About the focus @ ADDhere ADHD Centre…
What are the goals of ADDhere
Support Centre?
1. To translate current ADHD
brain research implications,
for those who are confused or misled by outdated
information.
2. To coach women, youth, and
children whose lives are challenged by ADHD symptoms.
3. To tutor youth
and children, for whom school expectations are impossible
to meet because of working memory and concentration
issues.
4. To guide, with information and
strategies, after a physician's diagnosis and medication
prescription.
5. To provide encouragement,
monitoring, structure and support.
6. To become part of a multi-modal
adhd treatment plan; along with 'brain activation' meds,
developing new strategies to replace ineffectual habits,
and address weak executive function skills.
7. To provide educational 'attention
training'
programs for strengthening neurological pathways: iLs sensory processing
training, and the 'Pay Attention' program addressing
problems with five types of attention abilities.
What is coaching?
Coaching is a
process; the coach carefully listens to and engages the
client, by posing real-life questions for reflection and
discussion. Collaborative decisions are made to guide the
client, step by step, task by task toward personal goals.
Customized strategies are explored to help manage
symptoms, like maintaining attention, controlling
impulsivity, and dealing with hyperactivity. A period of
daily or regular communication with the ADHD coach sets in
motion an 'accountability program' of sorts to manage
day-to-day life challenges, resulting from ADHD
'differences' in thinking. The coaching focus is on
forging a confidential, respectful partnerships with
clients, to work on building skills and celebrating
successes. Weaknesses are minimized, and negative
self-talk is discouraged. Strengths are illuminated.
ADHD strengths, like creativity, intuitiveness and sense
of humour can help an 'ADDer' to focus on the positive.
What is Academic
Tutoring?
If your student is having difficulties navigating the school
day, a mentor's help with encouragement, strategy ideas, and
regular accountability 'check-ins' could be the extra step
toward success. Diagnosed or not, if your student has the
ADHD profile, certain school expectations will be hard to
meet. Things like keeping to a schedule, getting to each
class on time, finishing and handing in homework, complying
with school rules, being prepared for exams, cooperating
with staff and fellow students, are very difficult if
inattention and impulsiveness are not understood and not
controlled. Your student may also have some common academic
weaknesses like writing and tasks requiring short term
memory; individualized tutoring can address these specific
challenges.
What are Attention Therapies?
The ADHD symptoms of inattention and impulsivity present as
poor concentration and focus. The result is inconsistent
performance and underachievement. All too often this leads
to school failure, job loss and battered self-esteem.
Targeted education therapies, like auditory processing
training programs and specific training for the range of
attention skills, can help strengthen the brain pathways
involved and promote brain plasticity. Current brain
plasticity research shows that our brains can develop new
connections to take over functions when other connections
weaken or fail.