A Bit of Research on ADHD
Children with ADHD are frequently impulsive. Fortunately, researchers are trying to get to the bottom of this to determine the reason(s) why and what can be done about it. Authors of an editorial in the American Journal of Psychiatry (2006) remarked that watching the brain in action under MRI is helping researchers and doctors better understand the underpinnings of ADHD, or in other words, what is going on in the brain? Interestingly, the areas of the brain implicated in ADHD that are frequently targeted for study are ALSO part of the brain’s internal timing network. Timing in the brain is known to be disrupted in individuals with ADHD & has also been implicated in the ability to control one’s impulses and behavior. Interactive Metronome can be an important part of the treatment program for a person with ADHD by improving timing in the brain and addressing some of the areas of brain function mentioned in this article (i.e., working memory, ability to tune out distractions and pay attention to what is most important).
Casey, B.J. and Durston, S. (2006). From Behavior to Cognition to the Brain and Back: What Have We Learned from Functional Imaging Studies of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? American Journal of Psychiatry, 163, 6.
Adult ADHD:Mariko’s Story
“The simple fact that I can stick with a task until it is complete is a major break through for me!”
Mariko, Yamamoto is a college age student and has come a long way after going through the Interactive Metronome® program at IMprove in Okinawa, Japan. Mariko ’s inability to concentrate, her short attention span, and hyperactive behavior were taking a toll on her academic and daily life. One of Mariko ’s biggest problems was her inability to organize her tasks, like cleaning her room. She would never know where to begin cleaning and after hours of shuffling things around she would have to resort to calling her mother to help her get things put away correctly. She also found herself struggling with note taking during her classes and found activities, such as eating meals and washing dishes boring. She would often loose track of her original task and lose valuable study time.
A few safety rules for children with ADHD
These safety rules for ADHD children may seem obvious, but we find that reminders seldom hurt -- especially for caregivers who don't live every day with attention deficit and hyperactivity.
A parent or older sibling must always supervise free play.
Stop his jumping or running sooner than you might with another child.
When outside, hold hands.
When out for a stroll, walk on the side that's closer to the street.
Be ready to stop a child with your actions, not words, should he happen to dart off.
Hold hands in stores or malls, or place the child in a wagon or cart with a seat belt.
Article Published on Additude magazine.
Gift Ideas to enhance an IM program
Gift Ideas to enhance an IM program
Are you looking for a gift for your child who is participating in IM sessions? Parents at our clinic ask me all the time what would be a good gift for their child. Something to enhance their therapy yet is fun. Below I’ve listed some games which can be found at the Wal-Mart, Target, Amazon or Toys R Us, so they are easy to find.
Build a Foundation: Learn to Focus
Build a Foundation: Learn to Focus
There are so many children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD these days. Some kids are struggling to pay attention in class or are labeled as the class clowns or troublemakers at school or other organized events. Whether it be a hyperactivity or an inattention to task, could there be a common thread that was missing when we evaluated these children? We utilized standardized tools such as the Bruininks, VMI ,WOLD and Jebsen. They all tended to score below their same aged peers on these tests, handwriting was poor and sometimes it just didn’t seem like they heard what you were telling them.
Vision Therapists are Using IM to treat ADD/ADHD
![vision_therapy.png](http://www.interactivemetronome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/vision_therapy.png)
Check out this artcle published in "The Dispatch" on September 17, 2011
Written by: Jan Swoope- jswoope@cdispatch.com
![the dispatch logo.png](http://www.interactivemetronome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/the dispatch logo.png)
The eyes have it: Some find life-altering results in vision therapy
On Wednesday, 10-year-old Matt Morel of Caledonia came home from school with a social studies assignment and 10 or so questions to answer about Christopher Columbus. The everyday task might seem ho-hum in most households, but that the fifth-grader could tackle it on his own is cause for joy as far as his parents, Melanie and Keith, are concerned. A year ago, he couldn't have.
"Before Matt had vision therapy, there was no way he could read that and do it," declared his dedicated mom, who used to spend hour after frustrating hour trying to help her son slog through homework. "Even if he had an open book for an exercise in class, it was useless."
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