“To do two things at once is to do neither.” Publilius Syrus, Roman slave, first century B.C.
We’ve all heard the woes of students who start their homework after dinner and are still going strong at midnight. But are they truly working nonstop or are they getting distracted along the way? Does the computer [...]
From a brain-imaging study conducted at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory comes evidence that patients suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have lower-than-normal levels of certain proteins essential for experiencing reward and motivation.
“These deficits in the brain’s reward system may help explain clinical symptoms of ADHD, including inattention and reduced motivation, [...]
Parents and teachers often urge students to stop jiggling their legs or tapping their fingers. Children with ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) find it especially challenging to sit still and focus. Often, we exhort these kids to “Focus!” Why?
Well, because we feel that if children are moving all around, they’re not paying attention. Researchers are questioning this [...]
“Defects in working memory — the brain’s temporary storage bin — may explain why one child cannot read her history book and another gets lost in algebra, new research suggests,” according to a Reuters story.
Working memory allows people to hold and manipulate a few items in their minds, such as a telephone number. For [...]
Roberta Valentine has taught 5th grade for 20 years. Every year she, like all elementary school teachers, has a few students who can’t concentrate or hold still more than a few moments. An article in The New York Times lists some approaches tried and failed over the years:
… setting a timer for 10 minutes [...]
More and more young children are diagnosed with ADHD. Via the Boston Globe [free registration req'd] is this list of actions you can take to help your child.
Look for a very structured preschool or day care. All preschool-age children do better with consistent routines, but that is critical for youngsters with ADHD.
Provide a choice [...]
4 out of 5 pediatricians recommend tutoring for management of ADHD. According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) usage among AAP members:
Nearly all pediatricians (97.2%) follow standard guidelines for management of attention deficit hyperactivity [...]
