Archive for category: ADHD

Children with ADHD benefit from knowing what to expect before they arrive to the classroom. This will not only prevent any potential issues (e.g., behavioral, academic) during the first days or weeks of school, but it will also provide the child with a much-needed boost of self-confidence, as they won’t be as overwhelmed with their new classroom environment, new teacher(s), classroom rules, peers, and the numerous other distractions and challenges they will face.

Children with ADHD thrive in structured environments and when they are provided clear and specific instructions. Unfortunately, your child’s academic environment won’t always (or consistently) provide these things, but you can create a sort of classroom crash course for your child in order to provide that sameness and structure that he/she needs.

Creating a behavioral plan with your child and practicing the techniques and strategies in the plan ahead of time is like taking a practice makes perfect approach: You and your child will understand and rehearse the objectives on the plan before he/she is presented with the situation and repeated exposure to the behavioral plan objectives will help your child master these tasks before school starts.

The behavioral plan can be tailored to your child’s unique needs, but oftentimes includes objectives such as impulse control strategies (e.g., reducing interrupting/talking out of turn), managing restlessness/fidgeting, following directions (e.g., listening skills), and getting homework/assignments completed on time.

Below is an example of one component of the behavioral plan that you and your child can create and practice together so that you can both start the school year prepared, confident, and ready to get the most out of the academic experience.

Managing restlessness/fidgeting in the classroom

• Provide your child a “stress ball” that can be used at home when the child is participating in an activity that involves staying seated and concentrating
  • This will teach your child to get used to squeezing the ball when he/she becomes restless in class
• Practice deep breathing exercises at home
  • Take about 15 minutes every day for you and your child to practice diaphragmatic breathing, where you take several deep “belly breathes,” in through the nose and out through the mouth
  • Instruct your child to practice this breathing exercise when he/she feels like “moving around” while doing a seated activity at home that requires sustained mental effort (e.g., put your child to do a series of math problems or writing exercises so that he/she learns to anticipate when it’s time to take a break for deep breathing)

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.

If you would like additional information on relaxation exercises, contact PNA for an appointment for a biofeedback session for your child

 

A New Medication for ADHD on the Horizon 

Psychologists may have a promising new ADHD medication option to prescribe: mazindol CR. Mazindol CR, also known as NLS-1, is a treatment produced by the Switzerland-based company, NLS Pharma. It would be a revolutionary addition to the ADHD medicine cabinet because unlike current options on the market, mazindol CR is a non-stimulant. Many patients do not take well to stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate or amphetamine. Pending successful completion of the last stage of testing, NLS-1 could open up a new door for countless people with ADHD symptoms. 

Let’s look at the numbers from the Phase II part of the trial*:

● 85 adults with ADHD took part in a double-blind, placebo controlled trial for 6 weeks

● 55 percent of participants taking NLS-1 said their symptoms decreased by at least 50 percent

● 70 percent of participants taking NLS-1 said their symptoms decreased by at least 30 percent

● Less than 25 percent of participants taking the placebo reported a 30 percent or greater improvement, making the results statistically significant

● Benefits were experienced within 1 week, which is ⅙ of the time other non-stimulants take to activate

The results also mentioned that the side-effects were “very-well tolerated”, although it was unclear exactly what the side-effects are, or the quantity of them. Nonetheless, the trial showed exciting results that may change the way psychologists prescribe medicinal ADHD treatments.

*NLS Pharma, 2017. NLS PHARMA UNVEILS POSITIVE PHASE 2 DATA FOR NLS-1 (MAZINDOL CR) IN ADULTS WITH ADHD, DEMONSTRATING SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN SYMPTOMS. Stans/Switzerland & Miami. Web. source

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.

What if there was a way to treat ADHD without taking a trip to the pharmacy? Believe it or not, this idea is not too farfetched. Many doctors describe exercise as a natural “medication” that can treat ADHD symptoms effectively. While exercise will most likely not replace traditional treatment options, it can be used as a strong compliment. In fact, exercise often affects the same core component as the stimulants do: one’s executive functions. Memory, inhibition, attention, and prioritization are all examples of executive functions. When one has a strong grip on executive functions and becomes less impulsive, there is a greater chance of behavioral and academic success.

So how does this “medication” work? Again, let’s look to stimulants to find our answer. When children take Ritalin or Adderal, the activity of the neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine are increased. Exercise is a natural way to modulate dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine activity and availability in the brain. When these neurotransmitters are increased, one experiences heightened attention and overall greater use of executive function. If your child is struggling in school, it is a smart idea to look into organized athletic activities that involves consistent participation. It does not matter exactly which sport. Anthything from gymnastics, to karote, to cross country will provide the type of sustained aerobic activity that will be beneficial to your child. More likely than not, you will see increased improvement in conjunction with traditional psychotherapy and/ or pharmaceuticals!

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

The brain is vital organ that, like the other organs in the body, depend on nutrients for healthy function and endurance. Those with ADHD are even more dependent on proper nutrients and sleep. Cognition, memory, and mood may all be affected by eating well. More importantly, unhealthy eating and poor sleep can exacerbate ADHD symptoms and make a profound difference in academic success. Studies have shown that the elimination of processed sugars and other unwholesome foods improve ADHD symptoms in the majority of study participants. Why does diet make such a profound impact? Food influences the chemicals in the brain that are involved in ADHD. Importantly, serotonin and dopamine are the major players here. In addition to influencing ADHD symptoms, serotonin levels can also influence sleep behavior.

While not technically a drug, healthy nutrients in everyday food can be thought of as a potent “medication” that may profoundly impact the performance of one with ADHD. In this light, it is important for one to take his or her “daily dose.” This includes plenty of drinking water, complex carbohydrates, and lean protein gradually and consistently taken in on daily basis. Such behavior will increase positive sleeping behavior while keeping serotonin and dopamine at advantageous levels. Conversely, simple sugars like candy or soda, may create an initial spike in these neurotransmitters, but this will be followed by a sharp decline that will leave on craving even more unhealthy food. The result is a “domino effect” and putting the brain in a chemical state that may strengthen the negative behavioral symptoms of ADHD.

Three quick pointers:

*Drink plenty of water and avoid excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol. Importantly, stay hydrated while avoiding sugary drinks. Sugar drinks are a waste of calories!

*Eat smart: not all calories are the same! It is important to intake a proper amount of daily calories to feed the brain. However, not all calories will affect ADHD symptoms uniformly. Unfortunately for those with ADHD, impulsive tendencies often lead to consumption of simple carbohydrates such as soda, candy, and processed snacks that cause sharp unsustainable increases in blood sugar. On the other hand, complex carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables, will have result in more favorable and sustained neurotransmitter levels. Foods high in protein will help control blood sugar levels. When one consistently practices good habits, some of the cravings for “junk food” will be better controlled. Go for those sweet potatoes and blueberries next time you are at the grocery store!

*Get sleep! Food and sleep are intimately related and, together, they both profoundly affect the behavioral and emotional state of those with ADHD.

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.