ADHD Therapy for Kids

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Cognitive skills are necessary for learning and development in every period of life, especially in the early years. Surprisingly, there is a big difference between academic and cognitive skills. Academic skills include knowledge about different subjects like math, science, and history. Cognitive skills are the mental capabilities that are critical for successful learning, thinking, understanding, reading, remembering, prioritizing, planning, and solving problems. Weak cognitive skills make learning difficult, even after multiple learning opportunities. Weak Cognitive Skills make Academic Learning a struggle. However, with STRONG Cognitive Skills, Academic Learning is fast, easy, and fun! 

Play-Based Cognitive Training Program (PBCT) improves cognitive skills that are critical for learning and daily life performance. 
The difference between this method and other brain training methods is in its significant long-lasting effects on brain functioning. The effects of this method are automatically generalized to academic learning. Individuals can apply the skills that they learned through cognitive training in their daily life.  At the end of the training, through published research by Lia Khalili (Registered Child and Youth Psychotherapist), it is demonstrated that students' academic performance improved significantly and participants achieved higher scores, especially in mathematics and dictation. 
Cognitive training has an added advantage in improving the client’s attention, leading to better results in intelligence testing. As a result, the IQ test score of participants improved significantly.   

Everyone can benefit from cognitive training since cognitive training helps to develop necessary skills to improve performance in our daily lives and result in better learning.
In addition, cognitive training is a good choice for those who have:

• Attention problems and ADHD 
• Learning disorders 
• Reading problems and dyslexia 
• Speech and language disorders 
• Struggle with reading comprehension
• Struggle with math 
• Struggle with grades, homework, or class assignments

  BrainBright Play-Based Cognitive Training is applicable for different ages. However, younger children can get more benefits from this training because of their brain flexibility.  
The important point is that weak cognitive skills have adverse effects on learning and demanding effects on mental health and behavior. 

Children with low cognitive skills may experience a lack of success in many areas due to difficulties in completing ordinary and age-appropriate tasks. They believe that they cannot overcome obstacles or even they do not have the capabilities to do some ordinary tasks. This often leads to low self-esteem and low self-efficacy. Starting cognitive training at an early age can prevent these negative effects on children's mental health. It helps children to develop healthy beliefs towards themselves.   

 BrainBright Play-Based Cognitive Training is a play-based therapy, which improves clients’ participation in therapy through fun activities. It also leads clients to maintain increased attention toward therapy. Building positive adult-child interactions is another benefit of the PBCT 

While Tutoring focuses on renewing information,  BrainBright Play-Based Cognitive Training works on brain function and develops skills to help individuals more effectively learn the information in the first place. In fact, Cognitive Training addresses the root of the problem and improves the capabilities of individuals. Overall cognitive training:  

1. Treats the Root of the Problem 
2. Provides Transferable Gains as a result of the improvement of the brain performance 
3. Enhances the Performance of the Brain 
4. Has Long-Lasting Results 
5. Improves behavior 

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the brain and behaviors.

1. Interrupting while other people talking 

2.  Trouble waiting their turn 

3. Inability to sit still 

4. Problem in finishing tasks 

5. Trouble paying attention 

6. Avoiding activities that require sustained attention, such as doing homework or paying attention in class 

7. Trouble following instructions

8. Problem in planning or executing a plan. 

9. Trouble keeping track of activities and tasks

10. Problem in prioritizing their school projects, homework, and other assignments.

11. Being forgetful in daily activities, and forgetting to do chores and assignments 

12. Having outbursts of anger 

13. Losing control of their emotions 

14. Trouble tracking conversations 

• Focusing on assignments and schoolwork 
• Understanding social cues
• Making relationships with peers
• Maintaining personal hygiene
• Having responsibility at home
• Doing chores at home
• Time management

Children with ADHD can be overwhelmed with frustration, and anger can be the result of impulsivity.
Compared to other kids their age, it is hard for children with ADHD to manage powerful feelings without an outburst.
More than impulsive outbursts, some kids with ADHD develop negative behavior patterns.
Children with ADHD are being told from an early age that they are not doing the right thing, they are making trouble, etc.
As a result, they may internalize these negative messages and accept that there is something wrong with them; or they may try to aggressively respond towards negative comments and cause more tantrums.

 Flexible program duration ranging from 20 to 40 sessions, depending on individual needs, goals, and progress. 

 Sessions are conducted either in one-on-one or small group settings, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support, and personalized attention. 

 Lia Khalili, Registered Psychotherapist, leads the sessions with a compassionate and empathetic approach, helping participants overcome challenges and achieve their goals. 

Executive function is a set of mental skills that help individuals plan, organize, and complete tasks. These cognitive processes are crucial for managing behavior, emotions, and thoughts effectively. Executive function encompasses several key components, including:

Planning: The ability to set goals, create strategies, and outline the steps needed to achieve objectives. Planning involves thinking ahead and considering potential obstacles.

Organization: The capacity to arrange information, materials, and tasks in a systematic and efficient manner. Organizational skills enable individuals to keep track of belongings, schedules, and responsibilities.

Initiation: The skill of starting tasks or activities without procrastination or unnecessary delay. Initiation involves overcoming inertia and taking action to begin a task.

Inhibition: The ability to control impulses, resist distractions, and maintain focus on relevant information or goals. Inhibition helps individuals avoid impulsive behaviors and stay on task despite potential distractions.

Self-regulation: The capacity to manage emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in accordance with situational demands and long-term goals. Self-regulation involves controlling impulses, managing stress, and adapting to changing circumstances.

Working memory: The cognitive function responsible for holding and manipulating information in the mind over short periods. Working memory allows individuals to retain relevant information while performing tasks and make decisions based on that information.

Flexibility: The skill of adapting to new situations, shifting attention between tasks, and adjusting strategies in response to feedback or changes in the environment. Flexibility enables individuals to problem-solve effectively and cope with unexpected challenges.

Executive function skills are essential for success in various domains of life, including academic achievement, professional success, social relationships, and daily functioning. Difficulties with executive function can impact an individual's ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and complete tasks efficiently, leading to challenges in school, work, and daily activities. Therefore, interventions aimed at improving executive function can have significant benefits for individuals across the lifespan.

Planning: Involves setting goals, creating strategies, and outlining the steps needed to achieve objectives. Planning requires thinking ahead and considering potential obstacles or challenges.

Organizing: The ability to arrange information, materials, and tasks in a systematic and efficient manner. Organizational skills help individuals keep track of belongings, schedules, and responsibilities.

Initiation: Refers to the skill of starting tasks or activities without procrastination or unnecessary delay. Initiation involves overcoming inertia and taking action to begin a task.

Inhibition: The capacity to control impulses, resist distractions, and maintain focus on relevant information or goals. Inhibition helps individuals avoid impulsive behaviors and stay on task despite potential distractions.

Attention: Executive function encompasses different aspects of attention, including sustaining attention over time, shifting attention between tasks or stimuli, and selectively focusing attention on relevant information.

Memory: Executive function plays a role in memory processes, particularly working memory—the ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind over short periods. Executive function skills support recalling information and using it to guide behavior.

Self-regulation: Involves managing emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in accordance with situational demands and long-term goals. Self-regulation encompasses controlling impulses, managing stress, and adapting to changing circumstances.

Problem-solving: Executive function skills are crucial for identifying problems, generating potential solutions, evaluating alternatives, and selecting the most effective course of action. Problem-solving involves monitoring actions and adjusting strategies based on feedback.

Impulsive Behavior: Difficulty controlling feelings or impulses, leading to impulsive behavior.

Procrastination and Incomplete Tasks: Challenges starting or finishing tasks, resulting in procrastination or incomplete projects.

Organizational Struggles: Issues with organizing and planning, such as difficulty breaking tasks into manageable steps.

Disorganization: Trouble keeping track of thoughts, belongings, or items, leading to disorganization.

Time Management Issues: Problems with time management, including difficulty estimating time or meeting deadlines.

Attention Difficulties: Difficulty transferring attention between tasks or maintaining focus despite distractions.

Daydreaming and Distraction: Issues with attention or listening, such as frequent daydreaming or being easily distracted.

Memory Challenges: Short-term memory difficulties, such as forgetting instructions or details shortly after receiving them.

Priority Setting Problems: Trouble setting priorities or deciding which tasks to focus on first.

Multitasking Struggles: Inability to multitask or balance multiple tasks simultaneously.

Social Interaction Challenges: Improper social behavior or difficulty understanding social cues.

Learning and Feedback Difficulties: Challenges in learning from past experiences or adjusting behavior based on feedback.

Problem-Solving and Comprehension Issues: Difficulty problem-solving or understanding new information, particularly in complex or unfamiliar situations.

 Through a series of play-based activities and cognitive training exercises, BrainBright is designed to develop and strengthen these executive functions, leading to improved behavior management, academic performance, and overall well-being.