I have come across a recent study on the treatment and diagnosis of ADHD children in Taiwan. The study was published in the Journal of Pediatrics and titled “Influence of Relative Age on Diagnosis and Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Taiwanese Children”. The authors wanted to find the correlation between relative age and the subsequent diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in children. The study concluded that it is more likely for children who were born in August (the youngest of the class) to be diagnosed and given medication than those who were born in September (the oldest of the class).
最近讀了一篇有關於孩童年紀與ADHD診斷和用藥的報導。這篇報導名為Influence of Relative Age on Diagnosis and Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Taiwanese Children 並在兒科學周刊第172期中登出。作者們想找出孩童相對年紀及ADHD診斷和用藥的關聯性。而這份研究也顯示出生於8月(年紀最小)的同年級孩童較出生於9月(年紀最大)的同年級孩童較易為診斷為過動兒並給予藥物治療。
This study strengthens my believe that ADHD is not a disease that should be “treated” with “medication”, nevertheless we ought look for ways to help our children “mature”. Here are some activities we can do with our children during the summer months to boost their brain power while having fun!
這篇報導加深了我對ADHD的認知並證實我的理論。ADHD並不應該是個倚賴藥物治療的"病"，而是我們應該找出適合各個孩子"成熟"的方法。而以下是四個這暑假爸爸媽媽就能和孩子們一起同樂，增加腦力的活動。
1. Swimming 游泳:
What can be more relaxing than going to the pool on a hot summer day? But swimming is not just about having fun, it actually makes your brain think.While you are swimming, you relaxes and stretches your skeletal muscles, and your breathing pattern differs from your daily walk or run.The out of norm routine will make your brain contemplate as you become more coordinated.
有什麼活動比游泳更能消暑的嗎?但是游泳並不是只有好玩喔~ 它其實是讓腦袋"運動"的好方法!當在游泳時，你的筋骨達到充分的伸展及收縮，而你的呼吸頻率也和一般走路或跑步時不同。這些身體上的不同運用讓你的大腦達到不同的思考，也一邊加強了身體的協調性。
2. Board Game 桌遊:
Board games are more than passing the time.They break down self-awareness, the shy barrier, and bring people together.Moreover, they help develop social skills which include communicating verbally, sharing, waiting, taking turns, and social interaction. They also encourage reading, critical thinking, lengthening attention span and the ability to focus.
桌遊不單是一種打發時間的方法，它讓害羞的孩子也能和大家一起遊戲。而且，它增強孩子的溝通能力，分享，等待還有社交能力等並鼓勵閱讀，批判性思考，及拉長注意力的有效辦法。
3. Ping-Pong 乒乓球
It is more than tracking the little white ball while shaking your head, playing Ping-Pong is great for enhancing your hand-eye coordination and reflexes. You have to focus so you can track the ball through space, figure out spins, and plan and execute strategies on how to return the ball to your opponent. All the while, you are giving your brain a complete workout, promoting coordination and making the left and right side of the brain work together.
乒乓球不只是盯著小白球頭腦左右搖晃而已，它更是一個運用全大腦的有氧運動。它對手眼協調和反射動作都極有幫助，對空間感，注意力，辨識能力及判斷力都有相當的訓練。在短時間內必須專注、判斷、及抉擇對應。運用全大腦同時也讓左腦和右腦一同合作，增強兩邊的協調性。
4. Dancing 跳舞
We have all heard of the story of Dame Gillian Barbara Lynne. Her mother was asked to bring her to the doctors as she was performing poorly in school and unable to focus in her classes. Her doctor recognized her need to “move” and saw her talent in dance thus encouraged her mother to allow her to pursue dancing. Dancing produces brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein that helps neurons communicate more effectively. Different types of dancing combines cerebral and cognitive thought processes with muscle memory and proprioception held in the cerebellum.
我們都聽過Dame Gillian Barbara Lynne的精采故事。她的母親因為她在學校嚴重落後而被老師要求看醫。還好她的醫生慧眼獨到發現她對舞蹈的天賦並鼓勵她的媽嗎讓她學舞。跳舞時我們的身體製作出讓腦神經傳導訊息更有效率的腦神經蛋白而不同的舞步也刺激了大腦的不同部位及訓練肌肉記憶的小腦。
So, instead of sitting in front of the computer and playing video games, why not give our bain a proper workout this summer?
所以，除了坐在電腦前打電玩之外，何不讓我們的大腦也充分好好的練練筋骨呢?