Preparing for school can be an exciting yet challenging time, especially for children with ADHD. School readiness for children with ADHD involves more than academic abilities, it requires a focus on behavioural, emotional, and social skills. Early intervention strategies and thoughtful preparation can help children transition to the school environment more smoothly.

 

Understanding School Readiness for Children with ADHD 

 

School readiness for children with ADHD means ensuring they have the skills and strategies necessary to navigate the classroom environment. This includes the ability to follow routines, engage with peers, and manage attention-related challenges. By focusing on these areas before school starts, we can set our children up for success. 

 

Key Components of School Readiness for Children with ADHD 

 

  1. Building Attention and Focus One of the most significant challenges for children with ADHD is maintaining attention in a classroom setting. Activities that promote sustained attention, such as puzzles or simple step-by-step games, can help prepare them for the structured learning environment. Gradually increasing the duration of such activities can build their focus over time. 
  2. Developing Routines Establishing daily routines is essential for school readiness for children with ADHD. Predictable schedules help children feel secure and understand expectations. Parents can create a morning routine that mirrors the school day, including set times for waking up, eating breakfast, and getting dressed. Practicing these routines before the school term begins can ease the transition. 
  3. Social Skills and Peer Interaction Social interaction can be challenging for children with ADHD, as impulsivity and difficulty reading social cues may be common. Parents can foster these skills by organizing playdates or role-playing scenarios such as sharing, taking turns, or resolving conflicts. Positive reinforcement can encourage appropriate social behaviour, building confidence in social settings. 
  1. Emotional Regulation and Coping Strategies Emotional regulation is another critical aspect of school readiness for children with ADHD. Teaching children techniques like deep breathing or counting to calm down can help them manage frustration or anxiety. Using visuals, such as an emotion chart, can assist children in identifying and expressing their feelings. 
  2. Engaging in Physical Activity Regular physical activity can help children with ADHD release energy and improve focus. Activities such as running, swimming, or yoga can be incorporated into their routine to prepare them for the sitting and listening required in school. 

 

Parental and Educator Involvement 

 

At Catch Up Kids, we collaborate with parents and educators as this plays a crucial role in school readiness for children with ADHD. Communication with families and schools is vital to ensure that teachers understand the child’s unique needs. Sharing strategies that work for that specific child can help teachers create a supportive classroom environment. 

Additionally, we also collaborate with specialists, such as occupational or speech therapists, who can provide additional strategies. Early intervention can significantly improve a child’s ability to cope with the demands of school, ensuring a smoother transition and greater long-term success. 

Conclusion 

 

School readiness for children involves a combination of preparing attention, routines, social skills, and emotional regulation. By fostering these skills and working closely with educators and specialists, we can empower our children to thrive in school. Early preparation and a supportive environment can make a huge difference for children with ADHD, giving them the tools they need to succeed academically and socially. 

There is presently no cure for Attention Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), however there are various treatments and interventions which can manage the symptoms effectively. One such approach is integrating Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), into your child’s ADHD treatment plan. 

 

ABA is a therapeutic approach that focuses on understanding and improving behavioural issues. ABA is commonly associated with treating autism spectrum disorder, but its principles can also be beneficial for children with ADHD. 

 

Here are some of the benefits of integrating ABA into your child’s ADHD treatment plan: 

1. ABA techniques can help children with ADHD learn and reinforce positive behaviors, such as following instructions, maintaining focus, and controlling impulses. These are important skills to achieve academic success. By breaking tasks into manageable steps and providing rewards for completion, ABA can encourage desired behaviours. 

 

2. ABA emphasizes creating a structured environment. For children with ADHD, this structured setting can assist in organizing tasks, managing time, and reducing distractions, ultimately improving focus and attention. 

 

3. ABA promotes consistency in routine. Establishing consistent routines and clear expectations can be particularly helpful for children with ADHD, providing a sense of stability and reducing impulsivity. Having a constant change in routine may induce anxiety. 

 

4. ABA techniques can be used to teach specific skills, such as social interaction, executive functioning, self-regulation, and adaptive skills. These skills are essential for children with ADHD, especially in the school setting. Children with ADHD are often victims of bullying because of their lack of social skills, they often struggle to understand social cues and are easily irritable in social setting, and this makes it difficult for them to make friends 

 

The expert tutors at Catch Up Kids are trained at integrating Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)  methodology into a ADHD Treatment Plan . This has equipped them with appropriate strategies to handle all kinds of behaviours. ABA can empower children with ADHD to navigate their world better. The programmes at Catch Up Kids are tailored to not only address learning difficulties, but to also address underlying issues that could be causing the learning difficulties. For more information, contact Catch Up Kids today! 

 

This article is not for medical purposes, consult your medical professional before making changes to your child’s treatment plan. 

Every child’s learning journey is unique. Many children encounter hurdles that can impede their progress and it is important to identify these challenges early to seek the necessary intervention. Implementing effective strategies can significantly aid children in overcoming these obstacle and assist them in achieving great results at school. Here are some common learning difficulties kids face and ways to address them: 

1. Dyslexia: Children with dyslexia struggle to read, write, and spell. They might struggle identifying words or remembering how to spell certain words. 

2. ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder): Children with ADHD struggle with focusing for long periods of time, impulse control, and hyperactivity, making it challenging to concentrate in the classroom. 

3. Dyscalculia: Dyscalculia affects mathematical abilities, leading to difficulties in understanding numbers, calculations, and mathematical concepts. 

4. Auditory Processing Disorder: APD affects how the brain processes auditory information, leading to challenges in understanding spoken language and following instructions. 

5. Visual Processing Disorder: Visual processing disorders hinder a child’s ability to interpret and make sense of visual information. 

6. Executive Functioning Issues: Executive functioning issues affect planning, organization, time management, and self-regulation skills in children. 

 

Effective Solutions: 

 

1. Individualized Education Plan (IEP): Creating personalized learning plans tailored to the child’s specific needs. These personalized plans are constantly modified to suit the child’s learning needs. 

2. Multisensory Learning: Use methods that engage multiple senses simultaneously, such as incorporating visuals, auditory aids, and hands-on activities to reinforce learning. 

3. Specialized Instruction: Seek specialized tutoring or interventions targeted at the particular difficulty the child is facing, such as reading specialists for dyslexia or math interventions for dyscalculia. 

4. Positive Reinforcement and Support: Encourage and celebrate small achievements, fostering a positive learning environment that boosts the child’s confidence and motivation. 

5. Structured Routines and Organization: Establish consistent routines and provide organisational strategies to help children manage tasks and stay focused. 

6. Collaboration and Communication: Maintain open communication between parents, teachers, and specialists to ensure a cohesive approach to addressing the child’s learning difficulties. 

 

Understanding and addressing these learning difficulties requires patience, empathy, and a collaborative effort between parents, educators, and professionals. By implementing tailored strategies and providing the necessary support, children can navigate these challenges and thrive academically and personally. 

 

Catch Up Kids designs programmes that specifically target your child’s skills deficits. Our aim is to assist your child with their learning difficulties and to ensure that the difficulties they are facing do not hinder their progress or lead to grade retention. Our specialised one-on-one sessions will assist your child in reaching their age-appropriate developmental milestones. 

 

Children with common learning difficulties struggle in the classroom and tend to always fall behind. To avoid grade retention, get your child the support that they need by contacting Catch Up Kids. 

Remedial / Extra Classes – classes within a school setting- have aspects of traditional schooling, but focus on providing individual instructions, instead of giving instructions to the class as a whole. Teachers who teach remedial classes have specialised training that allows them to understand the individual needs of students with Autism, ADHD, other neurological conditions, and learning disorders. Due to their training, these teachers are often more patient, as they have learned about the behaviours which these children may display.

Remedial / Extra Classes also tend to be quite a bit smaller, but still focus on the social and communicative areas of peer-play and teamwork. These classes are more accommodating for the sensory needs of the children by often allowing frequent breaks for regulation and sensory input.

The four main steps of remedial teaching/classes are:

  • Prepping and collecting supporting materials that are specially for the abilities and capacity of the students.
  • Adapting the educational curriculum to the abilities of the children, especially through organising the resources in a way that is easier to understand for differently wired minds. This also includes making sure that the work is challenging (to prevent boredom, and thus non-compliance), but not so challenging that the child no longer wants to attempt the lesson.
  • Choosing appropriate teaching strategies, and teaching at a slower pace than in traditional classes. One of the strategies includes starting the lesson with an achievable goal, so that the child is motivated and willing to attempt a more demanding task.
  • Organising teaching materials, including materials that provide multi-sensory learning, interesting methods of learning, engaging colours, images, and themes.

In remedial classes, there is also a primary focus on rewarding trying, not just rewarding the desired outcome. This is the most important aspect of special needs education, as there is no incentive for the child to try if they do not know it is safe to make a mistake. Children with special needs often struggle can heavily impact their confidence and sense of self-worth, so it must be ensured that the environment is a calm, engaging, positive space for each individual.

Sometimes children can attend remedial / extra Classes independently, and other times, the child might require facilitation from a tutor, instructor, or therapist. School facilitation is the process in which the child is accompanied by a special-needs professional. The professional may be simply a supportive measure, or the needs of the child may be more intensive. Intensive support may look like running a toileting programme, showing the child how to complete activities and completing it with them, teaching communication methods, assisting social interaction, applying consistency in regard to complying with classroom rules and schedules, and explaining situations that the child might not understand or might be distressed by.

Remedial classes are an option for children with special needs, even if they are a higher-needs child. Should these needs require even more support than just a remedial class, school facilitations are an option to create the optimal environment of learning and trying!

Article by: A. Pascoe (2023)

For parents navigating the challenges of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in their children, the search for effective and gentle solutions is a heartfelt mission. While there’s no magic cure, there’s a growing interest among parents in natural remedies for ADHD in children to complement traditional approaches. Let’s explore a range of natural strategies tailored specifically for parents seeking holistic support for their children.

Understanding Natural Remedies for ADHD in Children:

Parents often wonder about alternatives to traditional ADHD management. Natural remedies for ADHD in children include lifestyle adjustments, dietary changes, and mindful practices. These approaches aim to create an environment that nurtures their child’s unique needs while providing essential support.

Dietary Importance:

Begin the journey by examining your child’s diet. Many parents report improvements in their child’s behaviour by eliminating certain additives, preservatives, dairy, gluten and artificial colours. Encourage a diet rich in nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and sources of omega-3 fatty acids like fish and nuts. Small changes can have a big impact on overall well-being.

Playful Exercise:

Children are bundles of energy and channelling that energy through regular physical activity can be a game-changer. Whether it’s a favourite sport, dance, or a simple game of tag, incorporating playful exercise into their routine can help manage hyperactivity and improve focus. Make it a family activity to enhance the bonding experience.

Mindfulness Moments:

Introducing mindfulness practices to children can be both fun and beneficial. Simple exercises like deep breathing or engaging in mindfulness games can help enhance self-awareness and emotional regulation. These practices provide children with valuable tools to navigate the challenges of ADHD in a positive and empowering way.

Herbal Hints:

Some parents explore herbal supplements to support their child’s well-being. While the effectiveness of these supplements is still under research, herbs like chamomile and ginseng are thought to offer potential cognitive benefits. However, it’s crucial to consult with healthcare professionals before introducing any herbal supplements to ensure safety and appropriateness for children.

As parents, the journey of discovering what works best for your child with ADHD is a unique and ongoing process. Natural remedies can be gentle additions to your toolkit, providing holistic support to your child’s well-being. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and the key is to embrace a combination of approaches that resonate with your child’s personality and needs.

Consulting with healthcare professionals, including paediatricians and educational specialists, is essential to crafting an individualised plan for your child. Natural remedies can be integrated seamlessly into daily life, creating a nurturing environment that fosters growth, resilience, and the development of valuable coping mechanisms. Together, with love and understanding, parents can empower their children to navigate the world with confidence, and help them reach their full potential.

Article by: A. Pascoe (2023)

 While ADHD primarily affects a child’s cognitive and behavioural functions, research has shown that a potential connection between ADHD and bowel problems, such as chronic constipation, faecal incontinence, and bedwetting. In this article, we will explore this link and discuss ways to alleviate these symptoms in children with ADHD. 

 

1. Chronic Constipation: Children with ADHD often experience chronic constipation, which can lead to discomfort. The constipation may be related to neurological and physiological processes in the digestive system not working well. Chronic constipation can increase ADHD symptoms due to the discomfort that the child is feeling. 

2. Faecal incontinence: faecal incontinence can be a distressing problem for children with ADHD. This symptom may result from the inability to recognize and respond to the body’s signals due to ADHD-related impulsivity or inattention. Faecal incontinence can further impact a child’s self-esteem and social interactions. 

3. Bed Wetting: Bedwetting, often associated with ADHD, can be embarrassing and disruptive to a child’s life. It can be related to ADHD’s impact on a child’s ability to wake up in response to a full bladder. This issue can lead to added stress and negatively impact a child’s self-confidence. 

 

Ways to Treat or Alleviate the Symptoms of ADHD and bowel problems

 

Addressing the gastrointestinal symptoms in children with ADHD is important to improve their overall well-being. Here are some strategies: 

1. Consult a paediatrician: The first step should be to consult with a paediatrician. Medical professionals can provide guidance on suitable treatments or interventions. 

2. Dietary and Lifestyle Changes: Some dietary and lifestyle modifications can help alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms. Increasing fibre intake, ensuring proper hydration, and maintaining a regular meal schedule can positively impact constipation and incontinence. 

3. Behavioural Interventions: behavioural therapies, often used to manage ADHD, can be adapted to address gastrointestinal issues. 

4. Medication: In some cases, medication may be prescribed to manage gastrointestinal symptoms. Laxatives, for instance, can help alleviate constipation, and bedwetting may be treated with medications such as desmopressin. 

5. Addressing ADHD: treating the underlying ADHD can improve gastrointestinal symptoms. Effective ADHD management through counselling, behavioural therapy, or medication can enhance a child’s ability to focus on their bowel and bladder functions. 

 

The connection between ADHD and bowel problems in children is a complex and emerging field of study. While more research is needed to fully understand this relationship, it is clear that these symptoms can significantly impact a child’s life. The good news is that there are strategies available to help alleviate these symptoms and improve a child’s overall quality of life. By consulting with medical professionals, making dietary and lifestyle changes, and addressing the underlying ADHD, parents and caregivers can offer vital support to children who are coping with these challenges. Consult your doctor to find out how you can help your child in dealing with their gastrointestinal problems. 

 ADHD presents many challenges, but it is essential to recognize that a team of experts can significantly reduce the symptoms and empower children to lead fulfilling lives. In this article, we’ll explore the essential components of a comprehensive support system for children with ADHD and how organizations like Catch Up Kids can make a significant impact. The first step in empowering children with ADHD is to create a tailored treatment plan that accommodates their unique needs. Each child with special needs is different, so it’s crucial to have a team of ADD & ADHD experts, including paediatricians, psychologists, and educators, working together to determine the most effective strategies. The primary goal is to provide a supportive environment that aids in the child’s development while managing their ADHD symptoms. 

 

At Catch Up Kids, we understand the importance of a holistic approach to ADHD management. We actively collaborate with your child’s school to facilitate the child’s learning and development. This support extends to parents as well, equipping them with the necessary knowledge needed to provide a nurturing environment at home. The liaison between the parents and the school and Catch Up Kids, ensures that the child receives consistent care and understanding. 

 

Equipping your child with essential life skills is our number one priority at Catch Up Kids.

 

These skills include: 

1. Executive Functioning Skills: These skills help children plan, organize, and complete tasks. Catch Up Kids offers specialized training to enhance executive functioning skills, making it easier for children to manage their daily lives. 

2. Motor Skills: Improving fine and gross motor skills can help children with ADHD participate in physical activities and develop better coordination. 

3. Adaptive Skills: These skills help children become more self-sufficient, teaching them to manage daily tasks like personal hygiene and self-care effectively. 

4. Social Skills: Social skills are vital in building relationships. Children with ADHD may struggle understanding social cues, and the programme at Catch Up kids will assist your child with navigating social situations with confidence. 

5. Cognition: Enhancing cognitive abilities to improve the child’s problem-solving and decision-making skills. 

 

Support at home and in the school setting is crucial for children with ADHD. Catch Up Kids’ school facilitation services are designed to bridge the gap between home and school, this coordination between home and school is essential for the child’s progress. By focusing not only on symptom management but also on developing critical life skills, Catch Up Kids goes beyond the conventional approach to ADHD care. If you are looking to empower your child, don’t hesitate to reach out to Catch Up Kids. Our expertise and tailored programs can make a significant difference in your child’s life, helping them overcome the challenges of ADHD. 

 Dealing with emotional outbursts and tantrums is a significant challenge when it comes to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This article is meant to shed light on the connection between ADHD and temper tantrums, explore the reasons behind these outbursts, and provide practical strategies for managing ADHS. These emotional outbursts are typically characterized by intense displays of frustration, anger, and sometimes even physical aggression. 

The connection between ADHD and Tantrums 

 

Understanding the relationship between ADHD and temper tantrums is crucial for effective management. Tantrums can be triggered by a variety of factors, some of which are more prevalent in children with ADHD: 

1. Executive Function Deficits: ADHD is often associated with executive function deficits, which include difficulties in impulse control, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. These deficits can contribute to the tantrums as children with ADHD struggle to manage their emotions and reactions. 

2. Sensory Overload: some individuals with ADHD are sensitive to sensory stimuli, such as noise, lights, or touch, which can trigger overwhelming emotional reactions. Sensory overload can trigger emotional outbursts, as individuals with ADHD may find it challenging to cope with the sensory input around them. 

3. Impulsivity: Due to difficulties with sustained attention and task completion, individuals with ADHD may experience frequent frustration and impatience. This frustration can escalate into tantrums when they encounter obstacles or challenges. 

4. Social and Academic Struggles: ADHD can affect a person’s ability to succeed academically and socially, leading to feelings of inadequacy and frustration. These emotional struggles can manifest as tantrums when individuals face difficulties at school or in social interactions. 

Strategies for Managing Tantrums in Individuals with ADHD 

 

1. Create a Structured Routine: Having a predictable daily routine can help individuals with ADHD feel more in control, reducing the likelihood of tantrums triggered by unexpected changes. 

2. Teach Emotional Regulation: Working with the child to develop strategies for managing emotions, such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or counting to ten before reacting to a situation. 

3. Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Help individuals with ADHD tackle tasks by breaking them into smaller, manageable steps. This can reduce frustration and increase their sense of accomplishment. 

4. Provide Positive Reinforcement: Reward positive behaviours and accomplishments for motivation. Positive reinforcement can be a powerful tool for promoting desired behaviours. 

5. Seek professional help: Consult with healthcare professionals, such as paediatricians, therapists, or psychiatrists, who specialize in ADHD. They will provide you with guidance on medication, therapy, or additional strategies for managing ADHD-related tantrums. 

6. Create a supportive environment: Foster an environment that is understanding and patient and encourage open communication. Provide a safe space for your child to express their feelings without fear. 

ADHD-related tantrums can be challenging, but with the right strategies and support, they can be managed and minimized. By creating a structured environment, teaching emotional regulation skills, and seeking professional guidance, when necessary, individuals with ADHD can learn to cope with their emotions more effectively. It’s important to remember that managing tantrums is a process that requires patience, understanding, and a commitment to helping individuals with ADHD. 

R*****n ADHD Medication is a stimulant, immediate release medication that has both a long acting and a short-acting form. The dosage, and whether the R*****n ADHD Medication prescribed is long or short acting, is all determined by the doctor depending on the specific child’s needs  R*****n ADHD Medication was created in the 1944 for the purpose of increasing concentration and work-load management skills. 

Children with ADHD often need a lot more external stimulation in order for their internal world to feel balance and focused. If under stimulated, a child could act out with hyperactive symptoms, such as: interrupting sentences, fidgeting, talking quickly, and being clumsy; or inattentive symptoms such as zoning out, making careless mistakes, and being unable to concentrate in the task at hand. The ‘molecule’ of the medication very quickly impacts the nervous system, resulting in increased concentration. This medication treats both inattentive and hyperactive symptoms of ADHD.  R*****n ADHD Medication works by releasing dopamine in order to increase stimulation in the brain that can assist the child with being mentally stimulated enough to participate in the task presented to them. 

If you suspect your child has ADHD, or if you have a diagnosis, speaking to your family doctor could be the next step in assisting your child with needs that are specific to them.  

Children with ADHD are unique, and there are so many holistic, and pharmaceutical choices that can be implemented to help them reach their greatest potential. 

Every person has different brain-chemistry, so some children display more side effects than others. Some side effects of R*****n ADHD Medication include nervousness, irritability, increased heart rate, and appetite suppression. The appetite suppression can lead to the person with ADHD being a picky-eater, so nutritional supplements to support the child alongside taking R*****n ADHD Medication will also yield the full positive impact of ADHD stimulant medication. A lesser-known symptom of R*****n ADHD Medication is that it can deplete magnesium, a mineral responsible for nervous system and muscle function. For those who do not have ADHD but take R*****n ADHD Medication, there seem to be few benefits, and can decrease in problem-solving skills.

R*****n ADHD Medication does not cure ADHD, and although it may improve symptoms, it is not the only solution for ADHD, Diet, exercise, occupational and speech therapy, tutoring programs, schedules, and support are also essential for the child with ADHD to learn to manage this life-long condition.  

R*****n ADHD Medication, if taken as prescribed, actually decreases addictive tendencies that people with ADHD are more predisposed to, due to its impact on managing impulsivity, 

Putting their child on stimulant medication may be a scary process to many parents, but with medical assistance, parental observation and support, as well as weighing up the child’s needs, this can be a safe and life-changing method of managing ADHD. 

Article by: A. Pascoe (2023)

 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition that is a neurodevelopmental condition which is characterised by symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. These symptoms disrupt the daily functioning of children. The exact cause of ADHD is unknown; however, research shows that there are contributing factors for the increased severity of the symptoms of ADHD in children. One of the contributing factors is the presence of a larger microbiome in the gut, Research also shows that there is an association between microbiome and a leaky gut. In individuals with ADHD, there appears to be an imbalance in the gut microbiota composition, with a lower diversity of beneficial bacteria and an overgrowth of harmful strains. This may contribute to inflammation and increase the severity of ADHD symptoms. There is a direct link between ADHD and gut health and brain health. A holistic approach that includes dietary adjustments, stress management, and gut health optimization can complement traditional treatments and improve overall well-being is important in alleviating the symptoms of ADHD. 

Parents should work closely with healthcare professionals to tailor a personalized plan that addresses both the neurological and gut-related aspects of this condition, ultimately fostering a path towards enhanced focus and improved quality of life. Paying close attention to your child’s diet is important to reduce the severity of ADHD. Unfortunately, there is no cure for ADHD, but dietary modifications can make a significant difference. 

Some key dietary recommendations include: 

1. Adding foods rich in omega 3: e.g., flaxseeds, salmon, walnuts, etc. These are known to support cognitive function. 

2. Avoiding sugar and food additives: artificial food colourings, preservatives, and additives. 

3. Blood Sugar Stabilization: Eating regular, balanced meals and snacks can help regulate blood sugar levels, reducing mood swings and irritability. 

4. Fiber: Consuming a diet high in fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can support gut health and regular bowel movements. 

5. Hydration: Staying well-hydrated is essential for digestive health. Drinking plenty of water can help prevent constipation and maintain gut balance. 

Introducing probiotics for gut support

One of the ways you can aid your child’s gut issues, is to put them on probiotics supplements. Probiotics are live microorganisms that can help restore and maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria. Research suggests a potential link between gut health and ADHD symptoms, making probiotics a promising treatment for management. These beneficial bacteria can be obtained through probiotic supplements or by incorporating fermented foods. By promoting a healthier gut microbiome, probiotics may contribute to improved overall well-being and possibly play a role in reducing some of the gastrointestinal issues often associated with ADHD. However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare 

professional before introducing any new supplements or dietary changes to your child’s routine. 

With the help of a healthcare professional, parents can create a well-balanced diet and treatment plan for their children. It is important to test for allergies and foods that may lead to gut inflammation. Every child is different and what may work for one child might not work for another.