Author: Kstiegler

Mental Health Update

AD/HD: An Overview

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder. It affects a child's ability to pay attention, stay still, and/or control his or her impulses. Despite their disorder, children with ADHD are talented, capable, and creative. They can and do grow up to become happy, accomplished, and successful adults.
The symptoms of ADHD usually appear in children and can continue into the teen and adult years. An estimated 3% to 5% of school-age children and 2% to 4% of adults have ADHD. As many as 2 million American children may have the disorder. It is estimated that every classroom in the United States has 1 to 3 children with ADHD.
Many more boys than girls are diagnosed with ADHD. Girls with ADHD tend to have different symptoms than boys. Girls often have more trouble with attention. Boys may be more hyperactive. Because of this, girls are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. And, they are less likely to get needed treatment. Scientists think that genetics may play a role in determining who has ADHD. Children who have ADHD often have at least 1 close relative with the disorder. However, people often may not know that a family member has ADHD. As children with ADHD enter adulthood, about half of them will still show signs of ADHD. The other half may appear to "outgrow" it. But, with the help of treatment, coping skills, and emotional support, they learn to change their behavior and adjust the impact of ADHD on their daily lives.

AD/HD is usually found by teachers because it tends to affect functioning in school-related activities.

There are two main types of AD/HD.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: Child is constantly in motion. They may feel restless, fidget and have difficulty waiting their turn.
Predominantly Inattentive Type: Child has a difficult time focusing on a particular task. They may appear not to listen, become easily distracted, and have difficulty following instructions.
Children can exhibit symptoms of both types.
*Predominantly Inattentive Type is a subset that is often referred to as ADD.

What’s the buzz about?:
Medication for ADHD

Medications for ADHD help many children focus and be more successful at school, home, and play. Avoiding negative experiences now may actually help prevent addictions and other emotional problems later.
About 80 percent of children who need medication for ADHD still need it as teenagers. Over 50 percent need medication as adults.
These medications go to work immediately, improvement can often be seen right away.
If the child does not show symptom improvement after taking a medication for a week, the doctor may try adjusting the dosage. If there is still no improvement, the child may be switched to another medication.

MYTHS ABOUT AD/HD
AD/HD is not a real disorder.
AD/HD is a disorder of childhood.
Children with AD/HD are over-medicated.
Poor parenting causes AD/HD.
Girls have lower rates and less severe AD/HD than boys.
Medication for AD/HD is addicting in AD/HD patients.
Medications should be used only during the school week.

Some positive aspects of ADHD can be:
creativity
charming personality
warmheartedness
good judge of character
sense of humor
quick to grasp essentials
flexibility
intuitiveness
sensitive to surrounding
environment
enthusiastic, passionate
forgives mistakes
tries to do better next time
willing to take risks

This story can fit 150-200 words.
One benefit of using your newsletter as a promotional tool is that you can reuse content from other marketing materials, such as press releases, market studies, and reports.
While your main goal of distributing a newsletter might be to sell your product or service, the key to a successful newsletter is making it useful to your readers.
A great way to add useful content to your newsletter is to develop and write your own articles, or include a calendar of upcoming events or a special offer that promotes a new product.
You can also research articles or find “filler” articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a variety of topics but try to keep your articles short.
Much of the content you put in your newsletter can also be used for your Web site. Microsoft Publisher offers a simple way to convert your newsletter to a Web publication. So, when you’re finished writing your newsletter, convert it to a Web site and post it.

This story can fit 75-125 words.
Selecting pictures or graphics is an important part of adding content to your newsletter.
Think about your article and ask yourself if the picture supports or enhances the message you’re trying to convey. Avoid selecting images that appear to be out of context.
Microsoft Publisher includes thousands of clip art images from which you can choose and import into your newsletter. There are also several tools you can use to draw shapes and symbols.
Once you have chosen an image, place it close to the article. Be sure to place the caption of the image near the image.

This story can fit 100-150 words.
The subject matter that appears in newsletters is virtually endless. You can include stories that focus on current technologies or innovations in your field.
You may also want to note business or economic trends, or make predictions for your customers or clients.
If the newsletter is distributed internally, you might comment upon new procedures or improvements to the business. Sales figures or earnings will show how your business is growing.
Some newsletters include a column that is updated every issue, for instance, an advice column, a book review, a letter from the president, or an editorial. You can also profile new employees or top customers or vendors.

The Bay Brook Buzz

This story can fit 150-200 words.
One benefit of using your newsletter as a promotional tool is that you can reuse content from other marketing materials, such as press releases, market studies, and reports.
While your main goal of distributing a newsletter might be to sell your product or service, the key to a successful newsletter is making it useful to your readers.
A great way to add useful content to your newsletter is to develop and write your own articles, or include a calendar of upcoming events or a special offer that promotes a new product.
You can also research articles or find “filler” articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a variety of topics but try to keep your articles short.
Much of the content you put in your newsletter can also be used for your Web site. Microsoft Publisher offers a simple way to convert your newsletter to a Web publication. So, when you’re finished writing your newsletter, convert it to a Web site and post it.

This story can fit 100-150 words.
The subject matter that appears in newsletters is virtually endless. You can include stories that focus on current technologies or innovations in your field.
You may also want to note business or economic trends, or make predictions for your customers or clients.
If the newsletter is distributed internally, you might comment upon new procedures or improvements to the business. Sales figures or earnings will show how your business is growing.
Some newsletters include a column that is updated every issue, for instance, an advice column, a book review, a letter from the president, or an editorial. You can also profile new employees or top customers or vendors.

This story can fit 75-125 words.
Selecting pictures or graphics is an important part of adding content to your newsletter.
Think about your article and ask yourself if the picture supports or enhances the message you’re trying to convey. Avoid selecting images that appear to be out of context.
Microsoft Publisher includes thousands of clip art images from which you can choose and import into your newsletter. There are also several tools you can use to draw shapes and symbols.
Once you have chosen an image, place it close to the article. Be sure to place the caption of the image near the image.