Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a developmental disorder of self-control. It consists of problems with attention span, impulsive control, and activity level. Although the behaviors are the first symptoms that we see, it is important to understand what is going on in the brain in order to treat these symptoms. By definition, individuals experiencing ADHD …Read More
Creating a Distraction-Free Environment
Apr 27, 2011
We at the ApaCenter often encourage students to study in a quiet, distraction-free environment in order to maximize their attention and learning. When trying to establish the best setting for you or your child to study, it may be helpful to consider the following questions: *Are there a lot of visual distracters such as clutter, …Read More
Multi-Tasking: Are We Really Getting More Done in Less Time?
Oct 7, 2009
In today’s fast paced society, it seems like everyone has a to-do list that is a mile long. Most of us possess numerous media tools, such as iPhones, Blackberries or netbooks, that supposedly allow us to multi-task in order to increase our productivity. A recent study at conducted at Stanford University (http://www.newsweek.com/id/213088), however, suggests that …Read More
An Alternative to Reading: Audiobooks
Jun 13, 2009
Maybe you are not like me and you are able to blaze through book after book without a hitch. At times and my life, I have done this. Since having kids, it has become more challenging though. I can definitely buy books faster than I can read them! Well, I’ve come across a solution for …Read More
Keep on (Day) Dreamin'
May 12, 2009
Daydreaming can sometimes be an effective way to solve problems, despite conventional wisdom to the contrary. Recent research published in the May 2009 journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences details these findings in a study by Kalina Christoff and her colleagues of the University of British Columbia in Canada . In this study, …Read More
Relief from Anger
Jun 30, 2008
Our anger can be kept alive indefinitely. An incident in which we felt wronged from 20 years ago can send us spiraling into a heated rage within just seconds of thinking about it. Thus, our anger is just a thought away. We’ve all experienced this before. And the more that we recall particular incidents that …Read More
Reading & Fatigue
Jun 21, 2008
Have you ever had the experience of not being able to maintain concentration while reading and/or not remembering what you just read? Of course, this can be from a number of causes (e.g., boring or extremely dense reading material, ADHD, a mild reading disability) but an obvious but often overlooked one is not getting enough …Read More
Max Caffeine Per Day?
Jun 14, 2008
I love coffee…and the caffeine that comes with it. But there can be “too much of a good thing.” Coffee helped me make it through graduate school. In fact, I didn’t start drinking coffee until grad school. That’s when I discovered, “Ah, THIS is why people drink coffee!” But I’ve learned the downside of too …Read More
Mindfulness – For Elite Athletes… & Everyone Else
Jun 7, 2008
The following excerpt is taking from an Associated Press posting on 6/7/08 from website of: http://www.espn.com/: Ivanovic defeats Safina for French Open Title At last, Ana Ivanovic overcame her stage fright. In two previous major finals, Ivanovic was so overwhelmed by the setting, so shaken by the stakes, that her focus fell apart and her …Read More
Take the "Sleep Challenge"
May 19, 2007
I have one son who is almost 4 years old and another son who is almost 6 months. Sleep can be a hard-sought luxury, and my wife can speak to this even better than I can. One thing I have noticed, as any parent can tell you, is that infants and young children show dramatic …Read More