Attention Deficit Disorder Drugs

I just finished reading an article from Sunday Dec 15, 2013 in the New York Times, The Selling of Attention Deficit Disorder by Alan Schwarz.  I was blown away by rates of ADHD.  We have gone from 600,000 in 1990 to 3.5 million children on medication.  Of course the pharmaceutical companies have been running a 20 year publicity campaign to teach doctors, parents and teachers.

Yikes, what is going on?  Of douse I understand that about 5 % of children do have this legitimate disability that stops a child from succeeding at school.  It can also affect home life.  But right now we are giving too many children stimulants.

Of course I don't see too much news about the addiction problems of adderall or the children who have committed suicide.  The drug companies had sales of 9 billion dollars in 2012 just on stimulant medications. Did you know that overdosing can cause heart problems and psychotic behavior?

• If you think your child has problems with ADD research your child.  Make detailed observations-
• Does your child focus on a video game?
• If your child exercises hard can they focus more on homework?
• Set your child up to work on homework for just 15 minutes and then reward them with 15 minutes of free time. (Adjust as needed to a low of 10 and a high of one hour) Observe them to see if they can focus.
• If you give your child a caffeinated soda like Mt. Dew can they focus on their homework better?
• Fresh air, lots of time for physical activity, and eating fruits and vegetables and eliminating sugar can help a child focus.

If you are trying to obtain a prescription just to help your child have an education edge be careful.  There are many parents out their who are sad they had their child on these medications.

Check out and read the whole article if you want more detail.

A Memory Trick to use When Memorizing for a Test

This tip is from Self Magazine 9/13 p 26

When you are helping your child study for a test prompt them to squeeze their right hand just before memorizing a fact.  (a study was done at Montclair State University)  Then they need to squeeze their left hand before trying to remember it.

The squeezing of the right hand just before memorizing may help activate the areas of the brain that encodes information.  The squeezing of the left hand before trying to recall the fact may activate the part of the brain that retrieves information.

I also recomment Quizlet http://quizlet.com  This helps a student learn because they type the information in and then practice taking a variety of tests.   Also say the words and answers out loud. Learning various ways to retrieve the answers helps prepare them for the test their teacher may give them.

Good luck and let me know if it helps!!

First Grade reports are in

Parents are calling and setting up tutoring appointments almost every day. Math is the biggest draw. Some students just need help because all the work their teachers are piling on is making them overwhelmed.

Academic coaching takes time and energy from the students to improve their performance.  A student can't have two coaching sessions and become a great golfer.  It takes commitment from both the student and the coach.

Sometimes a student can understand the current material they are learning but the lack of a background of the subject matter can hurt their grades.  I like to find out where the student is weak and build them up from that point.

If fractions were a problem in fourth grade, they will continue to haunt the student in pre-calculus.

From NYTimes The Brain Trainers

This summary from the article written by Dan Hurley published 11/3/2012.

I have not heard of them yet in San Diego but there are "brain training franchises".  Their goal is 'to improve cognitive skills'. This is a different than tutoring because their goal is " to enhance comprehension and the ability to analyze and mentally manipulate concepts, images, sounds and instructions".

The one error I saw right away was, "We measure every student pre- and post-training with a version of the Woodcock Johnson general intelligence test".   I was taught to administer this test every two years.  If students take it more regularly they can memorize some of the questions and the correct answer.  This leads to a imaginary cognitive gain.

The LearningRx fees are $80 to $90 per hour which is more than I am charging now.  I teach or tutor so the student learns the necessary material and how to succeed at taking a test on that material.

I do like the comparison of hiring a personal coach to improve a child's sports ability to hiring a academic coach to help with the child's success with school.  Sometimes, the word tutor, makes a student feel like they are unsuccessful but the word coach, implies the student is receiving a benefit to be the best that they can be.

I do feel they find success with their model because the more exercises you do to improve your mind will help.  They will help you perform faster and with more success.  The brain can improve but many of us don't take the time or the energy to help it along.

Math Troubles

Reading the Wall Street Journal on September 25, 2013, I came across an article written by Sue Shellenbarger called, "Pop Quiz: Why Are Fractions Key to Future Math Success?"  She found that students seem to do fine with math until they are in fourth grade and meet fractions.

Some students who were having troubles with math received tutoring and then began to understand fractions. This is a sad statistic "A child's knowledge of fractions in fifth grade predicts performance in high-school math classes..."

Dr. Bob Stiegler, a professor of cognitive psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, is quoted, "If you don't understand fractions, it's literally impossible for you to understand algebra, geometry, physics, statistics, chemistry..."

So if your child is having troubles in math in 4th or 5th grade, tutoring now might save options for math classes in the future.

School Has Started, Now What?

Let your child enjoy a honeymoon period in the classroom.  Do not follow up if he/she does or doesn't complete their homework.  Learn how their teacher responds to their work ethic.  See if he/she observes your child's lack of effort, total lack of understanding of the material or the excellent work ethic.

Write down the comments you would like to ask your child and or his/her teacher.  Now after the second week of school, their teacher should know who they are and how they are doing.  See if you have communication coming home with your student.  See if you make a comment and send it back if the teacher responds.

Now you are ready to make an appointment to meet with their teacher.  Be ready to listen for her observations.  Have your list so you can respond with your observations.  Now you are ready to compliment the teacher's teaching style.  If you feel the need for a tutor to supplement the learning for your child that is your right.  Find someone who is willing to meet your child's teacher and work with them.

Remember learning is a team sport.  A class with 30 different students and one teacher means that each students is obtaining very little one on one time with the teacher.  Sometimes this is just fine and your child will continue to learn and blossom.  Other times intervention is needed.  You may find your teacher is able to meet your child's needs and that is great.  Otherwise find a good tutor and help your child develop or learn to their greatest potential.

Working full time while raising my children meant I did much of this (Teacher communication) online so I liked teachers who responded to my emails.  Email also means the note is not lost in my child's backpack.

I love back to school days, fall is coming, football starts, another year.  May this be the year your child enjoys learning.

Improving Reading Fluidity

Many students who are having trouble reading have trouble with reading aloud. The student is using all their brain power to think about letters and the sounds they make. They are still at the point where reading means saying the words aloud. 

So to improve this so when the student reads I tell them we are creating a video about this book to share with students who are younger. I practice and let the student film me. We watch the film. We practice. We do one or two pages and watch the film and evaluate it together. Slowly the reading improves as the student should have the book almost memorized. I hope to post a sample soon. But this week I am on vacation.