Dr Hallowell

I’m excited to introduce you to the Learning Breakthrough Program (LBP), an effective, innovative, inexpensive, exercise-based treatment for ADHD and reading problems.

I am always looking for new, non-medication treatments for both ADHD and reading problems, and I believe this is one of the best.  It is actually not new, in that it has been in use clinically for 30 years.  However, some of the science behind it is new.  It is based upon the principle of stimulating the cerebellum, a region at the back of the brain that has connections to the front parts of the brain, which is where the symptoms involved in ADHD and reading problems originate.

By stimulating the cerebellum through physical exercises, like standing on a balance board, juggling, standing on one leg with your eyes closed, and a variety of others, you can actually bring about improvement in concentration and reading fluency, by taking advantage of the connections from the cerebellum to the front parts of the brain.  

The beauty of the Learning Breakthrough Program is that it makes this therapy affordable, convenient, and actually fun.  You order the kit and do the exercises at home.  You can demonstrate for yourself that it is working by doing the before and after comparisons the kit shows you how to do.  So, you get immediate positive reinforcement, which is a powerful motivator to keep you, or your child, doing the exercises.

One of my sons and my wife benefitted enormously from cerebellar stimulation exercises, my son with a reading problem, and my wife with a coordination problem (yes, these exercises also improve coordination and athleticism!).

LBP can–and should–be used as part of a comprehensive treatment program that also includes education, coaching, tutoring, perhaps medication, and perhaps additional complementary treatments.

I am so enthusiastic about LBP that I have leant my name to endorse the product.  I have become a consultant to the company, and while they do pay me for my time, I would never endorse a product I did not totally believe in.  While we do need more research to prove the efficacy of LBP, I have seen enough anecdotally for me to be a big-time fan of this effective, convenient, and affordable treatment.

 I think LBP is one of the most exciting innovations in the treatment of ADHD and reading problems since the advent of stimulant medication in 1937.  And it carries the possibility of going one better than medications, in that it addresses underlying causes.

The only drawback to LBP is that not enough people know about it.  I hope to help in the effort to change that soon!

To learn more, go to the LBP web site, learningbreakthrough.com

People often ask me, “What’s the key to getting the best outcome in working with ADD?”

There is no one key.  Watch out for simplistic solutions and the people who offer them.  There is no one best remedy, there is no one best system, there is no one best medication or nutritional supplement.  And what works for one person will not necessarily work for you or your child.

However, having treated ADD in children and adults for over 25 years now, and having ADD as well as dyslexia myself, I can say with absolute certainty that while there is no one key, we do have a marvelous assortment of keys that open many of the doors untreated ADD can seem to close.  The doors to success, personal fulfillment, joy, health, and lifelong satisfaction.

“The key” is to find the various keys that work for you. The best way to do this is to work with a doctor who knows that vast array of available keys.  Sadly, such doctors can be hard to find.  If that’s the case for you, start with my books.  Start with Delivered from Distraction and SuperParenting for ADD.  Those books will show you many keys that might work for you or your child.  As you read, you will start to smile and fill up with knowledge and knowledge’s sibling, hope.

I can tell you for sure that there is always a realistic chance for major improvement.  So don’t settle for mediocre results.  People with ADD are champions in the making.  I want you to know this just as surely as I know it.  You, or your child, are champions in the making.  Let me help you get there, either through my books, or through a personal conversation.  I have started offering telephone appointments for people who can’t come to see me in person.  If you are interested in booking such an appointment, just contact my assistant, Dianne, at hallowellevents@yahoo.com

The great mistake people make as they work with their ADD or their child’s is settling for less than the best outcome.  Please don’t make that mistake yourself.

I’ve been thinking lately about how much time people spend in negative places emotionally.  The power of positive thinking is so well demonstrated that it has become a cliche.  However, negative thinking and feeling are just as powerful, if not more so, only in a destructive way.  Negative feelings are inescapable, because life is full of pain.  But I have observed over and over again the happiest, healthiest people are not those who are lucky enough to avoid most of life’s worst moments, but those who can, no matter what, find something else to celebrate and be glad about.  We can’t deny or avoid the hard times.  But we can, even in the midst of hard times, seek out and then dwell upon someone or something we love in our lives.

As I deal with my prostate cancer, it has been truly inspirational to me to feel the tremendous support I’ve received from so many, many people.  Their support doesn’t take the cancer away, but it surely does stoke me up with positive energy, thoughts, and feelings.  I guess what I’m saying is that no matter how hard times are, if you open yourself up to it, positive energy is out there for you.  We’re all in this thing called life together, and we all suffer certain pain.  But we can be there for one another, no matter what.  Being there for each other is the best antidote I know of to life’s pain.  —

What does this have to do with ADD, you might be asking yourself?  Just that so much of life with ADD can be saturated with negative thoughts and feelings. It can be saturated with pessimism, fear, and shame—all quite well based in reality and truly negative events.  But, as much as those painful events can’t be removed from our lives, we can work with one another to lift each other’s burdens.  And we can discover that doing this is actually magical.  When I was in the Dana Farber Hospital last week planning my treatment, a young woman came by offering books and magazines she had on a pushcart.  Even though I didn’t need a book or magazine, just seeing her made me feel like crying tears of joy.  How awesome this young woman, likely a volunteer, was making her rounds through the hospital.  It was as if she were an itinerant preacher.  And then this morning, when I was in church, a woman I barely know came up to me, gave me a kiss on my cheek, and said, “I know you’ll be fine.”  Again, I had to blink back tears.  —  Whether you’re dealing with ADD, cancer, the loss of a job, or just a bad day, keep in mind that none of us has to be alone.  Open up, and you’ll find company.

Thanks for all your excellent comments.  I will go ahead and develop 355 more of these.  I welcome your suggestions.  Already, some of you have come up with sayings I will use (and give you credit!).  —  As some of you know, I have prostate cancer, and am having surgery August 18.  I’ll have time to write while I recuperate.  Luckily, I enjoy writing.  One of the interesting facts I’ve learned about people with ADD is that we all do much better when we have a creative outlet.  Writing is one of mine.

Hi, Ned Hallowell here.  I have been thinking for years of writing a book of 365 sayings regarding ADD, one for each day.  This is my start.  I’d love your feedback.  Should I go on?

1. Always remember this: you really, truly are a much better person than you think you are.
2. Scheduling is vital, even in matters where it seems unimportant.  For example, one of THE BEST ways to improve your sex life, if you have ADD, it to schedule love-making into your week.  It is both romantic—because anticipation is arousing—and effective, because you actually will make love instead of just thinking about it!
3. I will not listen to people who burst my bubble because they are always negative.  But I will listen to people who I know have my best interests at heart even if they burst my bubble.
4. Every day, EYES:  Exercise, Yoga or meditation, Eat right, and Sleep enough.  How much sleep is enough?  Enough so that you wake up without an alarm clock.
5. Your greatest asset is also your worst enemy.  It’s your imagination.  Think about that and you’ll understand.  Then, try bringing your imagination under control.
6. Before you double the recipe, count the guests.
7. Never worry alone.
8. Don’t worry about being perfectly organized.  Leave that for the people who have attention surplus disorder.  Make it your purpose to get well enough organized that disorganization doesn’t keep your from reaching your goals.
9. Get a pet.  You need frequent doses of positive contact.
10. Try to do one thing at a time.  Multi-tasking is a dangerous myth.  On the other hand, you don’t mow a lawn one blade of grass at a time.  Learn how to leverage your time and energy.

To read this article go to: http://empoweringparents.com/Five-Simple-Brain-Exercise-Activities-for-Your-ADHD-Child.php