Back to School with ADHD Apps

It is no surprise that as children and teens head back to school this fall, ADHD is very much apart of many American family life. The statistics for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder) in the U.S. were updated last December (2011) by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Here are just some of the statistics collected and provided by the CDC from parent surveys:

• Parents report that approximately 9.5% or 5.4 million children 4-17 years of age have ever been diagnosed with ADHD, as of 2007.

• The percentage of children with a parent-reported ADHD diagnosis increased by 22% between 2003 and 2007.

• Rates of ADHD diagnosis increased an average of 3% per year from 1997 to 2006 and an average of 5.5% per year from 2003 to 2007.

• Boys (13.2%) were more likely than girls (5.6%) to have ever been diagnosed with ADHD.

• Rates of ADHD diagnosis increased at a greater rate among older teens as compared to younger children.

• The highest rates of parent-reported ADHD diagnosis were noted among children covered by Medicaid and multi-racial children.

• Prevalence of parent-reported ADHD diagnosis varied substantially by state, from a low of 5.6% in Nevada to a high of 15.6% in North Carolina.

(From Data & Statistics in the United States, December 2011: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html)

So it is obvious that as this new school year begins, ADHD is a condition that more and more U.S. families are facing. What can parents and teachers do to help students manage this disorder so that academic success is possible for them?

We have just compiled a new list of ADHD apps that should especially help families with ADHD management this school year. We hope our readers will take a look at them and decide which ones might work best for their children, their students or perhaps even for themselves.

Apps for Families Living with ADD/ADHD

The Social Navigator by Lorraine Millan---Social skills guide and brain trainer app
http://www.socialnavigatorapp.com/social_navigator.php

iHomework by Paul Pilone---Homework tracker
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ihomework/id302786560

iStudiez Pro by iStudiez Team---Convenient study planning tool
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/istudiez-pro/id310636441

Routines by Coopla---Chores and daily living planner
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/routines/id370297791

Home Routines by Wunderbear---Create checklists and reminders
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/homeroutines/id353117370

ReQall from reQall, Inc.---Record your reminders by voice and see them in text
http://www.reqall.com/

IEP Checklist ---IEP Checklist for parents and educators
http://www.peatc.org/peatc.cgim?template=IEPChecklistiPhone

Sources and References:

Apps for Families Living with ADD/ADHD (from The Social Navigator)
http://www.socialnavigatorapp.com/add_adhd_apps.htm

CDC---Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html

SPECIAL NOTE: Smart Apps for Kids is giving away its 16th iPad 2! To enter the giveaway, visit http://www.smartappsforkids.com/2012/09/ipad-no-16.html

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Clip art courtesy of: http://www.ace-clipart.com/school-clipart-07.html

Need Apps for Special Needs? Great!

The holiday season is winding down, and the new year is about to begin. The presents have been put away, returned, or exchanged. However, if you were fortunate enough to receive an iPad or the like for Christmas, have you begun to take full advantage of it? Are you needing more information and resources to make that happen? Let's see if we can help you here.

First of all, we have been receiving quite a number of calls from parents and teachers telling us that they are using our Reading Focus Cards with their new iPads and Kindles. Of course, we are recommending a protective film for the tech devices' screens with this application.

Secondly, if you are a parent or a teacher of a child with special needs, you are in luck today. I have been busy this past week researching the BEST apps for your new tech devices---specifically, apps for children and teens with special needs.

To follow here, you will find the apps that will be worth your time to investigate. Most of them have been chosen by professionals in the field of special needs. I only bring them directly to you here. Please let me know of your experiences with any one or more of them. It will be very valuable to receive your input! This is my humble gift to you for the new year. Happy New Year 2012 to all my readers here and the children you help!

Best 5 iPad Apps for Dyslexia (posted by Drs. Fernette and Brock Eide--July 26, 2011) http://dyslexicadvantage.com/profiles/blogs/ipad-apps-dyslexia

Top Word-Processor App (iPad writing tool) http://www.funeducationalapps.com/2011/11/textkraft-english-top-smart-text-processor-for-ipad.html

Apps Index from A to Z--for Children with Special Needs (+ reviews and demos from Dr. Gary Brown) http://a4cwsn.com/apps/apps-a-z/

List of Top 10 Apps for Children of ALL Abilities (for iPads, iPhones, and others from Ms. Meg Wilson) http://edreach.us/2011/11/23/giving-thanks-for-apps-that-assist/

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com For focusing tools that work!
www.BrennanInnovators.com For info, resources, and support
314-892-3897
Clip art courtesy of: http://freewareme.com/725-apple-ipad-photos-and-images.html

Statistics for AD/HD---Are We in Epidemic Mode?

Why are there so many children being diagnosed with some form of AD/HD? The numbers have increased markedly in recent years. The most current statistics for this disorder are a true cause for concern---now more than ever.

According to the 2010 National Health Interview Survey, the following statistics reflect the incidence of AD/HD in children (ages 3-17 years) in the U.S.:

• Number of children 3-17 years of age ever diagnosed with AD/HD: 5.2 million
• Percent of children 3-17 years of age ever diagnosed with AD/HD: 8.4%
• Percent of boys 3-17 years of age ever diagnosed with AD/HD: 11.2%
• Percent of girls 3-17 years of age ever diagnosed with AD/HD 5.5%

(Source: Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Children: National Health Interview Survey, 2010)

• Number of ambulatory care visits (to physician offices, hospital outpatient and emergency departments) with attention deficit disorder as primary diagnosis: 7.3 million (average annual, 2006-2007)

(Source: Ambulatory Medical Care Utilization Estimates for 2007)

Is the incidence of AD/HD increasing? Or are we simply more aware of the symptoms and behaviors associated with the condition? Could there be other causes of AD/HD that have resulted in the statistics we have above here?

I would like to hear about your opinions and experiences relating to these questions. At the same time, reliable data and facts presented with links to reliable data, and/or references supporting the posted comments will be most appreciated. Please post your comments in the box below here. I look forward to hearing from you.

In the meantime, I would also like to provide a few links for general information about AD/HD. I hope you find these resources to be helpful!

General information about AD/HD in children

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder – Guide to AD/HD, including how to tell if a child may have attention deficit disorder and tips for parents. (National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) – Learn about the signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment of attention deficit disorder. (National Institute of Mental Health)

ADHD: What Parents Should Know – Includes signs, symptoms, and treatment of attention deficit disorder, or ADD/ADHD, in children. (Family Doctor)

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com For focusing tools that work!
www.BrennanInnovators.com For info, resources, and support
314-892-3897

Clip art---Courtesy of:
https://www.google.com/search?q=FREE+jpg+clipart+images&hl=en&biw=1261&bih=626&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=SKO1TuHuBYGesQL2iNH1Aw&sqi=2&ved=0CFkQsAQ"