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Sitting in a confined space and listening to boring facts is just not appropriate for human children. We learn by playing, experiencing, moving, experimenting, exploring, doing. Schools are more akin to training camps for factory workers.

As for ADHD, parents and organizations ought to consider feeding children non-toxic food. http://www.myomancy.com/2006/07/add_adhd_diet_a

That gets modded informative? A note to the wise moderator: "Informative" presupposes the contribution of information. Whereas what we have here amounts to an authoritative-sounding chin-jutting, "Is Not!" with nothing of any material to back it up. Children argue like this, and it should be pointed out that an adult who argues like this is likely to maintain other over-simplified thought patterns which will naturally extend to their belief systems.

No it's the wrong kind of mercury. It is NOT the same stuff that comes in thermometers.

Metallic Mercury doesn't dissolve in water and is not useful in pharmaceuticals, so it is bonded into an organic molecule, C9H9HgNaO2S, (Thiomersal), which metabolizes in the human body into C2H5ClHg (Ethyl Mercury). Ethyl Mercury, however, is indeed toxic.

# Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
# Danger of cumulative effects.
# Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

-FL

in the spirit of Swift's Modest Proposal ... why not give all kids Ritalin?
Ritalin has been proven to improve concentration, academic performance and behaviour. It is, if you believe the drug companies, perfectly safe to be taken for months or indeed years. However we only prescribe it to children who have been diagnosed with ADHD. This is an arbitrary distinction. There are plenty of children who misbehave, have problems concentrating or generally poor academic performance who can be helped. As it is normally white, middle class kids who get diagnosed and poor black or hispanics who don't, this is an issue of social equality.
Imagine a classroom full of calm, attentive children. Children of every race, creed and ability, equally engaged and receptive to the wise teacher's words. Imagine the orderly queue as the children line up for their lunch time dosage. Only those poor children whose parents hold outdated, illogical views on medical safety and the sanctity of a child's body are excused. These unlucky children are socially isolated by their strange, non-conformist behaviour.

in the spirit of Swift's Modest Proposal ... why not give all kids Ritalin?
Ritalin has been proven to improve concentration, academic performance and behaviour. It is, if you believe the drug companies, perfectly safe to be taken for months or indeed years. However we only prescribe it to children who have been diagnosed with ADHD. This is an arbitrary distinction. There are plenty of children who misbehave, have problems concentrating or generally poor academic performance who can be helped. As it is normally white, middle class kids who get diagnosed and poor black or hispanics who don't, this is an issue of social equality.
Imagine a classroom full of calm, attentive children. Children of every race, creed and ability, equally engaged and receptive to the wise teacher's words. Imagine the orderly queue as the children line up for their lunch time dosage. Only those poor children whose parents hold outdated, illogical views on medical safety and the sanctity of a child's body are excused. These unlucky children are socially isolated by their strange, non-conformist behaviour.

The problem with all ADHD treatments is that ADHD is a subjective problem. e.g How disruptive a pupil is in class is dependent on too many variables: other pupils behavior, the nature of the class, the teacher, and how the teacher perceives the child. See this ADHD Diagnosis: The Role of Parents [myomancy.com] for how parents and teachers can have very different ideas about their child's behavior.

So when talking about treating ADHD you need to say what you are trying to achieve. In the Smart Brain Games technology mentioned in the article the system 'rewards' improvements in the ratio of beta to theta brainwaves. Does this reduce ADHD symptoms? Well maybe.

The only study on the actual Smart Brain Games technology ( Comparison of Videogame and Standard EEG Biofeedback With AD/HD Children: Results of the First Concept Study ) consisted of 22 children split into 2 groups. One group received normal biofeedback and the other the Playstation based system. There was no non-treated control group, a serious flaw in the research.

After 40 hours of treatment the researches check the children's brainwaves and found both groups to have change in an identical manner. Subjective appraisal by the parents was more positive for the Playstation version than the other group. However this undermines the whole idea. If ratio of beta to theta waves is important to ADHD then how can the groups, who both had same quantive changes in brainwaves, be assessed differently by their parents for behaviour changes?

It is sad that what is a promising area of treatment is undermined by companies who do poor research and put a misleading spin on the results.

Disclaimer: One or more of the links above points to Myomancy, a blog I run about the science of ADHD and similar problem.

The problem with all ADHD treatments is that ADHD is a subjective problem. e.g How disruptive a pupil is in class is dependent on too many variables: other pupils behavior, the nature of the class, the teacher, and how the teacher perceives the child. See this ADHD Diagnosis: The Role of Parents [myomancy.com] for how parents and teachers can have very different ideas about their child's behavior.

So when talking about treating ADHD you need to say what you are trying to achieve. In the Smart Brain Games technology mentioned in the article the system 'rewards' improvements in the ratio of beta to theta brainwaves. Does this reduce ADHD symptoms? Well maybe.

The only study on the actual Smart Brain Games technology ( Comparison of Videogame and Standard EEG Biofeedback With AD/HD Children: Results of the First Concept Study ) consisted of 22 children split into 2 groups. One group received normal biofeedback and the other the Playstation based system. There was no non-treated control group, a serious flaw in the research.

After 40 hours of treatment the researches check the children's brainwaves and found both groups to have change in an identical manner. Subjective appraisal by the parents was more positive for the Playstation version than the other group. However this undermines the whole idea. If ratio of beta to theta waves is important to ADHD then how can the groups, who both had same quantive changes in brainwaves, be assessed differently by their parents for behaviour changes?

It is sad that what is a promising area of treatment is undermined by companies who do poor research and put a misleading spin on the results.

Disclaimer: One or more of the links above points to Myomancy, a blog I run about the science of ADHD and similar problem.

Rather than tackle the problems of reading and maths head on, encourage your brother to learn the skills that will help him to learn. Disabilities like dylexia have strong connection to poorly developed cerebellum and vestibular systems. By training up the physical co-ordiation the more able to cope the eye tracking and mental agility need to read. For more information have a look here.

Old fashioned games of running around and catching balls are also very good at training the cerebellum and vestibular system. I'f a normal ball is too fast or difficult to catch then look into Plusballs . (Review ).

You may also want to consider singing lessons. There is anecdotal evidence that singing helps the brain's langauge skills develop. Research has found it can raise the IQ as well. Check out SingStar for the PS2. Your brother will need help with reading the lyrics but a cheap and fun way to learn.

Declaration of interest: I run Myomancy.com.

Chris

Rather than tackle the problems of reading and maths head on, encourage your brother to learn the skills that will help him to learn. Disabilities like dylexia have strong connection to poorly developed cerebellum and vestibular systems. By training up the physical co-ordiation the more able to cope the eye tracking and mental agility need to read. For more information have a look here.

Old fashioned games of running around and catching balls are also very good at training the cerebellum and vestibular system. I'f a normal ball is too fast or difficult to catch then look into Plusballs . (Review ).

You may also want to consider singing lessons. There is anecdotal evidence that singing helps the brain's langauge skills develop. Research has found it can raise the IQ as well. Check out SingStar for the PS2. Your brother will need help with reading the lyrics but a cheap and fun way to learn.

Declaration of interest: I run Myomancy.com.

Chris

Rather than tackle the problems of reading and maths head on, encourage your brother to learn the skills that will help him to learn. Disabilities like dylexia have strong connection to poorly developed cerebellum and vestibular systems. By training up the physical co-ordiation the more able to cope the eye tracking and mental agility need to read. For more information have a look here.

Old fashioned games of running around and catching balls are also very good at training the cerebellum and vestibular system. I'f a normal ball is too fast or difficult to catch then look into Plusballs . (Review ).

You may also want to consider singing lessons. There is anecdotal evidence that singing helps the brain's langauge skills develop. Research has found it can raise the IQ as well. Check out SingStar for the PS2. Your brother will need help with reading the lyrics but a cheap and fun way to learn.

Declaration of interest: I run Myomancy.com.

Chris

Rather than tackle the problems of reading and maths head on, encourage your brother to learn the skills that will help him to learn. Disabilities like dylexia have strong connection to poorly developed cerebellum and vestibular systems. By training up the physical co-ordiation the more able to cope the eye tracking and mental agility need to read. For more information have a look here.

Old fashioned games of running around and catching balls are also very good at training the cerebellum and vestibular system. I'f a normal ball is too fast or difficult to catch then look into Plusballs . (Review ).

You may also want to consider singing lessons. There is anecdotal evidence that singing helps the brain's langauge skills develop. Research has found it can raise the IQ as well. Check out SingStar for the PS2. Your brother will need help with reading the lyrics but a cheap and fun way to learn.

Declaration of interest: I run Myomancy.com.

Chris