Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects many people globally. It has been connected to higher rates of failure in academic settings, a higher likelihood to be unemployed, and could make developing and maintaining relationships difficult. However, on the bright side, researchers have long wondered if ADHD has a strength: Enhanced creativity.
Have you ever been scared in your own home? Children and teens exhibiting defiant behavior consistently can be emotionally draining for themselves and others around them. There's a range between the usual independence-seeking behavior of teens and out-of-control defiant behavior. It's normal to exhibit oppositional behaviors at certain stages of an adolescent’s development.
Hyperlexia is a term that describes a child's precocious ability to read. Children with hyperlexia might show an intense interest in all printed material and could be able to read as early as 18 months old, before any real language skills have even developed. Hyperlexia is not a diagnosis by itself and does not appear as an official diagnosis in psychological diagnostic manuals. The term is used as a practical label to provide parents, educators, and mental health professionals with a better understanding of how a child with hyperlexia might think and learn. This is particularly important because hyperlexia often co-exists alongside Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disorders.
Children with ADHD and children with anxiety can exhibit some similar characteristics and behaviors making it more challenging to tell the difference. For instance, children with ADHD are more likely to have higher rates of co-occurring anxiety. It can be difficult to tease out if inattention is due to anxiety or if in fact, the anxiety is a result of deficits regarding attention regulation due to ADHD. This brings up the added complication of secondary anxiety. Secondary anxiety in children with ADHD usually involves being anxious about executive functioning difficulty (anxiety about assignments, time management, school demands, etc.).
As we delve deeper into the differences between ADHD and Anxiety disorders, let's briefly look at some of the main symptoms of each.
Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder of written expression. It is a learning disability that affects children and adults interfering with skills like handwriting, typing, and spelling. It can also impact the capacity to translate ideas into language.
Although it is estimated that 5-20% of children have Dysgraphia it should not be confused with poor handwriting. Dysgraphia is more serious and generally appears when children are first learning to write. Each case is unique, and experts are not always sure what the causes are, but early treatment can help prevent or reduce problems.
One of the main differences between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder (SCD) is that people with Autism have difficulties with social communication (language deficits, social challenges) AND also exhibit repetitive and/or disruptive behaviors.
Repetitive behaviors often look like:
 Communication Disorder Vs. Autism Spectrum Disorder: What is the Difference?)
Problems can arise in conversation. That's when emotions, expectations, and opinions clash. Everybody sees the world in a different way.
Listening is so important. It is the easiest way to connect with other people and build relationships. We all know about passive listening. The person is hearing us speak but is tuned out or not mentally engaged. This could be discouraging and unsatisfying. Active listening is the opposite. It means listening completely. This type of listening is a skill that involves intentional engagement and can be improved over time with practice and effort.
Depression, prior suicide attempts, psychiatric disorders, intense anxiety, and addiction are common risk factors for suicide.
The finishing line is not 18! It can be difficult when your kids become adults. There are new challenges, new responsibilities and the stakes are higher. Guess what? You're still a parent! There are fantastic ways to help your young adult navigate this new stage of life.
How can students with ADHD improve Organization? Understanding the importance of organizational skills and how to apply them is critical. Organizational skills refer to a set of cognitive abilities that facilitate goal-oriented behavior.
This is a time like no other! As our children head back to school and to the playground, we are naturally concerned about Covid-19 and its variants. A little anxiety can be helpful! It reminds us to wash our hands and wear our masks. Following the advice of health experts is so crucial on our quest back to normalcy. Yet, it is our prerogative as parents to give our children the best tools possible in this new chapter!
