Entries by Christian Nophsker

Stimulant Drug Misuse

Recent research has found that 17% of college students misuse ADHD stimulant drugs. These drugs are popular at college campuses as they are assumed to help students focus on studying, therefore leading to an academic boost. In reality, the misuse of stimulant medications is associated with lower academic performance. It should be noted that “misuse” […]

Cavities in Children with ADHD

Children with ADHD have a higher prevalence of dental cavities than children without ADHD. Specifically, children with ADHD are nearly 10 times more likely to have decayed, missing, or filled teeth. Different theories exist as to why these children experience more cavities and worse oral health in general. Behavior may be to blame for these […]

Sticker Charts!

A great way to motivate your children to behave well and get their homework and chores done! A visual reminder of chores and appropriate behaviors is critical for children just as many adults need a to-do list. Create a chart listing all chores and behaviors that your child should complete by the end of the […]

Why Punishment Doesn’t Work

People often assume that the reason for ADHD is lack of punishment. This can be very insulting for parents as it is assumed that their lack of discipline is to blame. However, lack of punishment does not cause ADHD and increased punishment does not improve ADHD. ADHD is a factor of a child’s neurochemistry and […]

Types of ADD/ADHD

ADD may have either a predominantly inattentive presentation, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation, or a combined presentation. Inattention Symptoms: Makes careless mistakes in work; fails to give attention to details Difficulty paying attention during tasks Does not appear to listen when spoken to Does not follow instructions; fails to finish tasks Difficulty keeping things in order […]

Parenting a Child with ADHD: The A³PC Method

Although, parenting a child with ADHD can be frustrating, techniques exist to help parents promote their child’s success. The A³ parent-child interactions technique focuses on providing affection, positive attention, and affirmation to help children cope with ADHD. 1. Affection Children with ADHD typically receive negative attention from peers and adults, which makes it even more […]

Strengths of Those with ADHD

Although, the word “disorder” has a strongly negative connotation, it is essential to keep in mind that those with ADHD do have strengths. Some behavioral characteristics of ADHD can actually help, rather than hinder, successful performance. Here are some strengths that those with ADHD often display: Energy. When high energy is channeled in a proper […]

What About Girls?

There is estimated to be 3 times as many boys than girls with ADHD. This is the case for nearly all developmental disorders including autism, motor disorders, and aggression problems. Like boys, girls with ADHD experience behavioral, academic, and social problems. Unlike boys, however, girls are more likely to become depressed and internally affected by […]

ADHD: How Young is Too Young?

An issue arises when considering pre-school aged children for an ADHD diagnosis. On one hand, a diagnosis is best made as early as possible in order to implement treatment at a young age. Early identification and treatment of ADHD could prevent significant impairment. For example, utilizing behavioral techniques early in school can prevent learning difficulties. […]

How Does ADHD Medication Work?

Typically, medication is most effective at reducing symptoms of ADHD, while behavioral interventions are effective at resolving social and academic issues. The process of diagnosing ADHD can be a confusing and stressful time, not to mention the confusion regarding how medications work. Keep in mind that a detailed description of this process can fill a […]