Month: July 2018

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (commonly referred to as ADHD) is a medical neurological disorder. While individuals can experience a variety of different symptoms, ADHD primarily affects someone’s ability to organize, focus, and concentrate. This doesn’t only pose challenges when being in learning and working environments, but also day to day tasks.

Here are a few ways you can manage your ADHD symptoms, and get the most of out every day.

Stay Organized

From to-do lists to calendars and planners, staying organized is a great way to prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed. Having a notebook and pen handy is great if you want to write down appointments, tasks, or ideas without worrying about cluttering brain space. Break down your week into days, and days into smaller tasks and benchmarks. 

Get Enough Sleep

Powering through the day on only a few hours of sleep can be rough for anyone, and particularly those with ADHD. The less time you spend sound asleep, the more exaggerated ADHD symptoms become. Although one of the symptoms of ADHD can be trouble sleeping, minimizing screen time and managing stress can help you get some shut eye, faster.

Practice Self Care

Whether reading a book, painting, or taking the dog for a walk – self-care is always a good idea. Doing something you enjoy can help relieve stress and realign focus. Furthermore, eating a well-balanced diet and practicing mindfulness or meditation are other great ways to help manage your ADHD symptoms.

Learn to say No

Those with ADHD sometimes have trouble controlling impulses, and may easily find themselves having bitten off more than they can chew. Whether it be at work or at home, trying to juggle too much can leave you exhausted and burnt out. Learning to say no, and realizing that its okay to say no, can improve your ability to stay organized and focused.

Marathon Mentality

Managing ADHD isn’t something you only have to worry about at school or work – it requires your attention 24/7. Figure out what practices work best for you based on schedule and lifestyle – and then make them a habit. Long-term success with managing ADHD symptoms may seem daunting, but take it one day at a time.

While some days will be better than others, having the ability to recognize and manage your ADHD symptoms is a powerful thing. Figuring out what works best for you and your symptoms will help you feel confident and empowered, regardless of your environment.

 

Sources:

https://psychcentral.com/blog/12-best-tips-for-coping-with-adhd/

http://caddac.ca/adhd/understanding-adhd/in-general/

https://self-reg.ca/2016/01/26/the-self-reg-view-of-adhd/

https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/your-adhd-brain-stay-organized-forget-less-get-more-done-0509174

Reading and comprehension are important skills for any child – regardless if they face a learning disability or not. From school to extracurricular activities, reading plays a huge role in children’s lives – and consequently, so does their confidence in the ability to read. Parents play a crucial role in their child’s success, as reading expands into other academic and social areas. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to helping your child overcome any reading reservations they may have.

1. Be a cheerleader

When it comes to children who struggle with reading, confidence is everything. They may be reluctant to sitting down and reading for a certain period of time because they can get easily frustrated or distracted. So be encouraging  and celebrate the small wins!

2. Choose topics of high interest

Getting your child to sit down and focus can be half the battle – and reading through a whole book may be another. Choosing materials that are based around topics your child enjoys  – like sports or animals – won’t make reading seem like a chore, and hopefully, they won’t be as reluctant.

3. One step at a time

Patience is key. Having realistic goals and timeframes for your child should minimize frustration and distraction while reading. Having a game plan or routine set in place of what and how long you’ll be reading can also minimize any anxiety. Be patient with your child, and also yourself – progress takes time, but even something as small as reading 10 minutes a day can lead to big results.

4. Keep track

Whether it be a decorated calendar or sticker count, keeping track of progress is important. Not only is it a great way to measure your child’s success, but it’s a great tool to keep them motivated and focused. Who wouldn’t like to celebrate how far they’ve come?

5. Remember to have fun

Problems with reading usually arise from issues with words and letters. Furthermore, being able to organize, interpret, and remember what those words mean present another obstacle. Use games and activities to familiarize your child with arranging and analyzing. Between games, books, and technology, switching things up will keep reading fresh and interesting.

 

Happy Reading! 

 

Sources:
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/reading-together-tips-parents-children-adhd https://www.howtolearn.com/2013/05/5-strategies-to-help-your-child-to-read/