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Maybe because I have ADD myself or just have a passion for working with these great kids, but I want to pass on some rather fascinating observations I have been making in regard to the sleep patterns of students diagnosed with this disorder. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a behavioral disorder, usually first diagnosed in childhood that is characterized by inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. As many of you know from my book, The ADD Answer, I have some difficulty believing in the way ADHD is diagnosed, but I would agree that some of the biggest problems noted for these individuals are sleep issues. It has been reported that at least half of parents of children with ADHD report that their children have difficulty sleeping, feel tired on waking or have nightmares or other sleep problems such as disordered breathing and restless leg syndrome. In my practice I believe that the numbers are closer to 90 percent with sleep problems. And the results of these particular sleep problems are usually associated with stress, anxiety and depression, not unlike everyone else. These associated issues create some greater issues in school performance and cognitive functions. There is no doubt that sleep problems can add more drugs to the issues, making the problems of the disorder gain momentum.
When you look at brain studies done with children with ADHD, you see the signature pattern of low frequencies of beta in the frontal lobes, indicating low activities in the executive areas of performing. It would make sense that a student with this brain dynamic would have problems in concentration and organization. It would also make sense that a person would have a major challenge waking this brain to even minimum levels in the mornings to even dress himself.
Based on these findings and research from other areas, I have devised techniques to get that kid in a reason state of brain activity in order that his eyes are open enough to perform in the morning. Granted, there are no teens who are fully alert in the mornings (except those raised on a farm or ranch and has already fed the horses by the time he has eaten breakfast.) And these approaches work well with those kids as well.
1. Turn on a blue light. The research with both animals and humans all show that this part of the brain gains activity when subjected to a blue light. Consequently we have the parents go down to their local hardware store and attach the light apparatus with a 25-watt blue light bulb to a timer set to go off 15 minutes before wake up. It is perfectly OK for the eyes to be closed because supposedly the effects are not changed. Those short-waves can really be helpful, but that doesn't mean the sense of humor is awake. Please don't make fun around too much or you will receive some wake ups you don't want to hear.
2. Hot rhythms. Just as short waves stir up brain waves, music that has a strong rhythm also can perk up the juices. You parents may not appreciate the music selections, and you may have to make a choice for your sanity, but listening to these sounds can be helpful. I would give some relief from inhibiting rap and honky-tonk, and you can give them headphones (This will counter communication, but teens usually talk with grunts in the morning anyway.)
3. Singing the right songs. If you can get your teen to speak, singing is better. Those vibrations going around the brain are great. They may not sound so great, but the singing will help their mood as well.
4. Exercise. I doubt that any teen will get up for an exercise program, but any heightened activity will get some brain activities going. Just a ten-minute routine will do wonders. We have seen some routines on videos that have great results. It may be too much to ask but if a person could even imagine doing these exercises, there are matched surges in the brain.
5. Eat the right energy. First of all, sugar is not an energy food. But selections of peanut butter, nuts of any kind, eggs, even protein power bars and drinks can help get that brain started faster. Liquids are needed, so teas and coffee can help. Lots of water (since water is considered a transmission aid in the brain) is recommended, but you might have to add some lemon juice to add some flavor.
These approaches can make your life as a parent of a student much happier and add to the student's school performance with ADHD challenges. It will also help with the adult with ADD in work performances. I am sure that your grandmother probably has already told these ideas, and she was right.
