Tools, Techniques and Options for ADD/ADHD

Sponsored by: The Santee Cares Grant Program

Agenda• Quick review of basic concepts• Treatment decisions/choices• Techniques for classroom/homework• Tools to help build confidence• Parent group formation

Official Diagnostic Criteria: ADD (Inattention)

Child must exhibit 6 or more of the following:1. Often fails to give closer attention to details or makes careless

mistakes in schoolwork or other activities.2. Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play

activities.3. Often does not appear to listen when spoken to directly.4. Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish

school work, chores, or duties.5. Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.6. Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks requiring

sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework).7. Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (for example,

toys, school assignments, pencils, books or tools).8. Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.9. Often forgetful in daily activities.

Official Diagnostic Criteria:Hyperactivity/Impulsivity

Child must exhibit 6 or more of the following:1. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.2. Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in

which remaining seated in expected.3. Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in

which it is inappropriate.4. Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities

quietly.5. Is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor.”6. Often talks excessively.7. Often blurts out answers before questions have been

completed.8. Often has difficulty awaiting turn.9. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (for example, butts

into conversations or games).

What Is Currently Known…• Estimates of ADHD

prevalence among school aged children: 3-12%

• No one has all of the symptoms or displays the disorder in exactly the same way.

• Diagnosed at least 3x more frequently in boys than girls. Research is showing that many more girls actually have ADHD and are not being diagnosed.

What Is Currently Known(Continued…)

• Behaviors stem from their disorder.– Rarely willful or

deliberate– Children are

generally not even aware of their behaviors and how they affect others.

• ADHD is not laziness or a character flaw.

We also know that…• Best treatments are multi-faceted and comprehensive:

– Medical– Psychological– Educational

• Best treatments are collaborative:– Parents– School– Physician– Mental Health Professional– The child

What Is Currently Known(Continued…)

• The prognosis is alarming if not treated. –Without interventions, children with this

disorder are at risk for serious social, emotional, behavioral, and academic problems.

• Prognosis is positive and hopeful when treated.

• There are many successful individuals in every profession and walks of life!

Famous Celebrities with ADHD

Jamie Oliver• The star chef had ADHD as a child, but he told the Celebrities with

Diseases website that healthy eating helps him manage it. Today, he's a huge proponent for healthier school lunches and eliminating junk food from kids' diets as a way to cope with attention disorders.

Group ActivityJamie Oliver used his talents to

become an extremely rich and successful chef and TV personality, even with ADHD.–What positive attributes does your child

have that you think will help them be successful one day?

– How could you, as a parent, help highlight and strengthen those characteristics?

Positive Traits and Characteristics

• Highly energetic

• Creative/Inventive

• Artistic• Imaginative• Empathic• Resourceful• Not boring

• Negotiators• Intelligent/

Bright• Charismatic• Full of spunk• Passionate• Outgoing• Ready for action

Treatment Options• Medication• Psycho-Social (Therapy)• Alternative Treatments

MedicationStimulant Medications• Most common, advised first

choice.• Increased production of

neuro-transmitters in the brain to more normalized level.

• Proven beneficial: 80-90%• Finding the right medication

and dose.

Medications• Ritalin

• Dexedrine• Adderall• Dextrostat• Concerta• Methylin• Metadate• Focalin

MedicationMedications• Imipramine• Desiprimine• Amytriptyline• Nortiptyline

Tricyclic Antidepressants• Second-line choice of meds• May be best for:

– Co-existing conditions– Children who have side effects to

stimulant

• Benefits include reduction of hyperactivity and impulsivity, plus:– Mood swings– Anxiety– Depression

Research on Psycho-Social Treatments

• Direct Contingency Management– Positive and negative contingencies are applied directly to

child by teachers/counselors.• Clinical Behavior Therapy

– Most common- includes therapist training teachers/parents in behavior• Prompting and positively attending to appropriate behavior• Consistent corrective consequences to inappropriate behaviors• Coordinating programs between home/school• Requires big commitment

• Social Skills Training– Children are directly taught social skills and given

opportunities to practice and rewarded.

Alternative Treatments• Parents need to be cautious and informed

consumers when considering alternative treatments.

• Forms of alternative treatment include:– Special diets– Supplements of megavitamins– Chiropractic skull manipulation– Biofeedback– Herbal remedies– Hypnosis

Group ActivityPlease take a few moments to share

with your table:• What treatments are you currently

using?– Is it helping? What’s your feedback?

• What treatments are you considering?

• What treatments have you heard about?

Techniques and Strategies• Positive Discipline• Behavior Management• Rewards and Positive Reinforcers for

Home• Homework Tips for Parents• Classroom Techniques

Positive Discipline/Behavior Management

• Provide structure, routine, and predictability• Set limits and mean business!• Establish a few rules/expectations that are

understood clearly• Make it a goal to catch child “being good”

at least once a day, more is better!• Reinforce desired behavior with a positive

consequences (praise, smiles, hugs, privileges)

Rewards and Reinforcers Used at Chet• Class applause• Tutoring younger

children• First in line• Classroom free-time• Chance to tell

appropriate jokes in class

• Study/sit with friend

Effective Punishments/Consequences

• Ignoring (specifically attention-getting behaviors)

• Verbal reprimands (not yelling and screaming)

• Removal of privileges• Response costs (points, etc)• Timeout• Separate behavior from character

Group Activity• What are some creative rewards you

use with your child?• What are some consequences that

you’ve found to work well?• What is homework

time like at yourhouse?

Homework Techniques• Quiet workspace• Limit distractions and reduce

unnecessary noise• Work with them to establish best time

and place• Develop routine!• Assist with getting started• Ask to see what they’ve accomplished

(time)

Chet F. Harritt Classroom Techniques

• Weekly report cards• Reinforcers/Consequences• Periodic desk/notebook checks (weekly)• Providing examples• Accommodations for learning styles– Visual– Auditory– Kinesthetic

Top 30 Tips for Parents1. Make sure what you’re dealing with really

is AD/HD2. Build your support.3. Know your limits.4. Structure5. Post rules6. Repeat directions7. Make frequent eye contact.8. Set limits, boundaries

Top 30 Tips for Parents9. Have predictable schedule as

possible. 10.Special care for transitions11.Allow for escape valves.12.Provide frequent feedback13.Break down large tasks.14.Loosen up! Act silly!15.But watch out for over-stimulation.

Top 30 Tips for Parents16. Seek out and underscore success as much as possible.17. Use tricks to improve memory.18. Announce what you are going to say before you say it.

Say it. Then say what you have said.19. Simplify instructions. Simplify choices.20. Use feedback that helps child become self-observant.

– AD/HD children often have no idea how they come across or how they have been behaving. Try to give them this information in a constructive way. Ask questions like “Do you know what just happened?” or “How do you think you might have said that differently?” or “Why do you think that other girl looked sad when you said what you said?”

Top 30 Tips for Parents21. Make expectations explicit.22. Children with AD/HD respond to rewards and

incentives.23. Try discreetly to offer specific and explicit

advise as a sort of social coaching.24. Make a game out of things when possible.25. Give responsibility back to child when

possible.26. Praise, stroke, approve, encourage, nourish.27. Be like the conductor of a symphony. Get

the orchestra’s attention before beginning.

Top 30 Tips for Parents28. Expect to repeat, repeat, repeat.29. Provide for exercise.

• One of the best treatments for AD/HD, in both children and adults, is exercise, preferable vigorous exercise. Exercise helps work off excess energy, it helps focus attention, it stimulates certain hormones and neurochemicals that are beneficial, and it is fun.

30. Always be on the lookout for sparkling moments!• These kids are far more talented and gifted than they

often seem. They are full of creativity, play, spontaneity, and good cheer. They usually have a “special something” that enhances whatever setting they’re in.

Methods for Building Confidence• Fun and Laughter• Breathing Techniques• Yoga and Slow-Movement Exercises• Visualization and Guided Imagery• Music• Leisure Activities, Recreation and

Hobbies• Exercise

Any Questions?

Resources

• Terry Wilke, LCSW (619) 300-8498

• BRAKES: Interactive Newsletter for Kids with ADHD www.maginationpress.com

• www.CHADD.net– Meetings in Clairemont, Chula Vista, Encinitas,

Rancho Penisquitos…