1. Current Issues in Brain Development
ECE 275
Lynlee Lusk

2. (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
According to Monastra, ADHD is “a psychiatric
disorder that is characterized by symptoms of
inattention…. These symptoms occur prior to 7
years of age. The condition does not disappear
with age; it is likely to cause impairment
throughout a person’s life” (Monastra 18).

3.  Fidgeting/squirming  Inappropriate running /
 Lack of attention to details / climbing
Makes careless mistakes  Difficulty with quiet activities
 Poor listening skills  Often interrupts or intrudes
 Does not follow through on on others
tasks  Excessive talking
 Difficulty with organization  Blurting answers
 Loses things  Cannot wait his / her turn
 Easily distracted  Avoids tasks requiring
 Forgetful sustained mental effort
 Leaving seat
http://pediatrics.about.com/cs
/adhd/l/bl_adhd_quiz.htm

4.  ADHD is caused by changes in brain chemicals
called neurotransmitters.
 Neurotransmitters help send messages between
nerve cells in the brain. Dopamine is an example of
a neurotransmitter and low amounts of dopamine
will cause symptoms of ADHD to appear (Sweeney
88).

5.  The ADHD brain lacks the development of the
prefrontal cortex. Without this development
the brain must processes incoming information
in other areas.
 Genetic or environmental? 3%-10% of Americans
have ADHD. It is more common in boys than girls.
The multi-media world may explain the increased
number of children diagnosed with ADHD (Sweeney
88).

6.  Monastra explains the long-term outcome for
ADHD children when he says “ADHD (is)
indeed a health impairment that, when
untreated, increased a person’s risk for
failure at school, for involvement in
substance abuse and criminal activities, and
for the development of a variety of problems
at work and in social relationships” (21).
 A child’s frequent, uncontrolled behavior not
only affects the immediately family but has a
profound impact in the child’s classroom.

7.  The perspective of the child should not be
forgotten. “The overall goal of this…approach
is for patients…to develop a good
understanding of their personal profile and to
increasingly become self-advocates” (Felt,
Lumeng, Christner 640).
 The goal is based on behavioral
modifications; education, practice, time and
patience. This takes consistency on the part
of the parents, teachers and caregivers.

8.  MeMoves was initially created to use in the special
needs classroom.
 Can be used as a transition tool, to calm a
distressed child, and as a way to increase attention.
 Appropriate for preschool through 3rd grade and all
those with special needs.
 Cross crawl, Lazy 8s, The Double Doodle,
Brain/Earth Buttons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLHt1Xk0hKA&f
eature=related

9.  claritycgc.org
 kidshealth.org
 addinschool.com
 smhc.org/family
 thinkingmoves.com

10.  Felt, B., Lumeng, J., and Christner, J. 2009.
Multimodal Treatment of Attention Deficit/
Hyperactivity Disorder in Children. American Family
Physician 79, no. 8, (April 15): 640, 642.
 Monastra, Vincent J. Parenting Children with ADHD:
10 Lessons That Medicine Cannot Teach.
Washington, DC: American Psychological
Association, 2006. Print.
 Rabiner, D., D. Murray, A. Skinner, and P. Malone.
2010. A Randomized Trial of Two Promising
Computer-Based Interventions for Students with
Attention Difficulties. Journal of Abnormal Child
Psychology 38, no. 1. (January 1): 131-142.

11.  Dennison, Gail E. & Paul E. Brain Gym. Hearts at
Play, Inc. 2010. Print.
 Monastra, Vincent J. Parenting Children with ADHD:
10 Lessons That Medicine Cannot Teach.
Washington, DC: American Psychological
Association, 2006. Print
 Sweeney, Michael S. BRAIN The Complete Mind.
National Geographic Society, 2009. Print.