Hyperactivity Charlotte

Author Paul Gilbert of ADDitude: Living Well With Attention Deficit magazine recently featured Cogmed in an article titled, Brain-Training Tools for More Attention, Less Deficit:  These ADHD therapies offer fun and games with a serious purpose: increasing your child's focus. 

Here is the link to the article: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/10076.html

Here at Child and Family Development, Joy Granetz, Ph.D. offers this program.  She is one of a few trained Practitioners in our area. Dr. Granetz is a North Carolina licensed psychologist and has over thirteen years of extensive experience.   Dr. Granetz is based at our South Charlotte clinic where she provides neuropsychological assessment and psychoeducational evaluations of children and adolescents with special focus in working with children and adolescents with learning disabilities, attention disorders, head injury, tic disorders, and epilepsy. Dr. Granetz also provides therapy for children and adolescents with emotional and/or behavioral difficulties. To find out if Cogmed Working Memory Training is right for you, call our South Charlotte office to schedule an initial appointment.    

Visit their website, http://www.cogmed.com/, for more information about this state-of-the-art intervention.  A free parent webinar is available.

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a presentation given by Dr. Derek Brugman, D.O., also known as the “ADHD doctor”, at The John Crosland School. Dr. Brugman gave two very clever examples of the ADHD brain that have been helpful in explaining ADHD to parents.

• The ADHD brain functions like a pilot light on a gas oven that is continuously going out while someone is trying to bake a cake.  Meaning that the ADHD brain has to work really hard to keep its “pilot light” lit while trying to accomplish daily tasks.  Moreover, the ADHD brain’s pilot light likely keeps going out and has to be continuously relit numerous times while trying to complete a task, especially tasks that are hard or not interesting.
   
• The ADHD brain functions like a gas grill that can only stay lit if you continuously keep pushing the ignition button.  It would be like trying to cook hot dogs on a grill, while flipping them over at the appropriate times and continuing to push that “little red button” while doing so.  This explains why the ADHD brain may often choose to just “eat cold hot dogs”.  This leads to frustration, a sense of failure and possibly others viewing the ADHD brain as just plain lazy.

So, the next time you encounter an ADHD brain that has been “relighting its pilot light” all day at school and has tried to “continuously push its little red button” to perform academically, don’t be surprised that when it comes to homework time you may experience the ADHD person acting like an unhappy grizzly bear!!

Need help?

Click here to learn more about the services or set up an evauluation at Child and Family Development in Charlotte. Kimberly Springs is based in our South Charlotte office. 

The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation is looking for parents of young children to take part in a 20-25 minute online research study. The survey is for the parents of babies 0-3 years old (0-47 months) and/or preschoolers 4-6 years old. 

The SPD Foundation hopes to hear from parents of both typically developing children as well as those with a diagnosis of:

• ADHD
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Anxiety disorder
• Sensory Processing Disorder

Furthermore, if you have an older child with any of these diagnoses we are very interested in their younger siblings.

The goal of this study is to understand how differences in sensory processing are related to a number of personality and behavioral characteristics, in both clinical disorders, such as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), but also within other disorders and within typical development.

The researchers also want to better characterize the sensory processing differences within SPD to better understand the various subtypes. The information  collected could be useful to further understand the causes of sensory dysfunctions, leading to better therapies to improve the lives of children and families who are affected.

For more information and to participate in this study, click here.

This project has been reviewed by the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Looking for pediatric therapy services near Lancaster, South Carolina?

Child and Family Development has an office in South Charlotte that is less than 5 miles from the border and easily accessible from I-77 and the 485 loop.

Our multi-disciplinary clinic has been helping children and families since 1980. The team of experienced therapists can assess and treat a wide range of childhood concerns, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities or special needs.

We participate in many insurance plans.

The Contact Us tab on our website will link you to our address and Mapquest.

Did you know that Child and Family Development's office in South Charlotte is less than 5 miles from the state line and easily accessible from I-77 and the I-485 loop.

Our multi-disciplinary clinic has been helping children and families since 1980. The team of experienced therapists can assess and treat a wide range of childhood concerns, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities or special needs. We participate in many insurance plans. Also, some of our Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy providers accept South Carolina Medicaid. 

The Contact Us tab on our website will link you to our address and Mapquest.

Looking for pediatric therapy services near Gastonia, North Carolina?

Child and Family Development has an office in South Charlotte that is less than 30 miles from there and easily accessible from I-77 and the 485 loop.

Our multi-disciplinary clinic has been helping children and families since 1980. The team of experienced therapists can assess and treat a wide range of childhood concerns, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities or special needs.

The Contact Us tab on our website will link you to our address and Mapquest.

 

Child and Family Development has an office in South Charlotte that is under 20 miles from there and easily accessible from the 485 loop.

Our multi-disciplinary practice has been helping children and families since 1980. The team of experienced therapists can assess and treat a wide range of childhood concerns, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities or special needs. Our core services include Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Child Psychology and Education. In addition, we offer specialty services, including aquatic therapy, feeding groups and social skills groups.

The Contact Us tab on our website will link you to our address and Mapquest. 

We are just a hop, skip and jump away!

At Child and Family Development, our psychology team offers AD/HD evaluations for college students.

Sometimes bright students make their way through high school without being diagnosed. Other times, a college requests an updated evaluation. Either way, a comprehensive psycho-educational evaluation can provide a college student with a wealth of information about their learning style, strengths, and weaknesses. Our evaluations include a cognitive assessment, an educational assessment, standardized AD/HD rating forms, a performance-based measure of attention, a detailed history interview, and other psycho-social data.  A report can be taken to the student’s college office of disabilities in order to establish accommodations. Accommodations in college are fairly easy to acquire and can be essential to academic success. An evaluation can take several weeks to complete. 

Holiday breaks or Summer can be optimal times to schedule an evaluation before returning to college for a new semester. 

Next time that your children spin around in circles until they are dizzy, look at their eyes closely when they stop.  Do you observe side to side movements of the eyes for several seconds?  If you see these eye movements then your child is showing a normal response to head movement.  Unfortunately, many children exhibit these eye movements even when standing still.  This is called Nystagmus and pediatric therapists would describe this as a hyperactive reponse to movement.  Other children never exhibit nystagmus (or experience dizziness) even after spinning for long periods of time.  Either response is considered abnormal. 

Hyperactive nystagmus may indicate a vestibular processing disorder.  This could impact your child's coordination, attention, perception, handwriting, balance, and motor skills.  They may tilt their head to one side in an attempt to stabilize their visual field, which could lead to muscle tightness on one side of the body. 

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I was excited to attend a course recently about Vestibular, Oculomotor, and Balance Rehabilitation.  Many children are struggling with issues including vertigo, balance disorders, convergence insufficiency, sensitivity to movement (i.e. car sickness) and abnormal nystagmus.  There is help available through vestibular based rehabilitation provided by a trained occupational therapist or physical therapist.  I can't wait to see how my new found knowledge can translate to improvements in these children who are struggling. 

Chances are, schools today are not quite how you remember them.  Just as educators are evolving from a "one size fits all" method of teaching, classrooms themselves are undergoing a transformation. From the pre-kindergarten classroom, to the college lecture hall, our students have far more resources available to them then every before.  Chalkboards have been upgraded to SMART Boards, spiral notebooks have given way to laptops, and tablets are no longer just for practicing penmanship.  Now your #2 pencil is even taking a back seat.

Looking for a product that will support a number of different learning styles, including Dsygraphia, ADHD and Dyslexia, to name a few?  Maybe you just want to be a "smart" note taker.  If so, check out the SMARTpen, by Livescribe. 

Follow www.livescribe.com to learn more about Livescribe products, watch how-to videos, shop for free and budget-friendly apps to use with your SMARTpen or to join your first Pencast!  The SMARTpen is also available locally in Charlotte, at Best Buy and Target stores.

Technology is supposed to make your life easier...isn't it?  At Child and Family Development, we often recommend technology to accommodate various learning styles.  There are some great products that can be found online or right here in Charlotte that will support the unique learner in your family.  You never know, technology just might make life a bit easier after all.

Learning accommodations, by definition, are meant to support and enhance learning.  When accommodating a student in a specific area, it is important to remember that you are not changing the content or expectation; you are providing the tools needed to support a unique learning style.  Technology can make learning easier in a number of ways.  Many products are especially useful for individuals diagnosed with ADHD, Autism, or Learning Disorders.  Some learning styles require accommodations; however, many products can enhance or maximize the learning potential of any student. 

So whether you're seeking tech savvy tools for the child diagnosed with Dsylexia, or you're on a quest for the latest and greatest educational software,  stay tuned for future blogs about tools that may provide the perfect accommodation for your special learner. 

I often get asked the question if there is a cure for or "way to fix" sensory processing disorder.  The short answer is that no, there is not a cure for it.  It's important to understand that our nervous systems are what they are, and that if we are more or less sensitive to something then it's just the way that we're wired.  So what can be done when these sensory difficulties are getting in the way of participating in our daily life activities? 

If a child is having difficulty processing sensory inputs, either they're too sensitive to something or they're seeking it to the point of it impacting their ability to participate successfully in activities, then we can work to improve this.  What we do in occupational therapy is work with a child to find out what it is that is causing them to be unable to participate successfully in an activity (or more likely many activities).  Then, once we know what that key issue is, we can work with the child to find out what activities can help make it more tolerable.  For example, if a child is very sensitive to sounds then we may try a Therapeutic Listening program.  If this helps them to tolerate unwanted noises more easily then we know we've found something that works.  If a child is very fidgety and gets so distracted walking from their classroom to the lunchroom that they get in trouble every time they line up to go, then maybe they need to wear a heavy backpack to give them more input to help calm their system.  If this type of input helps calm them, then we know that works for them. 

Once we have determined what we can do to help calm your child's hyper-sensitive system, or stimulate a system that's craving more input, then we can work with your family to recommend activities or equipment to use at home or in the classroom. 

There is not a fix or cure for sensory processing difficulties, but there are activities that can make them more tolerable.  The goal is to help your child function successfully in life.  We want your child to be able to walk to the lunchroom without getting in trouble, and to go out to dinner at a busy restaurant and be comfortable and well behaved with you.  The activities we can recommend will, ideally, have a cumulative effect on their system.  That means that if you keep up with your home program regularly then maybe when you go on vacation and forget to do it you'll realize you had a great week without doing any sensory things.  This is fantastic.  However, if you continue to not do those activities then you will likely see the return of those sensitivities or cravings, because as I said it's not a "fix". 

So there isn't a cure, but we can find ways to keep those difficulties under better control so your child can enjoy participating in all that life has to offer.

Auditory Processing Disorder (also called Central Auditory Processing Disorder or CAPD) is a general term referring to disordered processing of sounds that takes place in the pathways between the auditory nerve, which connects to the ear, and the higher-level auditory pathways in the brain.  It is important to know that auditory processing disorders are not the result of a hearing impairment – people diagnosed with APD hear normally, and a hearing impairment must be ruled out before an auditory processing disorder can be diagnosed.  Auditory processing disorders are near to my heart because many of my pediatric speech therapy clients have either been diagnosed with APD or show symptoms of it!

What are the signs and symptoms?

Inconsistent listening skills are a common sign of APD, especially when environmental noise is present.  Other signs include:

-needing instructions to be repeated multiple times

-saying “What?” or “Huh?” several times per day

-misunderstanding what is said often

-difficulty paying attention when someone is talking

-short attention span in general (ADD/ADHD often coexist with APD)

-difficulty with phonics / letter sounds

-being slow to respond to what has been said

-appearing to hear but not understand

How do I find out if my child has an auditory processing disorder?

Auditory processing disorders are typically diagnosed by an audiologist, who rules out a hearing impairment before diagnosing APD.  A speech therapist can verify symptoms of APD and provide treatment after a child is diagnosed.  They also evaluate and treat language processing disorders, which are similar to APD but involve how receptive and expressive language is processed in the brain rather than auditory input in general.  Feel free to contact Child and Family Development if you have any questions about auditory processing.

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then there is some preparation you should do during the summer months.

1. Contact the college disability service center.  Find out the documentation you need to receive services, as well as the services they offer.
2. Have an updated evaluation that documents your disability.  Most, if not all, colleges/universities require an up-to-date evaluation or documentation of the disability. Some require the documentation be within 3 years, others within 1 year.
3. Meet with the staff at the disability service center and get a tour of the school.  Discuss in detail your needs as well as what you feel you need to succeed and see how they can support you to reach your goals.

Two books (one for parents, one for students) that may further assist in preparation for this transition are:

1. Ready for Take Off:  Preparing Your Teen With ADHD or LD for College, by Theresa E. Laurie Maitland, PhD and Patricia O. Quinn, MD
2. On Your Own: A College Readiness Guide For Teens With ADHD/LD, by Patricia O. Quinn, MD and Theresa E. Laurie Maitland, PhD

The Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement- Third Edition (WJ-III) is a widely used individualized academic achievement measurement. It includes assessments of basic reading, reading comprehension, written expression, math calculation and math reasoning. The WJ-III is often administered by public schools to determine eligibility for special education. It is also used in clinical settings to determine the presence of a learning disability such as dyslexia. The measurement is helpful in clinical settings when a clincian is trying to determine the presence of ADHD. Moreover, the WJ-III is often used to document annual progress for home-schooled students.

In addition to several other instruments, this standardized testing tool is a regular part of the comprehensive assessments offered by our team of child psychologists and educators at Child and Family Development in Charlotte. 

A psychologist at Child and Family Development can help kids and adolescents live life to the fullest.

Evaluations

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) We provide comprehensive assessments to determine if a child has an attention disorder.  The evaluation may include a cognitive assessment, standardized behavior rating scales and questionnaires completed by parents and teachers, a computerized test of attention and an assessment of executive functioning skills.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Two psychologists, Carol Capehart and Dr. Chris Vrabel, specialize in these assessments and can diagnose ASD. The evaluation may include a cognitive assessment, standardized behavior rating scales and questionnaires completed by parents and teachers as well as a battery of ASD-specific testing tools.

Social/Emotional/Behavioral Adjustment An evaluation to assess overall emotional/ behavioral adjustment may include standardized behavior rating scales, an in-depth interview with parents to collect relevant history, as well as a comprehensive interview with the child, when appropriate.

Neuropsychology Kids are typically referred for a neuropsychological evaluation if they are experiencing difficulty in learning, attention, behavior, socialization, or emotional control, a disease or developmental problem that affects the brain in some way, a brain injury from an accident, birth trauma or some other physical stress. Testing can help determine the effects of developmental, neurological and medical problems, such as ASD, ADHD, dyslexia, epilepsy or a genetic disorder. Dr. Joy Granetz and Dr. Gretchen Hunter have this expertise.

Early Kindergarten Entry/IQ Testing We offer cognitive and academic readiness assessments required by public schools to enter kindergarten as a 4-year-old. We also provide cognitive evaluations that are a required part of the application process to many private schools in the area.

Therapy

Individual Counseling We provide individual therapy for a wide range of difficulties, including ASD, attention and executive functioning difficulties, mood issues, emotional regulation, anger management, family problems and overall adjustment issues.

Family Therapy Many times, we recommend that the whole family to be involved in counseling in order to learn different ways of interacting and resolving problems. 

Groups We provide several group therapy options, including Social Skills training for children and adolescents with ASD, ADHD, or other social interaction difficulties. Also, we offer parent support groups.

CogMed Cogmed Working Memory Training is an innovative home-based computer program that helps people with attention problems by training and increasing their working memory capacity. This program is managed by a Certified Practitioner, Dr. Joy Granetz. Proven results demonstrate that after training, people improve their ability to concentrate, control impulsive behavior and better utilize complex reasoning skills.

With diverse expertise, interests and experiences, we are ready to provide a wide range of evaluation and treatment services to the Charlotte community.

Summer time in Charlotte is filled with new experiences, relaxation time and sunny weather. There's one more thing to enjoy in 2012:  a new social skills group for children called Hangin' With Heroes.  

The curriculum is loosely based on Superflex®, created by Stephanie Madrigal and Michelle Garcia Winner.

The group is for children 7 and older.  

There will be opportunities to gain social awareness of self, as well as engage in rewarding interactions with other.  We will have lessons that are centered around the individual and group needs.Children will ADHD, Asperger Syndrome, Autism, Developmental Delays, Learning Disabilities, Non-verbal Learning Disabilities and Social Anxiety may fit in nicely. 

For more information and details, please contact me:

Jayne Walton

jwalton@childandfamilydevelopment.com

704-541-9080 ext. 213

The SPD Foundation recently shared the conclusions of a 2011 study by Schaaf, Nielsen & Schoen titled Phenotypes within sensory modulation dysfunction and published in Comprehensive Psychiatry.    

This study partially supports the new taxonomy proposed by Miller and colleagues (2007) and two Sensory Processing Disorder subtypes were identified in a sample of 94 children, including Sensory Seeking/Craving (SC) and Sensory Under-Responsivity (SUR). The third subtype,  Sensory Over-Responsivity (SOR) did not cluster as a separate subtype but was present in both Sensory Craving and Sensory Under-Responsivity.

The article states that “the results of this study are different from previous hypotheses about the relationship between Sensory Under-Responsivity and Sensory Craving as well as the relationship between Sensory Under-Responsivity and Sensory Over-Responsivity. Unlike Winnie Dunn’s model, the individuals in this study with Sensory Craving did not have Under-Responsivity in the proprioceptive and vestibular domains. In addition, this study did not find that Sensory Under-Responsivity and Sensory Over-Responsivity were on a continuum as suggested in other writings. Rather, Sensory Under-Responsivity and Movement Over-Responsivity co-occurred in this sample. Additionally, a high percentage of our sample displayed behaviors characteristic of ADHD and similarly a high percentage of children who met criteria for ADHD were reported to have SMD. Specifically, 75% of the children with SMD had significant sensory craving and hyperactivity while 82% or the children with ADHD had sensory modulation difficulties. Therefore, therapists and parents are advised to evaluate children for both SMD and ADHD in order to obtain the appropriate and effective interventions. For example, children with SMD tend to become calmer with sensory activities, while children with ADHD may become more hyperactive and disorganized with the same activities.  This research supports the finding that children with ADHD are a heterogeneous group and may present with multiple characteristics of SMD. For example, children with ADHD often have features of sensory craving as well as sensory over-responsivity.”   

Visit these websites for full information about this article and study:

• www.spdfounation.net
• www.comppsychjournal.com

Child and Family Development enjoys collaboration with United Sleep Medicine Center. Our pediatric therapy team often refers to this organization and others in the Charlotte community. 

According to the experts there, disrupted sleep in children can result in:

• behavior or discipline problems
• delayed growth and cognitive development
• ADHD-like behaviors (hyperactivity, aggression, irritability or mood swings)
• poor school performance
• difficulty getting along with peers
• inability to control emotions
• poor sleep habits
• Circadian Rhythm Disorder

The Infant and Child Division offers evaluation and management services.  Visit their website for more information, www.unitedsleepmedicine.com.