ADHD: What Is It?

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Again, I am sharing an article that I am sure mothers like me find very relevant especially in monitoring child's development.  This article was emailed to me by WebMD, so it only means that these are not my own words.  Thank you.




ADHD:  What Is It?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that robs children of their ability to focus and pay attention. Kids with ADHD are fidgety and easily distracted. This makes it difficult to stay "on task," whether it's listening to a teacher or finishing a chore. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates 3% to 5% of kids have ADHD, but some experts believe that figure could be as high as 10%.

ADHD Symptoms: Inattention

The main symptom of ADHD is the inability to pay attention. Kids may have trouble listening to a speaker, following directions, finishing tasks, or keeping track of personal items. They may daydream often and make careless mistakes. Children with ADHD tend to avoid activities that require sustained concentration or that might be boring.

ADHD Symptoms: Hyperactivity

Another component of ADHD is the inability to sit still. Children may run and climb on things constantly, even when indoors. When they are seated, they tend to squirm, fidget, or bounce. Some kids with ADHD talk excessively and find it difficult to play quietly.

ADHD Symptoms: Impulsiveness

A third symptom is impulsiveness – cutting in line, interrupting others, or blurting out answers before the teacher finishes a question. This aspect of ADHD makes it difficult for children to wait their turn or think before they act.

ADHD's Impact on Daily Life

Without treatment, ADHD can affect a child's development socially and academically. The inability to focus often leads to poor performance in school. Kids who interrupt or cut in line may have trouble making and keeping friends. These setbacks can lead to low self-esteem and risky behaviors. ADHD also increases the risk of childhood depression and anxiety disorders.

Causes of ADHD

Children with ADHD have less activity in areas of the brain that control attention. They may also have imbalances in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. It's unclear what causes these irregularities, but ADHD runs in families, so many experts believe genetics play a role.

Diagnosing ADHD

There are no lab tests to detect ADHD. Instead, doctors rely on the patient's response to questions, the family's description of behavior problems, and a school assessment. With ADHD, a child must display some combination of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity for at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with his or her age. Onset of the symptoms need to have appeared no later than age 7.

Types of ADHD

There are three forms of ADHD. Combined type is the most common and applies to children who display inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. In the hyperactive/impulsive type, children are fidgety and can't control their impulses, but they are able to pay attention. Kids with the inattentive type, formerly called attention deficit disorder, have trouble focusing. But they are not overly active and usually don't disrupt the classroom.

Medications for ADHD

Stimulant medications can help increase a child's attention span while controlling hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Studies suggest these drugs work in 70% to 80% of patients, although they have some troubling side effects. Non-stimulant medications are also options for some children.

Special Education for ADHD

Most children with ADHD are educated in standard classrooms, but some do better in a more structured environment. Special education is a type of schooling that is tailored to meet the specific needs of children with learning disabilities or behavioral disorders. Not all children with ADHD qualify for special education.

The Role of Routine

Parents can give kids more structure at home by laying out clear routines. Posting a daily schedule will remind your child of what he or she is supposed to be doing at any given time. This can help a child with ADHD stay on task. The schedule should include specific times for waking up, eating, playing, homework, chores, activities, and bedtime.

ADHD Diets

Studies on ADHD diets have produced mixed results, but many health experts believe foods that are good for the brain could reduce symptoms of ADHD. High-protein foods, including eggs, meat, beans, and nuts, may improve concentration. It's also helpful to replace simple carbs, like candy and white bread, with complex carbs, like pears and whole-grain bread. Talk to your pediatrician before making any dramatic changes to your child's diet.

ADHD and Junk Food

While many kids bounce off the walls after eating junk food, there is no evidence that sugar is a cause of ADHD. The role of food additives is less certain. Some parents believe preservatives and food colorings worsen the symptoms of ADHD, and the American Academy of Pediatrics says it's reasonable to avoid these substances. One brain researcher recommends kids with ADHD steer clear of red and yellow food colorings, MSG, and aspartame.

ADHD and Television

The link between television and ADHD is unclear, but the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests limiting young children's exposure. The group discourages TV viewing for kids under 2 and recommends no more than two hours a day for older kids. To help your child develop attention skills, encourage activities like games, blocks, puzzles, and reading.

Preventing ADHD

There is no surefire way to prevent ADHD in children, but there are steps you can take to reduce the risk. You can increase your chance of your child not having ADHD by staying healthy during pregnancy. Start by avoiding alcohol, drugs, and tobacco during pregnancy. Children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy are twice as likely to develop ADHD.

Outlook for Children With ADHD

With treatment, a large majority of children with ADHD improve. They should continue to undergo regular follow-up since many kids grow out of the disorder as they get older. But more than half of patients continue experiencing symptoms once they reach adulthood.


Source:   http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/slideshow-adhd-in-children?ecd=wnl_prg_101710

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Have a blessed day!

Lotsa love,

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Personalized Fragrance Christmas Gift

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Christmas is fast approaching and it's time for gift-giving again.  One of the nice things about the holidays is the search for the perfect Christmas gift for our loved ones and dear friends.  However, due to budget and time constraints, plus the terrible traffic in almost all the roads during the holidays, finding a gift that will put a smile on their faces comes close to failure.  Isn't it hurting to know that they fake their reaction once they open the gift by pasting a wide smile on their faces, as if they are the happiest person on earth to receive such a present.  In fact, what's inside their screaming mind might be:   "what the heck is this?"  or  "who shall i pass this on?"  or "okay, another scented candle to feed the trash bin." 

I maybe blunt.  But that's true.  Admit it, it happened to you not just once, but A LOT of times in your supposedly happiest time of the year.

I know, you want to throw me hundreds of not-so-good reactions that I am certain will take a form of this well-loved cliche--it's the thought that counts.

But it will also be nice to give something they will appreciate and love, right?  Something that will give you peace of mind and not deprive you of sleep thinking for weeks if they will throw your gifts or, give it to someone else, or... yeah, they will simply keep it (because it has no use!) or not keep it (if it has no use, why keep it? simplify life and trash it!)

Stop it right there, Irene.  You are being that person again-- blunt and straightforward.  But don't we just have to be like this sometimes? 

Okay, I will be soft and gentle.  Here it goes... I simply want to say...

Scents Symphony is offering again  Personalized Fragrance Gift in time for Christmas.  This was first introduced last year, which was a major, major (major, major!) success.  It was so overwhelming that we had to stop accepting orders because we could not accommodate them all.  This year, as it makes it comeback, we are also accepting wrapping services in case you, our buyers, have a limited time to do it.  We have prepared special wrappers for these gifts that are uniform to the different labels we have this year.  Isn't that unique, hip, chic and pretty?  So please, if you beautiful people out there are interested, please let me know ahead of time to avoid delay of delivery.

For complete details, enlarged pics of labels, price, sizes, and other inquiries, please go to our websites

http://www.scents-symphony.com
http://www.scentssymphony.multiply.com

Thanks for the visit!

Feel free to read my other 

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MY BABBLES on the 

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Have a blessed day!

Lotsa love,

.............................

The UST comeback

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UST pep squad, whose members belong to the internationally acclaimed UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, has been known-- and feared-- in the cheerdancing field. Always positioning itself on the top spot, it was such a surprise and a big disappointment when it landed 4th place in last year's UAAP Cheerdance competition. This year, armed with unique moves, fresh acts, death-defying stunts, and a couple of "aaww" and "ooohhh" factor that were never seen before, it landed again in the coveted top three posts. It bagged the third place, not bad for a group that is slowly--but surely--inching its way to protect its cheerdancing legacy that once was dared and stained.

Thanks for the visit!

Feel free to read my other 

posts.  Please look for

MY BABBLES on the 

right side of this page.

Have a blessed day!

Lotsa love,

.

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Everything at steak!

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Last Friday-holiday, honey and I visited a friend we have not seen for a long time. We had a falling-out due to location constraints. We terribly missed our friend and we looked forward to the day we would meet again. And so last Friday, when we found ourselves in San Juan, we headed to that corner of the road where the friendship all started. We visited our friend, revived the moments, and every second of that limited time felt sooooo good! And when it was time to say goodbye again, I wondered, when would be the next?

Everything at Steak. The moment we tasted its steak, we considered it our friend. We had the first taste of their offering in San Juan, and we were informed that they had a branch in West Avenue which was just thirty minutes (even less without the traffic) away from our place. So from San Juan to West Ave., the friendship grew and grew. Then the bad news dawned on us when we learned that they closed the West Ave. branch. We wondered why, for it was always full and the branch had a huge following.

Their steaks are not like the ones being offered in high-end steak houses like Melo's, Tony Roma, or even TGIF wherein waiters ask how you want your steak. There are no medium rare, medium well, or well done going-on atop the flamed grill. No 3/4 inch and no grams to boast and talk about. One thing's for sure, though. Hiding from that plain-looking grilled meat is the best affordable steak in town. One order can stuff the tummy, along with the rice and the side dish(es) that come with it. The place in San Juan (which now looks so bright with a cozy feel because of the new interior) can accommodate around twenty five to thirty hungry ones. But those who are regulars here know what to do if the place is full: wait until someone bills out. Since people come here to satisfy their steak cravings and nothing else, once they are done with their meal, they immediately leave. Eat and run, as they say. That being the case, getting a table is not that a long wait.








Everything at Steak is located at 5 P. Guevara St. cor. V. Cruz St. San Juan, Metro Manila. I am not aware of their other branches, but you may call them at 726-2386 to ask if there's a branch near your place.


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Pagbabago

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Fresh out from highschool and still naïve on what commuting is all about, I spent my first steps towards college life with my mom discreetly on my side. She was with me when I took my entrance exams, when I enrolled to the university, on my first day in college, and few weeks more after. Thanks to my friends who inspired me to fully grasp that portion of college life, I told my mom that I was ready to take the route home all by myself. The truth was, I was really not alone, for I was with my friends who served as bore-busters while on my way home. Since my dad drove for me from gradeschool to highschool, I found commuting really interesting. What made my adventure more special were the Goldilocks goodies bought in front of our university. We happily shared fluffy mamon, tasty polvoron, caramel popcorn and even took turns in sipping the sago gulaman with jokes, laughter, and stories in between. We were students with limited allowance and we made most out of our extras by sharing the Goldilocks goodies we had.

It was second semester when Elmer, one of my friends, FINALLY spoke up and expressed his intentions. Yes!! That was the reaction that I almost blurted out, but I instantly kept my composure and kept it to myself. The truth: I had a huge crush on him too! Who would not? He was tall, smart, and lastly, a good-looking guy. He captured my heart the first time he talked to me in class, and luckily he belonged to my circle of friends. I got used to having him around, but to be wooed by him, which made us separate from the group, was a different thing. A different yet super-kilig thing for me. Our group would have lunch in Goldilocks but the two of us were on a different table. Needless to say, as part of the ligawan thing, he became my companion going home, still with the caramel popcorn and the fluffy mamon that I also willingly shared to him.

Not long after, he heard my answer. Since then, we were inseparable. We were classmates from first to fourth year college. He was one of the many reasons I had a colorful college life. Eight more years after graduation, we finally said both our “I do’s” in front of the altar. Having him as a boyfriend for twelve long years, I thought I already saw, experience, and got the best of him. Boy, I was totally wrong! To say how great he was as a husband was beyond words. I was one lucky person to have a husband like him.

May 10, 2009, that day marked the fulfillment of my dream. We were blessed with a baby! I never dreamt of something really big in my life, for I believe riches deplete and careers take a downfall, but what I prayed for was definitely huge—to be a mother. “Mothers are God’s helpers in creating better people”, so they say. And I so wanted to take that part. So when I learned that there was a life inside me, I was more than delighted. First trimester was all about morning sickness, mood swings, and cravings. My sweet cravings could only be pacified in the form of Goldilocks sago gulaman. Yes, just like in college, this tamed my sweet cravings until I gave birth. The crushed ice, the firm sago, and the sweet syrup—still very much like in college, and still very much enjoyed by me. And oh, this I should say—after I gave birth, this little creature named Miguel Inigo competed to the attention I gave to the sweet Goldilocks drink. And Goldilocks sago gulaman had to concede, Miguel Inigo, or fondly called Migo, won my heart, wore the crown, and claimed the throne.

Migo turned one this year. I could vividly remember how the mother in me was more than excited to take charge of everything. Since I had no yaya, I was on mommy mode in daytime, and hurriedly shifted to events planner at night. From the balloons down to what the three of us wore during the party, I was in total control. My siblings and in-laws were as excited as I was and they willingly sponsored and helped make the party a success and it made the planning more enjoyable. When I was asked to decide on the cake, which had some sort of a competition between one who looked really fashionable if it was a dress and the Goldilocks cake, no doubt I chose Goldilocks. It was obvious enough that all through the significant changes in my life Goldilocks was with me. And the first birthday party of our son that marked our one year full of tiny laughs, tight embrace, and cute kisses from the adorable one, Goldilocks had to be there. The cake tasted and looked great, especially with the Mickey Mouse topper who the little man plays up to this day.

My life, like everybody else’s, faced different changes. It took turns, it shifted gears, it went up and fell, it cried and smile, it failed and won. Change, no matter how big or small, is part of me, part of us. But no matter how many changes my life has to endure, my core, my substance, and my values remain. And I believe that is the most important.

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