Today we are going to look at how stimulant medications actually work, things to consider when stopping or starting stimulant medications, and how too much screen usage is actually linked to symptoms of ADHD in children and teens. The number of kids being diagnosed with some form of attention issue is growing every year. I believe that parents have the right to make decisions for their kids, but I believe that those decisions need to be informed by research and facts that many parents are not aware of. It is your job as a parent to research and learn so that you can make the best decisions for your child. My hope is that this podcast will be a helpful and encouraging starting point for you. Show Notes: https://www.connectmybrain.com/the-truth-about-adhd-part-2/

Every parent who has brought their child to me because of attention issues also says that their child is not motivated. First off, it is important to know that, just like attention, motivation has a sequence of development in our brains. Motivation is an internal process and we need to teach this process to our kids starting when they are toddlers! Expectation leads to motivation. We need to teach our kids to clean up, be involved, and contribute to the home. This is easiest to teach when our kids our toddlers because we can gradually increase expectation as our children grow. However, it is possible to implement this with older children, but you will experience more resistance and it will take several months to see a change. In this episode I’ll talk about creating the environment and tone you want for your home, setting age-appropriate expectations for your kids, and why it’s so important to be consistent with our kids from the time they are young. You’ve been given the gift of a child and it is your job to raise them to be an adult that can contribute to the world. At Connect My Brain we are here to support you and help you figure out what will work for you and your family. Show Notes: https://www.connectmybrain.com/adhd-and-how-to-teach-your-kids-motivation/

It’s important to realize that there are no blood tests or any other objective tests to diagnose autism – it is all based on observation. Additionally, the statistics about how many children actually have autism today vary depending on who you cite. Some say 1 in 100 children have some form of autism but others say the numbers are as low in 1 in 30 children. Regardless of which numbers you use, there is no doubt that the numbers are continuing to climb every year. So why are cases on the rise? Part of the reason has to do with the way that autism is diagnosed and the policies surrounding it, but I believe there are also biological factors that play a huge role in the rise in autism diagnoses. In this episode I’ll talk about the history of the autism diagnoses, the policies surrounding it, and why exactly the statistics surrounding autism are so unclear. We’ll also look at biological factors that influence the rise of autism such as heavy metals, vaccines, overuse of antibiotics in kids, and environmental toxins. Finally, I’ll share what is actually going on in the brain of someone with autism and what you should be doing if your child has autism or some kind of other developmental delay. Show Notes: https://www.connectmybrain.com/how-autism-is-diagnosed-and-why-cases-are-on-the-rise/

Before I finish this series, I wanted to introduce you to one last reflex called the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex, or the TLR. The TLR is closely linked to the vestibular system and a person’s awareness of where they are in space. If the TLR doesn’t mature properly, it can have an effect on vision, hearing, gut health, the immune system, and more. Children that get carsick easily, avoid activities like playing sports or riding a bike, walk on their toes, or have trouble properly perceiving letters and numbers properly could partially be the result of an unintegrated TLR. Show Notes: https://www.connectmybrain.com/the-world-of-reflexes-tlr-and-its-effect-on-vision-hearing-gut-health-and-the-immune-system/