Tips for Parents who have Children Diagnosed with ADHD

Any parent who has a child that has been diagnosed with ADHD can use help managing their lives! The following tips may offer assistance:

STRUCTURE - Children with ADHD need structure to function successfully.

• Providing meals, bath, homework and bedtime as closely as possible at the same time every day can be helpful.
• These kids also benefit by doing their homework in the same place every day.
• Allowing them to do something physical after school instead of sitting down immediately to start their homework can help them to focus.
• Having them break down their work into small manageable “bites” can often be the answer to decreasing their sense of being overwhelmed.
• Giving them 25-30 minute increments for homework or tasks then a 5-10 minute break can also be very effective.
• At home you need to check their homework and ensure they have put it into their book bag. Often they will have completed their homework but forget to turn it in. They will need your patience and your help to stay organized as this is often very challenging for them. Providing a check list for chores, routines and homework can also help your child improve their organization.

PREDICTABILITY- ADHD children need predictability or they tend to get anxious, antsy or act out.

TRANSITIONS - Transitions can be difficult. To decrease their anxiety, provide them with a simple, succinct explanation ahead of time and rehearse the transition with them when appropriate.

BRIEF EXPLANATIONS - Keep your words brief. When our explanations are too long, these kids will often tune out as it is difficult for them to continue concentrating. They often are uncomfortable admitting this at home and school. This leads to moving forward with insufficient information, thus leading to trouble.

HELP WITH SHORT-TERM MEMORY - Most people don’t understand that ADHD kids may have short-term memory problems – you may think that they are not listening but they really are! This is why they don’t recall the directions. What will increase their success is giving them no more than 2 step directions and showing them exactly what you want to do. They learn visually so it is helpful for them to have a picture of the activity. Check off lists can also be helpful with pictures for children who are younger.

RELAXATION - ADHD children frequently act impulsively. They need you to help them slow down, take some deep breaths and look at the consequences of their behavior before just plunging in.  Since they can be anxious it is helpful to teach them relaxation skills:

·         Deep breathing (slowly)

·         Give the whole family the opportunity to have a “calm half hour” when no one talks, no electronics, and everyone does something quietly. This teaches them it is okay to not always be on the go; and relaxation actually feels good!

·         Recognize when your child may be over-stimulated.  

·         Planning less activities in a row or introducing calming activities can go a long way to help your child self regulate.

·         Help your child find some activities that are self soothing is also important.

NOTICE WHAT THEY DO WELL - As with all children, it’s important to notice when they are doing things well and to provide an enthusiastic response.  Children with ADHD often develop a poor sense of self-esteem as adults are correcting them quite a bit. They often feel that they can do nothing right (“Lower your voice, can’t you settle down? Why do you always have to be moving? Why aren’t you paying attention to me? Why can’t you ever do your homework without a scene?”).

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY - Sometimes therapy can help them to develop a greater belief in themselves as well as provide support to parents who are often feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a key component to your child’s success as it helps them learn that what they think determines how they feel. Learning how to challenge their thoughts can give them an invaluable tool for handling their emotions. Since impatience is often a product of having ADHD, many children can benefit by learning good anger management skills which help them in developing healthy relations and self-control.

HELP THEM TO LEARN HOW TO DO OTHER THINGS WELL - Creating a behavior program where two behaviors are targeted and the child earns a point for each time the target behavior is executed is essential. These points lead up to a reward which increases their incentive to change their behavior. Rewards can be material, extra time with you, choosing what they will have for dinner, staying up later, or having a friend over are a few suggestions. It is essential to ignore the behavior you do not want and reinforce the behavior you do want enthusiastically!

HELP THEM LEARN GOOD SOCIAL SKILLS - In addition, they can use some assistance with social skills. They tend to interrupt peers when they are talking – they are sometimes concerned that they will forget what they want to say! They may need your help in understanding how they represent themselves to others. Rehearsing effective communication, friendship skills, how to handle being bullied, manners and how to decrease their impulsivity, etc., is a way for your child to feel more confident. Help your child to be able to pick out their strengths and state them to themselves often. This helps them to develop positive self-talk.

MOVEMENT IS KEY - Children with ADHD sometimes learn kinesthetically which means they like motion. When their body is occupied it is easier for them to focus (for example, chewing gum, squeezing a squishy ball, using clay, swinging their foot back and forth, etc.).  They require a lot of physical exercise which helps them to ground their energy, decrease overstimulation and hyperactivity. Getting a mini trampoline works well when they need to get their energy out when the weather is inclement. If enrolling them in sports, they do best in a sport such as soccer, hockey, or lacrosse which has continuous movement. Playing baseball may be more difficult as it may be difficult for them to wait their turn.

ADVOCATE FOR THEM IN SCHOOL - Parents play a very crucial role as their child’s advocate in the school system. When your child is diagnosed with ADHD they are entitled to modifications at school which enhances their ability to learn. The law that provides them with the right to modifications is called “The American Disabilities Act” (ADA). Unless they have any learning disabilities they are not qualified as “Special Ed” but rather “Other Health Impaired” under what is called a “504 plan”. Schools will rarely tell you about this option unless you bring it up. Possible modifications:

• Taking tests in a room other than the classroom so there will be fewer distractions
• Getting more time to take a test since their attention may wander. This can also provide them some extra time to check their work as they often rush through to finish, increasing their chances to make careless mistakes.
• They can check in with the school social worker/psychologist at the beginning and the end of the day to process any problems that may have come up.
• They can be allowed to chew gum, use a squishy ball, have a wiggle seat, get up for a sensory break, leave the room for a stretch break or drink of water, bring papers to the office for a teacher, have a classroom job and have the teacher give them a subtle cue when they are off task.

After school activities that allow for expending energy and making friendships are pivotal to their success.

MEDICATION? - You may want to consider options to treat the child’s ADHD with medication. You will need to consult with a good Child Psychiatrist. After the diagnosis is made it is often permissible to obtain the medication from your primary care physician. However, a mental health professional is required to diagnose your child.

Children with ADHD have many gifts such as well developed intuition, sensitivity, creativity, intellectual prowess and unique ways of looking at the world. They can teach us a great deal from their perspective!

Andrea Schear, LCSW

Are Fear and Anxiety Holding You Back?

Is fear holding you back in your career? NECBT can help.

Oftentimes, we can let fears get in the way of achieving our goals and living the lives that we have envisioned. While there are certainly times when outside circumstances can influence how we live, it is often fear and anxiety that hold us back. Fear and anxiety are based in irrational thinking, and therefore, can be changed. At NECBT, we have had much success in helping people to challenge their irrational thoughts and beliefs at the core of these fears using our unique Interpersonal Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(I-CBT).

New Groups for Children and Adults

Group Therapy at NECBT can be effective for all ages.

Here at NECBT are in the midst of some exciting developments in the arena of Group Therapy.

While we have long been holding an ongoing Children’s Group to help our child patients develop Social Skills and work on their Emotional Intelligence, we are now introducing new groups into our repertoire!

Children’s Yoga, while previously incorporated into our Children’s Group, will now be its own separate entity. Children’s Yoga, once only offered every other week, will be offered for patients within our practice on a weekly basis every Monday at 4:45 pm.
Our Yoga Teacher, Mandee Morris, has completed her Children’s Yoga Training with KAY (Kidding Around Yoga), and makes the practice much more than just slow-movement and breathing. The class is fun as well as useful in guiding children toward mindfulness and our I-CBT based rational thinking.

Is your Child or Teen struggling with Anxiety this School Year?

The 2014-2015 school year is now in full swing. Children and teens are working on assignments, preparing for the first tests of the new year, and also trying to balance different extracurricular activities such as sports, music, theater, and scouts, just to name a few. It is important for our young people to be well-rounded and to be exposed to different experiences. However, on occasion, children and teens can become overwhelmed and anxious in the midst of everything going on in their lives.

Here at New England Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & Psychiatry, we know that Anxiety comes in all different shapes and sizes. It can emerge in different circumstances, and at different times for every child or teen.

In some cases, a child or teen may have Social Anxiety brought on by the pressures to fit in with their peers at school. Other children may find that their Anxiety is brought on by test-taking and a fear of failure.

There are many different types of Anxiety, and they are each characterized by different symptoms.

National Suicide Prevention Week

There is always hope and beauty on the horizon. Suicide is not the answer.

According to www.preventsuicidect.org, in Connecticut, on average, one person dies from suicide every day of the year. One person a year dying from suicide would be too many. An average of 365 a year is simply tragic. These deaths can be prevented.

When an individual thinks about committing suicide, these thoughts are often brought on by feelings of hopelessness. Perhaps the individual feels as though his or her circumstances are unchangeable and that their lives will never improve. Sometimes suicidal thoughts may be triggered by major life events, such as the break up of a relationship, the loss of a job, or the death of a loved one. In nearly all cases, it can be said that when a person considers suicide, he or she is unable to see past their current situation into a future that undoubtedly can change.

Those who experience thoughts of suicide are often living with Anxiety, Depression, or a combination of the two. Anxiety and Depression are treatable.

Children and Adolescent Programs at NECBT

The 2014-15 school year has begun. At this time of year, children and teens may find themselves feeling anxious or depressed, either from the new added stressors from school, or even from social situations in which they feel uncomfortable. In some cases, families may be discovering for the first time that a child has symptoms associated with ADHD. Others may simply need help learning how to better manage their stress. At NECBT, we can help children, teens, and their families get on the right track this school year.

Treating children can be challenging. In fact, a child’s brain is not fully developed until his or her mid-twenties. At New EnglandCenter for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy our philosophy for treating children and adolescents is to highly involve the parents and/or guardians. We have had a lot of success with this approach to children’s therapy. Parents are taught the same I-CBT used in individual session as well as how to use evidence based reinforcement techniques to encourage preferable behaviors.  Parents are then better equipped to handle their child’s behaviors outside the office setting. 

For more about I-CBT, a hybrid of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Emotional Intelligence developed by American Psychotherapist Thomas A. Cordier, please see last week’s post here.

NECBT's Behavioral Parent Training Starts 9/17! Sign up now!

NECBT's next Behavioral Training for Parents and Professionals will be starting on Wednesday, September 17th! 
NECBT’s Behavioral Training is part of the three-tiered system of our Children and Adolescent Programming here at NECBT. Parents of children age 17 and younger who are currently patients at NECBT are required to attend this 10-week seminar to learn how to help reinforce the I-CBT treatment that children are learning in individual sessions. However, Behavioral Training is a great learning opportunity for anyone who works with children, and we are opening up our course to the public as well. 

As the school year starts, being a part of this unique training can equip parents and professionals with the skills and techniques that can make the new school year successful for everyone involved!

Behavioral Training is specifically designed for parents, teachers, and administrators looking to learn strategies to help improve children’s behavior in home, school, and social environments.

Moving Mental Health Forward

We at NECBT were deeply affected by Robin Williams' death. Suicide is an avoidable tragedy when individuals receive proper treatment for their Mental Health disorders.

It has always been our mission at NECBT to Move Mental Health Forward with Evidence-Based Treatment. It is of paramount importance that those who are living with symptoms of mental health disorders receive the treatment they need. At NECBT, our therapists are making a difference using Thomas A. Cordier's Interpersonal Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT). I-CBT is highly effective for treating symptoms associated with mental health disorders, including Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, OCD, PTSD, as well as many others.

This past Sunday, 8/17, we premiered our first television commercial on the Connecticut CBS affiliate, WFSB. It is our intention to help as many people as we can, and to spread our message as far and wide as possible. In the past we have relied on word of mouth and social media to help us communicate our mission. Now, we want to reach even more people to make sure that everyone knows that NECBT is here to help. This is why we have now begun to advertise on broadcast television.

Please share this wherever you can. You never know who may be living with mental illness and could use some help. We teach patients skills to help them work through their symptoms. Even after they move on from our program these coping skills are always with them as they navigate new life challenges.

If you or your loved one is in need of treatment, please call our office at 860-430-5515.
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Effectively Treating Depression

Here at NECBT it has always been our mission to remove the stigma associated with mental illness. We are dedicated to moving mental health forward and making sure people get the treatment that they desperately need. Now, in the wake of Robin Williams’ tragic suicide , we are all presented with the challenge of making sure that those around us who are living with Depression and Anxiety get the help that they need.

It may be difficult to know who around you is living with depressive symptoms. Anxiety and Depression are the most pervasive of illnesses, and many cases go untreated every year. Through all of his struggles, Robin Williams presented a joyful, light, fun and life-brightening presence to audiences everywhere. Only his loved ones know what face he showed to them out of the limelight, but it is hard to live with the reality that Williams took his own life, and left the world without his brilliant and inspiring presence. Many of you may be aware of bright lights in your own life who are struggling with a form of Depression. It is not something that should be left untreated. Effective therapy may be that one thing that keeps an individual from taking his or her own life.

Good-bye Kim! We will Miss You!

NECBT's Kim Bronson

This week on the blog we honor our long-time Front Desk Office Manager, Kim Bronson. For nearly three years, Kim has provided a friendly face and welcoming atmosphere for NECBT patients and their families. She has been the first point of contact that most people have had with our organization, and has a rare talent for putting individuals at ease in what can often be a stressful time.

While here, Kim applied her natural empathy and kindness to helping patients understand the work we do at NECBT and guiding them to decide if our organization was the right fit for their needs. She also helped patients to better understand their insurance coverage, assisted in accommodating patient schedules, and provided incomparable support for NECBT clinical and administrative staff alike. She also has spent time with our Teen Group, often helping to facilitate meetings and connecting with the patients. Always going above and beyond, Kim has truly been an integral part of the NECBT family.

TED Talks, NPR, and Inspiration: All About Stress and Anxiety.

Even on a day off, we may be plagued with stress.

We all face stress and anxiety from time to time, and some of us deal with them daily. It seems that everywhere we turn these days, people are talking about stress and how best to handle it. 

For many summer may be a time for vacation and relaxation, but stress and anxiety do not always get the memo and take that break with us. Our minds still race, our muscles tense, and yes, whether at home or some new, exotic location, worries do not take a break.

With this in mind, today on the NECBT blog, we offer a small selection of some of our favorite mainstream work from the internet about dealing with stress and anxiety. Please feel free to leave us comments, or links to pieces on stress that you may have found in your internet travels, that you would like to share.

Medication Management at NECBT

I-CBT, combined with medication, can help get patients back on track.

Here at NECBT, we consider ourselves a therapy-focused organization. In most cases, we would prefer to approach Mental Health without the use of pharmaceuticals. However, we do understand that at times medication is necessary for individual patients, depending on the nature and the severity of their condition. With this in mind, we offer a Medication Management program that is in line with our philosophy: Medication only when absolutely necessary.

Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder

For some, with summer comes depression. NECBT can help.

Are you feeling a little down this summer, but don’t know how to explain it? Has this happened to you in summers past? Do you start feeling blue around the onset of summer, but begin to feel more at ease as the weather cools and we settle deeper into the autumn months?

If you answered yes to the above questions, you are not alone. While many individuals living with varying forms of depression, and specifically Winter SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), can find that the summer months, with their influx of warmth, sunshine and activity, can ease depressive symptoms, there is a percentage of the population that actually feels an increase in depressive symptoms with the onset of summer.

Welcome Alaina, NECBT's Newest Intern/Resident!

Alaina Brokaw is NECBT's latest intern/resident.

We are excited to announce that we have a new member of our Intern/Resident program here at NECBT! Please help us in welcoming Alaina Brokaw to our NECBT Team!

Alaina holds a B.A. in Psychology from UConn and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling at Yeshiva University in Bronx, NY. She has experience assisting college students who are on academic probation, conducting career counseling, and founding and facilitating discussion groups.

Playing Team Sports to Improve Mental Health

Participating in team sports can improve mental health.

To honor the U.S. World Cup 2014 team who, in spite of their Tuesday loss to Belgium, played inspiringly throughout the tournament, this week's blog post examines the mental health benefits of playing team sports.

It is no secret that there are many mental health benefits to exercise and physical activity. Medical professionals and the media frequently offer studies and information linking physical activity to improved mood. According to this 2013 article by Treacy Colbert, “physical activity stimulates brain chemicals that make you feel happier and more relaxed.” Colbert also notes that with regular exercise, individuals gain more confidence in their abilities, which with steady and gradual improvements, can contribute to improved self-esteem.
It is likely that you have heard runners talk about the “runner’s high” that they get from a boost in endorphins during and after a long run, or that you know someone who participates in a regular practice of yoga, tai chi, or martial arts--activities known for helping to improve one’s focus and relieve stress. An increasing level of research, however, is now showing that while exercising alone is extremely valuable to one’s overall mental health, participating in team or club sports provides additional benefits.

NECBT's Behavioral Training for Parents and Professionals

NECBT's Behavioral Training brings families together.

NECBT's Behavioral Training for Parents and Professionals class will be starting on Thursday July 10^th! As mentioned in last week’s entry, NECBT’s Behavioral Training is part of the three-tiered system of our Children and Adolescent Programming here at NECBT. All parents of children age 17 and younger are required to attend this 10-week seminar to learn how to help reinforce the I-CBT treatment that children are learning in individual sessions. However, Behavioral Training is a great learning opportunity for parents of patients of all ages. 

Behavioral Training is specifically designed for parents, teachers, and administrators looking to learn strategies to help improve children’s behavior in home, school, and social environments.

Children and Adolescent Programs at NECBT

I-CBT is an effective form of treatment for children and families.

Treating children can be challenging. In fact, a child’s brain is not fully developed until his or her mid-twenties. At New England Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy our philosophy for treating children and adolescents is to highly involve the parents and/or guardians. We have had a lot of success with this approach to children’s therapy. Parents are taught the same I-CBT used in individual session as well as how to use evidence based reinforcement techniques to encourage preferable behaviors.  Parents are then better equipped to handle their child’s behaviors outside the office setting. 

For more about I-CBT, a hybrid of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Emotional Intelligence developed by American Psychotherapist Thomas A. Cordier, please see last week’s post here.

NECBT's Interpersonal Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

NECBT's I-CBT can help patients to  improve relationships.

In last week's post we discussed the basics of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as well as how it differs from what we might usually think of when hear the word  "therapy." This week, we are taking a look at the type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that we utilize at New England Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Interpersonal Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or I-CBT.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Over the next few weeks here at the NECBT Blog, we will be exploring and explaining the treatment that we provide in our practice. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy itself is quickly becoming one of the most recommended types of therapy available, and yet still many people are unsure of what exactly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is.

Our first installment of this series explores the basics of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

As always, for more information, visit our website at  www.necbt.com.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, more commonly referred to as CBT, differs from the “talk” therapy that most of us have become familiar with through mainstream television shows, such as The Sopranos and Frasier. Mainstream representations of therapy have left many with the idea that all therapy usually involves a patient lying on a couch and talking while a psychiatrist listens, paraphrases, and offers advice. This is not always the case.

CBT techniques for a happier, healthier you.

Spring and summer are natural times for renewal. Blue skies, Green shoots and yellow blossoms replace the brown and dour landscape. Formerly gray and dismal, the outside world is suddenly bright and inviting. It has taken a long time to emerge this year in New England, but spring is finally fully upon us.

Now, in the midst of all the natural beauty and greenery, is a perfect time to embrace renewal in our own lives and allow for opportunities for our better selves to emerge. The milder weather and its promise of days spent enjoying the great outdoors is often the perfect catalyst to resurrecting those now long forgotten New Year’s Resolutions that promised a healthier lifestyle. Maybe you had intended to exercise more or change your diet, but something managed to get in the way of progress. As we now move forward and make strides to improve our habits, it is helpful to consider what caused us to slip the first time and leave behind those good intentions!