5 Common ADD/ADHD Myths

on June 24, 2015 at 9:09 AM /

As a parent, you may know children who can’t seem to remain still, rarely listen, never follow instructions and make inappropriate comments at the wrong time. It’s possible that your own child has been showing this type of behavior. Some may label these kids as troublemakers, while others will suspect they show signs of ADD/ADHD. However, one of the best things you can do is read the signs and keep some common myths about ADD/ADHD in mind. The Rice Psychology Group is devoted to your child and wants to keep you well-informed. Your child’s needs matter. Request an appointment with Rice Psychology...

Study Finds Kids with ADHD May Benefit from Movement

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on May 27, 2015 at 1:27 PM /

About 19% of high school boys and 11% of school-aged children have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the United States. In classroom settings, these children and adolescents are regularly encouraged to be still and quiet. However, a study published in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology recently found that moving around may be an effective way to help children with ADHD learn. Request an appointment with Rice Psychology Group to help tend to your child’s needs. Educated Findings According to the study, led by Dr. Mark Rapport, psychologist at the University of Central Florida, physical activity is significant in...

Problematic Behavior in Children Linked to Soda Consumption?

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on June 3, 2014 at 9:00 AM /

In a very timely study released in the Journal of Pediatrics this month, researchers from Columbia University, the University of Vermont and Harvard studied behavior in approximately 3,000 young children and found that problematic behavior was linked to soda consumption. They used a very well accepted child behavior rating scale, one that I have personally used in my practice for over ten years, to obtain parents perspectives on their children’s behavior over the past two months. They found that 40% of kids had at least one soda per day and 4% drank as many as four or more. They found that aggression, withdrawn behavior and attention problems were highly associated with soda drinking and the behaviors were incrementally worse...

Self-Centered Generation

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on May 27, 2014 at 12:00 PM /

ADHD
Blog

Over recent years our self-centeredness and narcissism as a generation has skyrocketed. There are more self-help books, business books, and ‘how to get what you want’ books out there than there used to be. How do we get less self-focused: Mental shift View physical and tangible things as privileges and not as a birthright. Kids seem to think that iPads, smart phones and the internet are their birthright to have access to, but in reality it is a privilege. To withhold such electronic or other privileges is not depriving your child, it is setting realistic expectations. Get rid of the sense of entitlement Give your child...

Treating ADHD With More Than Just Meds

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on April 22, 2014 at 5:33 PM /

By Wendy Rice, Psy.D. Licensed Psychologist Today the incidence of ADHD has risen to 7-10% of children world-wide and about 2-5% of adults. The use of ADHD medication is on the rise, with usage more than tripling worldwide since the early 1990's. This leads many parents to search for supplemental or alternative treatments for their kids. Based on research as well as personal and professional experience, Cognitive Training as an alternative and adjunct approach used in conjunction with other, more traditional types of treatment, can be effective when a child needs more than just medications or the family refuses them. Many children struggle...

How to Recognize ADHD and What to Do

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on April 22, 2014 at 8:00 AM /

ADHD
Blog

His grandmother declares that 8 year old Billy has "ants in his pants." His parents try to cope with him jumping up in the middle of dinner, racing around the house and not following through with simple directions. His teacher has tried various methods to help Billy be less disruptive in class and stay in his seat but he winds up in the Principal's office where he displays behavioral problems and is on the tipping point of being suspended for his unruly behavior. He's been kicked out of Boy Scouts and his fellow students shy away from Billy's odd behavior...

Six Functions of ADHD and Executive Functioning Impairment

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on April 15, 2014 at 12:48 PM /

ADHD
Blog

Jonathan can sit for hours playing video games. He advances quickly through the levels and his agile fingers make his characters run and fight throughout his games. Jonathan shows excellent concentration and coordination despite being diagnosed with ADHD and related Executive Functioning Impairment. His ability to focus on his video games contrasts sharply with how "antsy" he is in his 6th grade class. The contrast frustrates and confuses his family, and causes problems in school, social situations and at home. Jonathan's father isn't fully convinced the diagnosis is correct -- after all, he argues, Jonathan sits still for hours playing his...

Help for Those with ADHD – Assistive Technology

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on March 21, 2014 at 3:22 PM /

By Wendy Rice, Psy.D. Licensed Psychologist Recently, Jamie Kaplan, Recreation Therapist from the James A. Haley VA Hospital presented to the Tampa Bay ADHD Support Network about Assistive Technology. We wanted to be sure to share his message and great ideas just in case you weren’t able to make it to the meeting. Jamie is working on his master’s degree in Assistive Technology in Special Education at Bowling Green State University, but he already has so many certifications in this area it is surprising they let him into the program! Jamie spoke about why kids with ADHD often seem to love video...

Halloween Costumes: Cute, Scary or Sexy?

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on October 21, 2013 at 3:07 PM /

ADHD
Blog

Your daughter is so excited for Halloween! She is 7 years old and can’t wait to go to the Halloween store to pick out her costume. You are envisioning a clown, a ghost, maybe a princess or a cat. You are imagining how cute your little girl will look a dressed up, walking down the street eager to fill her plastic pumpkin with candy! Then reality strikes and your daughter shows you the costumes she really wants – a super-sexy witch or a lady vampire with thigh high boots! Yikes! Now what? I just Googled “Halloween Costumes Girl” and one of...