Hyperactive, Impulsive, Inattentive Children

Is your on-the-go child always on the brink of danger running and climbing, always in trouble, always fidgeting, always talking, wiggling and jiggling…?

Do you have a child whose teachers tell you he cannot sit still, he cannot stand in line, he cannot keep his hands to himself, he cannot stop blurting comments, he often has angry outburst and temper tantrums …?

Are you worried about your child who always seems to be dreaming, who is always behind in his school work, always seems to be late, to be moody, to be forgetful and has, once more, lost or misplaced his homework, toys or books?

Are you asking yourself if your child can control himself, can snap out of it and if this is just ‘kid behavior’ that he will outgrow? Are you wondering what a parent can do to help such a child?

What is Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention are signs of a common neurobiological condition called Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children who have ADHD do not make enough chemicals in their brain for organizing thought. Without enough of these key chemicals, the organizing centers of the brain do not work well. It affects between 5-8 percent of school age children, and between 2-4 percent of adults. ADHD makes it difficult for people to control their impulses—responses that can involve everything from movement, to speech and attentiveness.

Can My Child Just Snap Out of It or Outgrow ADHD

Naturally one person does not exhibit all of these symptoms. But as soon as you notice some, seek help. ADHD has serious consequences including your child’s ability to learn, risks for accidental injuries, family stress and disruption, problems making and keeping friends. Moreover these problems will manifest themselves at home, at school and at play. Your child cannot control himself. It is much more than a young child’s antics and these individuals can and should be helped because they will become adults with the same problems.

How to Help My ADHD Child

~Family Doctor First

The first place to look for answers or for ruling out other problems is with your family doctor. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD but research clearly indicates that ADHD tends to run in families and that it sometimes co-exists with other conditions like anxiety, depression and other learning disabilities. To determine what your child has and how best to treat him is a multifaceted process requiring time and effort.

A medical exam including tests of your child’s eyesight and hearing will probably be the first steps. His sleep patterns, food intakes, general health and physical exercise regimen will be discussed. Your doctor may recommend that you see other health care professionals and give you suggestions to try at home and at school. Leave his office with a follow-up appointment already planned as soon as the results of the other tests and reports from other professionals get back to your family doctor.

~Research, Read and Document

In the mean time, read up on ADHD and familiarize yourself with the type of treatment/accommodations/medication your ADHD child might receive. Start journaling your child’s behavior and the events you think might influence this behavior. Save and file all reports, recommendations, names and contact information of every one you see about his problem. Get and give signed permission notes so information about your child can be shared with the team that is working with your child.

~Learn Behavior Management Techniques

Learn about Behavior management techniques that will help you as a family to cope with the demands and disruptions of your child. Have strategies, like being consistent in your discipline, using rewards and consequences, having a routine for homework, bedtimes, mealtimes and free times that include physical activities. Give structure, love and positive reinforcement to your child who will often not find enough of it “out in the world” because of his ADHD behavior.

~Meet With Your Child’s Teachers

Next, get the child’s teachers on board. Schedule a teacher conference and together draw up a plan, to help your child feel comfortable, feel in control and feel successful in the classroom, in the gym and on the playground.

~Get and Sign Permissions Granting Information Sharing

Your family doctor, the school and other professionals will ask for a free flow of information/results from one to the other. Work as a team, cover all bases and you, the parent, will be the glue that holds all this process together and pushes the right buttons to get solutions.

Children who have ADHD and are supported by their parents, are accommodated at school and have professional counsel will have a much better chance to succeed as a child and as an adult.

What symptoms did your child have that led you to believe he had ADHD?

Related posts:
ADHD Body and Brain Work in Tandem
 Fidgets Toys or Tools
Tactics Tackling Homework With Your ADHD Child
Children and Teens With ADHD and Depression
Michael Phelps ~ ADHD Did Not Stop Him

Chewing and Biting Tip- Chewing Is a Form Of Moving

ADHD Body and Brain Work in Tandem

"The Body Affects the Brain as

Much as the Brain Affects the Body"

It is known that half the kids who have attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADD/ADHD are easily distracted, get angry quickly, experience mood swings and cannot focus and concentrate long enough to finish their work at school nor at home.

Inattention in ADD/ADHD Students will result in the following behaviors:

*Has difficulty listening to lectures, instructions, presentations

*Misplaces tools (pencil, eraser, scribbler, books, lunch box)

*Seems disorganized and always rushing, moving

*Has trouble with tasks that require planning ahead

*Forgets things, neglects to write notes, lists, schedules
*Is easily distracted by classmates, outside noises, other family members

Why Fidgeting Works

This urge for constant motion in Hyperactive children is their way of coping. It is believed that these children’s brains are under-aroused and they use motion to stimulate their brain to focus and listen. If these Special Needs children can manage to subconsciously fidget or chew, say with Kid Companions chewelry, it allows their mind to focus on the main tasks. This is exactly like many people do when they doodle while speaking on the phone or when they listen to music while doing another task.

What Accomodations Should be Made in School

In a school environment, all accommodations given to the student with ADD/ADHD must not be disruptive to the rest of the class. Giving these children quieter options in class and organizing movement breaks for this child during long sitting periods will help him accomplish much more. Making him feel it is OK to quietly stand, do wall pushes or chair pushes will be very beneficial. Standing in the back is another option or sitting on a huge ball, swivel or rocking chairs has proven successful with some hyperactive students.

The adults in the life of a child with attention disorders must help him learn strategies to self regulate his energy body so that he can listen, learn and blend in with his peers.

What is the most effective accommodation that has been made for your child with ADD/ADHD?

Mar 22 Fidgeting Tip - Fidgeting Movements Help Kids With ADHD

Why does fidgeting and other body movements help children with ADHD?

Research has shown that movement (physical activity) affects the same area of the brain that ADHD medications do. Both movement and medications raise the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals in the brain help us to focus and pay attention.

Therefore encouraging these children to respectfully move in class is a good thing. They must be given the opportunity to move at will, all the time not disrupting their peers. Allow silent, unobtrusive fidgets, like Kid Companions, and arrange movement breaks throughout the day.

The regular classroom Teachers or Special Education Teachers must tactfully explain to the class the accommodations planned for their classmate. The Special Needs child must be helped to blend in. Lastly, every member of the class must know that no unacceptable comments will be tolerated.

Has your school made accomodations for your child with ADHD?

Mar 14 Fidgeting Tip-Movement Maintains Alertness

Children with ADHD jiggle and wiggle to maintain alertness. Impaired motor control centers in the brain are the suspected cause of fidgety, hyperactive behavior. Let them move by using discreet Kid Companion fidgets.

Product Innovators Launch Unique Sensory Tool for Special Needs Youth

The idea behind an innovative chewable fidget for special needs youth is aimed at addressing sensory and focus issues while helping youth fit-in. Kid Companions fill a long time void of occupational therapy tools for older children that can be incorporated into the classroom.

09-February-2010 – The recent results of the National Survey of Children's Health showed roughly 1 in 90 US children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Add to this the gamut of other disorders (Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD), Anxiety disorders, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), etc.) our children can be faced with, and it isn't surprising that an increasing number of special needs children are in our classrooms.

Unfortunately, traditional developmental and sensory tools are usually for younger children and can be bright and distracting. Product recalls have also drawn attention to safety troubles in toy land, especially toxic materials in imported goods. “In a world of increasing uncertainty about our childrens' health, The Kid Companion gives parents peace of mind,” said company founder and president, Pierrette d’Entremont. “The response from parents and health professionals has been overwhelmingly positive, we are delighted with the heartfelt feedback we receive.”

Kid Companion's ingenuity is in its' discreet effectiveness' and its safety features. The wearable tool is attractive for growing children, is ideal for SPD and ASD, and helps ADD/ADHD youth focus for tasks without calling attention to themselves or disrupting a classroom. Meg C., the mother of a youth with sensory integration issues incorporates the Kid Companion 'Chewelry' in her son's daily routine. "My son is a sensory kid and this is helping him be a lot more discreet with his need for biting and chewing. This product has made a huge difference for us..."

The Kid Companion was designed to North American safety standards. All components are safe, non-toxic and sourced in North America. A CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) 3rd party testing certificate is sent with each order and is available on the company's website.

The Kid Companion heart comes in four colors, pink, blue, yellow and green. For boys, there is a special line of black and white circle pendants, which also appeal to teens and adults. All pendants are soft and rubbery and contain a hard embossed dot in contrasting color. The product can be disassembled and washed with soap and water, and is dishwasher safe.

Media Information

Name	:	Pierrette d'Entremont
Phone	:	888 818 5004
Email	:	pierrette@chewelry.ca
Url	:	http://www.chewelry.ca/
PO Box	:	1076 hwy 335
City/Town	:	Middle West Pubnico
State/Province	:	Nova Scotia
Zip Code	:	B0W 2M0
Country	:	Canada Read a mom's testimonial about the benefits Kid Companions Chewelry has brought to her daughter here