5 Simple Techniques To Thrive With ADHD

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5 Simple Techniques To Thrive With ADHD

adhd evaluation

5 Simple Techniques To Thrive With ADHD

Children with ADHD deserve to have the best opportunities for growth and development.  That is why it is important to know simple techniques that can help improve your child’s day to day life with ADHD.

Sleep

Getting the right amount of sleep is paramount in order to have the best brain functioning capability.  There are a couple of methods to improve sleep. Some key techniques to getting the right amount of sleep are sticking to strict bedtimes, not using phones or similar devices in bed and only using the bed for sleeping.

Strict bedtimes are important in order to establish a routine for your child. This helps when you build in these external controls at home. You are helping your child to experience more successes and also teaching them good habits and skills.

It has been demonstrated that using your phone before bedtime makes it difficult to fall asleep as well. This is because it prevents the production of melatonin in the body which is a hormone that controls sleep. It also keeps your brain alert to the stimuli.  All of these are important facets in improving sleep which improves functioning with ADHD.

Nutrition

Although there is a debate about the effects of sugar on children, it is clear that a good diet helps brain functioning and overall health. This is why it is important to emphasize protein at every meal and eat fewer processed foods. You can monitor how your children respond to certain foods and have a better understanding of your children’s health.

Exercise

There is a difference between exercise for focus and exercise for fitness. Fast workouts called high-intensity workouts can be used. These workouts are short but have similar health benefits to long workouts. This can be The Scientific 7-Minute Workout. There are also high-intensity interval trainer apps where you can access a quick routine from your phone for your child.

The Takeaway

All of these factors are important in improving functioning for those with ADHD.  Besides these important improvements to your children’s routine, it is also important to have a support system in order to make sure your child has the best possible system in place to work with their disability. 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
5 Simple Techniques To Thrive With ADHD

How Your Mindset Can Have Profound Impacts on How You Live Your Life

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How Your Mindset Can Have Profound Impacts on How You Live Your Life

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How Your Mindset Can Have Profound Impacts on How You Live Your Life?

You may not realize just how much your mindset can impact your life. This can impact job choices, family life, and even attempts at learning a skill.  There are two main mindsets that people usually fall into. There is a Fixed Mindset and the Growth Mindset. 
 
 
Fixed Mindset
 
A fixed mindset is one where there is set expectations and limitations on the possibility of growth and change. Qualities such as giving up easily, ignoring feedback, and avoiding challenges are trademarks of this mindset.
 
Growth Mindset
 
A growth mindset is the exact opposite. It is one that seeks out challenges, learns from criticism, and is persistent. 
 
Does Mindset Make Much of a Difference?
 
Yes. A different mindset can create profound changes in one’s life. It changes one’s perspective and outlook on the world. This translates into being more productive and achieving more than thought possible.  A fixed mindset prevents necessary changes in our lives that can help us grow. 
 
In one study, Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck and her colleagues offered four-year-olds a choice: They could either redo an easy jigsaw puzzle or try a harder one. The children conformed to the characteristics of one of the two mindsets — those with “fixed” mentality chose the easier puzzles that would affirm their existing ability,  whereas those with the “growth” mindset wanted to challenge themselves with the more difficult puzzle in order to become smarter.
 
The Takeaway
 
If you find that you have a fixed mindset, it is not the end of the world. You can change your outlook and create the life that you truly want to live. A mindset is defined as the established set of attitudes held by someone. This is mutable. 
 
You can develop a growth mindset by viewing challenges as opportunities, trying various learning strategies, and cultivating a sense of purpose. 

We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with neurological challenges.

Biofeedback is an effective way to combat these problems.

Contact us and Schedule a Biofeedback appointment

LET’S GET STARTED

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Source: Pathways Neuropsychology
How Your Mindset Can Have Profound Impacts on How You Live Your Life

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

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

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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?