attention deficit disorder

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Children with ADHD—How to Recognize the Early Signs of ADHD in Children

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 You will know your child is difficult before he is two years old, especially if you have other children. He exhausts you. He cannot sit still, does not listen to instructions, and gets in trouble constantly. A former foster mother of 36 children with severe ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) said, “These kids make your eyeballs tired.”If your child has behavior problems, it is hard to know what to do next. You may be reluctant to get him assessed right away because you still have questions. What if he just has a lot of energy? What is normal behavior anyway?Typical Milestones of Children without Child Behavior ProblemsAt three years old—he can initiate play activities and he enjoys playing with...

ADHD in Children - How to Get Your Child to Listen to You (Part 3)

Monday, July 6th, 2009  Stage 3: Not Only NO But You'll Pay For ItHere's what it feels like: At this stage, most parents are so miserable, they're trying to find a way out.Here's what your child does: My son was at this stage when he was 8. By then he was hitting us and hurting our feelings all day long. If your child is going to be aggressive, this is when we see it most.Here's what parents typically do: If you worry what your child will do if you ask him to do something (he doesn't want to do), then you're stuck in this miserable state. If you're changing your behavior to please your child so he won't rebel, then he knows you're...

ADHD in Children - How to Get Your Child to Listen to You (Part 2)

Monday, July 6th, 2009  Stage 2: No Way No HowHere's what it feels like: At the moderate stage, most parents are getting discouraged. This usually happens around age 6, but it may be sooner depending on the child's hyperactivity and the parents insistence. It also depends on how oppositional the child may be. (My son was at the moderate stage when he was about 5.) Here's what your child does: He is in charge. You are being held hostage by his angry temper tantrums that last until you give in. He'll have a tantrum every time he doesn't get his way. And he can get quite skilled at them. If this is happening to you, you're both stuck. Your child can't stop it until you...

ADHD in Children - How to Get Your Child to Listen to You - Part 1

Monday, July 6th, 2009 The Problem: Your child is not listening to you. He is not honoring your first request or complying with your wishes.  Parents most common question is "How do I get my child to listen to me?"  This occurs in three main stages depending on your child's hyperactivity and your (his parent's) reactions.  Stage 1: Passive Noncompliance  The first is what we call passive noncompliance.   Here's what it looks like and feels like: Your child is not really defying you and saying NO. But he isn't jumping up and doing what you ask, either. So this leaves you nagging and reminding gently, or not so gently.   Some mothers have to remind their children 5-20 times to get ANYTHING done. Apparently their child...

Parenting Angry Children - Seven Easy Ways to Transform From Reactive to Respected Parent

Monday, July 6th, 2009 Children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), ODD (oppositional defiant disorder), bipolar, autism, Asperger's syndrome, and PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified), can be difficult to manage sometimes. If your child has one of these conditions, he may try to push your buttons so you lose control and he wins. The only way out of this gridlock is to develop some winning tactics of your own.Adopt these winning tactics that soothe your child and elevate your parenting style:1. Refuse to argue. Your child's first line of defense (and distraction from the real issue at hand) is to start an argument. Counter his defensive tactic with your calm logic.For example, if you child doesn't want to do the dishes,...

Specialized Parenting: When Typical Parenting Just Doesn’t Fit

Thursday, February 19th, 2009 Parents tell me they worry about their role in their children's behavior challenges. So let's just get that out of the way... Obviously you care enough to get extra help for your child. That's why you're here right now, right? :)  This is what I think, and you can see if you agree.  Having been through this myself, I'm 90% certain that you are not directly responsible for the development of your child's behavioral or emotional problems. As your child's primary caregiver (not stepparent), you are the only one with the power to resolve his or her behavior and emotional problems.  Some children are more difficult to parent than others. Lots of children have short attention spans. It's hard for them to handle change....

Shorty Awards for Most Valuable Health Content on Twitter

Saturday, January 24th, 2009 Twitter is a social media network for building relationships with others byphone or computer. Here's the catch... You only get 140 characters in whichto relay each message.  It's PERFECT for fast communication without wading through the confusingfluff we often get otherwise. And it's perfect for busy parents who may notLOVE to read.  Twitter is my favorite way to attract seekers of valuable informationon raising children with special needs. The Shorty Awards finished yesterday for the most valuable short content onTwitter in 26 categories.  I was first nominated for the Shorty Awards in the health category on December16, 2008. By midnight yesterday, I had received 22 nominations and 127 votesto win for producer of best health content. Each voter was required to enter WHY they placed their votes with me. You cansee their comments here.  http://shortyawards.com/user/ADHDParenting <<<<<<<<< Yes, I did a little campaigning and I'll tell...

Parenting Advice: What to do when your child says, “I hate you.”…

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 If your child yells, I hate you," and you put on a hurt look or act like a pat of melted butter, he wins this round of emotional blackmail. It's easier for him to verbally abuse "safe Mommy who loves him" than to face the hurtful truth, so it's up to you to change. Calmly say, “I give you permission to hate me.  Do you need to hate me for ten or fifteen [double digit] minutes?”  Let him choose.  Set the timer and leave the room.  When it goes off, check on your child.  If he is still scowling, say, “I see that you’re still daggering me with your eyes, so I’ll give you more time to be angry with me.” (Daggering is our word for the “looking though eye slits”...

ADHD Parenting Tips: First Parenting Success Chat of 2009 - Today

Saturday, January 10th, 2009 The first Parenting Success Chat/Teleseminar of 2009 is today! You're coming, right? Here's the scoop: ******************************************** => Sunday January 11th4 pm Eastern (3 pm Central, 1 pm Pacific)Teleseminar/Webcast (listen by phone or computer) http://budurl.com/ParentingChat  <<<<<<<<<<<<<< ********************************************* In case you haven't attended a teleseminar before,you simply call in by phone or login by computerand you can hear me talking. Best part is that lotsof your online friends will be listening, too. You'll get the phone number to dial when you sign up.You'll also get the webpage you can go to. That page even has a Study guide so you can follow along.It's a good idea to call in or login a little early so you canprint out it out if you want. Topic:"How to get your child to listen without arguing." ************************************ http://budurl.com/ParentingChat <==...

ADD ADHD Parenting: Building The House of Respect - Preparing Your Child With Values, Skills, and the Success Mindset

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 It's easy to get so busy raising our kids that we lose scope of the ultimate goal. That goal is to prepare our children with the values, skills, and mindset for success.  A widely-accepted definition of success is the ability to support oneself in a career he enjoys. It includes the ability to create and maintain enriching relationships. And requires remaining a law-abiding citizen not dependent on drugs or alcohol.I have an embarrassing admission. It bothers me that I got so involved in running this business, that I lost track of some of your goals, too. That is why I'm focusing more on connecting with you, to find out what you want and need to assist you in parenting. On thing is... « Previous Entries Next Entries »