Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a Behaviour Disorder
On this part of the site, you will find extensive information on:
Parents and toddler son reading book.
What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?; Definition of ADHD; What Causes ADHD?; ADHD Checklist; ADHD Assessment / Test; ADHD Aids & Equipment; ADHD Treatment – How you can Help?; Help & Advice and a ADHD Book List.
You will also find a section on Looking for schools that specialise in ADHD; People who can test for ADHD; Test Centres for ADHD and how to find a Occupational Therapist in your area.
What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behaviour disorder. It has been known about for a long time. Not everyone with ADHD will have the ‘hyperactivity’ part of this disorder.
In 2010, research in The Lancet, concluded that ADHD was a *neurological condition.
As with other problems, mentioned on this site, there are different degrees of severity. A large proportion of children with ADHD display features of dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia.
A child who can’t concentrate; moves around frequently; has poor school performance (in contrast with his intelligence) and has disruptive behaviour may be suffering from ADHD. There is evidence to suggest that children with this problem could eventually be expelled from school.
At times all children may be overactive and inattentive, but hyperactive children are disruptive nearly all the time. ADHD is thought to affect between 3% and 5% of the school-age population. Some evidence exists to show that like, dyslexia and dyspraxia, some 90% of suffers are boys.
People with ADHD appear to be intensely restless and impulsive – if they think about it – they do it, sometimes with disastrous results! They have a hard time focusing on things and get bored after just a few minutes. They often find it difficult paying attention for the shortest possible time, thereby causing problems with organisation and completing routine tasks.
You do not grow out of ADHD, but you do learn to modify your behaviour.
Definition of ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behaviour disorder. It has been known about for a long time. It has undergone several name changes, one time being known as; ‘hyperkinesias’ (Latin derivative for ‘super active’), hyperactivity, and latterly, ADHD. Not everyone with ADHD will have the ‘hyperactivity’ part of this disorder.
As with other problems, mentioned on this site, there are different degrees of severity. A large proportion of children with ADHD display features of dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia.
Definition of ADHD
*Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by a combination of inattentiveness, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsive behaviour. More than half the children diagnosed with ADHD continue to have symptoms during their adolescent years and into adulthood.
ADHD & Medication
ADHD & Medication (Ritalin)
Millions of children each year are diagnosed with ADD / ADHD, and often, as a last resort, these children are put on Ritalin.
A study reveals that Pycnogenol, (pic-noj-en-all), an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, reduces ADHD in children. This research shows Pycnogenol balances stress hormones, which lowers adrenaline and dopamine, resulting in a decrease of ADHD.
ADHD - Touch Typing
Touch Typing Programmes
There are a lot of ‘Touch Typing’ packages available. However, I think for people with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia or other learning difficulties (SpLD’s), it is advisable to use programmes that were specially designed with ‘dyslexic’ type problems in mind. The programmes listed below, have been tested and used for years. They are excellent.
ADHD – Typing Packages
KAZ – Typing Programme
Children love this because it has a big yellow bird that helps to teach them to type. Designed for children 6+ years (This company now has a Dyslexia Edition which has been developed by the ‘Dyslexia Research Trust’.)
KAZ
‘Nessy Fingers Touch Typing’
‘Nessy Fingers Touch Typing’, helps children improve spelling and keyboard skills. Designed for children between 8-12 years.
Nessy
Touch-type Read and Spell (TTRS)
Children who learn to touch type via a multisensory course like Touch-type Read and Spell also have their phonics skills reinforced.
TTRS
Type to Learn 3
Students embark on time-travel missions to learn keyboarding skills.
Smart Kids
Touch Typing Review
KAZ
Why not give your child an advantage over the holidays and get them to touch-type? I am sure you would not mind sitting with them (although you don’t have to) for ¹15 minutes a day for five days.
This will give them an excellent start when they return to school.
KAZ is for children from six years of age, he is a ‘big bird’, and the kids love him.
The programme basically has five phrases, and each sentence will take about fifteen minutes to complete. ¹(Now the caveat on this is there is never any pressure on the child; it may take 15 minutes, 30 or just ten, they have to do it at their own pace.)
When they have completed the five phrases, they will have used all of their fingers and covered the entire keyboard.
After that, it is just practice to increase the speed and to get the whereabouts of the keys to ‘long-term memory’ (that’s my expression, not theirs).
There are also sections for punctuation etc., but they are separate, and you can choose to complete them or not.
My husband and one of our sons can type at 40wpm, using two fingers, so, I don’t necessarily believe in touch-typing per se, but I firmly believe that everyone should know their way around a keyboard well.
If they know the keyboard, when they want to write something, they can just get on and type – it definitely makes writing more accessible.
There are different programmes available; one for children with dyslexia, junior children, and even a version for children with ADHD. Furthermore, it is not just confined to children, so you may want to have a go yourself!
For further information, go to KAZ’s website: KAZ or telephone 01926 423424. ‘
The lady on the other end of the phone is Sheraleen Bragenza. She is very easy to talk to, and she can answer any questions you may have.
Congratulations to KAZ, they have just been
‘voted #1 Best Typing Tutor of the Year’ for 2018.
by Maria Chivers
2018
Adults & ADHD
- Most of the features of ADHD in childhood remain.
- Employment may be difficult because of relationship problems and poor memory.
- Antisocial behaviour may become so extreme it may lead to trouble with the law and to excess alcohol consumption.
- Poor self-esteem may be distressing.
Although you do not grow out of ADHD, you can learn to modify behaviour.
ADHD Posts
Rory Bremner – ADHD and Me
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