ADD Student

Archive for April, 2008

This blog and website was always supposed to be about learning. I started it in order to educate others about Attention Deficit Disorder. I assumed that I would be the one teaching and you would be the one learning.

As it turns out, it has been a two way street. I have learned from you, as I hope you have learned from me. My biggest learning challenges, however, have come from the site itself.

This Tuesday 10 Minute Tip post is a perfect example. I am always trying to find easier, better ways to do things, and while I often find things that are better, they are not always user friendly, at least not for me.

From now on, assuming I have this right, each Tuesday 10 Minute Tip will be contained in a post like this one (but much shorter in length). They will no longer be featured in the “What’s New” section on the right, not will there be a separate page for them.

If you are a new visitor (after today) or if you want to find an old broadcast, you just need to click on the “Podcast” category to find all of the audio files. This post contains all files up to this point, as well as the the one for today.

Select “Save” to download the file to your computer or “Open” to listen to it using iTunes or another mp3 player. As I get used to doing things this way, I’ll see if I can find a way to add the player right onto the site, as the older audio posts have. I know I find it easier that way.

Since this is new to me and this site, please let me know if you have any trouble with the file.

Audio
Play
Improving Reading Comprehension

Get Ready the Night Before

Clean Your Room

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Taking A Test

Teach the Dog

Adjusting Dosage

More Exam Tips

It’s amazing what you learn when you watch tv. Every now and then, you actually find something of value on the tube.

The other day, I saw a commercial for a breakfast cereal that claimed that kids who ate the cereal were found to have increased focus of almost 20% over kids who skipped breakfast. The statistics were based on an independent clinical study, and you can see it for yourself here.

I’ve always believed that starting the day off with breakfast was a good idea. After 8 or more hours with no nourishment, your body and your brain need some fuel in order to function properly. I’m not sure that this particular cereal is the answer (or at least the only answer), but I think they’re on the right track.

This particular cereal has a decent amount of fiber as well as the protein of 1 egg. I think that protein should be a vital part of any ADDer’s diet, and that it ought to be present at every meal. This goes back to a theory I have about ADD brains and why they are different.

I also think that a good breakfast includes at least one 8 ounce glass of water, and that you should continue to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. I think that your brain functions more effectively that way.

I know that there are lots of people who say that they aren’t hungry in the morning, or that they don’t have time for breakfast, but if you have Attention Deficit Disorder, I think it’s in your best interests to at least give breakfast a try.

Here are a few easy ideas:

A protein bar and a bottle of water

A smoothie made with fruit, tofu, milk or yougurt, and a bottle of water

A few cubes of cheddar cheese and a bottle of water

Some lowfat cottage cheese and a bottle of water

A bowl of cereal with at least 6 grams of protein (although you get some from the milk, too), and a bottle of water

Come on – give it a try for a few days and see if you notice a difference. After all, it’s good for you.
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The American Heart Association is now recommending that children with AD/HD get an electrocardiogram before beginning ADD medication. Check out this article from The Wall Street Journal for more details.

Also – look for this week’s Tuesday 10 Minute Tip a little bit later on Tuesday. I’ve had an exhausting weekend – went out of town to visit my dad – and it’s not over yet.