7 Benefits Of Outdoor Play For Children With ADHD

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7 Benefits Of Outdoor Play For Children With ADHD

7 Benefits Of Outdoor Play For Children With ADHD

ADHD Tips - ADHD coaching

Imagine if your child with ADHD could feel calmer, relaxed, more focused, and genuinely engaged with their environment. By encouraging them to play outside, this could become a reality. In this article, we explore why it might be time to open the doors and let your child explore the true potential of outdoor play.

What Are The Benefits Of Outdoor Play For ADHD?

Outdoor play is about more than just letting off steam. Research shows that spending time outside can help to improve symptoms of ADHD. For instance, children who regularly play outside in a green area with lots of grass and trees have been shown to have milder ADHD symptoms than those playing either in built-up environments or indoors.

So let’s look specifically at what benefits outdoor play can offer for your child with ADHD.

1. Improved Focus and Attention Span

Children with ADHD typically have significant challenges with their focus and attention, which can make concentrating on schoolwork difficult for them. When playing outside, children naturally focus on what they enjoy, allowing their brains the space to recover and re-set.

2. Reduced Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

Regular physical activity in an outdoor environment can offer a healthy outlet for excess energy, leading to calmer behavior and fewer impulsive actions. Notably, children with high hyperactivity levels show greater symptom improvement following regular play in a green space.

3. Enhanced Emotional Well-being

Spending time in nature can have a significantly calming effect on children with ADHD. This can help to reduce the risk of co-occurring mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.

4. Stronger Social Skills

Children with ADHD often struggle socially. Outdoor play offers an excellent opportunity to participate in group activities in large open spaces. This can have a positive impact on both their emotional and social development.

6. Physical Health Benefits

Outdoor play naturally encourages children to get plenty of physical exercise. This helps to strengthen muscles and promote healthy weight and cardiovascular fitness.

7. Sensory Stimulation

Outside areas tend to be sensory-rich, providing children with plenty of opportunities to explore different colors, textures, and sounds. Children with ADHD are more likely to have sensory processing issues, and these experiences can help them to address these.

Choose Pathways Neuropsychology Associates Today!

At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates, we are here to help you navigate the daily challenges of living with ADHD. Contact us today to find out more about our specialized services.

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At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates we use evidence-based evaluation instruments and treatments to get you, your loved one, or your child on the path to success. If you or someone you love are struggling with the symptoms of ADHD, call now and get started!

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Source: ADHD
7 Benefits Of Outdoor Play For Children With ADHD

Exercise Ideas for Different Stages of Dementia

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Exercise Ideas for Different Stages of Dementia

Exercise Ideas for Different Stages of Dementia

Exercise Ideas for Different Stages of Dementia |Psychologist - Toms River NJ

Exercise is important for everyone, but it can be particularly beneficial for individuals living with dementia. Regular exercise can help to slow cognitive decline, optimize sleep, and improve physical and mental well-being. However, it is essential to choose exercise options tailored to each stage of dementia to maximize their benefits and ensure safety.

In this article, we look at some specific exercise ideas for the different stages of dementia:

Exercises for Early-Stage Dementia

During the early stages of dementia, individuals are generally still able to perform a range of physical activities to promote their cardiovascular fitness and build strength and flexibility through their muscles. Exercise during this stage can also help to reduce the risk of unexpected hospitalization.

Types of exercise, at this stage, could include:

  • Brisk walking or jogging
  • Swimming
  • Cycling (either outdoors or on a stationary bike)
  • Dancing
  • Strength training (using body weight, light weights, or resistance bands)
  • Yoga or Tai Chi

Exercises for Middle-Stage Dementia

As dementia progresses, we should adapt exercises to accommodate changing abilities and focus on providing enjoyment.

Some ideas include:

  • Chair exercises
  • Gentle stretching
  • Attending dementia-friendly exercise groups
  • Dancing to familiar music
  • Easy household and gardening tasks
  • Simple ball games to improve hand-eye coordination

Exercises for Late-Stage Dementia

Movement remains important during the later stages of dementia. Try to incorporate exercises that promote circulation, flexibility, and relaxation. During this time, individuals may need some extra support from their caregivers.

Here are a few suggestions:

  • Range of motion exercises
  • Light hand massage
  • Spend some time outside to get some fresh air and sunshine
  • Try some gentle stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles

General Tips for Exercising with Dementia

As you help your loved one to increase their physical activity, there are a few things that you should consider:

  • Choose activities that are enjoyable and engaging
  • Create a safe and comfortable environment for your loved one to exercise in
  • Start with short sessions and gradually increase the exercise duration
  • Encourage your loved one to celebrate their success and progress
  • Remember to be patient and willing to adapt activities to fit in with your loved one’s current abilities and needs

How Can Pathways Neuropsychology Associates Help?

Living with dementia is challenging — for both those affected and their families. Our experienced team at Pathways Neuropsychology Associates is ready to support you on this journey. Contact us today to find out more about the services that we offer, including comprehensive dementia evaluations and screenings.

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Source: ADHD
Exercise Ideas for Different Stages of Dementia

6 Benefits of ADHD Testing for Your Child

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6 Benefits of ADHD Testing for Your Child

3 Tips for Parenting a Child with ADHD | Psychologist Toms River NJ6 Benefits of ADHD Testing for Your Child

As a parent or caregiver, it can be hard to watch as your child struggles. If you suspect that your child has ADHD, getting testing for them is an important step to access the support and resources they need.

So, below, we explore six key benefits of seeking ADHD testing for your child and discover how this can positively impact their life.

How Can ADHD Testing Benefit Your Child?

ADHD testing has many benefits, including:

1. Early Intervention

By identifying ADHD early, your child’s healthcare providers can work alongside you to implement strategies and support systems that will help your child thrive. This can lead to improvements in their self-esteem, academic performance, and social relationships. Accessing early help can further teach children how to deal with ADHD so they grow up knowing how to succeed.

2. Appropriate Treatment

Once your child has received an accurate ADHD diagnosis, their healthcare providers can develop a tailored treatment plan designed to address their specific symptoms. This could include a combination of medication, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle interventions.

3. Required Accommodations and Improved Academic Performance

ADHD testing can provide insights into accommodations that your child may need within school. These accommodations may include extended time for tests, specialized seating, or access to assistive technology. Adjustments such as these may help to avoid any negative impact that your child’s ADHD symptoms may have on their academic performance.

4. Greater Understanding

ADHD testing highlights the specific challenges that the condition brings to your child. This helps to increase understanding and awareness among parents, carers, teachers, healthcare professionals, and your child’s peers. Being understood will bring a massive confidence boost to your child!

5. Improved Self-Awareness

As well as others understanding your child, it is important that they understand themselves and the unique way in which their brain functions. ADHD testing can help your child on this journey of self-awareness.

6. Reduced Risk of Co-Occurring Conditions

ADHD is known to co-occur with other medical conditions, including learning disorders and mental health problems. ADHD testing helps identify and treat these conditions early to minimize any long-term impact on your child’s physical and mental health.

How Can Pathways Neuropsychology Associates Help?

At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates, we provide comprehensive ADHD testing to help families better understand and manage ADHD. Contact us today to learn more. Let’s work together to pave the way toward success!

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At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates we use evidence-based evaluation instruments and treatments to get you, your loved one, or your child on the path to success. If you or someone you love are struggling with the symptoms of ADHD, call now and get started!

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Source: ADHD
6 Benefits of ADHD Testing for Your Child

5 Apps That Can Help Individuals With ADHD Stay Organized & Focused

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5 Apps That Can Help Individuals With ADHD Stay Organized & Focused

ADHD Tips - ADHD coaching5 Apps That Can Help Individuals With ADHD Stay Organized & Focused

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can make it challenging for individuals to stay organized and focused on their daily tasks. The good news is that numerous apps are available that can help to boost your productivity!

In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the best ADHD apps on the market and discover how they can help you to manage your time better, prioritize tasks, and keep on track throughout the day.

Top 5 Helpful ADHD Apps

1. Todoist

If you struggle to organize and prioritize your daily tasks, Todoist is the app for you. Todoist’s user-friendly interface allows you to quickly and seamlessly add and schedule tasks, set reminders, and categorize them by project. Also, a handy progress summary allows you to stay on track and motivated by keeping an eye on the tasks that you have completed.

2. RescueTime

RescueTime allows individuals with ADHD to better understand their daily distractions. It helps users accurately track their digital time, providing detailed reports and analytics. Using this information, you can identify what digital activities impact your productivity and take the necessary steps to improve your focus. You can also track offline activities to get a complete picture of your day.

3. Focus@Will

Focus@Will provides specially curated music that is scientifically optimized to reduce distractions and increase focus. This can benefit individuals with ADHD who struggle to maintain attention and concentration. Studies have demonstrated that using Focus@Will improves focus among its users while also helping to enhance their mood.

4. Evernote

If you find yourself writing a lot of notes to remind yourself of things, Evernote is a great digital alternative. It allows you to create and organize notes and to-do lists, syncing these across all of your devices. This app can help you to successfully manage your thoughts, ideas, and tasks in one central location.

5. Forest

Forest provides a unique way to stay focused and on track by allowing you to grow digital trees! If you stay focused for a set amount of time, your virtual tree will grow, but if you leave the Forest app to check your social media or engage in other distracting activities, your tree will wither. This visual representation of your productivity can motivate individuals with ADHD who struggle to maintain focus.

Choose Pathways Neuropsychology Associates Today!

At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates, our expert team offers comprehensive ADHD evaluations and coaching to help you better understand and manage your condition. Contact us today to find out more about our specialized services.

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At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates we use evidence-based evaluation instruments and treatments to get you, your loved one, or your child on the path to success. If you or someone you love are struggling with the symptoms of ADHD, call now and get started!

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Source: ADHD
5 Apps That Can Help Individuals With ADHD Stay Organized & Focused

ADHD & Co-Occurring Conditions: What Should You Know?

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ADHD & Co-Occurring Conditions: What Should You Know?

ADHD & Co-Occurring Conditions: What Should You Know?

ADHD Tips - ADHD coaching

ADHD frequently occurs alongside other health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and specific learning disabilities. As many of the symptoms of these conditions overlap with signs of ADHD, they can often go undiagnosed. Furthermore, these co-occurring conditions may complicate the management and treatment of ADHD.

In this article, we explore some of the common health conditions that co-occur alongside ADHD and look at ways that you can support your child as they face multiple diagnoses.

Common Co-Occurring Conditions with ADHD

Here are some of the most common co-occurring conditions that may arise alongside ADHD.

1. Mood Disorders 

Children with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, compared to their peers. Notably, between 12 and 50% of children with ADHD experience symptoms of major depression, a rate five times higher than their peers.

2. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

ADHD and ASD frequently co-occur together in children. Experts believe that there is some overlap between the causes as well as the symptoms of these two neurological conditions.

3. Learning Disabilities

Children with ADHD are more likely to experience learning disabilities, such as dyslexia or auditory processing disorder.

4. Behavior Disorders

ADHD may also co-occur with one or more behavioral disorders, such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder.

5. Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders are a common occurrence in children with ADHD. Affected children may experience difficulty falling or staying asleep, both of which can exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD.

6 Tips For Supporting Your Child With a Co-Occurring Condition

Here are some simple ways that you can help your child manage their co-occurring conditions.

1. Stay Informed: Find out as much information as you can about your child’s conditions and the challenges that they may face. By educating yourself, you can provide them with the support that they need.

2. Establish Routines: Children with ADHD thrive on structure and routine. By structuring their day, you can help them better manage their conditions. This is particularly important if your child suffers from a co-occurring sleep condition.

3. Collaborate with Healthcare Professionals: Work closely with your child’s medical team to ensure that they have the appropriate treatment and support in place.

4. Teach Coping Mechanisms: Make sure that your child has appropriate coping mechanisms in place to help them tackle and deal with daily challenges.

5. Advocate for Accommodations: If necessary, make sure that your child receives necessary accommodations to support them (For example, within school, they may need longer time for tests).

6. Create a Supportive Home Environment: Make sure you provide a supportive environment at home where your child can openly and honestly share their thoughts and feelings with you.

At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates, we are ready and waiting to help you negotiate the challenges of ADHD and other co-occurring conditions. Contact us today to find out more.

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At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates we use evidence-based evaluation instruments and treatments to get you, your loved one, or your child on the path to success. If you or someone you love are struggling with the symptoms of ADHD, call now and get started!

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Source: ADHD
ADHD & Co-Occurring Conditions: What Should You Know?