Conditions

AD/HD

AD/HD is a disorder that affects between 3 and 5 percent of American children, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. ADD symptoms seem to be most problematic in activities, which the child thinks are “uninteresting” and are relatively absent in “activities” which the child finds interesting or exciting. Many AD/HD children come across as lazy, immature, or unmotivated. Recent neuro-imaging has given us great insight into the abnormalities of AD/HD brain function. One of the main areas of the brain affected by this disorder is the frontal lobe. The particular area affected in the frontal lobe is responsible for goal setting, delayed gratification, and impulsivity control. Click here for a symptom list.

Deficient areas of the brain must be strengthened in order to provide long-term resolution. Medication will sometimes provide instant relief of AD/HD symptoms. However, the symptoms will return as soon as the medication is discontinued. BrainworX is a program that targets the deficient areas of the brain and helps strengthen and reinforce neuronal connections. Activating appropriate areas will stabilize others and modulate symptoms.

ADHD has three subtypes:

Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive

• Most symptoms (six or more) are in the hyperactivity-impulsivity categories.
• Fewer than six symptoms of inattention are present, although inattention may still be present to some degree.

Predominantly inattentive

• The majority of symptoms (six or more) are in the inattention category and fewer than six symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present, although hyperactivity-impulsivity may still be present to some degree.
• Children with this subtype are less likely to act out or have difficulties getting along with other children. They may sit quietly, but they are not paying attention to what they are doing. Therefore, the child may be overlooked, and parents and teachers may not notice that he or she has ADHD.

Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive

• Six or more symptoms of inattention and six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present.
• Most children have the combined type of ADHD.  [NIMH]

The Functional Neuroanatomy of ADHD

ADHD is a brain based disorder with structural and functional abnormalities in widespread but specific areas of the brain. The most significant and consistent structural imaging findings include smaller total brain volumes, and reduced volumes in the right frontal lobe, right parietal cortex, caudate nucleus, cerebellar hemispheres, and posterior-inferior lobules of the cerebellar vermis.(European Journal of Pediatric Neurology. 2009 Jul) Results of structural brain imaging studies of patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder have shown subtle reductions in total brain volume and in volumes of the right frontal lobe and caudate nucleus. (Lancet. 2003 Nov)

What are the symptoms of ADHD in children?

Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are the key behaviors of ADHD. It is normal for all children to be inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive sometimes, but for children with ADHD, these behaviors are more severe and occur more often. To be diagnosed with the disorder, a child must have symptoms for 6 or more months and to a degree that is greater than other children of the same age.

Children who have symptoms of inattention may:

• Be easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another
• Have difficulty focusing on one thing
• Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless they are doing something enjoyable
• Have difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new
• Have trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities
•  Not seem to listen when spoken to
• Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly
• Have difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others
•  Struggle to follow instructions.

Children who have symptoms of hyperactivity may:

• Fidget and squirm in their seats
• Talk nonstop
• Dash around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight
• Have trouble sitting still during dinner, school, and story time
• Be constantly in motion
• Have difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities.

Children who have symptoms of impulsivity may:

• Be very impatient
• Blurt out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences
• Have difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games
• Often interrupt conversations or others' activities.

How Can BrainworX Help You?

Thanks to relatively new research such as the two journal articles mentioned here, we now have great insight as to what is going on neurologically with ADHD children. Our BrainworX program is structured to find and correct neurological deficiencies without the use of prescription medication. In essence BrainworX helps to retrain the working ability of the brain. In doing so BrainworX helps create new neurological pathways and rewire the neuronal circuitry. The best part about our program is that once synaptogenesis (formation of new synapses) has occurred, the changes are long-term.

BrainworX is a comprehensive program that incorporates nutritional counseling, supplementation support, visual and auditory processing exercises, laboratory data, postural and nervous system support, academic work, and physical rehab to help individuals with ADHD succeed and overcome this frustrating and debilitating condition.