ADHD is the most common psychiatric disorder in childhood (NIMH, 2000). Some students seem to be helped with medications used to treat ADHD. However, medications won't cure the disorder, only temporarily control the symptoms.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke states that "most experts agree that treatment for ADHD should address multiple aspects of the individual's functioning and should not be limited to the use of medications alone."
For lasting improvement, the US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suggests that medication be combined with:
- behavioral therapy,
- emotional counseling,
- practical (educational) support.
The Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR), which contains prescription information from the pharmaceutical manufacturers' themselves, states that "medication for ADHD is only part of a total treatment program that includes
- psychological,
- educational, and
- social measures."
To complicate the matter of treatment for ADHD is the fact that ADHD is misdiagnosed 75-80% of the time (EHSC of WA, 2004). There are over 65 “ADHD imitators” that are associated with attention difficulties. Children are more likely to be depressed, anxious, or gifted than to have ADHD.
All of this points to a great need for an accurate assessment of attention and hyperactive behaviors and treatment that includes education and training. That's why we developed our Focus for Success program. And that is why it has two components--a psychological component and an educational component. The psychological component of our program identifies the root causes of attention difficulties for the student. Interventions are determined accordingly.
The educational component of our program includes a system inspired by NASA technology to train astronauts to concentrate. A high-tech helmet reads brain signals for focus and concentration. These brain signals control computer games that teach students to improve focus and ignore distractions, develop memory skills, finish tasks, and become organized.
