Focus

[ottmanjj]

My daughter is in 2nd grade and having a hard time keeping on task while in class and at home doing homework.  She's a daydreamer and loves the artistic beauty in things.  Could read, write, and tell stories all day with addition to dramatic play.  When it comes time to sit down and focus on a particular task she has trouble.  I'm scared that this behavior will develop into something more in the later years.  I would like to know if there are any types of exercises we can to for her, any books recommended or other ideas to help out.

Thanks

[Brooke050870]

I wanted to say again that I wish you and your daughter the very best of luck, and please keep us posted.  This is particularly interesting to me for the reasons stated above in my original post.  

[Brooke050870]

Sandman, your posts are insightful, and your last post is spot on, and I do mean SPOT ON.  

[Sandman2]

   Yes, the two are different.  The very first link I sent you explained the differences.  The link was - http://www.help4adhd.org/en/about/what/WWK8
   And yes most websites are geared more towards the ADHD kid.  Probably because they are easier to recognize.  I am always amazed at how many adult women have posted here because they were ignored all the way through school because they were not hyper, got B's and C's, and finally due to the anxiety, depression, and frustration of knowing that something wasn't quite right - got a correct diagnosis.

[ottmanjj]

One more question for you all. Isn't ADD and ADHD different? She's not hyper at all. Most of the websites are geared toward ADHD.

[Sandman2]

   Here is another link that may prove helpful for studies, etc.
         http://www.onhealth.com/tips_for_parenting_a_child_with_adhd/page6.htm#develop_organizational_aids

[Sandman2]

   Wow, not sure how a weight loss supplement ( I assume you mean Plexus Slim) would help with ADD.  Do make sure you or her are not taking the "Accelerator" part as that has several warnings about it - http://www.tga.gov.au/safety/alerts-medicine-plexus-slim-accelerator-capsules-130716.htm#.UyyXpF576S0
    If she did very well in school last year then it is possible that the move and all the changes have affected her.  Although, its also possible that the old school and first grade curriculum was just to easy and she got by on natural intelligence and didn't have to concentrate or study.   How does she do at home in a quite area when it comes to study.  Can she concentrate there?
   Anyway, here are some techniques that work for kids with ADHD, and they should also be helpful for her.   The link is - http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/8394.html  

[ottmanjj]

Thanks everyone for your input.  She does get enough sleep; to bed at 8pm and asleep by 8:30 when I check on her.  I also check again about 10:30 or later when I actually go to bed and still out like a light.  

I do need to add that we have moved to a new area this past year as well.  My husband just retired from the military and we've relocated hopefully for the last time.  I know she loves school and is very social but I think she may be putting friendships before education, which is typical I'm sure of most students in this situation.  Last year she was off the charts in all subjects and even finished her work in time to help her classmates.  This year it's been a struggle.  My other thoughts are that Common Core has been the big change too.  The new curriculum method, especially math, has really made her struggle so I'm also considering that as a possibility; just confused?

For the time being I have put her on a supplement called PLEXUS.  I've taken it myself for almost a year and have seen tremendous results in many areas of my life.  I too think I was ADD when a child, of the 70's and my mom just wasn't aware it was out there I'm sure.  PLEXUS is all natural, plant based and was initially designed to help diabetics control their insulin levels.  It's a powdered mix, much like the single serve Crystal Light packets, that you mix with water.  It's pink and tastes like a flavored tootsie roll; sweetened with Stevia and colored with beets not the horrible Red 40.  I've been reading that children have been taking it for ADD ADHD and there has been great success.

She has been on PLEXUS for a week now.  I plan to talk to her teacher in about a month to see how things are going in class.  I will say I've already seen a little improvement at home when asked to do something.  

Now, having raved about the benefits of PLEXUS I am still searching for activities, training, habit forming practices, that she can do to improve her focus.

[Sandman2]

   Very good point by Brooke,  lack of sleep will definitely cause problems. But, the main thing is figure out what is going on.

[Brooke050870]

I agree with Sandman and MarkLakewood.  Also, does your daughter get enough sleep?  The reason I ask is because as a child, I had a problem that was pretty much identical to the one your daughter is having, and also the very same interests...art, beauty, dramatic play.  I also had a very, very hard time falling asleep at night and would lie awake for hours...so when it was time to get up and go to school, I was exhausted, and my mind would wander all day long unless we happened to be doing something in class that grabbed my attention.  I think I also had ADD that was never diagnosed (it was the '70s, and regardless, my mom would have been in denial anyway).  I look back and while I do think I had ADD, I wonder if the tiredness component contributed in some way, and that is why I asked the question about sleep.  Best wishes to you and your daughter.  

[MarkLakewood3367]

I would definitely advise you to have your daughter evaluated for adhd.  Either you can seek an independent mental health professional or discuss this need for an evaluation with a school counselor or psychologist.  Perhaps they could provide this service at the school.

[Sandman2]

    I think that the first thing that you need to do is to figure out why the lack of focus.   Because, apparently this is a problem now.  I am also the CL for the ADHD forum and I have seen this problem many times.
    Check out this link about ADD and tell me what you think.  The link is -
        http://www.help4adhd.org/en/about/what/WWK8