March Newsletter 2011

We decided to sign Mr. C up for a Taekwondo class and I have to say I am pretty pleased so far. It really helps teach him how to pay attention and focus on his body and how to move his body purposefully the way he wants. He also absolutely just loves all of the physical movement.

Our biggest distraction is the mirror at the front of the class, which he is constantly looking at himself and making funny faces. However, I think it is really good for him to learn how to tune out distractions and focus on the task at hand.

The first week they sat down and went over the rules of the class and then worked with the kids on learning their full names, parent names, address and phone number. I was almost mortified when Mr. C was asked where he lives and he responded with, "In a barn." "We don't even live on a farm or near a barn!" I said. I had to laugh anyways. He has the best sense of humor, which I'm pretty sure he has learned from his father.

What's New at The Child Behavior Guide?

Child-behavior-guide.com updates

• Diagnosing Down Syndrome Babies
• Down Syndrome Symptoms
• Down Syndrome Characteristics
• Down Syndrome Treatment

Bonus Child Behavior Tip

Road Trips with Kids

However, taking a break from TV on a long car trip is good to avoid over stimulation in your children, which can lead to irritability and crankiness. There are some really great toys for car trips these days, such as a magnadoodle or aquadoodle, the leap frog reading systems, and magnetic car bingo.

You may even consider having them listen to an audio book. I really like the car bingo because it involves learning about things you see on the road and allows the whole family to participate, except perhaps the driver of course.

Another really great idea is to have one parent, if possible, sit in the back with the kid(s). I know it is not the most appealing option, but it allows you to easily tend to each child’s needs, deal appropriately with any possible sibling rivalry and gives you the opportunity to spend quality time with your children. What’s most important on car trips with children is safety. This is because obviously when a child is distracting a parent from driving there is an increased risk of an accident.

What’s in the News?

ADHD Mood Swings

They are now trying to determine whether mood swings should be included in the official diagnosis criteria for ADHD. The study has also shown that the population in Norway has many genetic variants that are associated with ADHD symptoms, which regulate the synthesis of the pheromones dopamine and serotonin.

I have always felt that children diagnosed with ADHD often have a difficulty controlling their emotions. They get upset and frustrated very easily when unable to do or have something. This appears to be more than just your common, “I don’t like to be told no” syndrome. The inability to have the item or do something actually provokes an extremely emotional response.

However, with the association of sleep difficulties that is common in children with ADHD, it is hard to determine whether it is actually the sleep loss that may be causing the mood swings. We have noticed a huge difference in our son’s mood since he has started regularly sleeping through the night.