Thriving with ADHD

For all you who asked, here is the outline for the February 3, 2009 Teleconference Thriving with ADHD

What is ADHD
• A medical condition characterized by inattention, impulsivity and or hyperactivity
• Approximately 5-7 percent of school-aged children have ADHD
• 2 million children in US
• 5 million adults US
ADHD is not
• Lack of motivation
• Poor parenting
• A result of parenting
• Laziness
• Low intelligence
• Uncommon
Executive Function
• "Executive Function" refers to a set of mental processes that serve as the boss of our brain, the organizer, strategic planner and Chief Executive Officer of our brain.
• We use executive function when we perform activities such as planning, organizing, strategizing, paying attention to details and remembering information.
When The Boss is Out
• Difficulty with
– Problem solving
– Organization
– Managing behavior
– Mood modulation
– Starting and stopping behaviors
– Staying on task
EF Observable Behavior
• TIME MANAGEMENT
– Finish work on time
– Keep track of time
– Make and keep plans
• ATTENTION
– Stay on task
– Make and act on corrections while speaking, thinking, reading and writing
• ORGANIZING THOUGHTS TO COMMUNICATE THEM
– Ask for what one needs
– Communicate ides in a relevant sequential manner
– Express emotional state thoughtfully
– Act on self-corrections while speaking, thinking, reading and writing
EF Observable Behavior
• PLANNING
– Initiating relevant tasks
– Acting on independently generated ideas or plans
– Planning a project
– Projecting how much time is needed for a project
• MEMORY
– Holding information in working memory
– Retaining and using information in the moment
– Retrieving information from memory
– Keeping track of more than one thing at once
Additional Domains
• IMPULSIVITY
• MOOD MODULATION
• SENSORY STIMULATION
Co-morbid Issues
• ODD
• CD
• Tics
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Social issues
• Self-esteem
Managing ADHD
• Structure
• Organization
• Planning
• Mastery
• Family mission
• Family values
• Clear rules
• Clear expectations
• Clear consequences

Hear You Then.

Time: 11 am in Phoenix 1 pm ET 10 am PT
Cost: First class Free
Call in line: 712-429-0690 pin 884068#.