Okay, I just picked this book up again after a LOOOONG break. So far, I've read the intro and Chapter 1. Nothing surprising so far. Boys in North America are still largely subject to the "Boy Code" of conduct. Be strong, show no emotion, suck it up. At the same time, our changing society is expecting boys to be more sensitive, which has created internal conflict. To mask the conflict, boys become silent; they don't talk about their feelings. Boys have higher rates of teenage depression, delinquency, suicide and significantly lower grades. And we, as a society, reinforce the Boy Code through shame and an early emphasis on emotional separation. Teachers often fall for the "boys will be boys" stereotype and thus reinforce it. The author is suggesting we need to develop a new code for both boys and girls.
For the most part, I'm with the author so far; although, I wonder if the premise is somewhat dated. Does the rise of the "metro-sexual" and increasing acceptance of gay culture suggest that, as a society, North America has already developed a new code? Then again, when we drove through South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana, there were some pretty hearty "manly man" comments heard there. And not just because there were 500,000 Harleys driving around (a Sturgis August tradition) and guns for sale in every camping store. So perhaps, here on my little island, I live in a liberal cocoon where some of these "revelations" seem self-evident.
Next chapter, "Stories of Shame and the Haunting Trauma of Separation: How we can connect with boys and change the 'boy code'." Wow. I wonder what that's about. And what the heck he writes about for the other 13 chapters. Sigh.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Homework Really Does Suck
I read a great article in "Today's Parent" today (May 2009). It outlined a public school, Prince of Wales, in Barrie, Ontario where they did away with homework. Guess what? The kids' marks improved. Tougher "back to basics" curricula and standardized testing are behind some of the increase in homework.
The article presented author (The Homework Myth) Alfie Kohn's position that homework should be done away with until high school and then homework should mean something: thoughtful analysis and less drill. I cannot begin to express how strongly I like this idea. Still, my eldest has a teacher who doesn't believe in homework and she's received a ton of grief from parents -- in Grade 5! Meanwhile, my son in Grade 3, easily has an hour a night. I won't let him do more than 30 minutes. It's absolute insanity. The sheets are largely drills. Can you imagine? Reams and reams of rote learning for an ADHD kid with a bare minimum of one-on-one help in the classroom. There are nights when we could easily spend 2 hours completed what he couldn't do in class.
The article also cites a study out of Duke University that suggests that overloading kids with homework is not associated with higher grades. There is a limit.
I hope this is the beginning of a new trend of study...
The article presented author (The Homework Myth) Alfie Kohn's position that homework should be done away with until high school and then homework should mean something: thoughtful analysis and less drill. I cannot begin to express how strongly I like this idea. Still, my eldest has a teacher who doesn't believe in homework and she's received a ton of grief from parents -- in Grade 5! Meanwhile, my son in Grade 3, easily has an hour a night. I won't let him do more than 30 minutes. It's absolute insanity. The sheets are largely drills. Can you imagine? Reams and reams of rote learning for an ADHD kid with a bare minimum of one-on-one help in the classroom. There are nights when we could easily spend 2 hours completed what he couldn't do in class.
The article also cites a study out of Duke University that suggests that overloading kids with homework is not associated with higher grades. There is a limit.
I hope this is the beginning of a new trend of study...
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Some Alternative Treatment Methods for ADHD
My son with ADHD is taking Biphentin. It works for him, but I'm always looking for alternatives.
Diet: Just found an interesting article on food and ADHD from ADDitude magazine. It suggests lots of protein, Omega-3s, and eliminating processed foods (with all the nasty preservatives and dyes).
Contact with Nature: I'm loving the new studies that show voluntary working memory is improved in kids with ADHD after time outside just hanging out. I hope to see more of this research soon. It's very much in line with some of the things I've read by Richard Louv (Last Child in the Woods). I take my son out of school twice a week for lunch on the beach or in a park.
Social Skills Training: how to get along with peers. How to "read the signs." This is a HUGE challenge for my guy. Actually, he tends to "over-read" the signs. My son with GLLD is even worse.
Classroom Management: how to reduce distractions
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: the focus is on thinking: tools for organizing, staying focussed, replacing negative comparative thinking. Drugs do not impact self-esteem. Behaviour Therapy can be implemented at a young age and includes: time management and organizational skills. My reading (ADHD 101) suggests involving the school whenever possible.
EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing. Developed in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro.
Neurofeedback: not seen as effective for ADHD
Diet: Just found an interesting article on food and ADHD from ADDitude magazine. It suggests lots of protein, Omega-3s, and eliminating processed foods (with all the nasty preservatives and dyes).
- omega-3: the DHA levels are supposed to be 3 times the EPA levels. Those supplements in kid-friendly amounts are hard to find. I've only found 2 to 1. He also eats sardines, oysters, and seafood galore.
Contact with Nature: I'm loving the new studies that show voluntary working memory is improved in kids with ADHD after time outside just hanging out. I hope to see more of this research soon. It's very much in line with some of the things I've read by Richard Louv (Last Child in the Woods). I take my son out of school twice a week for lunch on the beach or in a park.
Social Skills Training: how to get along with peers. How to "read the signs." This is a HUGE challenge for my guy. Actually, he tends to "over-read" the signs. My son with GLLD is even worse.
Classroom Management: how to reduce distractions
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: the focus is on thinking: tools for organizing, staying focussed, replacing negative comparative thinking. Drugs do not impact self-esteem. Behaviour Therapy can be implemented at a young age and includes: time management and organizational skills. My reading (ADHD 101) suggests involving the school whenever possible.
EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing. Developed in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro.
Neurofeedback: not seen as effective for ADHD
Do kids outgrow ADHD?
Studies show that between 7 and 17% of school-aged children have ADHD and up to 70% carry it into adulthood.
Strange numbers, really. 70% of 7% is quite different from 70% of 17%. I suspect the wide range reflects the differing views on how many kids actually have ADHD.
Strange numbers, really. 70% of 7% is quite different from 70% of 17%. I suspect the wide range reflects the differing views on how many kids actually have ADHD.
WISC-IV and WIAT-II What??
WISC-IV: Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. It's most widely used to measure intelligence (IQ). It measures cognitive ability.
WIAT-II: Wechsler Individual Achievement Test. It assesses the skill level in various school topics.
These tests are used to determine which a learning disability (LD) is present. The psychologists look at the differences between the WISC and WIAT results.
WIAT-II: Wechsler Individual Achievement Test. It assesses the skill level in various school topics.
These tests are used to determine which a learning disability (LD) is present. The psychologists look at the differences between the WISC and WIAT results.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
What this blog is about
This is a running account of my research into ADHD and Gifted Kids with Learning Disabilities. I am not an MD or a psychologist or in any way knowledgeable about the science behind the theories. I'm certainly not funded (although the door is always open!). What I am is a Mom, and as such, I have a vested interest in the outcome of my research.
Last summer, two of my kids had psycho-educational assessments that confirmed their strengths and weaknesses. Thus far, the only consistency in my research is the re-affirmation that we have the right diagnosis. No two books, experts, or opinionated parents seem to agree on causes or treatments -- some blame genetics, some blame our changing society, many blame parents.
ADHD, in particular, is a favourite scapegoat. Recently, CBC reported on a study suggesting increased TV watching in preschoolers leads to decreased ability in tests. Slow news day, I guess, but what had me yelling at my radio was the woman from Concerned Parents with a lot of Time on their Hands who suggested that "in these days of increased ADHD rates," we should all be alarmed by the study's results. I am not interested in cast-off comments like this. I want to understand ADHD and how to best help my son.
So come along and wade with me through alphabet soup.
Last summer, two of my kids had psycho-educational assessments that confirmed their strengths and weaknesses. Thus far, the only consistency in my research is the re-affirmation that we have the right diagnosis. No two books, experts, or opinionated parents seem to agree on causes or treatments -- some blame genetics, some blame our changing society, many blame parents.
ADHD, in particular, is a favourite scapegoat. Recently, CBC reported on a study suggesting increased TV watching in preschoolers leads to decreased ability in tests. Slow news day, I guess, but what had me yelling at my radio was the woman from Concerned Parents with a lot of Time on their Hands who suggested that "in these days of increased ADHD rates," we should all be alarmed by the study's results. I am not interested in cast-off comments like this. I want to understand ADHD and how to best help my son.
So come along and wade with me through alphabet soup.
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