Testing Taking and ADHD

DH is thinking about taking a college class, which brought back memories of college testing.  For some, taking tests comes naturally, but for DH, it doesn't, mostly because of testing anxiety and probably some because of ADHD.

Assuming that you've learned the material and prepared adequately for a test, test taking anxiety and ADHD do not have to be a big problem for you.  There are techniques you can learn to manage your symptoms and medication.

The main techniques that worked for my husband during college included:
1)  Allowing extra time (some people get this as an accommodation).  Be aware of the clock, know where your should approximately be after each hour of the test, but don't hyperfocus on the clock so much that you don't do the test.  If you have trouble with hyperfocusing on the clock, you may consider asking for untimed tests.
2)  Learn to skip a question if you don't know the answer after a certain period of time.  Come back to it later.  You can come up with a special mark or write down the question number if it is a test with a lot of questions.
3)  Learn relaxation techniques and practice them.

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Mold and Mushrooms

I got to sit between DH and a family that is so like ours it is scary.  Anyways, one of the similarities is that the father in the other family also has ADHD.  I just about died during the sermon from groaning from all of the puns from DH, the pastor, and this other guy.

Which brings me to one of the nice things about an ADHD husband.  He may have a lot of shortcomings, but I never lack for laughter.  The man is the life of the party and I have no idea where some of the things he says come from.

Oh, yes, so mold and mushrooms?  Fungi.  That's my husband.

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Creative Minds

I do not know if people like Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, and the like had ADHD, as many people claim, but I do know that many people with ADHD are more able than others to ignore traditional boundaries, and are as a result, able to think in very innovative ways.   "Thinking outside of the box" is one reason that DD and I attended a workshop recently on painting.

Painting, and all art, is a great way to think outside of the box in a nonjudgmental atmosphere.  What we say in our art classroom is that there is no wrong in art, unless the artist is not pleased with what she has created.  For kids with ADHD, creative pursuits are important because it is a place where ADHD can be a strength, and where they don't have to face constant critique.

Art can also be a place where a child with ADHD can bless and serve others.  Tonight's painting will be going to a nursing home, along with cards and paper flowers created in crafting class.

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

8 Driving Habits Which May Indicate You Have Adult ADHD

We took a long distance driving trip today, with DH driving.  Now, DH is a pretty decent driver.  Since he became a Christian, he does his best to obey all traffic laws.  But I do notice some differences in his driving which I am pretty sure come from ADHD.  See how many apply to the ADHD patient in your life....

• You think the best route anywhere is the one where you can drive at the greatest speed, even if the distance is longer.
• You think the best route anywhere is the one where you can avoid sitting a stop signs or traffic lights.
• You can't ignore your cell phone if you can hear or feel it ringing while you are driving.
• Your first reaction is to get frustrated at other drivers if you are going below the speed limit.
• You are more likely to exceed the speed limit than to drive far below the speed limit.
• In a new environment, you are likely to drive through an intersection with a stop sign/light.
• If there is a traffic jam, you drive around it, even if it is miles out of your way.
• You've run out of gas while driving.

Just as a disclaimer:  This article is not meant to diagnose ADHD in any person, but to point out the differences between driving habits in patients with ADHD and neurotypical patients.

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Compulsive overeating and ADHD

My mother in law (the mother of DH) is visiting us and we got on the topic of overeating.  She has classic undiagnosed adult ADHD.  She has struggled with eating too many sweets all her life.  She said that she has gotten herself sick eating sweets in the past.  She blames this on the fact that she never got much when she was growing up, which I feel is maybe partly true but not the whole story.

 Its interesting to me because I have been researching an article on obesity and ADHD.  In my travels through the literature, I found a few articles on eating disorders and ADHD.  What interested me was that the articles also discussed some ways that people with ADHD can avoid binge eating, which matched a lot of what my mother in law was telling me about sweets.

Here are some of the tips, a la my mother in law, which went along pretty well with my research so far:
1) " I can't stop eating if its in the house.   If its not in the house, I'm usually ok."
2) "I have to put the candy I make in little bags in the the freezer.  If I can't see it, I won't eat it all in one sitting."
3)  DH chipped in this one.  "Mom would always sit on the couch and watch TV while eating one candy after another."  (Some people find TV is a trigger for overeating, or at least for ignoring the fact that they are full.)

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Why Homeschool Kids Sometimes Still Need Medication

One of the reasons we have decided to stick with homeschooling is DD's ADHD.  Homeschooling takes away the hassle of dealing with bullies, school teachers and the education system, but it isn't an easy solution.  You still have to come up with your own educational plan that will fit your child, and you can be sure that your child will give you more difficulties than a neurotypical child.

We went on our first trip with the elementary kids school co-op group today.  We were attending as a guest.  For those of you who don't homeschool, co-op is when parents get together to organize activities and classes for homeschool kids, usually once a week.

DD sat in the front of the class, and unfortunately it was organized on a rug, where she proceeded to roll around and hop like a bunny.  She even forgot to sit down again after they had an activity and had to be reminded by the teacher.  In our co-op, there are some pretty strict behavior rules, especially for field trips.  I had explained these to DD before we attended, but after an hour, she just didn't remember, even though an older kid (who is a good friend and not ADHD) sat with her to remind her.  I know that she tried to sit still because I told her we might not be asked back if she continued her behavior, and she continued it anyway.  Thankfully, we won't be needing to attend any more co-op classes until fall.    By then, we may be medicating.

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Big Huge Hug!

If you are a friend of DD, if she sees you on the street, chances are she will give you a huge hug.  She might even lift you off your feet, if you are short enough.  She will also want to hold your hand a lot while you are playing.  Kids with ADHD tend to be very physically affectionate.  This can be very nice for parents, but not always so nice for friends, especially new ones.

One of DD's good friends (now) almost wasn't a friend after DD repeatedly tried to grab her hand during a park playdate (with other children).    She only successfully made friends with the child in question after I discreetly pulled her aside and told her that "some big kids don't like to hold hands".

I've also pointed out to her that "some people don't like to be hugged"--like grandma who breaks a bone every time she gets out of her chair, and mommy who just doesn't like hugs.  But of course, as mom, I give and receive hugs freely with her because I know she needs them.

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Marriage, Prayer, and ADHD

DH has mentioned to me many times that praying is very difficult for him unless he is praying alone and aloud.  His mind wanders and he just doesn't pay attention.  It makes for a difficult spiritual connection as a married couple because he's only willing to pray if he's the one talking.  I'll be blunt, it feels really selfish, like many things do with ADHD.

On the one hand, I could say that if something is important to you, then you'll pay attention, but praying with your spouse is one of those things that many times is something you know should be really important, but it isn't that important to your brain, which is governed by your flesh more than you wish it were.

As a spouse who has dealt with ADHD for more than 10 years now, I can say very honestly that I wish my husband would try harder, but I'm glad that at least he tries to pray together as a family.  Many husbands do not even make that effort.  

I also think that as a spouse, its important to cultivate your own walk with God and not get stuck on what your spouse isn't doing.  AND  its important to do your part to work with your spouse's disability.  Keep your prayers short and to the point.  Save venting for your prayer closet.  Discuss family prayer requests regularly when you are not actually praying.  Maybe post a bulletin board with a list of family prayer requests (like in the master bathroom where your spouse can see it, but not every person who walks in your house, if you want to keep things safe and private).

I'd love to hear your ideas about what works to keep prayer in your marriage with your ADHD spouse.

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Managing Holidays with ADHD

Not everyone with ADHD has difficulty with holidays, but I think many children with ADHD do.  It has to do with lack of sleep, being off diet, and being out of the routine.  How much do you allow deviance from the normal in the name of family and tradition, and how much do you enforce the routine in the name of sanity?   Its a balancing act, for sure.

This week we have DH's mother visiting from out of town.  Her idea seems to be that she needs to spoil us as much as possible because she only sees us once or twice a year.  The only problem is that she cannot seem to understand that (1) putting us out of our routine makes us all stressed and more or less out of sorts, and (2) spoiling the kids by feeding them junk isn't really doing something positive for them.    She may stand by and say, "Oh my, I wonder if that (artificially colored and flavored sugar filled smoothie) made them act crazy?"  but then she's back again the next day trying to feed them artificially flavored and colored frozen yogurt at bedtime.

My thoughts are that sacrificing the routine in the name of family and tradition are a good thing if:
1)  all the people involved learn something positive or get positive memories from the experience
2)  the damage does not last for days following the event (for example, if grandma makes 4 dozen cookies filled with artificial food coloring and then leaves them all for us to eat).

How do you decide when to sacrifice your therapeutic routine and diet for family and tradition during the holidays?  Leave a comment!

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Overdiagnosis?

There are a whole host of articles out there about ADHD being overdiagnosed.  A summary of the arguments are that:

• in the past kids who were active had outlets for their energy (PE class, more free time, recess) but now they are required to sit still (for testing, for teachers to meet benchmarks for funding)
• kids who don't behave don't all have ADHD, some have bad parents either incapable, lazy (especially if they are American and not French or Asian) or trying to scam the system to get SSI
• pharmaceutical companies are funding the drive for medicating children instead of letting them have what they need (good parents, an outlet for their energy)
• the economy is so bad that adults find they have to focus more than normal and so they are turning to drugs to help them to pull things together.

I'm a doctor, not a social scientist.  I know what I have seen, and that is that all of the above explanations are partially true and yet none offer a complete explanation for the behaviors of many of the children I have met with symptoms of ADHD.  

I do think, though, that patients need to be aware that there is bias in the medical system.

 The first is in diagnosis.  That is, that many educators (who are not doctors) push for the diagnosis before all of the medical facts are available.    For hints on what makes a proper medical diagnosis, see my article 

Top 10 Things to Do when Your Child Has Been Diagnosed with ADHD

Second, is in medication.  I don't mean to be harsh, but I do think that many children with ADHD could be handled differently by their parents and teachers.  I have made many mistakes myself.  There is definitely a set of children with ADHD who could probably get along with less medication or no medication at all if parents and teachers were trained properly in the special techniques necessary for children with ADHD.  If you start your child (or yourself) on medication, do yourself a favor and see a psychologist or counselor specially trained in ADHD.  Make sure the teacher is on board with what you are doing.  Medication is overrated and doesn't help everything.  You can't expect all your problems to go away just with a medicine.  Any doctor who lets you believe this is mistaken.

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer

Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Why Medicate? Reflections on the Vanderbilt Questionnaire

We are in the process of deciding whether DD should get on medication at this time, or wait for a bit longer.

The AAP recommends against treating with medication if the child's ADHD is mild, or if the child is in preschool (unless other methods have failed).

Well, DD's ADHD is probably more than mild, but there aren't any universally recognized criteria for grading severity of ADHD, so the judgment is probably subjective.  I definitely think medication would be worthwhile if she were failing school or having problems making and keeping friends.  That is not the case.  She is very bright.  Once I get her going doing schoolwork, she can usually do it (although I have to hang over her to keep her going).

When I look at the Vanderbilt Questionnaire, the questions seem to target behaviors that we see but are not really the problem.  So why are we considering medication again?  Well, I think more than anything, I am tired of correcting her, tired of nagging her, just plain tired....  But parental tiredness isn't something you treat by medicating a child.  So what do I want?

I want her to be able to start school without several reminders and threats.

I want her to be able to get dressed in the morning without being nagged.

I want her to be able to face math problems and piano practice without becoming a lump of jelly on the floor.

I want her to not impulsively hit or scream at her brother (or anyone else) because she's mad.

I want her to be able to eat her food without getting half of it on the table and the floor.

I want her to be able to sit for an entire meal without getting up to see what is going on elsewhere in the house.

I want her to sit for evening Bible reading.

I want her to be able to bathe herself.  

I want her to be able to put on her pajamas without being threatened or nagged.

Of those things, it is very possible that medication will not treat morning or evening symptoms (stimulants usually wear off after 4-12 hours to enable the patient to sleep and eat).  So then, what I will get is that she'll be a bit better at meals and not be a lump of jelly.   There might be less conflict with her brother.   This would be an improvement, but is it worth the risk of taking meds?  Not so sure.    I think what I need to do is make a list of the problem behaviors and do a little report card to see how frequent they are before we talk with the doctor.

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Vayarin

Vayarin is a hot new prescription treatment for ADHD.  Its makers claim that it has very few, if any, side effects.  But, is Vayarin all that it claims to be?

Well, yes, and no.  Vayarin's makers have made several interesting moves in terms of marketing their product.  

First, they have taken the unusual step of making the product available by prescription only.  This makes their product seem like it has passed the FDA's process for drug approval, which includes a fairly extensive clinical trials process to show that the product is both safe and effective.  The problem is that Vayarin is a prescription medical food, not a drug.  So, it actually has not passed the clinical trials process for safety and efficacy that drug treatments have.  Vayarin never claims to have qualified as a drug, as defined by the FDA, but the prescription requirement may deceive some consumers.

Second, they have sponsored a clinical trial of their product.  This isn't very unusual, but the issue is that they claim very few side effects on the basis of their clinical trial, when there are other trials of similar products, which have shown side effects but perhaps at different doses.

This doesn't mean that their product is not effective, but it may not be as helpful and harmless as many people may believe.

For more on Vayarin, and whom it may help, see my article on Vayarin:  Safe and Effective?

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Allergies and ADHD

People who have ADHD also tend to have allergies, asthma, and/or eczema.  No one is really sure why, although it may have to do with either overall body inflammation.  Or maybe people with allergies, asthma, and eczema don't sleep as well and just can't concentrate.  Or maybe its the medication that makes people sleepy and unable to focus.

Allergy season is definitely upon us where we live.  We can see the blossoming trees everywhere.  That is when we whip out the antihistamines and shut our windows (just when we were able to open them and get some fresh air!).  DD's ADHD seems to have gotten worse too.  She claims it is because she is always having to wipe her nose and its just one more distraction.  Last year, Claritin (loratidine) made her hyperactivity much worse, although she avoided any asthma attacks.  This year, the pediatrician suggested to try either Zyrtec (cetirizine) or nasal steroids.    We are trying our first dose of cetirizine tonight, so we'll see how things go.

I have noticed that there is a nasal steroid available over the counter, Nasacort 24 H.  Pricing seems on par with most of the brand name allergy medications, but I have a cousin who went blind from taking nasal steroids (it weakened her immune system and she got a fungal infection in her sinuses, which then spread to her brain).  I realize that my cousin's story is a rarity, but I just don't want to go that way unless there is no other choice.

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Helping Your Elementary Student With Math

DD hates math.   Although she has known instinctively how to solve complicated oral word problems for more than a year, and she tests more than 2 grades above her age level, when she see a sheet of math problems its not too uncommon to have to drag her limp and protesting body off the floor and to have to cajole her into starting.  This is because when the brain with ADHD looks at a sheet of problems, it does not have the skills to break the task down and organize itself to go at it step by step until it is done.

So this is what we do to help her:

1)  Present only one problem at a time.  Usually I cover up the other problems with post it notes.
2)  If problems require small handwriting, we copy the problem on to large graph paper.   Another possibility is to choose a curriculum that does not require a lot of writing, such as Right Start Math, or that comes with enlarged problems, such as Centre for Innovation in Teaching's MEP.
3)  Sometimes we take dictated answers.  Only allow this if your teacher says it is fine, otherwise your child will get in trouble for not doing the work.  Its best to get it written into your accommodations.
4)  Do an example problem together (if there are multiple similar problems in a problem set).  Break a multi-step problem down into steps and walk your child through.  See if they can guess which step could be done next, but if they can't then help them figure it out.
5)  Avoid curriculum with cartoons and distracting colorful pictures.  If you go to public school, you really can't do anything about this.  If you home school, you can.
6)  We also do a little math unschooling.  We pick out books from the library that have math content (such as Life of Fred, Adventures in Math, and the Sir Cumference series) and do that for a few days to break things up and also to show how math is used in the real world.

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Afraid of Mistakes

I'm not sure why DD is afraid of making mistakes in math or other academic work, because she usually does just fine.  We've been very careful to praise both effort and achievement, because she is gifted academically, and perfectionism is a very real risk for her.

However, my sense is not that she's a perfectionist in the way gifted children are.  She knows very well that she's capable of failure, probably because of her ADHD.  I think it is more that she's anxious.  She sort of thinks that the world is going to end if she makes a mistake.  Its worse if she's hungry or tired.  Today we took a lunch break and all was well.

So, the planned approach is this:
1)  Ignore most mistakes, especially if they are in areas we haven't covered academically.  DH loves to point out all mistakes first, so this is going to take some convincing possibly, but hopefully he'll realize she can't learn it all all at once anyway.
2)  If the mistake can't be ignored, say, "Oops!  A mistake!  We can fix it!"


Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Fish for Dinner

Omega 3 fatty acids are probably one of the only nutritional supplements with solid evidence for treating ADHD.  But no one really knows exactly how to give them or in what amounts.  Most research studies have focused on giving a supplement, but omega 3s can also be gotten through dietary means.  One of the best sources for omega 3s is marine life.   Fish is probably good for the whole family anyway, and the USDA currently recommends two servings of fish weekly for the average person.

We're not so good at eating fish because I'm always scared that it will be rotted.  That's what comes of growing up inland where there weren't a lot of fresh fish.  But I do have a few favorite recipes involving tuna.  This is what we had for dinner tonight.

Tuna with Broccoli and Shells
8 oz of small pasta shells
1 lb of broccoli, frozen or fresh
1 can of tuna
1 onion
2 tbsp oil
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions.  When there are 3-5 minutes left in the cooking time, add the broccoli to the pot.  When pasta is done, drain.
While pasta is cooking, slice onion thinly, saute in oil until soft.  Remove from heat.  Add tuna, oregano, and pepper.  Add drained pasta and broccoli and stir.  Serve hot.  Serves 4.

If that doesn't sound good to you, or you want to take a supplement, you can read more about that in my article on Fish Oil for ADHD:  Tips and Answers to FAQ's

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Church Services and ADHD

With Easter upon us, I just wanted to give some encouragement to those of you who are maybe thinking about coming back to church.

Church services can be difficult for many people with ADHD, especially hyperactive kids.  You're supposed to sit still.  You're supposed to not fidget.  You're supposed to pay attention.   Just a reminder, those are rules that people have imposed on church.  The Bible just says that you shouldn't be disruptive during service.  That being said, there are probably ways that are less disruptive than others to release excess energy during a church service.

1)  Taking a "bathroom" break.  Its ok to get up and leave for a while to go for a walk.  If you want to take this option, then be sure to try to get there early for an aisle seat.  If your child may need this option, work out a signal ahead of time so that you don't end up making a scene trying to get them out because they didn't realize you might ask them to do it.

2)  Rosary beads.  You don't have to be Catholic to fidget with beads, a small cross, or even just an interesting rock inside your pocket.

3)  Doodle.  Take notes if you can, but if you can't, maybe do some good drawings of whatever the preacher is talking about.  If you have an ADHD child with you, a Bible coloring book may be helpful.   

Two articles of mine that I recommend for more tips are:

How to Take a Child with ADHD to Church

Adult ADHD and the Christian Walk:  Church Services

Loud fashion sense

Both DH and DD have a loud sense of fashion.   On Sunday mornings, its not too uncommon for DH to don a Hawaiian shirt for church.  DD, meanwhile, went through a phase of wearing plaid, polka dots, and floral print, all together, on Sunday mornings.

I used to cringe.  But now, I've mellowed.  I even bought DH a Hawaiian shirt for our anniversary one year.  After all, it is only clothes, and if people at church judge you by your clothes, you're in the wrong church, in my opinion.

What made me change my mind?  Well, to be honest, it was our therapist, who pointed out that kids shouldn't be made to have anxiety attacks over whether their clothes match or not.  She wasn't pointing the finger, because when this occurred, DD was much to young to choose her own clothes anyway.  But it just made me realize that as long as they are decent and appropriate to the weather, clothes are not worth fighting over.  Don't call it loud.  Call it BOLD, DARING, and BEAUTIFUL.

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Raising the Volume Doesn't Make Me Hear Better

I, myself, do not remember what the incident was about.  I only remember that DH started yelling.  And there was a lot of yelling for some time.  DD ended up in time out, and when I went to get her out, she could not tell me why she was there.

I think this scenario plays itself out a lot in homes where ADHD is an issue.  Because people get impatient with each other and because people don't pay attention.  There is a better way to get through to each other.  Believe it or not, staying calm and not raising the voice actually does work.  I reminded DH of this, and after he calmed down, discipline occurred.  Meaning, that DD apologized and decided on a plan to modify her behavior.

People with ADHD do require a different approach to discipline.  Traditional approaches that work for most kids just don't for kids with ADHD.  They ignore spankings, threats, groundings, screaming and yelling, taking things away....  The sooner you accept this fact and move on to other approaches, the happier you will be.    We're still learning.

More about discipline mistakes in my article on Top 5 Discipline Mistakes to Avoid When Your Child Has ADHD.


Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

When Your Kid Won't Listen

DD occasionally goes into these periods where you can't get her attention unless you physically touch her or wave your hand in front of her face.  She is perfectly willing to obey you, if you aren't already losing it by the time you finally get her attention.  What's the problem?

Well, its ear wax, actually.  The symptoms are subtly different from inattentive ADHD because they seem to get worse all of a sudden (when the wax finally plugs the ear canal entirely), and they don't really seem to (pardon the pun) wax and wane like attention usually does with straight ADHD.  The weird thing is, DD, who is 6, doesn't really even seem to notice that her hearing isn't working.  She just tells us how much better she can hear after her canal has been cleaned out.

This is one of the many reasons why you should never base a diagnosis on a checklist alone.   And always make sure you keep up on your regular pediatrician visits (this most recent time, the pediatrician caught the problem at a routine checkup).  And if your child has excessive ear wax, don't accept that the symptoms are due to ADHD until someone has looked in your child's ear!

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

High Protein Breakfast Ideas

A breakfast somewhat high in protein is a good idea for a person with ADHD for the following reasons.

Some medications, such as methylphenidate, work better with a high protein breakfast.

Protein digests more slowly than carbohydrates, so that there is less of a chance of a sugar/carb crash later in the day.

Some authorities claim that since we need protein to make neurotransmitters, a boost of protein in the morning should help if there are any deficiencies.  I doubt this last one because most Western diets contain an excess of protein, but I mention it for the sake of completeness.

This isn't a discussion of allergen free, gluten free, or low sugar diets.  If you have sensitivities, then it makes getting protein in more difficult, but not impossible.  

Here are some suggestions to add protein to your breakfast.

1)  Add peanut butter to your toast, or even to your cereal.

2)  Have a scoop of cottage cheese with your fruit.

3)  Of the grains commonly eaten for breakfast, oatmeal has the highest protein content.

4)  Soy bits are found in some breakfast cereals (such as Kashi and Special K).

5)  Add soy powder or peanut butter to your smoothie.  Raw eggs are a salmonella risk.

6)  Have an egg, prepared any number of ways--hardboiled could be made the night before if you are in a hurry, scrambled makes portable sandwiches, poached is very low in fat, huevos rancheros are flavorful.

7)  Sausage or ham can be low in fat if you choose wisely.  A simple recipe for turkey sausage patties  is to mix 1 pound of ground turkey with 1 tsp ground sage, 1 tsp pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt, marinade over night and the form into patties.  You could cook them and freeze them for microwaving later.

8)  Protein energy bars (most contain peanuts or soy).  I like South Beach diet bars because they do not have a ton of sugar.

9)  Pureed tofu or cottage cheese, or extra eggs can be used to replace some of the milk in pancakes or waffles.

10)  Dinner for breakfast.  Why not?  Who says you have to eat breakfast food to break your fast?

Everything ADHD Medical Disclaimer
Everything ADHD Privacy Policy

Interval Couch Bounce: A Piano Game

I ran across some posts about using active games to teach kids with ADHD piano, but no actual games I could use in our specific situation.  But here is the one I came up with today.  It went over really well with DD, who tried to get her brother into the act as well!

Interval Couch Bounce

What you need:
2 soft chairs--a couch and an easy chair or two parts of a sectional would work fine, you could also use two piles of soft cushions
parents who are ok with bouncing in the piano room
a piano

How to play:
Teacher says, "I am going to play an interval for you.  If it is a second, you bounce on the couch.  If it is a third, you bounce on the chair."
Student gets point if they are correct.  Teacher gets point if student is wrong.  (In our case the score was highly irrelevant, but just in case it matters to your student, that's how its scored.)