A Natural Treatment for ADHD

A Natural Treatment for ADHD Have you noticed that your childs ADHD symptoms seem better on days when he or she is more active? Is your child able to sit and focus on his or her homework more easily once he or she has run around and burned off some energy after school? Researchers have only recently begun studying the effects of exercise on ADHD, but results from early studies are promising. Engaging in moderate-to intense-exercise multiple days a week appears to improve ADHD symptoms, executive functioning (read more about executive functioning in my previous post), social skills, and motor control. A recent study by Dr. Betsy Hoza, published in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, compared two interventions in elementary schools. The first was a 30-minutes exercise intervention that included moderate- to-intense physical activity through games like tag and sharks and minnows. The second intervention was sedentary, and included 30-minutes of classroom art projects. Both occurred before school every day for 12 weeks. At the end of the 12-week period parent and teachers rated the children on ADHD symptoms, moodiness, social skills and motor skills. Kids in the physical activity program showed improvement in each of these areas. Scientists arent sure why exercise leads to improvement in ADHD symptoms and other areas of weakness for kids with ADHD, but they have some theories. During exercise the brain releases several chemicals serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine - which are all important for attention and emotional control. In fact, many of the stimulant medications used to treat ADHD target these same chemicals. So, it may be this exercise brain boost that drives improvements in ADHD symptoms, mood, social skills, and motor control. Exercise also improves blood flow in the brain and promotes the development of new brain cells, two factors that may also lead to improvements in ADHD symptoms. Well learn more about how exercise and ADHD symptoms are related as additional research is done. In the meantime, take advantage of what we already know and help your child get active! Its easier to get some kids moving than others. If you have a naturally active child, then finding time and an activity for him or her to do regularly may be your main challenge. If your child is more of a couch potato, then youll need to be a bit more strategic about how you get them moving! Youll have the most success long-term if you find activities that can fit into your childs regular routine. Simple things like getting to school 15 minutes early so your child can spend time on the play structure, taking time a couple of evenings a week to supervise your child while he or she rides their bike outside or plays in the backyard, or talking to your childs afterschool program about the availability of activities that require kids to be physically active. If your child is spending most of his or her time indoors these days, look into apps and websites that encourage physical activity. Im a big fan of GoNoodle, an app that allows kids to choose from guided activities like dance- and sing-alongs, Zumba for kids, track and field activities, and more. Get physically active with your kids. Outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, and skating are great, but simple activities can be good too. Invite your child to come with you when you walk the dog or work in the yard. You can turn every day activities like these into special one-on-one or family bonding time. If youre stuck indoors, try to get creative. Kids always love a spontaneous family dance party! Weve always known that exercise is great for physical health, and promising new research is showing that it may help with ADHD symptoms too. While its not a cure for ADHD, exercise is a great supplement to any ADHD management program. So, give your child the boost he or she may need by helping him or her be more physically active every day ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Irvine GRE Tutor Practical Guide to the GRE Getting Started

Irvine GRE Tutor Practical Guide to the GRE Getting Started Tips from an Irvine GRE Tutor: Practical Guide to the GRE: Getting Started Tips from an Irvine GRE Tutor: Practical Guide to the GRE: Getting Started Most students who are planning to attend graduate school in the US will need to take the GRE. Students who are not planning to go to law, business, or medical school will want to focus their attention towards acing this exam. Some students consider it the graduate school version of SAT while others see it as entirely different. There are a few ways to increase a chance of success on the GRE that students and recent graduates can follow to make their lives a little bit easier. Students are encouraged to think about when they should take the exam and how they should study for it so they can take it once and move on its never too early to book your private Irvine GRE tutor. 1. When is the best time to take the GRE? If students know they are going to apply to graduate school within a couple of years of graduation, they might as well take the GRE as soon as they finish college. At this point, they are still in “student mode” and will be used to focusing their attention on studying and will remember their math and English facts. Once people forget how to solve math formulas and analyze a reading passage or write one themselves, they generally won’t be able to do as well on the exam unless they spend additional time prepping. However, students who have been out of school for awhile shouldnt fret. With the appropriate amount of review, applicants will be able to do well on the GRE. Either way, the GRE shouldnt be a barrier to academic or career success. 2. How should students and recent grads prep? Current students should only prep for the GRE if they are 100% sure they will be able to handle their current workload along with test prep or if they have no choice because they’re applying to grad school straight out of undergrad. If a student is taking the GRE within a year of graduation, they’ll only have to brush up on test prep and familiarize themselves with the exam. On the other hand, applicants who have been out of college for awhile may need to go back and brush up on their basic math, reading comprehension, and writing skills. Each student is different, and the situation depends on what they are currently doing for their career, so its a good idea to consult a test prep professional or former professor for advice (READ: 7 Tips for Studying While Traveling). 3. What happens if the first try isnt successful? If an applicant feels they didnt do well the first time, they’re allowed to take the test again. In fact, the administrators of the exam enable students to take the test as often as every 21 days. Students can also take the exam up to 5 times in any 12-month period. However, scores expire after five years. 4. What score does a student need to be accepted to graduate school? Required scores are entirely dependent on the graduate school program students apply to. Some universities require an excellent score on the GRE while others just ask students to take it as a formality. Its important for applicants to conduct independent research and determine what their specific scoring goals will be based on the graduate school they plan on applying to. 5. What does the GRE cover? The GRE has three sections that cover verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. For the most part, the verbal reasoning section encompasses the students ability to be able to give a passage a close reading, understand and analyze it, and answer questions. The quantitative reasoning section is primarily Algebra, geometry, and data analysis. The analytical writing section will test a students ability to write clearly and concisely in a manner that is easy to read while communicating the student’s ideas (READ: Study Tips from an Orange County Tutor). Additional information on the GRE Take your GRE prep seriously with the help of an Irvine private GRE tutor. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.