Saturday, April 4, 2020

What It Takes To Be A Successful Tutor

What It Takes To Be A Successful TutorMost people want to know what it takes to be a successful tutoring student. Is it difficult to be a successful tutor? Are there any good resources online that can help one become a tutor? It is important to recognize the unique challenges that exist as the demand for tutors increases in the Chinese culture.As a person looking to be a good tutor, there are some things you need to do and see to succeed. Some people will tell you that you cannot be a good tutor because you don't speak the language or have the education. As a tutoring student, there are a few very important factors that must be considered. Without these, your success will be at a disadvantage.There are some people who make it their goal to be an American citizen or someone who has the education to be fluent in the English language. While the latter is certainly an advantage, you should take a lesson from the former. Tutoring, when done in the right way, is fun.Tutoring comes with its challenges but if you focus on them, you will have success. One of the most important things that need to be realized is that there are a large number of English speaking students in China. So, the idea that it is not possible to be a good tutor in Chinese due to the language barrier is absolutely false.Of course, some people will disagree with this statement but without that there would be no Chinese speaking population, which in turn would mean that you would be restricted in the major part of the world. There is also another important fact that needs to be considered. If you learn a foreign language fluently, your career as a tutor will surely grow in a big way. You may not become the face of a tutoring school but you will definitely have a more than fair chance of success.The last point that needs to be addressed is education. Most tutoring schools these days are very different from each other. Some will require a person to be well educated while others will not. To become succ essful at tutoring, you must understand that it is not that hard.These are just a few important facts that need to be recognized when looking for good resources online to become a tutor. Remember that, in addition to having the education, a person must also have a passion for the subject and the experience to be able to teach it successfully.

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Circuit Training The Workout for Wonder Women

Circuit Training The Workout for Wonder Women Circuit Training for Women ChaptersThe Advantages of Practicing Circuit Training DailyWeight-loss Specific Circuit TrainingToning Muscles for a Healthier LifeImprove Your Cardio with Complete Circuit TrainingEveryone can agree that exercising isn’t the simplest thing to accomplish without being motivated to do so. Regardless of this fact, there exist many exercises methods that allow you to reap all the benefits of weight loss and muscle gain without becoming too routine. Combining cardio and muscle building exercises, this exercise program is perfect for everyone - but especially for women looking to tailor their individual goals to a workout that fits all their needs. Individualized workout routines can be fun and effective CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Advantages of Practicing Circuit Training DailyCircuit training, if you’re not familiar with it, is a type of interval training method that consists of a combination of strength training and resistance training. It is similar to HIIT, or high intensity interval training, except that there are no rest breaks in between each exercise move.Because circuit training involves weight training and cardio exercises engaging your upper body and lower body, you will be able to feel a total body advantage, improving things like your metabolism and bod yweight.The goals of circuit training are based on three specific points:Losing weight through both aerobic and anaerobic exercisesAmeliorating your endurance through cardiovascular exerciseOverall muscle gain by working muscle groups through exercises or light gym equipment (kettlebell, dumbbell, etc.)Because of this, circuit training can have many benefits: allowing you to burn calories and lose body fat in a short amount of time, not needing to complete your workout routine at the gym, having a body workout session that is always varied and always fun, letting you challenge yourself in ways you never thought possible before.In general, women and men tend to have different goals when it comes to working out because of societal pressures and expectations. For example, women can often seek out training exercises and methods for weight loss, abdominal muscle gain and, of course, butt sculpting. Circuit training is a high intensity program that can allow you to, through classic exerci ses like push ups and squats, gain muscle while reinforcing your respiratory system.Circuit training is an amazing way for everyone who wants to take up an exercise program regularly, especially if you’re looking to get toned. This is especially true of circuit training that is geared towards women and their specific body fat goals.Check here for a personal trainer near me.Weight-loss Specific Circuit Training“When I’m happy on the inside, those are the moments I feel the sexiest” â€" Anna KournikovaThis advice, geared towards everyone, expresses the fact that everyone should feel the most attractive when they feel comfortable in their own skin. While many factors regarding beauty standards tend to be getting better, society still, unfortunately, prioritizes physical appearance over other indicators of beauty such as mental health or personality traits.Having a fit body, however, has less to do with simply physical appearance and is more about being a signal for a healthy sy stem. Often, a high, whole body weight can lead to many chronic diseases or illnesses â€" which is why circuit training is perfect for those looking for a flexible program and to burn fat and lose weight.One example of a circuit training session geared especially for weight loss is:Jumping jacksLungesPush upMountain climbersBurpeesPlankIf you’re following this workout, take 30 seconds to do each exercise move. After you finish one round, take a 3-minute rest break in order to recuperate. You can adapt the time you take for completing each move, the rest break, or even the moves themselves to follow your specific body targets (increasing muscle in biceps and glutes) and skill level (beginner or intermediate).Circuit training can also be completed in combination with other sports activities and with a personal trainer near me. Some examples of the training workouts you can complete in tandem with circuit training are swimming, tennis and running. One important note to keep in mind i s to always cool down after a workout and keep in touch with your body to watch out for any injuries. High impact workouts can be done with a personal trainer, alone or with friendsToning Muscles for a Healthier LifeBeing in perfect shape is complicated, especially because everyone’s body defines a different level of what is “perfect.” Women, however, tend to search for a full body workout that tones their body and, most of all, helps them feel comfortable in their own skin. There are an infinite number of cardio workouts and bodyweight exercises out there that can help you tone your body.Some examples of workouts you can use for building muscle are boxing, swimming and weight-lifting. One of the most important aspects to pay attention to when choosing a fitness program that’s right for you is to take into account what environment it is, regardless of what program you choose. Whether it be in a group course at the gym or at home alone, always make sure that you feel comfortable.If you’re interested in adapting circuit training to toning your body, an example of circuit trai ning that’s geared towards building muscle mass and muscular endurance is:Push ups/ wall pushupsTriceps or tricep dipsJump ropeSquatsSupermanPlankMountain climbersWhether you’re practicing a cardio workout, aerobic exercise or weight exercises in your circuit, make sure that you take 30 seconds to complete each move â€" increasing or decreasing this time depending on your abilities and goals. Take 3 to 4 minutes between each circuit as a rest break â€" making sure that you don’t take a rest break between each move.Toning your body is a difficult mission but can be possible with motivation and sacrifice. From wanting to lose fat, incorporate cardio exercise, and learning how to use equipment such as a barbell or medicine ball â€" taking part and sticking to circuit training can help you accomplish your dreams.Improve Your Cardio with Complete Circuit TrainingCardiovascular fitness can be one of the common fitness goals for women looking to get stronger and improve their blood c irculation. Cardiovascular strength depends on much more than strength exercises like jogging, but a total body workout that includes any exercises that’ll increase your heart rate. In other words, any exercise that gets you breathing hard is a good sign that you’re on the road towards increasing your cardiovascular endurance.Getting into the habit of completing a circuit workout can give you the benefit of increasing your metabolic rate, working your major muscle groups and, all the while, improving your cardiovascular system. You can also incorporate fat burning and toning circuit sessions with body weight exercises that allow both your heart and body to get fit.Here is an example of a circuit training session geared towards improving your cardiovascular system:Jumping jacksJump squatsRowingPushupsCrunchesPlankJump ropeBurpeesThis is one of the many examples of body workouts for weight loss that are, for the most part, geared towards building up your respiratory and cardiovasc ular system. It is also a perfect example of how circuit training can be adapted to each individual. Your personal fitness should also involve eating a healthy dietIf you’re looking to challenge yourself even further, you can add lifting weights to some exercise moves like lunges and pushups. Weight lifting is a great way to reinforce your muscles during any cardio workout. The most important thing to keep in mind while weight-lifting is to practice good form in order to avoid any sort of injuries.Some other advice that you can follow if you want to make sure you get the most out of your workout is drink water and eat a balanced diet. While working out, make sure you always have a bottle of water nearby and to take extra precautions when the weather is hotter or more humid. On the other hand, while the definition of a balanced diet tends to be specific to each individual, a general rule of thumb you can follow is to make sure the majority of your diet comes from whole plant foods and proteins.Lastly, make sure to find your motivation, whether that be attaining your “summer body, ” getting in shape for your loved ones or to improve your health. Understand, however, that getting the motivation to exercise and eat healthily can be sustained on the long term if your motivations are dependent on long term ideas like living a health life and being able to still run when you’re seventy. Remember, one of the most important things you can do for your body is to love your body.

Friday, March 6, 2020

How Parents Can Help Students Setand AchieveAcademic Goals

How Parents Can Help Students Setâ€"and Achieveâ€"Academic Goals This post is part of a month-long series to help you start 2018 on the right foot. Throughout January, visit the Varsity Tutors blog for advice, tips, and tricks on how to reignite your passion for learning this winter. As we enter a new year, many parents, students, and families are focusing on setting goals. For students of all ages, these may center around academics. And while it can be easy for parents of elementary and middle school students to overlook their role in helping their children identify and accomplish goals, parental involvement can have a significant impact on the outcome. Among other tasks, parents can provide background and context for goals, and emphasize the importance of reflection. If youre hoping to take an active role in your childs goal-setting process, learn how parents can help students setand achieveacademic goals. Goal-setting tip #1: Focus on collaboration When setting goals, collaboration serves as a vital tool for parents and students. Parents canand shouldview their role as integral to their childs goal-setting process, but their child should take the lead. When setting goals, speak with your child about his or her aims. Make time, too, for follow-up discussions as he or she works toward these goals. [RELATED: How Parents Can Help with Elementary Homework Challenges] Goal-setting tip #2: Provide context, and establish reasonable expectations As your student begins to set goals, you can help by establishing your starting point. This can help children of all ages identify realistic goals. Establish where your student is coming from in order to determine where he or she might be going. Dont limit your students dreamsjust shape them into measurable steps. For example, if your child hopes to earn straight As, but, in previous semesters, failed multiple classes because of late work, this goal may not be an ideal place to start. Instead, you may want to suggest a simpler goal like, I will turn all work in on time, which is measurable, achievable, and will help with his or her eventual desire to earn all As. Think about dividing goals into short-term and long-term endeavors based on your students starting point, which will help with the next recommendation. [RELATED: 3 Methods for Setting Goals] Goal-setting tip #3: Identify and track milestones Goal-setting at any age works best when you can measure progress. For younger students, it can be challenging to think about goals in such a concrete way. Often, goal-setters look at large-scale items that are not only difficult to achieve, but difficult to measure as they progress. Instead of setting a goal like, Be the best speaker on the debate team, encourage your student to narrow his or her focus. For instance, he may set a goal to participate in three speech events, or she may set a goal to identify three public speaking role models. Both of these goals help your child work toward becoming a better speaker, but both have concrete ways to measure success. Continue to meet with your student to check in on progress, gently suggesting ways to get back on track or providing encouragement where it is needed. Set new ways to measure achievement if necessary, and adjust expectations as required. Goal-setting tip #4: Provide time for reflection Once the timeframe for the goal in question has passed, it is important to revisit the process with your child. This involves more than deciding whether or not he or she achieved the goal. Decide what went well, where your student struggled, and where he or she felt successful. Ask your child to identify where and how he or she could have used additional support from you or others. Finally, make a plan for achieving the next goal, whether it is a new goal or a variation on one that wasnt quite achieved the first time around. By collaborating, understanding the starting point, tracking milestones, and evaluating the process, your student will be equipped to set and achieve goals in no time! [RELATED: The Importance of Self-Reflection: How to End the Year on a Positive Note] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Watch Now How to Tune a Guitar

Watch Now How to Tune a Guitar Suzy S. Over the past few months, weve explored some great tips for aspiring guitar players.   From guitar tips for beginners to improving your electric guitar tone, we hope the advice has helped you along the way.   But without a properly-tuned guitar, all of these tips can go out the window.   In fact, playing an out of tune instrument is one very common mistake that guitar players make when first learning to play. So before you go any further, its time to learn how to tune your guitar.   First step?   Get a tuner!   If you dont have one already, youve got a few choices.   You can either purchase a normal, portable electronic tuner (check out these top-rated tuners), or you can download an app for your Smartphone.   Our staff favorites here at TakeLessons are gStrings for Android (free) and Gibson Learn (free) or TabToolkit ($9.99) or for iPhone/iPad. Now lets get started! Questions, comments, or want to share your own tips?   What type of guitar tuner do you recommend, or what other apps do you love?   Leave a comment on our Facebook page to share with the community! Looking for guitar lessons or music teacher jobs? Visit TakeLessons.com!

Thursday, March 5, 2020

How to Learn Drums in a Music School

How to Learn Drums in a Music School Can You Do a Drum Course? ChaptersWhat is a Drum School?The Level Required to Attend a Drum SchoolTraining at a Drum SchoolImportant Information About Drum Schools“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” - PlatoMusic has charms to soothe the savage breast. This is a common expression when talking about music. While it does soothe the proverbial savage beast, you need to practise to get the most out of it.Drums are an instrument with a lot of potential. They often accompany other types of percussion, provide rhythm, or just make noise (according to some).  However, drums are also at the heart of jazz music (and its derivatives).With that in mind, is it worthwhile attending a course on learning how to play the drums?If you dream of becoming the next Thomas Lang, Tony Royster, Steve Gadd, or John Bonham, you should have a look at the different ways to learn how to play them!In this article, we'll be lo oking at drum schools and music schools, the pros and cons of them, and how they can help you learn to play the drums. SerbanDrum Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyDrum Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RussellDrum Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StephenDrum Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeteDrum Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OllieDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is a Drum School?As you’ve probably guessed, this is a type of music school that specialises in music education and teaching people how to play the drums! The drums aren’t really like the harmonica, piano, guitar, trombone, or bass. The drums (and percussion) are a special kind of instrument and a drummer is a different kind of musician to a pianist or someone who plays the violin or clarinet, for example.Studying music, especially in a specialised school, can make you a better drummer. (Source: stevepb)Rather than traditional music theory, you’ll need to learn about rhythm, tempo, and time signatures in order to play the drums. The curriculum for drummers is very different from those playing brass instruments and your music teacher will have to be a specialist in percussion instruments.A drum school provides training for aspiring and experienced drummers. You’ll be helped by a gifted teacher, too.  You need to keep in mind the differences between a music school and a conservatoire. A lot of music schools are private businesses and more accessible than the conservatoires, which are essentially universities specialising in music, drama, and art degrees.The students, unlike self-taught musicians, will be accompanied by a teacher who will provide tui tion (for a fee) and prepare them for either a recital or audition. In some cases, when you sign up, you’re signed up for the whole year!Music schools have existed for centuries and were even around in the Middle Ages! They’ve stood the test of time and have taught many students over the years how to play the drums, ukulele, piano, flute, etc., as well as how to sing thanks to quality tuition from talented teachers.The Level Required to Attend a Drum SchoolYour level is quite important when it comes to attending a drum school, but probably not for the reasons you have in mind. In fact, while everyone can get some type of musical training, it’s important that your training is suitable to your level in order to get the most out of it. Drums are an instrument for all levels, after all!It's important that your classes match your abilities. (Source: Pexels)That’s why there isn’t a specific level you have to have. Instead, you need to know what level you are so that you can atte nd the right class and get the right training. The same goes for all classes including music theory, jazz piano or classical piano, and playing the guitar.While most schools offer classes by level, not all do. It’s important to make sure that when attending a drum class at a school or getting a private drum tutor that you do your research!Playing the drums at a school can be a lot of fun if you’re attending the right class and making progress. It doesn’t matter whether you’re learning for fun or for professional reasons.  You can also pick the type of drums and drumming you prefer. Your teacher will also help you find the right drumming equipment.Training at a Drum SchoolMusic schools and drum schools, more importantly, don’t tend to offer free classes and you can often sign up for classes when you want. This means that it’s quite easy to start learning to play the drums whenever you want. However, there tend to be fewer classes during the school holidays.Pick your weapo n! (Source: flockine)Your classes will depend on the teacher who’s providing them. A good teacher will help you get the most out of every minute you spend with them and also make you feel like playing the drums outside of class and maybe even inspire you to become a professional drummer. Music is about having fun, after all!Even if you’re learning the electric guitar, saxophone, or drums, most classes in a music school are in groups. While a lot of the classes will be organised into levels, you still need to keep in mind that the lesson has to work for every student. This means you mightn’t all have the same tastes when it comes to music.This means you’ll have to be patient as you won’t always be studying exactly what you want. The most important thing is to be passionate about learning and wanting to play the drums.Don’t forget that are also private tutorials for learning how to play drums so that you can get lessons tailored to you. You can learn the basics alongside a professional drummer, for example.Important Information About Drum SchoolsDrum schools aren’t conversatoires. There are many different ways to learn about musicology and different teaching approaches to learning how to play an instrument. There are also a few details you should be aware of.If you want to play drums in a band, you'll first have to learn how to play drums! (Source: Free-Photos)In addition to enrolment, teaching approaches, etc., there is also the price to consider as one of the most important aspects to consider.  The average cost tends to sit around £100 per month for proper drum training. Of course, there are schools that cost more and others that cost less.If you want to learn to play the drums either in a school or with a private tutor, you’ll need to invest both time and money. You’ll need to pay teachers, invest in equipment, and also travel to where your lessons are. We can’t forget that there are also online drum lessons if you can’t afford the lat ter.You need to carefully consider where your lessons are as you’ll need to go there once or twice a week depending on the type of course that you’re attending. Depending on where you live, you may have a choice of several nearby schools or have to travel to the  other side of town to attend the only one that’s near you.If your school is a couple of miles away, you mightn’t want to walk there when it’s raining cats and dogs. On the other hand, if you live in the flat above the music school, you shouldn’t ever really miss a class!Your teacher’s passion for teaching the drums is arguably the most important thing to consider when learning to play the drums. You never know whether you’re going to get along with your teacher before you meet them and it’s really important that you do. While this isn’t usually the case, it’s something you need to keep in mind.You need to make sure that your teacher employs effective teaching techniques that work for you. While you can ’t always find this out before you start your class, you should try to find out as much about them as you can.In short, drums are a great instrument to learn in a class at a music school. However, before you attend your first drum lesson and start playing drums, you should carefully consider your options and decide which type of drum instruction is right for you.If you're an absolute beginner, you'll probably need to invest in drum sets including a bass drum, snare drum, cymbals and hi-hat, tom-toms, and sticks. As you progress through your drumming lessons and you learn different musical styles, you may want to add to your drum set. For example, jazz drumming doesn't require a double bass pedal, but metal music certainly does.Beginners shouldn't go out and buy a lot of stuff for their drum kit as they won't be aware of exactly what they need. Learn some drum beats and rudiments before you invest in a kit like you've seen famous drummers playing.

Spotting Signs of Stress in Teens with ADHD

Spotting Signs of Stress in Teens with ADHD Teenagers might not be faced with many of the situations that adults consider to be stressful, like financial concerns, parenting challenges, long commutes, a demanding career, job instability, etc., but the middle and high school years come with a set of challenges that can be highly stressful in their own right. In fact, in a 2013 American Psychological Association survey teenagers reported experiencing unhealthy levels of stress at higher rates than adults. Teens cited school as the number one source of stress, followed by worries about getting into a good college and figuring out what to do after high school. Other sources of stress included social pressures, worrying about family members, and worrying about family finances. When a teen has ADHD, their risk for unhealthy levels of stress goes up even higher. ADHD symptoms make school more challenging, both during the school day and in the evening during homework time. Friendships and dating can be harder with ADHD too, especially for teens that have difficulty picking up on subtle social cues or who tend to impulsively say things that they regret later. If your teenager is like most, then his or her afterschool and weekend schedule is packed with extracurricular activities that leave little room for down time. The time management challenges and impulsivity that comes with ADHD make it much more likely that a teen will get in over his or her head with too much to do and too little time. But like most teens, those with ADHD may not recognize that they have bitten off more than they can chew. They dont necessarily know that their stress level is higher than it should be, or that they can ask for help. Parents can usually identify unhealthy levels of stress before teenagers are able to do so themselves. Parents can also see the bigger picture, focus on long-term goals, and access help in ways that teenagers with ADHD often cannot. However, as a parent spotting signs of stress in a teenager with ADHD can be tricky. Many of the signs of teenage stress overlap with symptoms that typically accompany ADHD or are known side effects from ADHD medications: Poor concentration Sleep problems Anger outbursts Anxiety Poor appetite Headaches or stomach complaints Social withdrawal Taking longer to complete schoolwork and/or missing deadlines So, when your teenager seems highly irritable, his or her grades are lower than you think they should be, he or she is complaining that he or she never has enough time to finish homework, and talks about not being able to focus in class, is that stress or is it ADHD? Every teen is different, but there are some signs that will indicate that unhealthy levels of stress may be part of the picture: Differences in personality during school breaks vs. when school is in session. Many teens will be less irritable, angry, or frustrated when school isnt in session. However, if the change is dramatic, to the point where during breaks or summer vacation you find yourself thinking things like, Im so glad to see my child finally starting to act like her usual self again, then that is a sign that your teen may be experiencing unhealthy stress during the school year. Loss of interest and enthusiasm. If your previously energetic, enthusiastic, and curious teen has started to seem uninterested in things, especially things that he or she usually enjoys, then that may be a sign of stress. Its typical for teens to shift their interests and become less enthusiastic about things that they may have enjoyed when they were younger; but they should still be interested in something, even if its a new activity or subject in school. Hinting at being overwhelmed. Some teens will actually tell you that they are stressed out or overwhelmed, but many dont think about themselves in these terms. Instead you may start hearing them say negative things about their ability to get things done, or their life in general. Things like: I cant do it. Ill never get everything finished! Its too much. I hate school! When you try to help or problem-solve they may simply shutdown and refuse to try, not because they dont care but because they are overwhelmed. If you think your teen may be overly stressed, then start by having a conversation. Pick a low-key moment with your teen and start off by simply acknowledging that youve noticed that he or she has a lot on the plate right now. Ask what it feels like to have so much going on, and if he or she ever has moments where it feels like too much. Many teens will open up and will talk about themselves, but dont feel pressured to get them to talk about everything in a single conversation. Its okay to simply use the first conversation as an icebreaker on the topic. Sometimes shorter conversations with parents are all teens can handle when the subject matter is intense or serious. Therapists in your area or at your childs school can also help you figure out if stress is having a negative effect on your teen. So, dont hesitate to reach out and ask for help if youre worried. Youll be getting the support that you need, and youll be serving as a great role model for your teen by showing that its okay to ask for help when you need it. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Should Your Child Go Gluten Free to Treat ADHD

Should Your Child Go Gluten Free to Treat ADHD What the research tells us about gluten-free diets and ADHD Symptoms Parents of kids with ADHD are constantly faced with an array of treatment options including medication, various behavioral interventions, and dietary recommendations. In recent years there has been a lot of buzz about the use of a gluten-free diet to treat a wide range of physical and cognitive problems, including ADHD. In posts and comments online, some parents describe huge improvements in their child's ADHD symptoms after eliminating gluten from their diet. And some pediatricians and nutritionists recommend a gluten free diet as part of a childs ADHD treatment plan. For a chronic condition like ADHD, the thought that a dietary change could eliminate symptoms altogether is highly appealing. However, removing gluten from a childs diet is a substantial undertaking, and one that can be stressful and exhausting for both parents and kids. Before making any major changes to your childs diet, it's important to know what research findings tell us about the likelihood that a gluten-free die t will be an effective ADHD treatment option. What is Gluten?Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley and is present in bread and pasta, as well as many rice products and processed foods present in the typical American diet. For individuals with celiac disease (about 1% of American's1) eating gluten causes severe health problems including malnutrition, gastro-intestinal symptoms, and abdominal pain. Where did the idea of a Gluten ADHD connection come from? In addition to malnutrition, abdominal pain, and gastro-intestinal symptoms, untreated Celiac disease is also associated with attention problems and behavioral issues. So, children with either undiagnosed or poorly managed Celiac disease may display ADHD-like symptoms. Some may even initially receive an incorrect diagnosis of ADHD. For these children, once the underlying problem is appropriately treated, and gluten is completely removed from a child's diet, attention and behavior problems improve dramatically and may even remit completely. In recent years, some doctors and nutritionists have suggested that a substantial minority of the population experiences non-celiac gluten sensitivity. It is thought that people in this group don't experience the severe gluten reaction found in celiac disease, but experience a milder reaction that contributes to weight gain, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems (among other symptoms). Most often, when doctors, nutritionists, and parents of kids with ADHD talk about gluten, they are usually focused on underlying gluten sensitivity rather than Celiac disease. What does the research say? A number of research studies have examined the impact of a gluten-free diet on ADHD symptoms in individuals who had confirmed ADHD diagnoses. Across the board, removing gluten from a child's diet had no clinically significant impact on ADHD symptoms. In other studies of children with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, attention and behavior issues did improve when gluten was eliminated from the childs diet. However, these children did not have ADHD, they had attention and behavior problems secondary to their medical condition. The Bottom Line: Many parents are willing to go through the very difficult process of systematically eliminating gluten from their child's diet in the hope that it will lead to big improvements in the child's ADHD symptoms. If a child has celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity (which is typically associated with some physical discomfort such as bloating, stomach pain, headaches, excessive fatigue, etc.), then the ADHD symptoms may be caused by the medical condition and eliminating gluten from the childs diet will have a significant impact. If a child does not have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, then switching to a gluten-free diet will not lead to a significant improvement in ADHD symptoms. If you would like to try a gluten-free diet with your child, talk to your childs pediatrician and/or a nutritionist about strategies for making the dietary changes as simple and stress-free as possible. 1Fasano et. al. (2003). A multi-center study on the sero-prevalence of celiac disease in the United States among both at risk and not at-risk groups. Archives of Internal Medicine, 163, 283-92. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.