Inviting Calm Within: ADD, Neurology, and Mindfulness
Author: Riner, Phillip S.
Date: 2014-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Attention Deficit Disorders,Conceptual Tempo,Metacognition,Brain Hemisphere Functions,Neurology,Psychotherapy,Executive Function,Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,Cognitive Psychology,Symptoms (Individual Disorders),Self Control,Clinical Diagnosis,Cognitive Ability,Drug Therapy,Stereotypes,Genetics,Therapy,Classroom Environment,Classroom Techniques

The fourth edition of the &quot;Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders&quot; (&quot;DSM IV&quot;) describes ADD as behaviorally observed impairments in attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Officially known as AD/HD, we use ADD here because we are dealing primarily with attention, organizational, and impulsivity issues. A more sophisticated model of the disorder is being developed as research in neurology, psychotherapy, cognitive psychology, and education as unified into a comprehensive view, offering more promising treatments than in the past. In this robust model, ADD is viewed as a neurological condition where individuals struggle with regulating executive functions of the brain, as a result of impaired operation of the prefrontal cortex. In contrast to the &quot;DSM IV&quot; viewpoint, these impairments may or may not result in behavioral deficits, depending on the success the individual has in accommodating the symptoms. Acknowledging that these deficits create substantial challenges to the individual, this newer model acknowledges personal resilience and the self-creation of compensating factors that mitigate the difficulties that are required in the &quot;DSM IV&quot; diagnosis. Thus, an ADHD individual may be quite successful, but that success comes at a high price, from either continued struggles hidden carefully from others to control functions others take for granted, or enduring great underachievement when the intellectual ability of the individual is considered. Although ADD is a substantial lifelong disorder, its effect can be mitigated by a number of factors. While medication is the front-line treatment, success typically involves a combination of strategies, including altering the immediate environment, education about the condition, and psychological therapy. This article describes additional approaches creating an inviting perspective to problematic organizational and concentration issues. This approach includes the traditional approaches, but reaches out to more experiences known to aid in the development of mindfulness and attention, in ways that can benefit the ADD individual. The purpose of the paper is: (1) To counter negative stereotypes of ADD; (2) To provide an accurate basic explanation of the neurological and genetic basis of ADD; (3) To describe the compatibility of Invitational Theory (IT) in creating classroom environments that foster ameliorative settings, situations, and activities for students with neurological differences; and (4) To describe strategies for calming the mind, specifically adapted for ADD that consume minimal time, can be integrated into daily classroom functioning, and are appropriate for individual as well as classroom use.