavior Therapy Found to Aid Children With ADHD – According to new research, children with attention-deficit problems improve faster when the first treatment they receive is behavioral. Experts said this approach could possibly change standard medical practice, which favors drugs like Adderall and Ritalin as first-line treatments.

The new research, published in two papers by the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, found that stimulants were most effective as a supplemental, second-line treatment for those who needed it — and often at doses that were lower than normally prescribed.

This story was recently covered in the New York Times and you can read the complete article here . 

Contact Dr. Gordon for help with your ADHD. We have treatment and solutions available online, by phone, and in our offices.

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