Welcome to this week's Dealing With Learning Disorders Newsletter.

Featured Article of the Week

ADHD and Ritalin- Pros and Cons

Ritalin is one of the medications commonly prescribed to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) as well as narcolepsy. It works as a basic mild stimulant to the central nervous system by increasing dopamine (a neurotransmitter) in the brain. This increase is associated with attention, movement, and to a small extent, pleasure. When a therapeutic level is reached, the patients hyperactivity decreases and they are able to cope with daily stresses as well as concentrate on tasks.

In this article I discuss a few of the pros and cons of taking Ritalin.

Pros:
1. When a therapeutic level is reached, the patients hyperactivity decreases and they are able to cope with daily stresses as well as concentrate on tasks.

2.In narcolepsy, Ritalin helps keep the brain stimulated so the patient is able to stay awake and focus on tasks at hand.

Cons:
1. Among the controversies surrounding Ritalin is the possibility of the ADHD adolescent patient becoming addicted to stimulants and other drugs later in life.

2. There can be unpleasant side effects to Ritalin, even when the taken as prescribed by both the ADHD or narcoleptic patient.

3. If Ritalin is abused in high doses (it is a stimulant) by the patient or someone else, effects similar to cocaine abuse can result.

Choosing to use Ritalin is a personal decision for each family, one that must be thought out, researched and prayed about. For some children this approach works well, for others it can be a horrible experience.

No one loves and knows your child like you do. May you find the wisdom to do what is right for your child.

Robin


Message Board

On our “Message Board” we talk about many interesting topics every week.
Here we find a private place to share with others, make friends, and ask questions of the Featured Experts on the site.

This week some of the topics we talked about were:

Flu vacccines, being left handed, Fireproof- The Movie, and I shared about a wonderful book series for boys who are reluctant readers.

Come see what we're talking about!


Tip of the Week

Ten Things Your ADD Child Wants You To Know

HELP ME TO FOCUS ... Please teach me through my sense of touch. I need "hands-on" and body movement.

I NEED TO KNOW WHAT COMES NEXT ... Please give me a structured environment where there is a dependable routine. Give me an advance warning if there will be changes.

WAIT FOR ME, I'M STILL THINKING ... Please allow me to go at my own pace. If I'm rushed, I get confused and upset.

I'M STUCK, I CAN'T DO IT! ... Please offer me options for problem solving. If the road is blocked, I need to know the detours.

IS IT RIGHT? I NEED TO KNOW NOW ... Please give me rich and immediate feedback on how I'm doing.

I DIDN'T KNOW I WASN'T IN MY SEAT! ... Please remind me to stop, think, and act.

AM I ALMOST DONE? ... Please give me short work periods with short-term goals.

WHAT? ... Please don't say "I already told you that." Tell me again, in different words. Give me a signal. Draw me a symbol.

I KNOW IT'S ALL WRONG, ISN'T IT? ... Please give me praise for partial success. Reward me for self-improvement, not just for perfection.

BUT WHY DO I ALWAYS GET YELLED AT? ... Please catch me doing something right and praise me for the specific positive behavior. Remind me--and yourself--about my good points when I'm having a bad day.

{Author Unknown}

Be blessed this week with the children God has intrusted you with.
Robin Dicks

To find other helpful articles on children that learn differently go to DealingWithLearningDisorders.com