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Cogmed Working Memory Training Outline: Everything You Want To Know About ADHD
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Return to ADDvisor Volume 3 2001 Index
Number 9 May 1, 2001 1. Remediation Strategies for Neuropsychologically Based Difficulties 2. Resource - Adult Neuropsychology ========================================= REMEDIATION STRATEGIES WITH NEUROPSYCHOLOGICALLY-BASED DIFFICULTIES ========================================= The following series of articles, which will appear in the first ADDvisor newsletter of each month, will focus on remediation strategies for neuropsychologically based difficulties. The suggestions that follow will benefit those with ADHD, widely considered a neurologically based impairment. These strategies are adapted from Morse, P.A. and Montgomery, C.E., Neuropsychological evaluation of traumatic brain injury, in R.F. White (Ed.) Clinical Syndromes in Adult Neuropsychology: The Practitioner's Handbook. The Netherlands: Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., 1992)
Sustained Attention and Concentration Problems: These problems are defined as the ability to remain focused on tasks or new information for an adequate length of time. They may require concentration, or active mental effort, versus passive attention. 1. Verbal mediation-this is the use of self-talk or talking aloud to keep focused on a task. 2. Write down to brief lists of what to focus on for you or your child to use as a reference. 3. Repeat instructions frequently, keeping them simple and concrete if necessary 4. Reduce the rate of presentation for any new information; make sure that information presented was comprehended before moving on. 5. Break tasks down into smaller, simpler steps. This is particularly useful when doing long-term projects in school or at work. Projects may have to be broken down into daily assignments. 6. Use frequent breaks between new batches of material. 7. Use rest periods frequently; determine the length of time you or your child can optimally function (for some it can be as little as five to ten minutes) and take brief rests (one to two minutes) in between. 8. Avoid lengthy, monotonous tasks.
Selective Attention Selective Attention is defined as the ability to focus attention on the most important information or stimuli available. 1. Reduce external sources of stimulation. Work in a quiet, nondistracting environment. Turn the TV and radio off. 2. Use verbal mediation (see above) to keep you or your child focused on the task if this helps. For some individuals, it may be even more distracting.
Alternating Attention Alternating Attention is the ability to shift attention from one focus to the next and back again. 1. Use verbal mediation to direct attention to a new task. 2. Role-play situations (e.g. while at home pretend you are on the work site or have your child pretend they are in school and change focus from one task to the next). Use over practice.
Divided Attention Divided Attention is the ability to divide or split attention between two competing stimuli or tasks. 1. Allow extra time for tasks. 2. Remove the demand for divided attention by limiting task demands to one activity at a time. 3. Practice dividing attention between competing tasks.
As one can see, taking a disability perspective is very important. Understanding that you or your child has a disability and that the deficits are not willful behavior is important to help maintain self-esteem and patience. =================================== RESOURCE - ADULT NEUROPSYCHOLOGY =================================== Morse, P.A. and Montgomery, C.E., Neuropsychological evaluation of traumatic brain injury, in R.F. White (Ed.) Clinical Syndromes in Adult Neuropsychology: The Practitioner's Handbook. The Netherlands: Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., 1992) CONTACT INFORMATION _______________________ Alan R. Graham, Ph.D. Bill Benninger, Ph.D. ADDvisor.com Voice: 1-866-ADDvisor Fax: 847-824-2386 Email: Alan@ADDvisor.com Bill@ADDvisor.com Web: www.ADDvisor.com (c) Copyright 2001 ADDvisor.com, Ltd. All rights reserved The above material may be retransmitted or distributed to whomever you wish as long as not a single word is changed, added or deleted, including the contact information. However, you may not copy it to a web site. Republication of "The ADDvisor" in paper media is encouraged and permitted by organizations and associations which serve parents of ADHD children at the national, state and/or local level as long as the issue is reprinted in its entirety without charge and includes the contact information. With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue to fit your space requirements. Republication is also encouraged under other circumstances, however, the advance permission of ADDvisor.com, Ltd. must be obtained in the event that changes in the text are desired or republication is to be made by individuals or by organizations other than those mentioned above.
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