3 Ways to Improve the Performance of ADD Students

-3 Ways to Improve the Performance of ADD Students

Despite your child’s best efforts, their grades are mediocre to poor…or worse. Even though summer vacation provides some relief from the day-to-day stress of helping your child stay on task with assignments, papers, and tests, the cycle of year after year may produce some anxiety for parents who realize that next year will be the same as last year unless something drastically changes.

If this scenario describes your life, you’re not alone. ADD/ADHD is the most common learning and behavior problem in children and it often can have a debilitating impact on a person’s ability to do well in school. Even though ADD remains one of the most misunderstood and incorrectly treated illnesses of our day, there are many proven methods that can assist your struggling student.

Since success begins with careful planning, here are three practical strategies for optimizing the brain of your ADD child:

1. Get the Blood Flowing

Instead of letting your kids waste away watching TV or playing video games, take them outside and find safe exercises you can do together (no brain injuring sports, please, like football, hockey, or soccer). Try hiking or long walks, but remember to walk fast. Exercise accelerates blood flow to all parts of the body, including the brain, which is particularly beneficial to those with ADD. Physical activity also increases the availability of serotonin in the brain, which has a tendency to calm hyperactivity. It’s recommended that children and teens with ADD get 30 to 45 minutes of exercise daily. The key is to establish consistent exercise habits in the summer that can carry over into the school year.

2. Make a Menu Change

A nutritional intervention can be especially helpful for those with ADD. Though not true of all types of ADD, most people with ADD do best with a higher protein, lower simple carbohydrate diet. This diet has a stabilizing effect on blood sugar levels and also boosts both energy and concentration. The best time to make changes to your family’s diet is during the summer. By testing a variety of menu options, you can discover which recipes appeal to the whole family and use those to create a list of go-to meals for the busy school year. If you need suggestions for brain-healthy recipes, The Brain Warrior’s Way Cookbook can be an invaluable resource.

3. Take a Look

Identification of the disorder is just the first step. With more than 135,000 brain scans in our database, we have identified 7 types of ADD—and each requires a different treatment plan because of the diverse brain systems involved. What works for one person with ADD may not work for another—or could make the symptoms even worse! The only way to know for sure is to take a look. Our Full Evaluation of your biological/psychological/social/spiritual history, coupled with two brain SPECT scans, cognitive testing, and clinical assessment is designed to address your unique needs and offer targeted treatment options.

ADD, like many other conditions, is not just a single and simple disorder; therefore, treatment is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Effective treatment gives patients the most personalized plan, allowing them to reach their true potential.

When properly diagnosed, kids and teenagers with ADD can live a happy life. Call us today at 888-288-9834 or visit us online to schedule a visit.

5 Comments »

  1. I was wondering if there was a recommended program for my daughter who is 23 yrs. old. I know she has stuggled with things and I know she should be tested, but I cannot afford your clinic. My daughter graduated Nursing school and really had tough time doing it. My daughter has had to take her ncclex twice and has not yet passed. She has struggled for a long time and never has anyone recommended for her to get help. She has quite a few of the behaviors now that I looked it up. Please will you give me some recommendations. Thank you, Faith

    Comment by Faith Stewart — June 20, 2018 @ 5:59 AM

  2. @Bob Prichard,

    How to increase the Chest expansion.

    Comment by Chandru Saravanan — June 20, 2018 @ 6:21 AM

  3. Faith,
    I hope that you are able to support your daughter in getting help. I have had to work through similar challenges and know the difficulty. If I can be of any help until you hear back from Dr. Amen please let me know.
    Best regards,
    Morrice Apprey
    310-557-6208

    Comment by Morrice — June 20, 2018 @ 10:39 AM

  4. Hi Faith,
    I was a nursing student at the time I was diagnosed with ADHD by the Amen clinic. The help that got me through the Ncclex was twofold. One, the diagnosis of ADHD, which allowed the granted request of a private room to take the test in so that I read aloud the questions, secondly, I took the Kaplan Nursing Review Couse. Kaplan’s far exceeded my expectations and was the main reason I passed my boards (even after five years after nursing school as I had been afraid to take my boards).
    Getting a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD does not require a pet scan, which is the biggest cost at the Amen clinic. A general or primary MD probably could diagnosis ADD/ADHD. However, a pet scan can help your daughter know what type of ADD/ADHD she may be, what type of learner she is, and what treatment she would most benefit from. Your daughter can work as a nurse even before passing her boards but there are time limits. Working as a nurse should help her with practical applications of nursing, which will help her to pass her boards and as an added benefit it should afford her the funds necessary to afford a pet scan, the Amen clinic, or an appointment with her primary.
    Rene

    Comment by Rene — June 24, 2018 @ 5:37 AM

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