A little more detail

Here's an ADD checklist that I found:

Inattention (must meet six of the following to a degree that is "maladaptive"):

• Often fails to give close attention to details or makes mistakes in schoolwork; Most of the time
• difficulty sustaining attention in tasks; Sometimes
• seems not to listen; Sometimes
• fails to follow instructions or finish work; Sometimes
• unorganized; Sometimes
• difficulties with schoolwork or homework; Sometimes
• loses things like school assignments, books, tools, etc.; Yes
• easily distracted; Sometimes
• forgetful about daily activities. Sometimes

ADD with Hyperactivity (must meet six of the following to a degree that is "maladaptive"):

• fidgety in a squirmy sense; Sometimes
• doesn't stay seated; Rarely
• runs or climbs excessively (or feelings of restlessness in older children); No @ home
• difficulty playing quietly; Rarely
• often "on the go" or acts if "driven by a motor"; No
• often talks excessively; I wish
• blurts out answers to questions; Sometimes
• difficulty waiting in lines or waiting turns; Sometimes
• often interrupts or intrudes on others. Sometimes

The above list I got from http://borntoexplore.org/whatisadd.htm.

I wanted to elaborate on some of ds's issues that we hope will improve:

*He walks down the steps with his right foot leading.

*He is very eager to be with other children/people but has a hard time regulating himself once there. Ds is either too much and isn't able to process his friends' reaction/needs fast enough or completely turns off. I often find him needing to retreat into a safer activity, such as looking at books in the middle of a visit. He still wants to be there, but choses a calmer activity that requires less interaction. This is one of his coping mechanisms.

*He has a hard time transitioning from one activity to the next most of the time. His reaction has improved a little and the time it takes to shift gears has lessoned.

It will be very interesting how these issues evolve. It is so hard to read and watch the testimonials about Brain Balance and not have high hopes. With such intense therapy, I do expect that his coordination and body awareness will get better.

Sound body, sound mind.