It is often understood by us parents, carers, and educators when our children sometimes have trouble paying attention, sitting still, or controlling their emotions. There are instances, however, in which these behaviours seem out of control and are affecting that child’s life, in which case we might want to see if they could be suffering from an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Much of what we know about this medical condition has changed in the past couple of years after more studies and in-depth research. Here to enlighten us a little bit further and help us understand how to best support our children with ADHD, is Simon da Roza. 

Simon Da Roza is the principal consultant at exceptional learners helping neurodiverse children and families. He’s a passionate educator with a particular interest in supporting kids and families with ADHD, odd ASD and PDA. He has over 33 years of teaching experience across New South Wales And more recently in Brisbane and Sydney, Australia. He’s also taught in remote Aboriginal communities, rural communities and alternative communities, and has also worked as a school principal. Simon has specialized in early literacy, boys’ education and autism and ADHD. Most importantly, he’s a father of four amazing kids and has utilized his other passion in life running to raise funds for isolated children with cancer, as well as fundraising for speech pathologist for local rural schools in New South Wales. 

Key Learnings:

Tune in to my conversation with Simon Da Roza and learn about:

• Why Simon enjoys helping neurodiverse children and families as an educator
• How our previous understanding of ADHD has now changed upside down
• Three main presentations of ADHD – inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity
• Simon dispels some myths and misunderstandings about ADHD
• Why ADHD is not about “naughtiness” or “bad parenting”
• How prevalent this disorder is in children and at what age is it commonly diagnosed
• Some surprising and upsetting stats about this disorder in the world today
• What happens to undiagnosed and untreated ADHD
• Treatment plans and options parents and educators can take when they suspect their child having ADHD
• Getting to understand and assess your executive functions
• Taking a collaborative and proactive solutions approach
• Making sure that the child is included in the collaboration process

What Parents, Carers, or Educators to Care for Children Diagnosed with ADHD:

1. Relationship, relationship, relationship. I often ask executives and principals if they just find time for these teachers to connect with kids. 
2. Medication, sleep, exercise, but the movement of any sort. With younger kids, I really like sensory-motor programs. So important because it helps kids work on their focus. And their planning, healthy movement is healthy brain development and control. 
3. Understanding the limbic system
4. Meditation, mindfulness is a really very important aspect of the treatment plan.
5. Connection time with their friends. But they need to want that as much as having a connection time with their parents and having meals together as well.
   

Quotes:

“Teachers, I think my advice is just to step back, parents trust you and with a healthy, balanced kid, that learning will catch up.”

“We’re not here to fix the kids, we’re here to help them shine. And I believe perhaps we have a lot more of these kids around. Because they think differently.” – Simon Da Roza

Links:

• Exceptional Learners Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/477079639501945/
• Exceptional Learners Website: https://www.xceptionallearners.com/
• Dr. Mona Delahooke: https://monadelahooke.com/
• Teaching Teens with ADD, ADHD, and Executive Functions Deficits by Chris A. Ziegler Dendy: https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Teens-Executive-Function-Deficits/dp/B01FKTMXEQ
• Executive Functions with Simon Da Roza: https://www.facebook.com/events/garforth-education/executive-functions-with-simon-da-roza/302476274298281/
• ADHD 2.0 by Dr. Edward Hallowell: https://www.amazon.com/ADHD-2-0-Essential-Strategies-Distraction/dp/0399178732
• The Explosive Child, Raising Human Beings, Lost at School, Lost and Found by Dr. Ross Greene: https://drrossgreene.com/books.htm

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PODCAST DISCLAIMER

Any information and links presented within the Chatabout Children™ with Sonia Bestulic podcast are aimed to provide general information and advice only.
Information is to be used at the discretion of the consumer/ listener. The information presented does not replace or substitute the expert advice received from a direct consultation with the relevant qualified professional.