Koy Roberts, Ph.D.

October 16-21 is ADHD Awareness Week.   Get the facts, take a survey and read what over 2000 people have had to say about ADHD.

The stereotype of the school bully preying upon the weak student isn’t much of a reality among today’s youth according to new research.  In a CNN study researchers surprisingly discovered there isn’t much difference between bullies and victims.  Most bullying reflects what they call “social combat”.  The prime motivation behind bullying appears to be social status. The higher students rise on the social ladder, the more they bully other students, and the more other students bully them.

Ron Clark writes one of the best editorials I have ever read.  I agree that a parent should consider a teacher’s advice as they would a doctor or attorney.  They are professional educators and have the objectivity, training, experience and knowledge we do not possess.   Plus, they really do care for and love our children.  They have their best interest in mind.  Most will tell you “I’m sure not in it for the money.”

New study suggests fast-paced cartoons cause short-term attention and learning problems.

A parent’s struggle with explaining this event to his children.

A slew of resources, advice and tips to ensure your child with ADD, ADHD or Learning Disabilities has a great school year.

An honest and eye-opening account of a man’s struggle with video game addiction.  I was especially interested in how this problem manifested itself during his teenage and college years. He and his parents apparently normalized the behavior.  We do that…don’t we?  I agree that gaming can be a poor substitute for legitimate social relationships.  Social needs and self-esteem are met in a virtual world where one feels important and powerful. His story is an important lesson on managing our children’s electronic habits.

Hope everyone has a great first day!  Here is my 3rd Grader.

The CDC just released new data that indicates ADHD prevalence rose from 7% in 1998-2000 to 9% in 2007-2009.  In the south and midwest prevalence increased to 10%. Critics and skeptics will argue it’s over diagnosis and misdiagnosis due to our search for easy answers to behavioral or attention problems along with an increasingly pill happy society.  I would argue that while some of that may be true most of the increase is due to better awareness and detection, less stigmatization and improved access to mental health care.

Over the past 20 years creativity in American children has been on the decline according to a large study published in 2010.  Blame the obsession with test taking in our schools, television, technology and our over scheduled lives which limits divergent thinking, novel ideas and imaginative and creative playtime for kids.  Learn why time for play matters.