ADDVANTAGE
Solutions for Attention Deficits and Learning Problems
Information about
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disabilities
US News and World Report (04/26/04)
Knowledge is power. To manage effectively, parents of children with ADHD and learning problems (and individuals with ADHD or LD) need to obtain good quality information about these conditions. To learn more, individuals can take classes offered by community agencies, read books and articles, or explore the Internet.
Research in the field of ADHD is rapidly advancing with new ideas frequently emerging. We endeavor to stay abreast of the most recent theories and findings.
ADDVANTAGE offers parents and professionals up-to-date information about ADHD and LD through small classes, presentations for community groups, educational counseling, and a library of books, videos and reprints. ADDVANTAGE also maintains a Web site with information, links to Internet based resources and ready access to books through Amazon.com.
Click here for Books & Internet Resources
General Information about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD is a set of neurologically based traits that include trouble maintaining focused attention, distractibility, impulsivity and, sometimes, hyperactivity. Children with ADHD often have other behavioral, emotional, learning or social problems. Please note that most people use "ADD" and "ADHD" interchangeably.
ADHD can be seen as the brain's "executive functions" not working well. Executive functions include the abilities to:
 | Organize, Prioritize and Activate for Task |
The ADHD individual who experiences difficulty in this area procrastinates, needs pressure to get started on a task, is unrealistic with estimating time and money, has difficulties setting priorities and has poor follow up on plans and intentions.
| Focus and Sustain Attention to Task |
These individuals are preoccupied with their own thoughts, easily distracted both internally and externally, lose focus when reading and/or listening, need reminders to stay on task, and switch tasks frequently, getting easily sidetracked.
| Sustain Alertness, Effort, Processing Speed |
ADHD individuals have an arousal problem. They are excessive daydreamers, appear unmotivated and apathetic, effort fades quickly, and processing speed slows. All this leads to very inconsistent productivity. How many times have we said about our ADHD kids, “But he was able to do it last week.”
| Manage Frustration and Modulate Affect |
Difficulties in this area include: becoming easily frustrated, overly sensitive to criticism, having a short fuse, excessive irritability, worrying excessively, perfectionistic, often sad, unhappy and discouraged.
| Utilize Working Memory, Access Recall |
Working memory is the ability to hold information in one’s head while applying it to a problem. Problems include: forgetting intended words and actions, losing track of papers, belongings, learning things and then not being able to retrieve them, difficulty following sequences directions, and quickly losing thoughts put ‘on hold.’
| Regulate Verbal and Motoric Action |
Inability to regulated actions leads to impulsive behavior, fidgetiness, motoric restlessness, and being overly quick to jump to conclusions. These individuals act before they think.
Click here for more information about assessment and interventions for executive functions problems.
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Though most children exhibit some of the symptoms of ADHD, the diagnosis should be reserved for those individuals who show the symptoms, most of the time and to an extreme degree.
ADHD affects about five percent of American children (around 2 million). Children usually do not outgrow ADHD. If unrecognized and untreated, serious academic, interpersonal, vocational and legal problems can occur.
ADHD is a complex disorder that requires careful evaluation before treatment begins. Once diagnosed, the treatment of ADHD typically includes medication as well as classroom interventions, and family and individual counseling.
Neurofeedback, a nonmedical intervention, has rapidly been gaining wide acceptance over the last several years. Neurofeedback is not intended to replace other traditional interventions, but can be a powerful adjunct which can make other interventions more effective.
Some contend that people with ADD/ADHD thrive in the right context. These are some of the well-known individuals with ADD/ADHD who have succeeded: Famous People and Attention Deficit Disorder; More Famous People with Attention Deficit Disorder.
Thom Hartmann sees ADHD children as "hunters" trying to manage in a "farming" environment. Some accomplished adults see ADHD as an important part of their success (Making a Plus From the Deficit in ADD).
Internet Resources for ADHD & LD
My ADHD, a comprehensive resource for mental health professionals, teachers, adults with ADHD and parents.
The Manhatten Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Support Group. A broad collection of websites about ADD/ADHD.
ADDvance Specializes particularly in girls and women with ADD/ADHD. They offer a wide range of excellent books.
Help for ADD - research about ADD and ADHD
ADDitude Magazine, The Happy, Healthy, Lifestyle Magazine For People With ADD
A.D.D. Warehouse Online catalog of books, videos, training tools, games, and assessment products on Attention Deficit Disorder and related problems for parents, educators, health professionals, children and adults.
The A.D.D. and Family Support Center
Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) The world's largest and most comprehensive adult ADHD website in the world
CHADD Support group
ADD in School provides hundreds of ideas to help students who have ADHD
All kinds of minds a site about Mel Levine's "Mind at a time" approach to education
SchwabLearning.org a parents' guide to helping children with learning disabilities
Handwriting without tears a site addressing writing problems
Links on developing an IEP (Individual Educational Plan)
Wright's Law Special Education Law & Advocacy
Internet Resources for Neurofeedback
Southeastern Biofeedback and Neurobehavioral Institute (Dr. Joel Lubar)
Society for Neuronal Regulation
Neurofeedback in the News
Wired for Attention - Richmond's Style Weekly
CNN: Biofeedback Widens Its Role in Medicine
Good Morning America - transcript of an interview with Joel Lubar
Parade Magazine "How to Calm a Child"
Psychology Today "Wired for Miracles"
National Public Radio – Weekend Edition
CBS News - Reading, Writing and Ritalin
Practices using Neurofeedback for ADHD
Southeastern Biofeedback and Neurobehavioral Institute (Dr. Joel Lubar)
Any of these books can be ordered from amazon.com by clicking on the book's name
or visit amazon.com to search for other books
![visit amazon.com to search for other books](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/addvantage?tag-id=addvantage&placement=home-logo-130x60b.gif&site=amazon">){kind=link}
There are more and more books being written about ADHD all the time. We have selected from the dozens available the following as good resources for parents and individuals.
Books about ADHD for parents
The A.D.D. Book: New Understandings, New Approaches to Parenting Your Child, by William Sears & Lynda Thompson.
Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents, by Russell A. Barkley.
ADHD-Hyperactivity
: A Consumer's Guide, by Michael Gordon.
ADD/ADHD Behavior Change Resource Kit: Ready to use Strategies & Activities for Helping Children with Attention Deficit Disorder, by Brad L. Flick.
Understanding Girls with AD/HD, by Kathleen G. Nadeau.
The Edison Gene: ADHD and the Gift of the Hunter Child, by Thom Hartmann. [click here for information about Thomas Edison]
Books for Children with ADHD
Putting on the Brakes : Young People's Guide to Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, by Patricia O. Quinn.
Jumpin' Johnny Get Back to Work! : A Child's Guide to ADHD/Hyperactivity, by Michael Gordon.
Books for Adolescents and Adults with ADHD
Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood to Adulthood, by Edward M. Hallowell & John J. Ratey.
Answers to Distraction, by Edward M. Hallowell & John J. Ratey.
Help 4 ADD @ High School, by Kathleen G. Nadeau.
Adventures
in Fast Forward : Life, Love, and Work for the ADD Adult,
by Kathleen G. Nadeau.
You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!: A Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder, by Kate Kelly.
ADD Success Stories : A Guide to Fulfillment for Families With Attention Deficit-Disorder, by Thom Hartmann & John J. Ratey.
The
Hidden Disorder: A Clinician's Guide to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
in Adults, by Robert J. Resnick.
Books about Neurofeedback
A Symphony in the Brain, by Jim Robbins. [website about this book]
Introduction to Quantitative EEG and Neurofeedback, by James Evans & Andrew Abarbanel.
Getting Rid of Ritalin: How Neurofeedback Can Successfully Treat Attention Deficit Disorder Without Drugs, by Robert W. Hill & Eduardo Castro.
Books about Psychological Testing
Understanding Psychological Testing in Children: A Guide for Health Professionals, by Stewart Gabel, Gerald D. Oster & Steven M. Butnik.
Books and Videos for Behavior Management
1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12, by Thomas W. Phelan (book).
1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12, by Thomas W. Phelan (VHS video tape).
Good Behavior, by Daniels Garber & Stephen W. Garber.
Smart Discipline, by Larry Koenig.
Books about "Difficult Children"
The Challenging Child: Understanding, Raising and Enjoying the Five "Difficult" Types of Children, by Stanley I. Greenspan.
Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, Energetic, by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka.
The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, "Chronically Inflexible" Children, by Ross W. Greene.
Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic, by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka.
Helping the Child Who Doesn’t Fit In, by Stephen Nowicki & Marshall P. Duke.
Books for Helping Children Cope
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish.
Raising a Thinking Child: Help Your Young Child to Resolve Everyday Conflicts and Get Along With Others: The "I Can Problem Solve" Program, by Myrna B. Shure & Theresa F. Digeronimo.
Raising a Thinking Preteen: The "I Can Problem Solve" Program for 8- to 12-Year-Olds, Myrna B. Shure & Roberta Israeloff.
Annie Stories: A Special Kind of Story Telling, by Doris Brett.
Books to Help Children Sleep
Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems, by Richard Ferber.
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child: A Step-by-Step Program for a Good Night’s Sleep, by Marc Weissbluth.