How our Sensory System impacts ADHD and Executive Functions

Roland Rotz, PhD www.DocRotz.com

Education Minnesota Professional Conference October 15, 2009

Overview
Learning is heavily influenced by activity in our sensory system. A gradual shift in the way children learn has changed how we teach.
Sit Still and Pay Attention~ Outdated! Mindful Learning: A shift in how to learn

Fidget to Focus: Sensory strategies for attention and learning

Recent Innovations in movement for the Classroom

Traditional Learning
Stillness is an essential element of attention Movement and variation of perspective hamper attention and concentration Repetition and Just give me the facts! Governed by rule and routine Depends upon impressions drawn by others Passive vs. Active Learning

Rising Tide of Passive Learning

Television and movies replace reading as primary source of entertainment Less practice actively imagining More practice passively watching Reading Comprehension scores decline Children everywhere: Im Bored! Simply sitting still and listening no longer engages the childs imagination

Mindful Learning (E. Langer,1997)

The simple act of drawing novel distinctions A flexible state of mind Actively engaged in the present Noticing new things Sensitive to context Seeking alternative ways of knowing Rules and routine guide but do not predetermine behavior

Movement to Increase Attention

Carson,Shih,Langer, 2001, J of Adult Dev.

Study: Sit Still and Pay Attention? Students were asked to view and remember landmarks and locations on a world map 3 groups: Sit Still, Shuffle, and Walk Kids in the Walk group identified sig. more landmarks than kids in the Sit Still group 24% of Sit Still group reported: Distracted By varying perspectives attention & memory improve! ADHD moving kids did best!

Movement improves Attention and Memory

Chewing gum improves memory and working memory. Wilkinson, L., Scholey, A. &
Wesnes, K. (2002), Baker, J. R., et.al. (2004)

Cardiovascular exercise improves attention, memory and many other functions.

Ratey, J. Spark (2008)

Doodling while listening helps memory recall. Andrade, J. (2009)

Tangles in the classroom: Found to help focus and improve concentration. Zawitz, R. (2009)

ADHD: Brief Definition

Symptoms of Executive Function Inattention Impulse Control Hyperactivity
We understand the neurology of inattention and impulse control, but why do we fidget?

Why Do We Fidget?

Just one more round of Nintendo and Ill be done with my homework!

Optimal Stimulation Theory Sydney Zentall

Theory suggests: people actively seek some optimal levels of stimulation. ADHD children and adults require more stimulation and novelty than others. They seek heightened levels of activity or stimulation through their environment. She conducted a series of tests demonstrating that adding environmental and task stimulation improved the performance and behavior of children with ADHD.

Fidget to Focus: A Shift in Understanding!

Critical areas of the brain are underactive and dysregulated Underactivity is experienced as boring or tedious Underactivity is intolerable Boredom is avoided by seeking stimulation Looks like Attention Surplus Disorder Some sensory strategies facilitate focus while other strategies interrupt focus

Allen Zametkin, NIMH

BOREDOM vs. INTEREST

IMPORTANT

Fidget Strategy at its Worst

Fidget by default Unplanned and unintended Interrupts rather than focuses

Facilitating Focusing Fidgets

Simultaneous Sensory Stimulation Strategies Short term modulation of a disregulated system: Usually when bored! Rhythmic Recent evidence of sustained change from persistent use of some of these strategies.

Facilitating Focusing Fidgets

Which of your senses works best and which is worst for information gathering? Best sensory method = interest. Worst sensory method = boredom. Simultaneous application of worst and best senses improves focus during tedious or underwhelming event.

Movement Strategies
Running, walking, yoga, guided imagery Tapping fingers, wiggling legs or toes Rhythm of rocking, knitting Chewing, biting, sucking, smoking Doodling, spinning drumsticks Challenging Gravity Movements: Standing up or pacing Balancing on back two legs of a chair An arm extended in the air to fall asleep

Touch Strategies
Tactile, Textural, or Temperature Quality Fidgeting with hair, skin, coins or keys Fidgeting with toys like Tangles Clicking a pen, mechanical pencil Tapping, drumming or rubbing fingers Knitting, sewing Cooking, kneading, stirring Silkies, blankies or favorite old shirt Cold showers or cool/warm air

Sight Strategies
Television Video games Channel surfing Noticing details in a room Glancing out a window Watching a flickering candle or fireplace Watching a pendulum Using colorful tools ie. markers

Sound Strategies
Music: familiar, often with a beat Drumming White noise Water fountains, waterfalls Whistling Humming Reading outloud Hearing passing cars Overhead fans

Taste Strategies
Sweet/sour candies Mint flavors Spices in foods, like ginger Taste of Starbucks Flavored teas Taste of adrenaline Taste of fear

Smell Strategies
Flavored pens Fresh crisp air Ammonia in smelling salts Aroma Therapy
Lavender oil vs Lemon oil

Perfumes and cologne Cinnamon rolls in the mall Smoke

Time Strategies I will never be the tortoise!

Procrastination Time sprints Count down timers Timers on your computer

Companion Strategies
Body double Study buddy, tutor Workout partner Family or parent Teacher Personal assistant Coach or Therapist or Organizer

Fidget Strategies: Parents

Choose to be Interested and Interesting Blend to create the ideal vacation Be curious daily! Keep your promises in focus: Intensify them Walk and talk Markers on the mirror to communicate Family calendars Encourage passion: Daily

Fidget Strategies: School

Multi-sensory teaching Reading to background music Standup desks or sitting on exercise balls Standing, swaying or chewing gum Respectful fidgeting with Tangle toys Reading aloud with enthusiasm Anticipating arousal shifts in transitions Brain Gym exercises Sprint strategies to manage time/projects Teach self-monitoring and self-regulation

Fidget Strategies: Falling Asleep

Listen to iPod or CD: familiar music Listen to TV, fan, white noise Read a mildly interesting book Silkies or wrinklies Gentle, repetitive movements Guided imagery or Pzizz.com Arm balanced in the air Vibrating pillows, beds

Fidget Strategies: Waking Up

Multiple alarms placed in strategic places Alarm to take medication hour early Nagging parent Vibrating, rolling, or flying alarm clock 2 glasses of water at bedtime Promise to awaken a friend or ask a friend to wake you up.

Fidget Strategies: Summing Up

Notice the natural rhythms around you Find your personal rhythm Listen to the rhythm of your senses, find your strength and your struggle Blend your senses to create focus Chose effective and respectful fidgets The selective rhythm of sensory movement is exercising for your brain

Fidget Strategies: Summing Up

Living life with ADD is to be creatively eccentric
Embrace the passion Notice the differences Expect the unexpected Find the rhythm in the chaos

Fidget with Attitude Do it with respect for yourself and others Welcome to the fraternity of those who
Fidget to Focus

Why do we fidget? Because we can!

www.FidgetToFocus.com Roland Rotz, PhD

www.FidgetToFocus.com

Join our blog at Fidget to Focus.com DocRotz@DocRotz.com