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Welcome to the new edition of "Adapted PE" at PELINKS4U. This edition will take a look at children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), commonly referred to as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivety Disorder (ADHD), and their health and physical education needs. Almost everyone knows at least one person who deals with ADHD, and it is not uncommon to have a student in your classroom with this condition. "A generation ago, the diagnosis did not exist. Now about 3-5% of all school-age children, mostly boys, are believed to have this condition, which is characterized by poor concentration, impulsive behavior, and an inappropriately high level of activity. Over the last three decades, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as it is now called, has generated almost constant controversy. Critics charge that ADHD is overdiagnosed and misdiagnosed. Many are alarmed that ADHD is most often treated with powerful drugs with the potential for abuse. What are the long-term consequences for children now taking these drugs? What is the evidence to support ADHD as a disorder? What are the effective treatments? Children with ADHD, suffer peer rejection and engage in a broad array of disruptive behaviors. Their academic and social difficulties have far-reaching and long-term consequences. These children have higher accident rates, and later in life, children with ADHD in combination with conduct disorders experience drug abuse, antisocial behavior, and accidents of all sorts. For many individuals, the impact of ADHD continues into adulthood." Read this article by Maryann Napoli, How to Treat Hyperactive Children: New Consensus Report. We hope you will find the information in this issue informative, and possibly a valuable resource for working with students who have ADHD. Sincerely, PELINKS4U Staff

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ADHD Facts

Is It ADD, or ADHD? What's the Difference? The difference is mostly one of terminology, which can be confusing at times. The "official" clinical diagnosis is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. In turn ADHD is broken down into different subtypes: Combined Type; Predominantly Inattentive Type; and Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type. Many people use the term ADD as a generic term for all types of ADHD. The term ADD has gained popularity among the general public, in the media, and is even commonly used among professionals. We are basically still talking about the same thing however, whether we call it ADD or ADHD. Who Has ADHD? According to epidemiological data, approximately 4% to 6% of the U.S. population has ADHD. ADHD usually persists throughout a person's lifetime. It is not limited to children. Approximately one-half to two-thirds of children with ADHD will continue to have significant problems with ADHD symptoms and behaviors as adults, which impacts their lives on the job, within the family, and in social relationships. Definition of ADHD ADHD is a diagnosis applied to children and adults who consistently display certain characteristic behaviors over a period of time. The most common core features include: • Distractibility (poor sustained attention to tasks) • Impulsivity (impaired impulse control and delay of gratification) • Hyperactivity (excessive activity and physical restlessness) In order to meet diagnostic criteria these behaviors must be excessive, long-term, and pervasive. The behaviors must appear before age 7, and continue for at least 6 months. A crucial consideration is that the behaviors must create a real handicap in at least two areas of a person's life, such as school, home, work, or social settings. These criteria set ADHD apart from the "normal" distractibility and impulsive behavior of childhood, or the effects of the hectic and overstressed lifestyle prevalent in our society. This information and so much more, including; research, coaching, treatment, books, career and work, family issues, and school and ADD, can be found at the National Attention Deficit Disorder Association.

Parent Resources

Moms Online If your child has AD/HD, you're probably more involved than the average mom with the school system. But AD/HD realities also extend beyond the halls of classrooms and into our own homes and family dynamics. How do you as a parent, relate with, and advocate for your ADHD child? Share advice, resources & camaraderie with like moms!

Contribute YOUR Ideas

If you have ideas, comments, letters to share, or questions about particular topics, please email one of the following Adapted PE Section Editors:

Carol Huettig Kristi Roth Cindy Piletic

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Power Parenting for Children with ADHD At this site you will find practical proven strategies to help you manage your child's difficult behaviors. Not only will you find the book on "Power Parenting", but valuable resources are offered, such as behavior solutions, homework solutions, success stories, appropriate rules, and much more. How to Reach and Teach ADD/ADHD Children This site offers a resource book for all the techniques, strategies & interventions you need to help children with ADD/ADHD succeed in school (grades K-12) and beyond! How to Reach and Teach ADD/ADHD Children helps you make a real difference in the day-to-day behavior, academic success, and future prospects of students of all ages affected by attention deficits, with or without hyperactivity. Written by Sandy Rief, a veteran special education teacher, this indispensable guide gives you hundreds of ready-to-use management techniques, sample contracts and forms, checklists, and classroom tested strategies to help you get the best from children with ADD/ADHD. You'll learn: • What ADD/ADHD is (and isn't) • School-tested strategies to prevent behavior problems • How to improve students' organization and study skills • Ways to get, focus, and keep students' attention • Multisensory teaching techniques for the content areas • Successful home-school intervention plans from actual cases • Ways to modify tests and assignments for struggling students • How to avoid problems during transitional & non-instructional time • What you need to know about medications and their management in school • And more!

Can ADHD Be Outgrown or Cured? "As they grow up, with appropriate help from parents and clinicians, children with ADHD become better able to suppress their hyperactivity and to channel it into more socially acceptable behaviors, like physical exercise or fidgeting. And although we know that half of all children with ADHD will still show signs of the problem into adulthood, we also know that the medications and therapy that help children also work for adults. All people with ADHD have natural talents and abilities that they can draw on to create fine lives and careers for themselves. In fact, many people with ADHD even feel that their patterns of behavior give them unique, often unrecognized, advantages. People with ADHD tend to be outgoing and ready for action. Because of their drive for excitement and stimulation, many become successful in business, sports, construction, and public speaking. Because of their ability to think about many things at once, many have won acclaim as artists and inventors. Many choose work that gives them freedom to move around and release excess energy. But some find ways to be effective in quieter, more sedentary careers. Sally, a computer programmer, found that she thinks best when she wears headphones to reduce distracting noises. Like Henry, some people strive to increase their organizational skills. Others who own their own business find it useful to hire support staff to provide day-to-day management." (ref. HeliosHealth.com. Even though most people don't outgrow ADHD, people do learn to adapt and live fulfilling lives. Mark, Lisa, and Henry are making good lives for themselves - not by being cured, but by developing their personal strengths. Read their success stories.

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After School Activities: Exploring Options for the Child with ADHD by D. Steven Ledingham The good news is that the behaviors driving parents crazy are the same things driving our ADHD child to explore everything in the world - the challenge known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Knowing about ADHD encourages many new choices for creating an environment that is both healthy for us as parents and productive for our ADHD child. With a positive and empowered perspective, parents can promote activities to the ADHD child that make good use of the child's time, teach essential life skills, provide educational content, use surplus energy, are fun, and improve self-esteem. This is an excellent site to explore, teaching parent's how to work with the child's disability. Eight concepts work together in the young ADHD brain to announce to a child novelty, immersion, reward, peer modeling, appropriate challenge, distracting the busy brain, allowing for cool down time, and the need to have fun. Understanding these concepts will help you in picking an appropriate and interest-building activity for your child. Check out this site for an understanding of these eight essential concepts. You will also find some excellent activities for the ADHD child, and some activities to avoid.

Nutrition

Note: Parents use discretion and good judgement when reviewing Internet sites and information. These materials do not replace nutritional soundness, or a doctors advice and care. ADD & Vitamin C Diet, as we all know, plays an important roll on how our body looks, feels, and how our brain is stimulated. Explore this site to find out the nutritional benefits that can possibly improve the side effects that occur with ADD/ADHD. ADD Focus - Diet Diet modification in the treatment of ADHD continues to be controversial, although many parents insist that eliminating certain foods from a child's diet leads to a significant reduction in symptoms. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry believes that the removal of certain dyes and other substances may be beneficial to some children. You will also find many other great resources at this site. ADHD Outreach and the Power of Nutrition Proper nutrition is important for all children but even more so for children that suffer from ADD or ADHD. At this site, there is a great deal of nutritional information that you may find beneficial for the child with this disorder. Attention Deficit Disorder & Diet Patients with ADD have responded better to the treatments of this disorder. A diet high in complex carbohydrates should be started before any other treatments.

Teaching Ideas

Teaching Kids with ADD This site offers ideas for establishing the proper learning environment, giving instructions to students with ADD, giving assignments, modifying behavior and enhancing self-esteem, and has other educational recommendations. This site is well worth checking out for teachers and parents alike. Teaching Tips This site offers methods for dealing with an ADHD student, tokens for success, strategies for teaching, using children's books to help, and great tips for helping your students achieve more in your classroom. Also offered are tips for improving the learning environment, and so much more. This is a great site for teachers.

Sports & Recreation

Spring Sports & ADHD With great weather and school out, the energy you and your child have wrestled to keep under control during the winter months will not be denied an outlet. Communities and schools offer a variety of spring sports in which to enroll your children. Which sports and activities are best for kids with ADHD? Check out this site to find out. The Great Outdoors Two of the things our families need most are; stress reduction and family bonding times. Camping in the great outdoors offers both in abundance. Make sure your family camping trip is filled with great memories by careful planning and giving everyone a "job" to do. Then get out there and get rid of your stress!

Miscellaneous

Neurofeedback for ADD and ADHD Neurofeedback, also known as EEG Biofeedback and Neurotherapy, is a painless, non-invasive treatment that allows individuals to gain information about their brainwave activity. Neurofeedback is being used as an adjunct or alternative treatment to medication and behavior management. There are no side effects. This topic is worth asking your doctor about if your child has ADD. GatorBytes A wealth of information links about ADHD.