The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

15 year old Social Entrepreneur Danielle Herb has a dream to impact 1,000,000 ADD/ ADHD and Autistic children. It is quickly becoming a reality and she is $50,000 away from opening a brand new facility in Ocala , Florida which will provide FREE horse therapy for the kids. Please watch this video to not only help Danielle, but the many lives she will change through her “ Drop Your Reins Experience.” I urge everyone to visit http://www.dropyourreins.com/ and watch the 7 minute minute interview with Danielle Herb and consider helping her help her cause to continue to help thousands of ADD/ ADHD / Autisic children! The Why? The growth and expansion of Danielle’s company has been inhibited by her current geographic location, which lacks accessibility. After searching nearby regions in her home state of FL that were more conducive and responsive to the needs of her program and her horses, Danielle was drawn to Ocala. Nicknamed “The Horse Capital of the World,” Ocala lends itself to being...

Very good new article posted at ADDitude Magazine website. If you or your child has ADD/ADHD, this website covers all topics for both kids and adults. Source: ADDitude Magazine The Truth About Your ADHD Child's Lying Attention deficit children may tell lies as a result of their ADHD symptoms rather than being dishonest. Learn when to punish your ADHD child's lying and when to deal with its causes. By: Peter Jaksa, Ph.D. Few things damage the trust of parents of ADHD children as quickly or deeply as habitual lying. I don't mean the little white lies that everyone tells once in a while, but repeated lying that causes conflicts and difficulties. Some ADHD kids may not be dishonest as much as they are victims of uncontrolled ADHD symptoms . Barry's mother, for example, tells him to come right home after school, because the family is going out to dinner. Distracted and rushing, he mumbles, "Yeah, OK, Mom." In the course of a hectic day, he forgets his mother...

Drop Your Reins Presents Danielle Herb’s “The Experience” At Cheer Horse Ranch, Amelia Island, Florida - July 11, 2009 CHEER recognizes the challenges young people face as they mature in our society. There are demands on their time and focus that we’re not a part of growing up 20 years ago. CHEER strives to guide the emotional development of our young friends through a healthy interaction with horses. By offering this interaction, CHEER will provide a foundation of life lessons aimed at allowing people to navigate their future with dignity, grace and caring. CHEER has a mission and a goal to help manage growth and has an eye to create happy children and content horses . We togther will utilize the unique human-equestrian interaction in a collarborative endeavor to enrich the emotional lives of our friends by: *Teaching selflessness through caring of others *Fostering self-confidence through nonjudgemental relationships *Discovering self-reliance through doing *Promoting self-esteem thr...

Source: Parenting Toolbox Having an ADHD child often means MESS for mom and dad. Here’s some great tips and tools for keeping them slightly more organized: 1. Give specific instructions. “Put away the toys on your carpet on the shelf in the closet.” Be consistent — if the toys are stored on the shelf one night, they should be put there every night. Children need to know precisely what you expect. 2. Assign tasks that your child is capable of doing on his own. Success builds confidence. The goal is to teach your child to do things independently. 3. Involve your child in discussions about rules and routines. It will help him understand goals and teach him to accept responsibility. 4. Write down routines as sequences of tasks (two to five items only), and post where easily visible (refrigerator, bathroom mirror). Review lists regularly with your child. 5. Be realistic about time. Make sure you’ve set aside enough time for the child to complete his homework, clear the dishes, and get out t...

Source: ADDitude Magazine ADDitude Helpful Tips The Statistics of ADHD ADD by the numbers - a summary of the research of Russell Barkley,Ph.D. A quick summary of statistical research of Russell Barkley •On average, there are 1 to 3 children who have ADHD in every classroom of 30 students. •Three to six more boys are diagnosed than girls. •The rate of emotional development for children with ADHD is 30% slower than their non-ADD peers. For example, a 10-year-old with ADHD operates at the maturity level of about a 7-year-old; a 16-year-old beginning driver is using the decision making skills of an 11-year-old. •65% of children with ADHD have problems with defiance, non-compliance and other problems with authority figures, including verbal hostility and temper tantrums. •25% of students with ADHD have other serious learning problems in one or more of these areas: oral expression, listening skills, reading comprehension, and math. •Half of all ADHD students have listening comprehension prob...

I just discovered this amazing Blog about parenting an ADHD child. As many know, I raised my son who is ADHD, and at the time, there were limited resources to help parents understand this behavior, options and information that we could understand - besides our child was hyper, smart, however not working to their academic potential (oh, and disruptive in class) - which I tend forget. 10 Rules for Working with My ADHD Child By Chris G. Everyone wants to know how to best help there child dealing with ADD or ADHD. Very often readers and social networking friends ask what we do, in working with our kids. Recently, a discussion like this resulted in an impromptu list of some of the rules we have tried to stick to. We’re not perfect and sometimes the train goes flying off the rails, but these rules make sense to us: 1.Always show love, acceptance and support – our love is not dependent on our children’s behavior. 2.Provide our children plenty of opportunities to make the right decision and c...

Wow, Danielle Herb (check out her video) offers an amazing program for kids with ADD/ADHD as well as helping kids overcome their fears. Since I am in Florida, I am always asked about programs here and honestly, there are not that many. Well, not many in my opinion - if you know my story and my organization , I am a bit on the picky side. Attention Children (Aged 10-16) With ADHD/ADD: Horse Kid Scholarship 2009 for Danielle Herb’s ADHD Horse Level 1 Master Class 21st - 28th June 2009- Visit http://www.adhdkidsscholarship.com/ Start Your Summer In Florida With Danielle Herb, The ADHD/ADD Natural Horsemanship Coach WHAT: The ADHD Horse Level 1 Master Class is an exciting new weeklong program developed by Danielle Herb and Drop Your Reins to help you manage your ADD/ADHD using natural techniques and without the need for prescription drugs. WHO: Children Diagnosed with ADHD/ADD Aged 10-16 WHEN: June 21-28, 2009 WHERE: North Florida - Cheers Ranch The Master Class will allow you to teach o...

I love this website! Maybe it is because I can relate so well, after raising an ADHD son or how it explains in simple language the challenges parents of ADD/ADHD children have. As summer is almost here, read these fantastic “Summer Survival Tips” for families of ADHD children from Power Moms Unite website. Striking a Balance: Summer Survival Tips for Families Managing ADHD One major issue with ADHD and summer vacations is the bored factor. Once the novelty of having all that free-time-to-do-anything wears away, what to do with all that free time becomes a problem. On the other hand, over-scheduling and over-planning the summer can lead to burn-out and irritability for both parents and children. The art of managing ADHD during the summer is really about the art of finding balance. Several strategies can help strike this balance. Keep a calendar: Use a monthly or weekly calendar and write down vacation, camp and community trip dates. Kids need routine to feel secure, but be sure to leav...

Source: ADDitude Magazine ADHD behavior issues often partner with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) -- making discipline a challenge. Try these strategies for parents of ADD kids. by Royce Flippin Every parent of a child with attention deficit disorder knows what it's like to deal with ADHD behavior problems -- sometimes a child lashes out or refuses to comply with even the most benign request. But about half of all parents who have children with live with severe behavior problems and discipline challenges on an almost daily basis. That's because 40 percent of children with ADHD also develop oppositional defiant disorder , a condition marked by chronic aggression, frequent outbursts, and a tendency to argue, ignore requests, and engage in intentionally annoying behavior. How bad can it get? Consider these real-life children diagnosed with both ADHD and ODD: Read entire article here: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/879.html

Source: ADDitude Magazine Every child is born with gifts. A child who has the fascinating trait called attention deficit disorder (ADHD) possesses extraordinary ones, but they may be hidden. And if they’re found, they can be tough to unwrap. I hear from parents who say they need a plan to help them do that. Well, your wish has been granted. I have a five-step plan, called the cycle of excellence, which will reveal your ADHD child's gifts for all to see. The plan works best if you love your child in the right way . First, try to catch her spirit and essence. Watch, listen, and interact with her, and don’t direct or worry about getting things done. Just hang out with her. You’ll come to see who your child is. Before she gets labeled smart or stupid, hardworking or lazy, athletic or klutzy, friendly or taciturn, engaging or standoffish, before she gets labeled ADD or XYZ, a parent usually senses the beginnings of who her child is. Hold on to that! Second, don’t listen much to the dia...

As a parent that has an ADHD child, I know firsthand the pros and cons of RX meds for children. It was a major decision for us to choose medication, however it was the best choice for my son. Each child and family are different. I believe it is best to have a second opinion, like I said, making this decision is major. Since I speak with parents I know that many have concerns with their teens abusing this medication - selling it at school or even purchasing it to get a high. Be an educated parent - learn more about the medications used for ADD/ADHD. Source: Connect with Kids “In a way that athletes have used steroids and other medications in the past to enhance their athletic performance, Adderall is actually being used to kind of pseudo-enhance their academic performance.” – Heather Hayes, M.Ed., Counselor. Nineteen-year-old Marisa McCorkle has been using Adderall for two years. “I use it for various reasons,” she says, “like tests, it helps me on tests. [A...

As a mother of an ADHD son, I know the struggles and difficulties adolescents can bring. ADDitude Magazine has some great parenting tips, ideas and information to help you today. Source: ADDitude Magazine ADHD behavior issues often partner with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) -- making discipline a challenge. Try these strategies for parents of ADD kids. Every parent of a child with attention deficit disorder knows what it's like to deal with ADHD behavior problems -- sometimes a child lashes out or refuses to comply with even the most benign request. But about half of all parents who have children with live with severe behavior problems and discipline challenges on an almost daily basis. Read Entire Article Here.

As a parent that had a son graduate a very prestigious Military School, I know the firsthand what an honor and privilege he was given. Many parents think of Military Schools as a punishment or where the “troubled” kids go - that is simply a myth. My son was accepted in accordance with his GPA as well as letters of references and interviewing with the school. It is almost as rigid as applying for some colleges. To further my opinion of Military Schools, when my son interviewed and applied to Universities, all the Admissions Directors were extremely impressed with his schooling at a Military School and was accepted to all the colleges he applied to. Has your child mentioned military academies to you? Have they expressed an interest in attending such a school? If so, you as a parent have an obligation to listen, and more importantly to help them make the right decision. Many ADD/ADHD students do very well in Military Schools. A military school teaches various ages (middle school, high sc...

Source: ADDitdue Magazine Symptoms of ADHD and bipolar disorder are often confused—and often coexist in the same person. How to make the distinction, and suggestions for treating bipolar disorder along with ADHD. by William Dodson, M.D. It can be difficult enough to obtain a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD), but to complicate matters further, ADHD commonly co-exists with other mental and physical disorders . One review of ADHD adults demonstrated that 42 percent had one other major psychiatric disorder. Therefore, the diagnostic question is not “Is it one or the other?” but rather “Is it both?” Perhaps the most difficult differential diagnosis to make is between ADHD and Bipolar Mood Disorder (BMD) , since they share many symptoms, including mood instability, bursts of energy and restlessness, talkativeness, and impatience. It’s estimated that as many as 20 percent of those diagnosed with ADHD also suffer from a mood disorder on the bipolar spectrum -- and correct di...

For parents of ADD/ADHD children, many have had tremendous success with the Feingold Program and Diet to help manage their kids. As the holidays are here, they are offering a fabulous goodie basket for your friends and family! Learn more at http://www.feingold.org/ Holiday Goodie Basket! Support your Feingold Association and wow your friends!A great assortment of all-natural, delicious treats in an attractive holiday gift baskets for you to enjoy or to give as gifts. For your $50 donation to FAUS, we will send a basket to the person of your choice.We have gathered our favorite Stage One & Stage Two yummies from sources around the country and will be assembling attractive gift baskets to be shipped out via Priority Mail to the locations and at the time you choose. Look for brownies, cookies, jelly beans, gummy bears, lollipops, and many other goodies and snacks.Wouldn't it be great if your relatives had lots of Feingold-acceptable treats on hand when you and your kids visit them...

Source: ADDitude Magazine ADHD Parenting Tips: Be Positive and Calm What does my style of parenting look like? Let’s say your nine-year-old refuses to comply with a simple request, like “Please pick up your toys.” Don’t repeat your request. Don’t yell or threaten a time-out. Instead, respond with action — firm, calm, quiet, and dramatic. For instance, you might begin placing the toys into a container. If the child asks what you’re doing, you can say that the toys will remain in your possession until she pays you a small sum or performs certain chores. Your floor will be free of clutter — and your child will be more likely to comply next time. Read entire article: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1879.html

Source: ADDitude Magazine Help Socially Immature Kids Make Friends and Succeed at School How to help children with ADHD improve behavior and social skills to make friends and do well at school. The problem: The social maturity of children with attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD) may be a few years behind that of their peers. In addition, they have difficulty reading verbal and physical social cues, misinterpreting remarks, or not getting jokes or games. Thus, their responses and reactions are often inappropriate, and it may be difficult to make friends their own age. The reason: ADHD is a developmental disorder in which brain maturation is delayed. The student’s development may also be uneven. Students may behave appropriately in some situations but not in others, leading some unenlightened adults to believe “they can behave when they want to.” The obstacles: ADHD children are usually not aware of how immature or off-base they may seem to peers and adults. They cannot adequately rea...

How teachers and parents can inspire better ADHD school behavior with help from these impulse-controlling exercises for children with attention-deficit. by ADDitude Editors The problem: The student with attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD) interrupts the teacher and classmates by calling out answers or commenting while others are speaking.The reason: Children with ADHD have difficulty controlling their impulses. Scientists believe that a problem with dopamine , a brain chemical, causes them to respond immediately and reflexively to their environment — whether the stimulus is a question, an idea, or a treat. That’s why they often seem to act or talk before thinking, and ADHD school behavior suffers as a result.The obstacles: Children with ADHD may not be aware that they are interrupting. Even if they are, they have difficulty understanding that their behavior is disturbing or disruptive to others.Simply telling them their behavior is wrong doesn’t help. Even though they know this, t...

How to improve your child’s ADHD symptoms by increasing the iron levels in his diet. by Laura Stevens You make adjustments to your child’s diet every time a new study touts the health benefits of this food or that nutrient. First, you included more protein with breakfast , then you introduced omega-3 fatty acids . Now, just as you’re savoring your successes, the latest research suggests that low levels of iron can worsen attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children with the condition. You know how important iron is to the body, carrying oxygen to the muscles and organs. But it also plays an important role in the brain, affecting production of the key neurotransmitter, dopamine . What does this mean to your child? Read on. We’ll help you figure out if he’s getting enough of this vital mineral. Low Iron and ADHD When you think of a child who is iron deficient, you envision one who is pale and tired — not a hyperactive child, bouncing off walls. Well, think again. ...

This is a great website and informational resource for parents with ADD/ADHD students - being an educated parent helps you to help your child! Happy ADHD Awareness Week! As you know, this week is all about spreading attention-deficit truth and support. So, to that end, ADDitude has created a new ADHD Information Center that we hope people will use all year to... Dispel common myths about ADHD Fight ADHD stigmas Explain the facts about ADHD Find support from other ADHD adults and parents Revel in all the great things about ADHD We hope you will share our ADHD Information Center with your readers during this ADHD Awareness Week, and also pass along the following personal diary entry from author, ADHD spokesman and ADDitude contributor Jonathan Mooney : "Cheers, fellow ADDers! Be proud of the gifts ADD affords you: a gusto for life, a capacity to dream large, the ability to set goals — and the energy to meet them. In being comfortable with yourself, you can change how the world per...