Full Course Description
Changing the ADHD Brain: Moving Beyond Medication​
Program Information
Outline
Why Not Medication?
- Useful as a short-term tool
- Concerns with long-term use: Effects on the brain
ADHD and the “Immature” Brain
- Brain imaging evidence of ADHD
- Research regarding ADHD brain development
- Frontal lobes mature more slowly in the ADHD brain
- Excess theta brainwaves
- Implications for treatment
Movement-Based Strategies
- Wake up an underaroused ADHD brain
- Hyperactivity as an adaptive mechanism
- The impact of play and exercise on the brain
- Role of rhythm and timing training
- Integrated movement systems for ADHD
Frontal Lobe/Working Memory Strategic Tools
- Use it or lose it: Increase memory, attention and focus
- Games for impulse control and working memory
- Computerized cognitive training programs
- Meditation and mindfulness for ADHD
- Neurofeedback
Diet and Nutrition
- The impact of sugars, fats, proteins and water
- Diet and dopamine
- Omega 3-6-9: What you need to know for brain health
- Multivitamins/minerals: Do they make a difference?
- Gluten, food additives and pesticides
ADHD and Nervous System Overstimulation
- ”Overaroused” subtype of ADHD
- Stress, anxiety and ADHD: the connection
- Breathwork and movement for nervous system calming
- Heart rate variability biofeedback
- Art therapy techniques to quiet and focus the brain
Environmental Influences
- Video games and Social Media
- Sleep deprivation
- Same symptoms as ADHD
- Strategies to help insomnia
- Environmental toxins: lead, phthalates, pollution
- The impact of time in nature on ADHD symptoms
Objectives
- Evaluate the relationship between the frontal lobe of the brain and ADHD symptomology for the purpose of client psychoeducation.
- Determine the impact of movement and exercise on the reduction of ADHD symptoms as it relates to assessment and treatment planning.
- Employ treatment interventions for improving impulse control and working memory in clients.
- Analyze the influence of diet and nutrition on ADHD symptoms in relation to assessment and treatment planning.
- Develop clinical strategies to calm the nervous system of clients diagnosed with ADHD.
- Assess the clinical implications of environmental influences on ADHD symptoms in clients.
Target Audience
Counselors, Teachers/Educators, Marriage & Family Therapists, Nurses, Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants, Psychologists, Social Workers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and other Mental Health Professionals
Copyright :
08/18/2017
ADHD Treatment for Children & Adults: Proven Strategies to Self-Regulate, Stay on Task & Manage Anxiety & Intense Emotions​
Program Information
Target Audience
Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists, Teachers/Educators, Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants, Physical Therapists/Physical Therapy Assistants, and other Mental Health Professionals
Objectives
- Analyze the pluses and minuses of using diet, meds or therapy approaches for ADHD.
- Summarize Barkley’s levels of pre-executive function and executive function.
- Characterize three attention interventions.
- Devise a detailed program to help adults manage the details of their life.
- Summarize five ways to manage anxiety in children and adults.
- Communicate three ways to work with emotional regulation in ADHD.
- Outline the key element of timing therapy and how to achieve it.
- Simulate a program for learning to stay present.
Outline
- General approaches to manage ADHD
- Dietary: Metabolic issues, food sensitivities
- Medications: The pros and cons
- Non-medication therapies
Executive Function and Self-Regulation
- Does Executive Function equal Self-Regulation?
- Russ Barkley’s levels of executive function
- Matching Barkley’s levels to age and maturity to plan interventions
- Self-regulation capabilities and compensation
Emotion Regulation
- Recognize “off-center” emotions and intensity
- Get in touch with and be present to emotions
- Strategies to accept and manage emotions
- Positive guidance via the Nurtured Heart Approach
- Manage intensity for the adult
- Diffuse emotions with Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
Structure and Organization
- Create habits in small children
- Dictated goals vs. self-management of tasks
- Using apps to compensate for poor organization skills
Slow Impulsivity
- Basics: One thing at a time
- Learn effective self-control
- Self-management for children
- Self-management for adults
Attention Therapies for ADHD
- Timing therapy for children and adults
- Interactive Metronome®
- A metronome app
- Sharp attention to gain hyper-focus
- Have fun with attention exercises for young children
- Mindfulness attention training for children and adults
Anxiety and Stress Management Strategies
- Look social situations in the eye
- Keep deadlines at arm’s length
- Stress management
- Three breathing techniques
- Physical exercise, work and play
- The Mind Jar
- Keep it simple
- Learn self-acceptance vs. defensiveness
Advanced Techniques
- Recognize emotional and mental states
- Stay present, wait, watch and accept
- Use self-regulation to counter impulses
- Advanced strategies to manage intensity
Copyright :
11/11/2015
Executive Function, ADHD and Stress in the Classroom​
Program Information
Target Audience
Counselors, Teachers/Educators, Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants, Psychologists, Social Workers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and other Mental Health Professionals.
Objectives
- Implement strategies to increase students’ executive functioning skills during both structured activities and open learning times.
- Employ classroom interventions that will improve time management, organizational and study skills for kids diagnosed with ADHD.
- Apply simple breathing and mindfulness techniques to reduce students’ stress levels, improve emotional regulation in order to meet classroom expectations.
- Adapt traditional behavior modification programs to address non-compliant behavior in kids who have ADHD.
- Utilize classroom management strategies that apply to the whole class while also meeting the needs of students who are easily distracted or who have cognitive processing delays.
- Implement strategies to improve homework compliance and improve study skills among students.
Outline
Impact of ADHD, Executive Function and Stress on Learning and Behavior
- Challenges ADHD creates beyond impulsivity, inattentiveness and hyperactivity
- Relationship between ADHD, executive function and stress
- Determining eligibility for services
Techniques to Strengthen Emotional/ Self-Regulation in School
- Self-monitoring strategies for students to adjust their self-talk and focus control
- Specific time management techniques for deepening concentration and perseverance
- Environmental modifications to help students harness innate strength
- Addressing the issues of ADHD medication in school
Strategies to Reduce Disruptive Behaviors, Stress & Anxiety
- Powerful changes in the classroom environment to support student independence
- Supporting lagging developmental skills required for self-regulation
- Class-wide culture shifts to aide calm and focus for all students
- Problem solving and self-advocacy tools to increase self-monitoring
Strategies to Improve Attention, Organization, Time Management and Memory
- Powerful use of graphic organizers facilitate writing, organizing and problem solving
- Specific timers, paper organizers, and homework management systems
- Keys to incorporate movement, fidgets, and mindfulness techniques
- Making IEP and 504 plans more effective and impactful for teachers and students
Copyright :
03/13/2017