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ADHD Tips For Parents: 6 Great Books to Read

7/1/2015

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6 great books for Parents with an ADHD Child by Nikki Schwartz, LPC at Oaktree Counseling in Virginia BeachPhoto Credit: amenclinicphotos ac via flickr
As a parent with a child with ADHD, does it ever feel like it's you against six storm troopers?  Those are tough odds.  Here are five books to help you be a better parent to a child, who, while having great potential, also can't find his socks right now... that are on his feet.  (Face palm.)

DISCLAIMER: First, just so we're clear, you're already a great parent, just by reading books like these.  It isn't necessarily the books, but that you are the type of parent who clicks on a post like this and reads books like these, that makes the difference.  Second, nothing to disclose, no affiliation with any of the authors or Amazon.  No affiliate links.

PicturePhoto Credit: pasakuru via flickr
And this is a picture, for visual effect, of you against six storm troopers... yeah, not pretty.  So, onto the amazing parent that you are, who reads all the books. (If you're missing the reference, go back and read the disclaimer.) CONTINUE READING


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ADHD Tips for Parents: Mom has ADHD, too

5/19/2015

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by Nikki Schwartz
As a mom with ADHD, married to a man with ADHD, raising a kiddo with ADHD... Life gets complicated sometimes.  Trying to keep up with all of life's to do's can be really hard. (If you need more proof, read this awesome blog post on Domestic Enemies of the ADHD Mom.)  Here are some things that can help life be less stressful for everyone.
CONTINUE READING

Disclosure: I have no affiliation with Target or Amazon and receive no compensation, kickback, free product or services from mentioning or linking to their products.
What do you do when you're the parent with ADHD?

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Guest Post: ADHD Comes in Different Shapes and Sizes

4/28/2013

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Guest Post by R. Andrew Bindewald III

Do Tiggers have ADHD? Does Pooh like honey?? by Andrew BindewaldPhoto Credit: All Photos by JD Hancock via Flickr
This post on ADHD subtypes and Winnie-The-Pooh comes from Andrew Bindewald, a Master's student from Regent University.  He found the idea intriguing that different characters from The Hundred Acre Woods offered great metaphors for different aspects of ADHD.  

So, without further delay... The wonderful thing about Tiggers... is hyperactivity.  Which is sometimes... not so wonderful... :-/

Hyperactivity

Do you have a bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy miniature Tigger living with you? Don't worry, you are not the only one! Tigger is a favorite of many children and adults because of his energetic and bubbly personality. He is also an example of classic ADHD because he is hyperactive, impulsive, easily distracted and disorganized.

Tiggers need lots of exercise, social interaction, praise, and will benefit from fidget strategies to help them focus when they are bored. 
Tiggers are hyperactive, impulsive and inattentive
Photo Credit: JD Hancock via Flickr

Over-Focused and Anxious

Rabbit is over-focused and anxious
Photo Credit: JD Hancock via Flickr
ADHD and Anxiety are often found together.  Rabbit is a vivid example of someone with ADHD who is over-focused and anxious. He has difficulty shifting attention, inflexibility, anxiety, and he is frequently caught in cycles of negative thoughts. Know anyone like Rabbit?

Rabbits' attention problems are fueled by his anxiety.  So, Rabbits will benefit from a yoga, meditation, journaling, and addressing negative thinking.

Overly Anxious and Shy

Piglet is anxiousPhoto Credit: JD Hancock via Flickr
A child like Piglet may or may not have ADHD.  Piglet does has trouble shifting attention, but also has excessive worry, is hypervigilant, and easily startled. These are signs of Social Phobia or Social Anxiety Disorder, which can co-occur with ADHD.

Help Piglets by following their lead and letting them set the pace.  Encourage new opportunities for social interaction and praise small successes.

Winnie the Pooh is distracted
Photo Credit: JD Hancock
Winnie-The-Pooh is a good example of ADHD without the H.   Pooh often has trouble focusing, paying attention and he is often found to be "off in a cloud," not paying attention what is going on around him.

Most Poohs are probably trying harder than we realize and the harder they try, the more difficult it is to think clearly.  Be careful not to accuse Poohs of "not trying hard enough".  Encourage them to take a step back when they are having trouble.  Make chores, homework, and other tasks as interesting as possible.

Inattentive

Or Does Your Child Look More like Eeyore?

Eeyore has depression. ADHD types and Winnie the Pooh @SpectrumPsychPhoto Credit: JD Hancock via Flickr
Eeyore is a sad fellow who has little energy, chronic low-grade depression, and feelings of hopelessness. These can be signs of childhood depression, difficulties at school or trouble adjusting to changes in family life, such as moving, divorce, etc.

Help Eeyores by asking them to talk about problems in bite-sized chunks.  Let them act out the struggles in play, be involved in what is going on at school and with their friends.

The Most Wonderful Thing About ADHD...

There is strength in knowledge and awareness. By realizing there are many different kinds of ADHD, and by identifying and understanding different symptoms, you can help your child live a fuller, happier life! 

Check out other posts for more tips for hyperactive children with ADHD. As a parent of a child who has been diagnosed with ADHD and exhibits anxiety, hyperactivity or inattention, you are not alone!  Reach out to other parents who know what you're going through.  Seek the help of a supportive and understanding counselor who can help you and your child develop practical strategies that build on his strengths, instead of focusing on his deficits.  

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments. Please tell us about your experiences with ADHD, and do not hesitate to share a story of your own! (P.S.  We showed you a picture of Roo and Kanga in the picture collage at the top... Roo doesn't have ADHD, :) he's just a fun kiddo.)

Andrew Bindewald, III, Practicum Student
Andrew Bindewald is a Masters in Community Counseling, Clinical Mental Health major, at Regent University. His interests range from, in no particular order, basketball, comical YouTube videos and neurofeedback.

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Should Kids with ADHD Sit Still to Learn
Should Kids with ADHD Sit Still to Learn?
ADHD Tips for Parents Infographic
ADHD Tip for Parents Infographic
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ADHD Tips for Parents: Should They Sit Still?

4/4/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

Yes, kids with ADHD should sit still.  All the time. Preferably, they can sit still with an elephant sitting on top of them. ;)  Because for some kiddos with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders this is about the only way to make it happen. Great idea, huh? Check out more of my creative ADHD Tips for Parents. (By the way, how fun is the photo of the cutie pie under the elephant statue?)

So, barring squishing your kids with very large animals, what then?  Well, this might be the wrong question to start with.  So, what is/are the right question(s)?
Picture
Photo Credit (Bottom Right, Clockwise):  Kids Giving Your Problems? Hire an Elephant by peasap, Blowing Bubbles by Nicki Varkevisser, Tapping a Pencil by Rennett Stowe, Running by Ian Carroll. All photos used with permission via Flickr, with Creative Commons Licenses.

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ADHD Tips for Parents: Medication may be safer than caffeine

2/11/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

[Nikki], I'm concerned with your suggestion that medication is safer than caffeine in the long term. Can you post some links to back up the data? I understand caffeine in large doses has side effects such palpitations and increased nervousness, but that compared to the long list of side effects of meds such as Adderall and Ritalin, which may include psychosis, increased aggression, suicidal thoughts and in extreme cases, sudden death. I would venture that caffeine is safer. -Alida

CONTINUE READING
Picture
Photo Credit: lemsipmatt via Flickr
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website does NOT constitute medical advice, and should NOT serve as the basis for any medical decision by you. Please consult with a physician or other medical professional should you have questions regarding information contained in this section of our Website.

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ADHD Tips for Parents: Avoiding Substance Abuse

2/1/2013

 

by Nikki Schwartz

In my infographic ADHD Tips for Parents, I mentioned that kids with ADHD are at risk for substance abuse problems. First, I'll explain why kids with ADHD are more likely to seek out drugs and alcohol in the first place.  The I'll talk about what can you do as a parent, to help your kid better manage his ADHD without turning to marijuana, cigarettes or other drugs. CONTINUE READING
ADHD Tips for Parents: Avoiding Substance Abuse | See all our pins at @SpectrumPsych
Photo Credit: D. Sharon Pruitt via Flickr

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ADHD Tips for Parents: Rough & Tumble Play

1/9/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

What else can you do to help your ADHD focus better and get some of the fidgety energy out?  This post in the ADHD Tips for Parents series focuses on how and why playful rough housing and energetic activities is so helpful for kids with ADHD.  Occupational Therapy calls this "heavy work". What is Heavy Work?
CONTINUE READING
Picture
Photo Credit: "Mike" Michael L. Baird, flickr.bairdphotos.com
Important Note: Safety is key with this type of ADHD strategy.  Please utilize these ideas wisely.  These suggestions are not meant to substitute common sense or the advice of a health professional.

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ADHD Tips for Parents: Background Music

12/11/2012

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ADHD Tips for Parents: Background Music by Nikki Schwartz at SpectrumPsychological.net
Photo Credit: D. Sharon Pruitt via Flickr
This is my third post in the series ADHD Tips for Parents.  Each post discusses strategies that help people manage ADHD symptoms, without annoying everyone around them.

Has your child ever insisted they could study better with music?  It might seem unlikely to someone without ADHD.  How could they focus?  Well, they are probably right.  They probably can study better with the right type of background music. CONTINUE READING

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ADHD Tips for Parents: Exercise, Lots of Exercise

12/5/2012

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I often hear from clients, whose kiddos have ADHD, that their children's habits are disruptive or annoying to peers and classmates, as well as family members.  I started this series a few weeks ago with an ADHD infographic to help offer some suggestions. CONTINUE READING
Picture

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ADHD Tips for Parents: Fidgets

11/30/2012

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ADHD Tips for Parents: Fidgets
This is my second post in the ADHD Tips for Parents series.  I started off by posting an ADHD Tips Infographic that offered alternatives to ADHD habits that are unsafe, unhealthy or simply annoying to others.  The ADHD brain tends to have an understimulated frontal lobe, where decision making, planning, and organizing happens.  People with ADHD naturally choose activities and habits to help stimulate that area of the brain.  Noisy fidgeting is very common, things like tapping feet, clicking pens, cracking knuckles, and tends to irritate others. CONTINUE READING


(Photo from Top Left: Pencil Fidgets by Abilitations; The Ultimate Fidget by Sensory University; 
Therapy Tangle by Tangle Creations; Balance Cushion by Isokinetics)


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    Nikki Schwartz, Licensed Professional Counselor

    Nikki Schwartz,
    LPC, NCC

    About Nikki

    Nikki is a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Oaktree.  She focuses on utilizing neurofeedback in the Virginia Beach area, as well as play therapy, and other counseling techniques to help clients and families play, live, and work together.

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