Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN
All the children in costumes,
go visit for a trick or a treat;
But getting the "BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE"
Just can't be beat!

 If you go out for trick or treating, go in groups or with a responsible adult. Come back to school on Tuesday without a lot of candy so you can get the "Best Education Possible".  Have a fun Halloween! 

Debra West

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Think Rich Be Thin

Think Rich Be Thin


Accordingi to an article in the November 2011 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine, simply perceiving your meal as extravagant can help you feel satisfied and rev up your metabolism, say Yale researchers. When they gave 46 volunteers a 380 calorie beverage labeled “Indulgence Shake,” the participants' levels of the hunger-and-metabolism-regulating hormone ghrelin fell sharply, showing they felt full and had an amped-up calorie burn. But a week earlier, when the group sipped the same drink, this time marked “Sensi-Shake,” ghrelin stayed flat. To mind your waistline, when eating healthy, don't focus on how “good” you're being. Instead, think about the pleasurable experience (taste, textures, aromas) of eating the food, suggest lead researchers Alia Crum, Ph.D.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Tickets to Health and Happiness

According to an article in the November 2011 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine, attending a performance of the Nutcracker may provide more than entertainment. It could improve your health, say researchers in Norway. When they crunched data from more than 50,000 people on activities like museum visits, singing, volunteering, painting, and attending concerts or sporting events, they found that engaging in arts and culture, watching as well as doing, was linked with higher self-scores of physical and emotional health. And it wasn't just that people who had the cash for evenings out could also afford better health care, or that folks who enjoyed good health were more likely to go out. The connection held even when researchers controlled for wealth and a range of health factors. Don't worry if your tastes run more to Lady Gaga than Lady of the Camellias. “The activities don't have to be highbrow, just emotionally engaging or creative,” says lead author Koenraad Frans Cuypers.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Tip #34: Show and Tell Your ChildrenYou Love Them.

There is no better gift in the world than to give "LOVE". So many children and adults are angry, depressed, and unhappy this moment because they've had no one to show them this most important lifeline. This brings us to tip #34.

Tip #34: Show and tell your children you love them.

When I was growing up we had a very close loving family. I knew I was loved and supported, but we rarely said the words, "I love you". When my mother was diagnosised with terminal cancer we found these words easier to say for the first time. Now my father and sisters say it to each other and to our children and grandchildren all the time. It is just ashame that it took something like illness or death to see the importance of telling people you love them. I'm not saying use the words until they are almost mechanical, but using them to really express feelings and emotions. Our children need hugs and to hear the words, "I love you". This teaches them how to express true feelings of emotions. How you treat and express feelings at home is exactly how your child expresses him/herself at school and in public. So, why not show and tell your loved ones today that you love them? It really doesn't hurt and it will make your family closer and emotionally healthier!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Tip #33: A Child Needs Self-Confidence

A child needs to have self-confidence. In order to develop this all important character in your child is to get him/her involved in an activity that they are interested in and show real promise. That brings us to tip #33.

Tip #33: Get your children involved in extra-curricular activities that will build self-confidence.

Mastering a skill at an early age builds confidence and self-esteem. When a child is able to play an instrument, draw or paint, perform ballet or tap, or any other number of individual activities they foster and grow their earned sense of accomplishment and develop a sense of self and pride. Group activities also have an important place in a child's development, but when they can master something individually, they are empowered and reinforced with an unequivocal self-confidence builder. The sense of individual confidence and ability begins a familiarity with earned success that will be needed later in life as they grow up and their world's become more complex and demanding. So, whenever possible have your child participate and master an activity that they alone can demonstrate excellence. It will pay big dividends in their future. Some more examples include: golf, tennis, gymnastics, photography, bowling, singing and chess.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Tip #32: Teach your children to have self-control.

We must teach our children to have self-control. They must be able to control their anger and manage any conflict they are confronted with in life. Building self-confidence and teaching children to cope with stressful situations is extremely important. This brings us to tip #32.

Tip #32: Teach your children to have self-control.

Our children must have self-awareness and set realistic goals with realistic timetables to complete these goals all while managing frustration, set-backs and disappointment. Raising our children to have self-control means modeling self-control in our every day lives. We will never have children who manage anger properly if we don't show them how. Teach them how to accept criticim, admit mistakes and know the difference between right and wrong. Teach them how to respectfully stand up for themselves and when to stop and perhaps count to ten or even to one hundred if necessary. Let them know we all learn from our mistakes and we can continually work to improve our behavior and self-control at all times.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Stories With Pictures: Part 2

Below are some graphic novels and illustrated books recommended by Hannah Trierweiler Hudson. She promises that even the reluctant reader will be drawn to these books. Recommendations 6-10 are:

6. The Power of Cute: My Very First Graphic Novel by Charise Mericle Harper. $10.99. Introduce little ones to the world of graphic novels with this colorful tale of a superhero baby who wields the power of cute. Grades PreK-1.

7. The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man by Michael Chabon, illustrated by Jake Parker. $17.99. The first picture book from Pulitzer Prize winner Chabon lets readers in on the fact that even superheroes have secrets. Grades PreK-3.

8. Stickman Odyssey by Christopher Ford. $12.99. What if the entire story of The Odyssey was told in bored-student-style stickman doodles? That's the premise of this laugh-out-loud take on Greek mythology. Grades 6-8.

9. The Popularity Papers: Book Three by Amy Ignatow. $15.95. BFFs Julie and Lydia are reunited in the third volume of this cartoon-inspired series perfect for fans of Marissa Moss's Amelia books. Grades 3-6.

10. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente, illustrated by Ana Juan. $16.99. Your readers won't want to come home from Fairyland . Grade 6 and up.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Stories With Pictures: Part 1

Below are some graphic novels and illustrated books recommended by Hannah Trierweiler Hudson. She promises that even the reluctant reader will be drawn to these books. The first five recommendations are:

1. Drawing From Memory by Allen Say. $17.99 . Allen Say tells how he became an artist in this fascinating memoir which also contains photographs and images of the work that has inspired him . Grades 5-8.

2. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick $29.99. In Selznick's long-awaited follow-up to The Invention of Hugo Cabret, two children, 50 years apart, run away to the American Museum of Natural History. Grades 3-8.

3. The Chronicles of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg $24.99. Fourteen authors, from Stephen King to Kate DiCamillo, share tales inspired by Chris Van Allsburg's The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. Grades 7 and up.

4. Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson. $15.99. Patterson departs from his usual thrill rides to tell the story of sixth grader Rafe Khatchadorian, who conspires to break every rule in school. Grades 5-8.

5. Around the World by Matt Phelan. $24.99. Got wanderlust? Read this graphic novel about three 19th-century figures who attempt to travel around the world: Thomas Stevens, Nellie Bly, and Joshua Slocum. Grades 3-6.

Come back tomorrow and get more of Hudson's recommendations.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Ways to Beat Bad Breath

Ways to Beat Bad Breath

Content provided by: Women's Health

Open wide for these tips to better oral hygiene. Your first and easiest line of defense is good oral hygiene. Cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease can all be underlying causes of odor, says Sally Cram, DDS, a Washington DC based periodontist and a consumer advocate for the American Dental Association. Brush twice a day and floss at least once daily to remove the plaque and bacteria that accumulates on your teeth and under your gumline. And be sure to visit your dentist twice a year for a checkup and professional cleaning.

1. Clean Your Tongue and Floss
The fleshy surface of the tongue is a prime breeding ground for harmful bacteria and accounts for a large percentage of halitosis cases; but most people neglect this crucial area when brushing. To dislodge the offending build-up take a regular soft bristle toothbrush and make a few gentle strokes down the tongue from back to front once a day, says Cram. Depending on the anatomy of your tongue (some people have a lot of grooves) you might want to invest in a tongue scraper for more effective cleaning. Check with your dentist for the best option based on your needs.

2. Go Sugar-Free
Reaching for mints and gum can help mask that dragon breath but if you’re using sugary brands you’re actually adding to the problem. Bacteria in your mouth tend to ferment sugar which leads to those very unpleasant odors, according to Cram. So if you need a quick minty fix before locking lips with your guy make sure to stick with sugar-free solutions. And while you’re at it cutting down on sugar in the rest of your diet can go a long way in snuffing out those icky smells.
3. Wet Your Whistle
Your saliva contains vital protective enzymes that help kill bad bacteria so that means a dry mouth can be contributing to your smelly situation. Staying hydrated will help stimulate the salivary glands and keep your mouth properly moisturized. If you’re guzzling the optimal 8 glasses of H2O a day and you’re still desert-dry check for these additional issues:

4. Pass the Bread
While a low-carb, high protein diet may give you a rockin’ body, it could also be the cause of that killer bad breath according to an analysis by the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine. The key to these diets is a fat-burning state known as ketosis when your body burns stored fats to use as fuel instead of the missing carbs. As the fat burns, chemicals called ketones accumulate in the body and are released in your breath. Since this is a metabolic problem originating in your stomach and not your mouth there’s not much you can do other than modifying your diet. So decide which is more important, your breath or your bod, then consider introducing more carbs into the mix.

5. Take a Tea Break
Drinking tea can do more than soothe your soul, according to findings presented at an annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. It can also help that halitosis. The research out of the University of Illinois at Chicago shows that polyphenols, chemical components found in black and green tea, can prevent both the growth of the bacteria responsible for bad breath as well as the bacteria’s production of putrid smelling compounds. So try a cup of Lemon Zinger and zap out those funky fumes!
6. Spice It Up
Cardamom, a sweet exotic spice often found in Indian cooking, has been known to contain antibacterial properties and has been used for ages as a natural breath freshener. The cardamom plant is high in a compound called cineole, a potent antiseptic that kills bacteria and alleviates bad breath. Chew on a few cardamom seeds as an alternative to mints and gum or try fennel seeds, another herbal remedy also known to work on bad breath.

7. Get a Physical
If you’ve been on top of your dental care, have tried all of the above and your breath could still peel the paint from the walls, it’s time to ring up the doc. Chronic nasty breath can be a symptom of a variety of other underlying medical issues such as diabetes, severe sinus infections, post-nasal drip, GI disorders, or liver and kidney problems.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Ditch Your Toothbrush

Ditch Your Toothbrush

By Jess Levine, Women's Health

Sorry, you do still have to brush, but you may be able to do more to keep your teeth clean. Yep, we said it and we’ll say it again: Ditch your toothbrush! At least ditch it every three to four months, that is, says the American Dental Association’s recommendation for toothbrush replacement. But consider replacing it today, because beyond brushing the old-fashioned way, we have six tricks, tips, and technological innovations that could keep your teeth even healthier. “There’s really nothing that can replace brushing and flossing,” says dentist Ruchi Nijjar Sahota, DDS, in Fremont, California, “but knowing how to brush and floss correctly and knowing what is necessary to keep your particular teeth healthy is very important.” She says the most important thing is visiting your dentist at least twice a year to make sure that you’re doing everything right. Here are a few things you might try in the meantime.

1. Let the brush do the work.
You have the latest HDTV, but perhaps haven’t considered going high-tech with your toothbrush. “Some people brush too hard. Some people don’t brush enough,” Dr. Sahota says. And neither are good. She says brushing too hard can actually scrub away tooth enamel. “Electronic toothbrushes can make it easier for everyone to brush in the right way, but you’ve gotta allow the toothbrush to do its thing,” she explains. “The electronic toothbrush moves on its own, so you should try to be gentle with it to allow the bristles to work.” She recommends just a gentle side-to-side motion across your teeth without applying any pressure. Your dentist will be able to tell you if, control freak, you’re trying to do too much yourself.

2. Make flossing effortless.
If flossing your teeth is one of those shoulda-wouldas that have never become routine, maybe you need some help. Flossing aids like Dentek Triple Clean Floss Picks can make the process a lot easier for some people. “It’s difficult to get to the back of your mouth sometimes,” Dr. Sahota says. “Anything that can make flossing easier is great, but you’ve still gotta make sure you’re doing it properly. If you’re not, it’s as good as not doing it.” She says to make sure you’re getting between the teeth gently, making a c-shape around each tooth, and reaching the backs of the last teeth.

3. Stop snacking.
“Eating a really balanced diet is important but the most important thing is limiting your snacking,” Dr. Sahota says. Saliva production is stimulated by chewing so during a meal, your mouth is producing enough saliva to flush sugar and the bacteria that feeds on it off your teeth, but with a sugary snack (and she points out that that can include anything from milk or crackers to fruit or sugary candy) the sugar just sits on your teeth for about 20 minutes waiting for bacteria to come get it and created the acid that causes tooth decay. “If you snack a lot between meals that bacteria sticks to your teeth and has more time to do damage because it’s just sitting there, whereas if you eat during a meal there’s more saliva release and that can help wash away the foods.”

4. Start chewing gum.
Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which flushes food and bacteria from the surface of the teeth. And research shows the right kind of gum could be even better for your teeth. You want to go with sugarless for obvious reasons. And look especially for xylitol, a sugar alcohol that is used as a sugar substitute in candy and gum. This sweetener doesn’t attract bacteria like sugar, but actually fights it. Good ol' Trident should do the trick.

5. Take a toothbrush to go.
Let’s get real, most of us don’t have time to brush after each meal. That’s why twice a day became the standard recommendation. But with the new mini on-the-go-friendly toothbrushes like the Colgate Wisp, freshening up before that post-lunch meeting or discreetly unsticking something from between your teeth is easy. The lip gloss-size brush comes loaded with a dab of breath freshener and a soft pick on one end for unsticking stubborn food particles. And it doesn’t even require water. Just brush, pick, and feel fresh.

6. Drink up
If you do just one thing, drink more water. “Drinking as much water as possible allows you to flush bacteria and food out of your mouth,” Dr. Sahota says. “Water has a pH of 7, so it helps neutralize the environment in your mouth as well.” Since it’s the acid that the sugar-eating bacteria create that causes cavities in the first place, the simplest thing you can do for your dental health is drink more H2O.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Tip #31: Teach Your Children About Gratitude

So many times we miss the beauty and blessing that are right in front of us. If you just pause a moment and open your eyes, you may be surprised at the jewels around you. This brings us to tip #31.

Tip # 31: Teach your children about gratitude.

We are so busy moving back and forth that some times we forget to see the roses in our path. Stop for a minute and look around! Look at all the wonderful people and things you've been blessed to encounter. Stop and take a deep breath! Smell, feel, touch, and experience your surroundings. Teach your children to stop and appreciate nature and the blessings the have. You can really miss so much moving blindly through life. Open your eyes and look around. There is beauty everywhere! There is beauty in a child's smile, in the eyes of a loved one, the wag of a dogs tail, and the wings of a butterfly. So, stop right now and experience the beauty around you. These are lessons and moments that will keep you and your child grounded throughout life.  Gratitude will bring your entire family peace and appreciation when things get tough.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Tip #30: Don't Pass Your Anxieties to Your Children

There are times we all worry about something. The problem comes when you are unable to handle your anxiety and pass it on to your child. This brings us to tip #30.

Tip #30: Don't pass your anxieties to your children.

Children of worried and fearful parents become withdrawn and are at greater risk for anxiety disorder. When a teacher encounters a worried anxious child, it is almost assured that when they meet the parent there will be a worried anxious adult. These parents are usually over-protective and the child is unable to do many things independently. These children can many times be afraid to take risk or make mistakes. The worst part about these types of children are they usually are overprotected and are more likely to seek out unhealthy thrills as teens and young adults.

Parents make sure you are not passing on your anxieties and fears to your child. It will continue through generations. So, worried and fearful parents get help and stop the cycle now!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Tip #29: Make Sure Your Child is Getting Enough Sleep

An estimated 70 million American infants, children, and teens are sleep deprived. Could your child be one of them? Studies show that sleep deficits can contribute to hyperactivity, distraction, forgetfulness, learning problems, illness, accidents, and disruptive behavior. Yet, despite overwhelming scientific evidence, the connection between children’s sleep habits and their behavior and health problems has remained, largely unrecognized. That brings us to tip #29.

Tip #29: Make sure your child is getting enough sleep at night.

According to Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, in her book Sleepless in America, parents are often weary and frustrated with managing challenging behavior. She explains that often what our misbehaving kid really need is not more “consequences or more medication, but more sleep. When we choose sleep, we choose a happier, healthier, and more successful life for our families. To read more practical strategies to help your family get the sleep it deserves and needs get Mary’s book, Sleepless in America

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

5 Reasons Children Need to Play

Reading and writing aren't the only ways kids learn. Article from momshomeroom.msn.com
by the College Bound team

We send our children to school to learn. But did you know that they're also learning when they're playing?Play isn't just good for your kid's body. Play actually helps your child's brain grow and learn.

By play we don't just mean organized team sports. And we definitely don't mean sitting in front of a screen playing computer or video games! Healthy play means making sure your child uses her body and mind in active, imaginative play — like playing hide-and-seek, riding a bike, building with blocks, pretending to be a pirate or princess, building a fort, playing dress-up — all activities that come naturally to kids. This kind of play develops a child's ability to think creatively, use her imagination, work as a team member, and create and follow rules. Kids need unstructured time to build, create and fantasize.

There's been plenty of scientific research over the years proving that play has an important role in children's development and their ability to learn. So whether it's pretend play, sports, outdoor time or recess time — let the kids play!

Here are a five ways kids grow their minds and bodies through play:
1. Pretend play
Whether it's shooting pretend enemies or playing with the dollhouse, there's a whole lot going on when young kids use their imagination in play. Pretend play uses many parts of the brain, including language, movement, emotion and thinking. It also helps kids figure out how things work and how they fit into the world, and it lets them explore new roles. Research has shown that kids who gets lots of pretend playing time are better at complicated thinking (known as abstract thought) and are more social. And you thought she was just playing with dolls!
2. Block heads
Playing blocks may turn your kid into a math genius? Well, that might not quite be true. But there's no question that playing is not only fun but that it has long-term effects on kids' learning. In one study, researchers studied preschoolers who played with blocks and followed those same kids through high school. They found that by high school, the kids who played blocks had higher scores in math. Another study found that playing with blocks (or other construction toys) boosts problem-solving skills in kids.
3. Board games
How does playing "Chutes and Ladders" or "Candy Land" help your child? Board games teach kids about rules, decision-making, taking turns and social skills. The games can also help your child work on important early math skills like counting, as well as color and shape recognition.
4. Recess games
Unfortunately, lots of schools are cutting back on recess to squeeze in more class time. But kids learn more if they've had a chance to play outside during the day. Studies have found that kids get less attentive as the day goes by without a break. When they have a recess break, they're far more focused.

Recess also lets kids improve their social and communication skills by learning to work together as they make up games and decide on rules, and by learning to resolve fights. So don't let anyone tell you that recess is a waste of time — there's important learning going on!
5. Playing outside
With television, computers and video games keeping kids inside, many are missing out on the joys of climbing on playground structures and trees, jumping in leaves, and simply running outdoors. Playing outside actually boosts kids' academic achievement and improves their behavior.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Left Handed‏

New book explores the mysteries of southpaws

Article written by Cari Nierenberg

How do we explain that through the centuries, all over the world, there has always been a consistent left-handed minority of people of around 10 percent? Author Rik Smits attempts to answer this question in his new book "The Puzzle of Left-handedness."

There’s no definitive reason why one person is a rightie and another is a leftie, argues Smits in his book. There are several theories, though, and plenty of left-handed lore.

"We know for certain that genetics is involved in left-handedness, since it runs in families" says Smits, who is left-handed and a science writer in the Netherlands. A left-handed parent is twice as likely to have a left-handed child, and two left-handed parents are three to four times as likely to have a southpaw son or daughter.

Still genetics alone can't fully account for the constancy of the 1-in-10 distribution of lefties among the population. Another theory is that left-handedness can sometimes be a result of disturbed development in the womb or of brain damage (no matter how slight) before, during, or after birth. A third possibility is hormonal -- that lefties might be exposed to higher concentrations of testosterone while the brain is developing.

Smits presents an interesting theory of his own: Left-handedness is a side effect of identical twinning.

He explains his ideas this way: When the embryos split at an early stage in the pregnancy -- around the first week -- this division would result in identical twins. And twinning may give rise to minor mirror-imaging effects, including left-handedness. But Smits suggests that most embryo splits don't always result in two viable fetuses, and the process often goes wrong. He proposes that perhaps a left-handed fetus survives and is born while the "clandestine" twin, the rightie, is lost early in the pregnancy, before would-be parents know of its existence.

There are other intriguing links between twins and left-handedness. Left-handedness occurs roughly twice as often in twins -- both identical and fraternal sets. And in the majority of cases, left-handedness affects only one identical twin. Smits ideas have not been scientifically tested.

While the right-handed majority may consider lefties intriguing or peculiar, Smits argues that from an early age left-handed people always have to do something extra to figure out how to reverse the processes demonstrated to them -- whether it's handwriting, tying their shoelaces or a necktie, or slicing bread.

He also contends it's a myth that southpaws die nine years earlier than their right-handed counterparts, an idea first proposed in the early 1990s by psychologist Stanley Coren. Other researchers have since said that conclusions were based on flawed analysis and arguments.

Although left-handedness has been linked with everything from hay fever and alcoholism to criminality and mental retardation, Smits claims there's no good evidence to support these associations either.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

9 Things You Shouldn't Share: Tips 5-9

When sharing leads to sneezing, itching, or infection. By Jean Weiss for MSN Health & Fitness

We all know we’re supposed to do it. In fact, sharing is an important social skill that may lead to a more successful life. And yet it turns out there are a few things we shouldn’t share.

Here’s tips 5-9 of germ-laden items you’d best keep to yourself.

5. Pens
You’ve met an interesting colleague at a conference and are exchanging contact info. Should you borrow the pen she offers from her purse? Personal pens are rife with germs, because most people put them in their mouths, Gerba says. “You can pick up respiratory viruses, mouth infections—a lot can be spread by the mouth,” he says. Gerba’s studies have shown that teenagers’ pens carry the most bacteria.

Surprisingly, pens at checkout lines in stores were less germy. This is probably because they are wiped down daily and people are less likely to put the pens in their mouths when standing at the cash register. Gerba suggests you carry your own pen, or have a disinfectant wipe available to clean a pen before use.

6. Cell Phones
Now you have a great excuse for why you didn’t call home to check in; just say your phone battery died and you didn’t want to get sick from borrowing a friend’s phone. Cell phones are covered with contaminants, and people rarely, if ever, clean them. Gerba’s studies have found MRSA and other bacteria, along with influenza viruses, on cell phones.

Women’s cell phones are dirtier than men’s, he’s found. “We did notice that women’s phones tend to be germier,” he says, guessing that this could be due to germs carried in makeup, or due to the fact that women as a whole have more colds per year than men. “Statistically, women have close to three colds each per year, if they have children in the household, whereas men have closer to 1.5 colds per year,” Gerba says. (How many colds do kids have per year?) When borrowing a phone, wipe it down with a disinfecting cloth and wash your hands after.

7. Razors
Razors are also on the no-share list. Shaving creates nicks and cuts, whether you see them or not, and blood on someone’s razor can be transferred to your body when you shave. “Any time you have a chance of cutting the skin, you have to be careful,” Gerba says. So if you are visiting friends or family and you forgot your razor, don’t use the one that’s in their shower. Don’t even use your partner’s razor. “I would never share a razor with anybody,” Gerba says. “Blood-borne diseases are serious. A person could be a carrier of a disease such as hepatitis B all your life and not even know it.”

8. Makeup
When you are shopping and need to freshen your face or moisten your lips, stick with your own tubes of makeup rather than dipping into samples at a store’s makeup counter. A two-year study found high levels of bacteria in the majority of skin, eye and lip makeup samples at drug and department stores. Contaminants found ranged from staph bacteria to E. coli. The makeup was tested on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. More contaminants were found on Sundays, compared with Fridays. So, if you find yourself out with a desperate need for color, avoid lipstick and eye makeup and dip in weekdays only for other items, once the bacteria have started to die off after heavy weekend traffic. 
9. TV Remotes
If you’re kicking back in a hotel room, or watching basketball at a neighbor’s house, slip out a disinfectant wipe before using the remote. TV remotes are rarely cleaned and carry numerous germs, Gerba says. “They are loaded with germs,” he says. “They are often the germiest object we find in a house, and we’ve found some pretty dirty ones in hotel rooms, too.” TV remotes are an easy germ target because people get lazy washing their hands after going to the bathroom. Gerba has found viruses and E. coli and other bacteria on TV remotes in hotel rooms, homes, hospital rooms and nursing homes.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

9 Things You Shouldn't Share: Tips 1-4

When sharing leads to sneezing, itching, or infection. By Jean Weiss for MSN Health & Fitness

We all know we’re supposed to do it. In fact, sharing is an important social skill that may lead to a more successful life. And yet it turns out there are a few things we shouldn’t share.
Here’s a short list of germ-laden items you’d best keep to yourself.

1. Shopping Carts
Think about it: A child’s diapered bottom may have, moments before, been plastered against the very seat where you’ve just placed your broccoli. And mommies, do you want to set your child down on the same surface that previously held raw chicken? (Bing: How about a grocery cart cover?)

Grocery-store shopping carts are rife with germs, says Chuck Gerba, an environmental microbiologist at the University of Arizona who’s taken samples from shopping carts throughout the U.S. “We were surprised to find that 80 percent of the carts have E. coli on them in some parts of the country,” he says. E. coli is a fecal bacterium that can be transmitted by contaminated hands. Gerba’s team also found bacteria and viruses that could lead to colds, flu and diarrhea. What’s more, a recent study showed that placing children in shopping carts was related to their getting Salmonella infections.

Gerba found that shopping carts are more contaminated in regions where germs flourish because of moist air, cool temperatures or cloud cover, such as the Northeast, Northwest or muggy South. Germs are less likely to accumulate on shopping carts that sit outside in areas where there is dry heat and direct sun.

To avoid germs while grocery shopping, disinfect your shopping cart’s handle and child seat with a wipe, or sanitize your hands before and after you shop. Use products with the words “disinfect” or “sanitize” on them, because the Environmental Protection Agency has approved those terms, Gerba says. Gerba advises against placing your child in the shopping cart seat. If you do, he says to use a disposable barrier product that has a disinfectant on it rather than a cloth product that will only serve to smear the germs around.

2. ATM and Touch Screens
The next time you need to withdraw money or decide to use the self-checkout aisle at the grocery store, make sure you have travel-size hand sanitizer handy. (Bing: Do sanitizers work?) Touch-screens and keypads are covered with more contaminants than anything else he’s tested, Gerba says. “We were surprised to find that one-fourth of the grocery-store self-checkout touch-screens have E. coli on them,” he says. In addition to other more common bacteria and viruses, several of the touch-screens he tested contained strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a bacterium that is highly resistant to several antibiotics. MRSA can cause serious skin infections and sometimes lead to death.

Gerba recommends avoiding the self-checkout aisles when possible. Gerba conducted limited testing on ATM screens, finding that those sitting outside in hot, dry climates carried fewer germs than those that were in moist climates or indoors. Bring a disinfectant wipe to clean a screen before you use it or to clean your hands afterwards.

3. Toothbrushes
You’re about to spend the night at a friend’s house, but forgot your toothbrush. Especially if your friend is a romantic partner, you may be tempted to use his or hers—after all, you’ve been kissing already, so it’s probably OK, right? Wrong.

“You abrade your skin when you brush your teeth,” Gerba says. “I wouldn’t share a toothbrush, not even with someone you are kissing.” Blood-borne disease, such as hepatitis B and C, and HIV, can be transmitted through a toothbrush, whereas they are less likely to be transmitted through kissing. You can also pick up someone’s respiratory or other illnesses, such as a cold or the flu, by sharing a toothbrush.

If you are a mere night away from gum recession or otherwise can’t stand to go without brushing, there are ways to disinfect the brush. Gerba suggests boiling a toothbrush in hot water or using an ultraviolet light system or sanitizing solution made for this purpose.

4. Hairbrushes
You are at a movie with a friend and afterward step into the bathroom to freshen up before drinks. Should you share her brush while standing at the vanity mirror? Hairbrushes are out for sharing as well, Gerba says. “Germs get on your skin, and skin flakes into your brush,” he says. “This is another situation where you abrade your skin.” He says he’s found MRSA and other germs on hairbrushes.

And what about using brushes at your hair stylist’s salon? Make sure they disinfect their brushes at the end of each day to minimize germ transfer.

Come back tomorrow and read tips 5-9.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Twelve Bullying Myths: Part 5

Twelve bullying myths: Myths #11-12

What do parents really need to know about bullying? It's not necessarily what you think.
Article from GreatSchools.org, written by Valle Dwight

Myth #11


When bullies use homophobic taunts they're always referring to the victim's sexual orientation

Increasingly, bullies taunt other kids by calling them “gay,” even though neither party actually knows what the word means — especially in the younger grades. “This is where parental and social modeling come into effect,” Mayer says. Kids hear the word used as a putdown, and they repeat it. “They’re mimicking language,” he says, “it’s not being used in the sexual connotation.”

Even in the later teens, when kids do understand the meaning, it can be used solely as a slur. “It is often used as the sort of nuclear option as it relates to male-to-male social aggression or put downs,” Williams says. “The mere insinuation is enough to cause the social harm intended by the bully.”

But Williams warns that a sexually confused child — of any age — may be a more likely target for harassment and bullying. And although it may be a challenging conversation, he urges parents (with the help and possible presence of a mental health professional) to discuss sexuality and gender with their child. “It is my sense that the child who is struggling with sexuality and gender identity, but who is simultaneously receiving support on the home front, may be better equipped to navigate the treacherous waters known as childhood – particularly in a school environment, where 79 percent of reported bullying takes place.” In fact, research by the Family Acceptance Project at San Francisco State University demonstrates that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth with families who accept their sexual orientation are less likely to suffer depression, use drugs, or attempt suicide than youth who are rejected by their families.

Myth #12

Schools bear no clear responsibility for bullying

Bullying has become a national issue, so much so that 47 states, including Massachusetts and New York, have passed anti-bully laws that define bullying and require schools to act when it’s reported.

Even so, some schools still aren’t taking it seriously, Mayer says. And this is not just a problem but a crisis, since most bullying happens at school. “Teachers have to take these things seriously,” he says. “They have to identify the bullies and tell them, ‘We’re watching you.’”

Parents should check that their kids' school has an anti-bully policy and system in place. If you're unsure what your school’s policy is, talk with the administration or check the school's website. Let the school know that the safety of your child is important to you.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Twelve Bullying Myths: Part 4

Twelve bullying myths: Myths #8-10

What do parents really need to know about bullying? It's not necessarily what you think.
Article from GreatSchools.org and written by Valle Dwight


Myth #8


Boys are more likely to be bullied

In a 2007 survey, almost 34 percent of girls reported being bullied, compared with 31 percent of boys. Although boys often bully in a physical way, girls’ style of bullying tends to be more indirect. Girls bully by creating a hostile environment for their victims; they may spread rumors or exclude their targets from activities.
“In a way, it’s easier [to do] because it’s not direct,” Williams says. And because it’s so easy to spread a rumor or make threats, mean-girl bullying can do a lot of damage — without the physical clues for parents to pick up on. If your daughter is acting sad, depressed, and moody and is reluctant to go to school, talk to her about bullying.

Myth #9


Cyber-bullying is the gateway to other bullying

Actually, most bullying starts with face-to-face encounters and later may progress to texting, social media, and YouTube — which ups the harassment and humiliation with even more hurtful, and possibly fatal, results.

All the more reason to stop bullying before it goes viral, Williams says. If adults are vigilant and stop the bullying at school, it may never get to the cyber stage. And if your child is being bullied online? Don’t brush it off. Report it to the school, and if physical threats have been made, get copies of the messages and report them to the police. Also, encourage your child to come to you if he or she sees cyber-bullying happening to another kid.

Cyber bullying is on the rise. In a recent study of digital abuse by AP and MTV, 56 percent of teens and young adults ages 14 to 24 reported being bullied through social and digital media – up from 50 percent in 2009, just two years prior.

Myth #10


Parents are always their kids' best defender

Too often, Williams says he sees parents who dismiss their children’s reports of being teased and taunted. "You'd be surprised at how adults respond. They tell their kids to stop tattling or stop whining." Teachers and other school leaders have also dismissed the problem, says Williams, often with tragic results.

Mayer says the only way to stop bullying is for adults to play an active role and take complaints about bullying seriously. Parents need to set consequences when they see or hear about their own children’s aggression, including bullying among siblings. “Parents have to stop the behavior from the start,” he says. “They can’t tolerate it at home or with anyone in the family.”

As for parents of the victims, explain that “there is something wrong” with the child who is bullying their kids. Victims are suffering from regular abuse and their self-esteem has been chipped away, while their sense of powerlessness has sky-rocketed. They need all the reassurance they can get that this isn’t their fault — they didn’t cause the problem. “Make sure your child knows they are not the problem,” says Mayer. "They’re not damaged. The other kid is.”

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Twelve Bullying Myths: Part 3

Twelve bullying myths: Myths #5-7

What do parents really need to know about bullying? It's not necessarily what you think.
Article from Greatschools.org and written by Valle Dwight
 
Myth #5

Bullies come from the top of the social pecking order

“Clearly, social gain is at the root of 95 percent of bullying,” Mayer says. So the idea that the bully is “on top” is “almost nonsense,” he says. Why? “If they were at the top, they wouldn’t be as motivated toward bullying behavior.”

Both Mayer and Williams agree that bullying is most often motivated by a desire for social power. “Developmentally speaking, social standing is huge for children and youth,” Williams says. “In fact, by the time they reach adolescence, it can have more influence than, say, the role of a parent. Bullying controls and manipulates the social order; and this is exactly what the bully seeks to accomplish.” Often, this means the bully is a social climber, seeking to increase his or her status. But when a child does seem to be popular, Williams warns, their social status may shield them from consequences — both from other kids and adults. “It lends itself to a type of social Darwinism thinking,” he says.

Commonly, Mayer says, kids who bully are often victims of abuse themselves or are going through difficult problems at home. They may even have cognitive disorders that impair their impulse control. “Something is wrong with that kid in that time of their life,” Mayer says. It doesn’t mean all bullies will turn into criminals, he says, but at that time they are trying to wield power in an inappropriate way. The kid who bullies feels a lack of control in his or her own life.

Often issues at home, such as divorce, abuse, or violence, leave children feeling helpless. Kids who bully don't have the coping mechanisms to deal with that powerlessness. So what do they do? Get power the only way they can. Or as Williams puts it: "Hurt people hurt people." School administrators who understand this can address bullying more effectively by counseling bullies as well as victims.

Myth #6

Parental attitudes have no effect on bullying

In fact, parents can help pave the way for bullying behavior in kids when they don’t teach their children to respect differences in people. Some parents may pay lip service to the idea that all people are equal, but if their actions reveal a different attitude, their kids will pick up on it. If parents talk disparagingly about other groups of people or tell racist, sexist, or homophobic jokes, the message they’re sending is: “All people are not alike, and some are better than others.”

“Kids pick up on those things,” says Williams. “They learn that people have more or less value.” So be aware of what you say at home — and how it can translate into aggression in your child at school.

Myth #7

If your child is a victim, call the bully’s parents

“Parent-to-parent meetings can get nasty,” says Williams, who advises parents of victims to refrain from contacting bullies' parents. The situation, already fraught with emotion, often gets only more heated when parents leap into the fray. (But if parents insist on talking with each other, Williams suggests they use a mediator.)

Instead, start with the school. Most schools have an anti-bullying policy that outlines the steps for dealing with bullies. Talk with the teacher and principal first and together figure out the next steps.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Twelve Bullying Myths: Part 2


Twelve bullying myths: Myths #3-4
What do parents really need to know about bullying? It's not necessarily what you think.
Article from Greatschools.org and written by Valle Dwight
 
Myth #3

The bully is always bigger

Despite media depictions from the 80s (Biff from Back to the Future), 90s (Nelson from The Simpsons), and even now (Dave Karofsky from Glee), bullies aren’t necessarily large kids who pack a powerful punch. “Physical size is really inconsequential when it comes to this issue,” Mayer says. Bullying is often about power, and a child who bullies is often trying to counteract something that’s going wrong (real or perceived) in his own life. “In fact, there’s a strong case to be made that a bully is typically smaller,” Mayer says, adding that the aggression could be inspired by the bully’s lack of confidence and feelings of physical inadequacy.

“Bullying is mostly psychological,” Williams says. Girls report being bullied more than boys — and they’re more often victimized by passive aggressive behavior or social aggression over physical harm. “If you think about it, a small girl on the cheerleading team could be a school’s biggest bully (pun intended),” Williams says.

Myth #4

There’s one clear way to solve the problem

Because bullying scenarios vary so widely, no single response can be prescribed. The complicated truth is that different situation — and different kids — call for different actions. The key is thinking about these actions (and reactions) and discussing them with your child.

The case against fighting back:

“Everything we know is that the ultimate right thing to do is to ignore the bully. Turn your back on the teasing and bullying and it’ll go away,” Mayer says. “That follows Psych 101 principles.” He insists an eye-for-an-eye response is ultimately ineffective and often hurts far more than it helps. Why? Although hitting back might bring a moment of satisfaction, it can lead to escalation – which, in light of reports of kids bringing weapons to school, could put both the bully and the bullied in mortal danger. Mayer compares it to an arms race, with the weapons just getting bigger and more destructive. Instead, he recommends discussing these possible strategies with your child:

• Tell an adult. Whether it’s a parent, teacher or a coach, your child should tell an authority figure who can make sure the bully faces consequences. “Teach kids to inform an adult so that the bully will be restrained and face consequences,” he says. Ideally, if the rules of society are enforced against the bully, it should put an end to the behavior. “It’s a higher form of fighting back,” Mayer says.

• Don’t react. Encourage your child not to cry, stop walking, or acknowledge the bully in any way. “This can be super-hard to teach kids, but it’s what works,” Mayer says. If your child responds, the bully will feed on it. By leaving the bully hanging, she or he will end up looking silly.

• Consider the consequences. Does your child’s school have a zero-tolerance policy? If so, your child could be punished (even suspended) for self-defense. This consequence might seem unfair to children and parents alike – and, depending on how it is implemented at your child's school, may be something you should consider discussing with school administrators.

The case for fighting back:

In some scenarios, “fighting back” in the form of verbal retorts and, when warranted, physical force can put an end to bullying. But it’s important to consider the child and the situation. “It’s safe to assume that the child who is more confidently able to defend him or herself is probably less likely to be a target of bullying,” Williams says. So simply telling a scared child to fight back isn’t enough. Ultimately, it’s about safety. Williams advises parents to tell their children to report bullying to an adult — particularly at school. “However, in a case where the bully will not listen to reason and where adults abdicate responsibility, appropriate self-defense has to be considered – and available to a child as a viable option," he says.

Before this option is exercised, however, Williams says parents and caregivers need to carefully consider their position and communicate it clearly to their child. “A child should never feel conflicted about self-defense,” he says. Martial arts and boxing training are two great ways to help a child prepare for — or even prevent — being victimized by a bully. “Beyond physical preparedness, martial arts and boxing training give children the mental confidence and posturing necessary to project a sense of being in control.”

Monday, October 10, 2011

Twelve Bullying Myths: Part 1

Twelve Bullying Myths: Myths #1-2
Article from Greatschools.org, written by Valle Dwight

What do parents really need to know about bullying? It's not necessarily what you think.

Not a day goes by without another gut-wrenching tale of bullying making headlines. Schoolyards erupt in violence. Social-media sites turn into cyber lynch mobs. Kids commit suicide after enduring months of abuse. Despite all the media attention, parents often remain in the dark about what actions to take when it happens to their children — or when their children bully others.

What can parents really do? What are the signs to watch for? How do you distinguish garden-variety personality conflicts between kids (which may include some mean behavior) from actual bullying? We contacted two experts, Drexel University professor and director of the Center for the Prevention of School-Aged Violence Charles Williams (aka Dr. Chuck) and clinical psychologist and author John Mayer, to clear up the the common misconceptions about bullying and give parents the facts.

Myth #1

You'll know when your child is being bullied

Just because your child doesn’t tell you he or she is being bullied doesn’t mean it’s not happening. In 2007 almost a third of middle and high schoolers reported that they’d been bullied at school. And those are the ones who admitted it. “It’s one of those silent issues,” Williams says. Many kids don’t speak up because they think that it will lead to more abuse, because they’re ashamed, and because of the powerful unwritten code against snitching.

If your child comes home with torn clothing; starts complaining about going to school; has unexplained bruises, cuts, and scratches; or seems depressed and socially isolated, these are signs of bullying. If you suspect bullying, keep talking with your child and go to the school for help and input. Talk with your child’s teacher, a school administrator, or a school counselor to notify them of any problems, ask if they’ve noticed any incidents, and work with them to deal with the problem sooner rather than later.

Myth #2


Bullying always includes physical aggression

Bullying is when one child regularly harasses another child. This could be verbal bullying like name-calling, teasing, and using threatening language. It can also be physical abuse like punching, shoving, hitting, and spitting. It can be electronic too, via texting and the Internet. There is a gray area, however, that is important for parents to understand. Is it bullying when a child is excluded from a game? Not necessarily, but if your child is regularly left out, by all means talk with the teacher. (Check out the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program for a more detailed explanation of bullying.)

Here are the types of harassment students reported in a recent survey:

• 21% said they had been called names, insulted, or made fun of
• 18% reported being the subject of rumors
• 11% said they were pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on
• 6% said they were threatened with harm
• 4% said they were made to do things they didn’t want to do
• 4% said their property was destroyed on purpose

Tomorrow will be more tips and myths on bullying

Sunday, October 9, 2011

8 Ways To Avoid Sneaky Supermarket Tricks: Part 2

Healthy Eating Tips: Grocery Shopping

8 Ways To Avoid Sneaky Supermarket Tricks

Enjoy a healthier and cheaper trip to the grocery store with these easy tips. 
By The Editors of Prevention

You walk into a grocery store expecting to buy only the items on your list, yet you leave with a cart full of extras you may not really need—and a considerably lighter wallet. An accident—or lapse in judgment? Actually, the store setup is likely to blame. “You want to get in and out quickly, but the folks in charge want you to linger as long as possible, spend as much as possible, and ideally spend it on the highest-profit items,” explains Ali Benjamin, co-author of The Cleaner Plate Club: Raising Healthy Eaters, One Meal at a Time (Storey Publishing, 2011). How, exactly, do they make you stick around and load up on items you never meant to buy? Here are tips 5-8 ways to guarantee a healthier (and cheaper) shopping experience every time.

5. Shop Alone

Whenever possible, leave the kids at home. Even if they’re not begging for their favorite goodies, parenting while pushing the cart can drive you to distracted buying, so you miss the best values.

6. Beware Of Bulk

“Stores advertise pricing in a way that encourages you to buy in bulk,” says Janel Ovrut Funk, MS RD LDN, a Boston-based dietitian who writes eatwellwithjanelblog.com. “Just because you can purchase 10 jars of tomato sauce for $10 does not mean you have to buy all 10 at once! You can still get the sale price when only buying one jar. This can prevent you from overbuying and, in turn, overeating, especially when it comes to sale item foods that never should have made it into your grocery cart to begin with!”

7. Read Every Price Tag

Many markets have lower prices on staple items like milk, eggs, and toilet tissue so that you come away with the impression that the whole store is cheaper. But they mark up other items by 10% because you’ve already decided you’re getting a better value in that store.

8. Look Up, Down, And All Around

Impulse items are stocked at eye level on the shelves—so if you’re hunting for healthy choices, or even a lesser-known organic or all-natural brand (that doesn’t have the bucks to buy primo placement), avert your eyes from their natural sightline, says Ginzberg. “A store like Walmart marks down items on the end cap to draw you down the aisle too,” he notes. “Once you are there, they don’t have any reason to give you the best price.”

Saturday, October 8, 2011

8 Ways To Avoid Sneaky Supermarket Tricks: Part 1

Healthy Eating Tips: Grocery Shopping


8 Ways To Avoid Sneaky Supermarket Tricks

Enjoy a healthier and cheaper trip to the grocery store with these easy tips.  Below are the first 4 tips.
By The Editors of Prevention

You walk into a grocery store expecting to buy only the items on your list, yet you leave with a cart full of extras you may not really need—and a considerably lighter wallet. An accident—or lapse in judgment? Actually, the store setup is likely to blame. “You want to get in and out quickly, but the folks in charge want you to linger as long as possible, spend as much as possible, and ideally spend it on the highest-profit items,” explains Ali Benjamin, co-author of The Cleaner Plate Club: Raising Healthy Eaters, One Meal at a Time (Storey Publishing, 2011). How, exactly, do they make you stick around and load up on items you never meant to buy? Here are eight ways to guarantee a healthier (and cheaper) shopping experience every time.

1. Skip The Supersized Carts
“We don’t feel like we are done shopping until we have some sort of visual cue—like a full cart,” says Benjamin. So the trick is to look at the cart like a dinner plate. “Choose the smallest cart you can,” says Diane Henderiks, RD, a personal chef and culinary nutritionist in Oakhurst, NJ. “It’s like choosing a smaller dinner plate—only here you’ll save calories and money.” Or, ditch the cart entirely. “Our studies from Project Brandwashed show that a typical family needs only what they can carry,” says Martin Lindstrom, author of Brandwashed Tricks Companies Use to Manipulate Our Minds and Persuade Us to Buy (Crown Business). “I tell families to have kids help carry items.”

2. Bring A C-Note—And Leave Your Credit Cards Behind
Cash is king when it comes to avoiding impulse buys. “I know that I spend way less when I use cash rather than credit,” says Benjamin. And the research proves her right—Lindstrom advises shoppers to use a 100-dollar note for grocery purchases. “We find it emotionally harder to break a larger bill, so we spend less,” says Lindstrom. “We don’t have an emotional connection with numbers on a credit card statement

3. Watch Out For “Health-Washing”
You may not read labels with as critical an eye in a store like Whole Foods as in, say, Super Target®, says Rabbi Issamar Ginzberg, president of Monetized Intellect Consulting, Inc, in Brooklyn, NY. “The atmosphere in Whole Foods Market® makes you feel like everything in the store must be healthy,” he notes. “In Target®, you’ll look at the calorie count on the same package of granola you buy without thinking in a ‘healthy’ grocery store.”

4. Listen To The Piped-In Music
Typically, the store manager is piping in music to keep you on her schedule. “Slow hours mean slow music—they want you to linger and buy; fast music at the busy hour means they want moving, moving, buying,” says Ginzberg. “And it’s not unusual to hear, say, Spanish music if salsa is on sale.” Tote your own tunes to set your pace, but opt for pop or house music—really! “If you’re using a music player and headset, it removes you from sensory stimuli,” says Linstrom, “and if you play music you don’t like at a fast beat, it will shorten your trip—and make you shop in a more rational way.”

Friday, October 7, 2011

Tip #28: Research Your Family Tree

Research and strong writing are two skills that will be very important in your child’s education. A way to build on those skills at home is to research your family’s history. That brings us to tip #28.

Tip #28 Researching your family tree and include the whole family.

There is an old saying “you don’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.” Researching your family history can be both fun and rewarding for everyone in the family. There are Web sites (ex. Ancestery.com) that will get you started. Going to talk to senior family members and getting “oral history” and photos are important. Looking up old documents, obituaries, letters, and cards can bring your families history to light. You and your children will find it fascinating and hopefully interesting to visit ancestors from the past. You may find out you come from royalty!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Tip #27: Create a Memory Book With Your Child

Taking pictures and putting them together to tell a story is a great way to bond with your child. Scrap booking has become very popular and you can make it as expensive or inexpensive as you wish. This brings us to tip #27.

Tip #27: Create a memory book of photos with your child.

Taking old photos from before birth to present day and making a memory book can be a fun project to work on together. This can even be done online! Explaining to your child the milestones they accomplished can be eye opening and inspirational. Tell them about their temperament and fun stories that they can not remember. Decorating the book can make it original and personal. Add short scripts that explain the events of each photo. Every year add to the photo history of your child and it is something that can be shared with their children and grandchildren. It is time well spent that will never be forgotten and it’s something fun and meaningful.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Myths, Misconceptions, and Stigma Tied to ADHD: Part 2

The information below, can help you sort the truth from fiction. And if you feel that negative stereotypes about ADHD are affecting your self-esteem or relationships with other people, talk to your doctor about ways to manage these feelings.
   
        Myth

1.  There is no such medical condition as ADHD.   

2. ADHD is caused by bad parenting.                                                                                             

3. ADHD is a life sentence                                          

4. Having ADHD means the person is lazy or dumb.                                                                               

5. The diagnosis of ADHD is confired if certain medicines (psychostimulants) have a positive effect on what seem to be symptoms of ADHD      

6. Medicine for ADHD will make a person seem drugged.                                                                           

7. Medicine prescriptions for ADHD have greatly increased in the past few years because the condition is being overdiagnosed.                          

 8. Psychostimulants are no longer useful after puberty.                                                                             

9. Children with ADHD learn to use the condition as an excuse for their behavior.                                   

10. Children outgrow ADHD.                                      

11. If a child had ADHD, he or she can always be diagnosed in the doctor's office.                                 



          Fact

1. ADHD is a medical disorder, not a condition of the

child's will. A child with ADHD does not choose to
misbehave.

2. ADHD is not caused by bad parenting. But parenting All child needs is good discipline. techniques can often improve some symptoms and make others worse.

3. Although ADHD symptoms usually continue into adulthood, the person learns ways to cope with the symptoms. People with ADHD have plenty of energy, are creative, and can often accomplish more than people who do not have the condition.

4. ADHD has nothing to do with a person's intellectural ability. Some highly intelligent people have ADHD.

5. Children without ADHD respond to psychostimulants with ADHD. A trial of medicine is not used to diagnose the condition.

6. Properly adjusted medicine for ADHD sharpens a person's focus and increases his or her ability to control behavior.

7. ADHD is estimated to affect about 3 percent to 7 percent of all school-age children in the United States. There is little evidence to support claims that ADHD is overdiagnosed and that ADHD medicines are overprescribed.

8. Teens and adults with ADHD continue to benefit from medicine treatment.

9. ADHD is a disability. Children with ADHD have to learn ways to deal with their symptoms (inattention, impulsivity, and

hyperactivity) that cause them to have difficulties in life.

10. About 70 percent of children with ADHD continue to have symptoms during their teen years and about 50 percent have symptoms into adulthood.

11. A child may not always show symptoms of ADHD, especially in in an unfamiliar setting. Evaluating a child from one office observation may result in failure to recognize or diagnose symptoms.                                                                                                                                       

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