• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not due to bad parenting or too much sugar in the diet but heredity, a new study has found. Children with ADHD find it difficult to focus and can be disruptive and uncontrollable both at home and at school.

If you or a loved one lives with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) there are ways to ease the symptoms while in your home. Dr. Mark Haffey, EdD, director of the Haffey Center for Attention and Memory in Amherst MA, offered up good advice for making your house a place of support for those with ADHD.

“There are different systems for different people, but there are some general ideas that are helpful for most everybody,” Haffey said. Haffey said that the “simpler the environment the better.”

“People with ADHD often build in too many distractions such as TV’s and music systems. The quieter the better for most people with ADHD,” he said. Haffey added that some people with ADHD need to have low background noise while working or doing homework, others need total silent to perform those types of activities. “If there is background noise, it can’t be a favorite show or song,” said Haffey.

The launching pad

Haffey said that one the most universal techniques for people with ADHD is to have a “launching pad” in the front hallway or by the front door. “People with ADHD frequently lose their keys, wallets, cell phones, day planners, etc. Having a box or basket by the front door is puts everything where they need it to be when they launch their day – and that’s where everything is returned when they come home,” said Haffey.

Bill paying kit

One area is designated as the “bill paying area” and is set up with a basket for bills, envelopes, pens, stamps, and other typical items needed for bill paying. Haffey said that people with ADHD often get into trouble with bills because there is frequently some part of the bill paying process that is misplaced or can’t be found.

The three-basket system

Whether used for mail or for other organizational needs, Haffey recommends using three baskets, which can even be color-coded. “You have one basket for things that have to be taken care of immediately, one for things that can wait, and one for things that need to be thrown out,” Haffey said. He added that “people (with ADHD) tend to get stuck trying to figure out what they need to attend to and what they don’t.”

Technology aids

Haffey said that the advent of smart phones has been a boon for people with ADHD. Aside from scheduling appointments, alarms can be set up throughout the day to remind people of things they need to do. for example, Haffey said he knew of someone who found that if they “took a shower at 6 a.m. every day, the rest of their day went better.”

Unfortunately, at this time, Haffey said, there is no type of insurance coverage for technology aides for people with ADHD. However, he added that there are medical groups in the US that are working on creating more sensible solutions for people with ADHD that save money in the long run.

The human element

When starting out working to arrange a home to better support someone with ADHD, Haffey said “it’s best to hire a professional organizer.” otherwise, he said it’s best to have someone, for example a parent, initiate organizing the home. 

If you are trying to help someone with ADHD organize themselves, say in their bedroom, Haffey said that it is always good to have what he calls a body double. “The friend or family member can help, or just spend time with the person. Having someone there is often calming enough to reduce some of the stress of organizing,” said Haffey.

How does color affect people with ADHD?

Haffey said that one of the best colors to paint the house in for someone who has ADHD is blue. “Blue is soothing to people. Science has shown that blue has a very calming affect on the brain waves. People with ADHD need an environment that creates a calmer mood as they tend to be distracted and frazzled,” said Haffey.

So in general, the keys to a helpful living environment for someone with ADHD are organization, personal support, and keeping the house as simple and quiet as possible.

Cris Carl writes about Boston-area flooring and housing issues. Read more like this – networx.com/article/organizing-the-house-for-adhd – on Networx.

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(CBS) a new gene study may provide answers for what causes attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), one of the most common behavior disorders among kids.

PICTURES: does your child really have ADHD? 17 things to rule out first

Scientists say they’ve identified variations in four genes involved in so-called “brain signaling pathways,” and those variations may unlock clues on how to treat the disorder.

For the study – published in the Dec. 4 issue of Nature Genetics – scientists at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia analyzed the whole genomes of 1,000 kids with ADHD, compared with those of 4,100 kids without ADHD. The scientists looked for differences in the number of deletions or duplications of DNA.

What did they find? Kids with ADHD had a significant number of differences on four particular genes involved in a pathway that’s thought to relay information between the neurons and the brain.

“At least 10 percent of the ADHD patients in our sample have these particular genetic variants,” study author Dr. Hakon Hakonarson, director of the Center for Applied Genomics at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said in a written statement. “The genes involved affect neurotransmitter systems in the brain that have been implicated in ADHD, and we now have a genetic explanation for this link.”

Overall, 5.2 million U.S. children ages 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, according to the CDC. Thousands of other genes may contribute to ADHD risk, but the scientists said that identifying a gene responsible for 10 percent of cases is a “robust” finding that can help others.

How? Scientists say new drugs could target these pathways and provide a more effective treatment for ADHD.

“This research will allow new therapies to be developed that are tailored to treating underlying causes of ADHD,” study co-author Dr. Josephine Elia, a child psychiatrist and ADHD expert at Children’s Hospital, said in the statement. “This is another step toward individualizing treatment to a child’s genetic profile.”

WebMD has more on ADHD.

Everybody deserves to love and be loved, including people with behavior problems like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). its symptoms include above-than-normal levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and implusivity. People afflicted with ADHD are usually easily distracted, become bored quickly, very talkative, and very impatient.

However, like everybody else, people with ADHD are very self-conscious when it comes to dating. not only they would have to try pleasing their dates, they also need to keep their behavior in check. for ADHD adults, dating is an opportunity to improve one’s communication, social, and relationship skills.

Sandy Maynard of ADDitude magazine provides some helpful tips for people with ADHD in having a great date both online and offline.

Keep your dating profile short – it is easy to write about yourself when describing yourself in a dating website. however, it is better to keep it short. Put a brief summary about what you like to do and a shorter description about your dislikes.

Friends can help – If you have difficulty discussing about yourself, ask some friends on how they would describe you. Put their feedback on your profile, starting with “my friends would describe me as…”

It is OK to be shy – If you are really shy, say you are so. After all, you are not the only one and some people actually find it attractive.

Make a smooth transition from online to face-to-face dating – If your online date wants to meet you in the flesh, suggest it would be better if you meet through a webcam first. it would lessen your stress when you finally meet face-to-face.

You do not have to know everything about your date – Admit to your date that you have read his or her profile, but you did not do as much homework as you could have. If you want to know more about your date, ask about it.

Prepare a list of questions – Dating conversations can get awkward at first, so you have to make a list of questions you want to ask. it makes the date go smoothly while you maintain focus on the date itself.

If the date is not going well, relax – do not worry about your date going bad. there will be more dates to come. Just relax and breathe.

Avoiding Certain Foods May Cut Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Kids

Feb. 3, 2011 — Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should be offered a special ADHD diet to see if eliminating certain foods might reduce their symptoms, Dutch researchers say.

The diet studied, known as the restricted elimination diet (RED), can work, the researchers say, because they believe ADHD symptoms in some children might be affected by eating specific foods.

”I am of the opinion that every child deserves this diagnostic intervention,” researcher Lidy Pelsser, PhD, of the ADHD Research Centre in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, tells WebMD.

In the study, published in The Lancet, 78% of children who stuck with the diet did respond by having fewer symptoms.

In five weeks of trying the diet, Pelsser says, parents will know if their child is responding or not; if not, they can move on to other treatments.

U.S. experts had some caveats, saying that the results of the study, which included 100 children, should be repeated in other populations to see if the findings hold up.

About ADHD

ADHD affects about 3% to 7% of U.S. school-aged children, according to the American Psychiatric Association, but other sources put the figures higher.

The disorder is marked by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Some children with ADHD also have oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), in which they express hostility and rebelliousness toward authority figures.

Experts aren’t sure of the cause of ADHD, but theorize that both genetic and environmental factors play a role. Specific foods or ingredients are thought by some to be linked to the symptoms. Besides dietary restriction, medication and behavior therapy are used to treat children with ADHD. in RED, foods that are thought to trigger symptoms are eliminated; the foods are reintroduced if they do not trigger symptoms.

Positive Response to ADHD Diet

Pelsser and colleagues assigned 100 children diagnosed with ADHD, ages 4 to 8, either to five weeks of the ADHD diet or to five weeks of following a healthy diet, with instructions on how to do so.

The ADHD diet was individualized for each child, eliminating foods that might cause problems. The diet was restricted to certain foods including rice, meat, vegetables, pears, and water, along with other foods such as potatoes, fruits, and wheat.

In the ADHD diet group, 41 of 50 children finished the first phase. in that group of 41 children, 32, or 78%, responded favorably by having fewer symptoms. Overall, 32 of 50, or 64%, responded favorably.

”Not only ADHD, but also ODD symptoms, characterized by stubbornness, temper tantrums, and provocative behavior, which were present in 50% of the children, decreased significantly,” Pelsser tells WebMD.

When the offending foods were reintroduced, symptoms returned in those who had responded favorably, the researcher says.

While previous studies have found a link between foods and ADHD symptoms, the researchers say the studies were typically small or only included children known to have a tendency to allergies; their study is more applicable to the population as a whole.

ScienceDaily (Mar. 1, 2011) — thanks in part to a Norwegian research biobank, researchers have generated important new insight into ADHD and how the condition manifests itself. among other things, they have found that there is some overlap between ADHD and bipolar disorders with regard to rapid mood swings.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) occurs on a worldwide basis and appears to affect two to five per cent of the population, depending on the method of measurement used and the population groups examined. although the condition has been recognised for over 100 years, insight into its causes, prevention and treatment remains limited.

In 2005, a long-term, interdisciplinary research project on the clinical and biological factors associated with ADHD ("ADHD in Norway: Basic and translational studies") was launched in Bergen with funding from the Research Council’s Programme for Mental Health (PSYKISK). An extensive international collaboration has been established to follow up the research results in the coming years.

A research biobank containing clinical informational and biological samples from Norwegian ADHD patients and their families, as well as from control subjects, was established as well. using this data as a basis, the researchers have sought to map the connection between ADHD symptoms and other mental disorders.

Mood swings

"one of our findings is that there is some overlap between AHDH and bipolar disorders with regard to rapid mood swings. it is now being discussed whether mood swings should be included in the official diagnosis criteria for ADHD," explains Jan Haavik, project manager and professor at Haukeland University Hospital and the University of Bergen.

The researchers have also shown that the Norwegian population has many genetic variants that regulate the synthesis of the pheromones dopamine and serotonin. some of these genetic variants are associated with ADHD symptoms.

Email or share this story:

Story Source:

the above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by The Research Council of Norway. the original article was written by Elin Fugelsnes/Else Lie. Translation: Connie Stultz/Carol B. Eckmann.

Note: if no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: this article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Hyperactivity and impulsivity are two signs of ADHD, although not all children with ADHD are hyperactive. STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Hyperactivity and impulsivity are two signs of ADHD
• If he’s generally immature, he may grow out of his antsiness at his own pace
• an assigned seat at the front of the classroom may be all he really needs

(Parenting) — Your kid has a classic case of ants in the pants. And he never seems to listen or follow directions. You’ve been hoping he’ll outgrow it, but you have a nagging suspicion that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be to blame. is it time to find out for sure? Consider these factors from Baltimore pediatrician Lawrence Pakula, M.D.:

How many red flags do you see?

Hyperactivity and impulsivity are two signs of ADHD (although not all children with ADHD are hyperactive). but other symptoms include difficulty in paying attention, completing tasks, following directions, taking turns, remembering things, or sitting still (all of which can apply to most any kid). The key: Are they interfering with his ability to function?

Does he have other developmental issues?

A coach to help with ADHD

If he’s generally immature, he may grow out of his antsiness at his own pace. but if he has marked delays in motor, language, or other skills, you may not want to wait. Those delays may be tied to ADHD, but they also can be a sign of learning disabilities, and the earlier those are diagnosed, the better for your child. If ADHD runs in your immediate family, that’s another good reason to test your child earlier.

What kind of school is he going to?

There’s a stronger argument to wait on testing if your child is going to a low-key kindergarten rather than a highly structured environment. but either way, consider giving him three to six months to adjust. And try simple changes, too: an assigned seat at the front of the classroom or a behavior-intervention program may be all he really needs.

Is he falling behind?

If he’s lagging socially or academically, is constantly being reprimanded, or his behavior is unsafe (regular ER visits are a big clue), don’t wait. Yorba Linda, CA, mom Debra Ann Afarian held off on getting her son evaluated until fourth grade; by then, he was suffering from intense anxiety from ADHD-related school problems. looking back, she says, "I wish we would have tested earlier."

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Press Release Source: Shire plc on Wednesday February 2, 2011, 5:59 am EST

MONTREAL, Feb. 2 /CNW Telbec/ – Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), theglobal specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces that Health Canada hasapproved VYVANSE® (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules) for the treatment ofattention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescents and adults.

“There is a misconception that ADHD is a childhood condition but thereality is that an estimated 1.1 million Canadian adultsi,ii are living withthis neurological condition, the symptoms of which can significantly impactall aspects of daily living,” said ADHD expert, Dr. Isaac Szpindel, MD. “Thistreatment option is significant news for adults with ADHD.”

VYVANSE is the first and only once-daily prodrug stimulant approved totreat ADHD in adolescents and adults.

Current unmet need a recent Angus-Reid survey of 302 Canadian adultsdiagnosed with ADHD showed most adults with ADHD rank symptom control as oneof the most important qualities they look for in an ADHD medication. 96 percent of those surveyed reported symptom control throughout the day as animportant attribute of the ideal ADHD medication. less than one in five (18per cent) say that their ADHD causes no disruption during the course of theday.

“When it comes to adult ADHD we shouldn’t underestimate the potentiallydownward-spiralling effects of uncontrolled ADHD and the benefit of symptomcontrol throughout the day,” said Heidi Bernhardt, National Director of theCentre for ADHD/ADD Advocacy, Canada (CADDAC). “ADHD is a treatable conditionthat can be managed if people with it have access to effective treatment thattheir doctors recommend.”

About the survey a nationwide online survey of Canadian adults age 18 andover who have been diagnosed with ADHD was conducted by Angus Reid PublicOpinion on behalf of Shire Canada Inc. a total of 302 adults from across thecountry were surveyed. The data were collected between October 19, 2010 andNovember 1, 2010. The margin of error for results based on the total sample of302 is ±5.7 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

About ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is aneurobiological disorder that is often hereditary and results in difficultyregulating attention and can include impulsiveness and hyperactivity. ADHDsymptoms impact most aspects of daily living including organizational and timemanagement skills. According to the Centre for ADHD/ADD Advocacy, Canada(CADDAC), the most conservative estimates indicate that ADHD affects over 1million Canadians. Experts estimate that 80 per cent of children diagnosedwith ADHD continue to meet the criteria for diagnosis in adolescence and morethan 60 per cent of report suffering from symptoms of ADHD in adulthood. ADHDhas a significant impact on our social and economic systems, and is estimatedto cost the Canadian economy close to 8 million dollars each year.

About VYVANSE VYVANSE (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules) is atherapeutically inactive prodrug, in which d-amphetamine is covalently bondedto l-lysine. For VYVANSE to release its active ingredient, d-amphetamine, anenzymatic reaction has to take place: after oral ingestion it is rapidlyabsorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract and converted to pharmacologicallyactive d-amphetamine and L-lysine by hydrolysis in the bloodiii,iv.

VYVANSE was approved by Health Canada in February 2009 for the treatmentof ADHD in children aged 6 to 12 years and is now also indicated for thetreatment of ADHD for adolescents aged 13 to 17 years and adults.

The approval of VYVANSE in adolescents and adults was based on theresults of two pivotal clinical studies (one in adolescents aged 13 to 17, andone in adults). In the phase 3, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled,four-week studies, the primary efficacy endpoint was the ADHD Rating Scale(ADHD-RS-IV) total score change from baseline. In an additional randomized,double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study in adults in a simulatedworkplace environment, efficacy was measured using the PERMP (math problems)score at 2, 4, 8, 10, 12 and 14 hours post-dose.

About Shire plc Shire plc’s strategic goal is to become the leadingspecialty biopharmaceutical company that focuses on meeting the needs of thespecialist physician. Shire focuses its business on attention deficit andhyperactivity disorder (ADHD), human genetic therapies (HGT) andgastrointestinal (GI) diseases as well as opportunities in other therapeuticareas to the extent they arise through acquisitions. The structure issufficiently flexible to allow Shire to target new therapeutic areas to theextent opportunities arise through acquisitions. Shire’s in-licensing, mergerand acquisition efforts are focused on products in niche markets with strongintellectual property protection and global rights. Shire believes that acarefully selected and balanced portfolio of products with strategicallyaligned and relatively small-scale sales forces will deliver strong results.

For further information about Shire Canada, please visit the Company’swebsite: shirecanada.com

“SAFE HARBOR” STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORMACT OF 1995 Statements included herein that are not historical facts areforward-looking statements. such forward-looking statements involve a numberof risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. In the eventsuch risks or uncertainties materialize, the Company’s results could bematerially adversely affected. The risks and uncertainties include, but arenot limited to, risks associated with: the inherent uncertainty of research,development, approval, reimbursement, manufacturing and commercialization ofthe Company’s Specialty Pharmaceutical and Human Genetic Therapies products,as well as the ability to secure and integrate new products forcommercialization and/or development; government regulation of the Company’sproducts; the Company’s ability to manufacture its products in sufficientquantities to meet demand; the impact of competitive therapies on theCompany’s products; the Company’s ability to register, maintain and enforcepatents and other intellectual property rights relating to its products; theCompany’s ability to obtain and maintain government and other third-partyreimbursement for its products; and other risks and uncertainties detailedfrom time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and ExchangeCommission.

Video News Release available via satellite

Wednesday February 2, 2011 10:00 – 10:30 and again at 14:00 – 14:30Eastern Anik F2C/3B Download Freq: 3820MHz V Audio subcarriers 6.8 left, 6.2right For assistance with the feed call: 1-800-565-1471

Video News Release will also available via download on Wednesday February2, 2011

Click here to access broadcast quality footage:newscanada.com/mpgdownload.asp?id=4117

Please contact cdillon(at)newscanada.com if you do not have your login IDand password.

To view this news release in HTML formatting, please use the following URL:cnw.ca/en/releases/archive/February2011/02/c7032.html

For further informationNatacha Raphaël Manager, Communications & Community Relations ShireCanada Inc 514-787-2364 nraphael-c@shire.com Katie Lofquist Hill and Knowlton

Posted on: Friday, 17 December 2010, 07:39 CST

(Ivanhoe Newswire) – On the surface, children with fetal alcohol exposure and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) appear to have similar symptoms and issues, but this study shows that each disorder appears to affect different areas of the brain.

The researchers used number processing to show that difference in brain stimulation, and the results shows that the treatments for one might not be effective for the other, meaning there’s a need to create tailor-made interventions for each.

In children, the brain is in a constant state of flux as it analyzes and evaluates stimuli from the environment. Fetal alcohol exposure and ADHD represent two disorders that can affect children’s ability to learn and process information from a very young age.

Both ADHD and fetal alcohol exposure are linked to poor academic performance in cognition and attention, so the researchers decided to try to pinpoint the exact brain areas affected by each disorder with the hope that this research could lead to the creation and development of new and improved treatments.

Joseph L. Jacobson, lead author of the study and Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, said that the goal of the study was to determine if alcohol-related deficits in magnitude comparison (the ability to mentally represent and evaluate relative quantities) seen in children with prenatal alcohol exposure would also be true for ADHD."we thought it very interesting that this is not the case,” acobson was quoted as saying. “The arithmetic deficit in ADHD is mediated primarily by poorer executive function and attention problems rather than magnitude comparison, which is more often impaired in children with fetal alcohol exposure."

The researchers assessed 262 African-American adolescents at 14 years of age. Their mothers were recruited during pregnancy and interviewed extensively regarding their use of alcohol to determine the amount of alcohol the child was exposed to prior to birth. the children were evaluated for ADHD symptoms at ages 7.5 and 14 by parent/guardian and teacher reports, and their number processing abilities were assessed at 14 years.

The results showed that children with fetal alcohol exposure demonstrated strong deficits in number comparison, while children with ADHD demonstrated deficits in attention and memory. therefore, although number processing is affected in both ADHD and fetal alcohol exposure, the exact cause of the difficulties appears to be different.

SOURCE: Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, published online December 16, 2010

Source: Ivanhoe Newswire

More News in this Category

I am asking since my bf of 6 months has ADHD.
Sometimes it's hard for me to make the difference whether its his ADHD or his personality.
Any help would be greatly appreciated

Racing thoughts. which can lead to difficulty sleeping. so he may be moody. people with add or adhd sometimes have trouble saying whatever is on their mind. they can become very anxious and depressed easily.

i have ADHD not yelling or ne thing but its a disorder not a disease lol. but um i cant concentrate i dont have very much trouble sleeping and i wouldnt say im racist but the other two points rita mentioned du play a role in my liffe but i had no idea it was because of my adhd so i thank her for that and yu for posting the question.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a problem related to brain development that causes hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and attention problems.

Following are causes of ADHD
1. Genetic factors
2. History of head injury
3. Infections of the brain and spinal cord
4. Premature birth
5. Exposure to tobacco, alcohol or other drugs while in the womb
6. Lead poisoning

Please go through my referenced website, I think it would be more helpful for your problem.