Treating ADHD With More Than Just Meds

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...

Parent Report Card Preparation Tips

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on April 9, 2014 at 1:37 PM /

Find out how you can support your child and not freak out when it's time to read their report cards. If you are a parent, four times a year, pretty much without fail, the envelope arrives in the mail for you. As a child in New York, my parent’s got theirs in a thin, white envelope with green edges and a black dot-matrix print. You would fold the end and pull at the tab for the big reveal. Butterflies would ravage my stomach as my mother pulled that tab. For some families, report card time is as ominous as another winter or summer storm. ...

How to Differentiate Mental Health Professionals

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on April 8, 2014 at 10:00 AM /

Sometimes people seek out a mental health professional when they're in "panic" mode. They are of course, less inclined to understand the necessity for counseling when everything's fine, so they wait until there is a crisis before they take any action. By that time, they are often so emotionally wrapped-up in the situation that they don't bother to look at the training or credentials and see the first mental health provider they find. The general public generally does not realize that there are more than a dozen mental health professional designations with many variations. Educational level, clinical skills and training can...

What to Look for When Choosing a Therapist

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on March 25, 2014 at 12:00 PM /

Choosing a licensed psychologist or a therapist is something that must be taken seriously, especially if you're in a "crisis" which requires immediate attention. It is critical, however, that you do your homework before making this important decision and ask questions that will assist you with the selection process. Here are a few steps that will help with finding a mental health professional that matches your needs. The first thing you need to do prior to making your choice is to have information readily available to assist the potential therapist in evaluating your unique situation. To help you get started, think...

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...

The Skinny on BMI Report Cards

By Rice Psychology Group

on January 21, 2014 at 9:52 PM /

Submitted by Dr. Steffanie Sperry Sally’s mother comes home from work and finds 9 –year-old Sally withdrawn and visibly upset. Upon questioning her daughter, she discovers that Sally had been given a BMI report card at school earlier that day. Sally tells her mother that she does not want to be ”fat”, and she wants to know what is wrong with her. She just wants to be like the other girls in her class that are in the “normal” range. Sally’s mother is taken aback and does not know what to say or how to respond to her daughter. There has been...

Talking to Kids About School Shootings and Violence

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on December 16, 2013 at 10:37 PM /

It is incomprehensible to me that there was yet another school shooting last week. My heart goes out to all of the students, teachers and families connected to the Arapahoe school shooting. The fact that this latest tragedy was so close to Columbine (just 8 miles away in Littleton, CO) and also on the eve of the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, CT, makes this all the more painful. These days, it is hard enough for teens and tweens to grow up up with the increased pressures at school to meet "Common Core Standards," to keep up with but not become addicted...

Appointments at Rice Psychology Group

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on October 31, 2013 at 8:35 PM /

Who should come to the initial appointment at Rice Psychology Group? Children under the age of 12: We ask that parents come in without the child, so that we will have a chance to fully discuss the issues, history, and overall picture of what is going on without the child having to wait in the waiting room. A second session involves a playing or talking meeting with your child. Children over the age of 12: If it is appropriate, bring your child to the appointment so they can participate in the process from the start. This meeting will be done in a...