Archive for the ‘At Work’ Category

Impact of Movement on Learning: Featuring the “Stand up Desk”

November 9, 2009

Stand up desk

The powerpoint presentation Dr. Rotz used at the Education Minnesota Teachers Conference, explaining how activity in our sensory system impacts ADHD and executive functions, is available in the previous post.  The presentation blended with the unveiling of the AlphaBetter Desk or “stand up desk” with the swinging footrest.  The desk, which was originated by Abby Brown, is an outstanding alternative for ADHD children, teens and adults  to allow them to be ADHD invisible in the classroom!  To learn more about the desk, you can contact Dr. Rotz, or go online at www.safco.com or www.standupforlearning.com.

White Noise for Focus & Serenity

April 25, 2009

I finally gave into social pressure and have started hanging out in twitterland (you can follow me at twitter.com/SarahDWright). After feeling overwhelmed for a while, I am beginning to like it–partly because it’s a treasure hunt and I’m finding some great stuff. Like this online virtual “cone of silence” or, as the tweeter put it, “white noise for focus and serenity.”

Douglas Cootey (find him here: thesplinteredmind.blogspot.com and here: twitter.com/SplinteredMind) brought it to my attention. He mentioned he used simplynoise.com for focus and serenity. I checked it out and it’s great. Such a cool, simple idea. Try it the next time all the little sounds around you are driving you nuts and distracting you from concentrating. It just kind of erases all those little sounds right off your radar so you’re good to stay on track.

Let us know how it works for you!

Finding Gold at the Dollar Store

October 31, 2006

In the Ask the Expert section of the November 2006 issue of ADDitude magazine, a woman wrote that her boss was opposed to her knitting during meetings. You wrote that she should try some other, perhaps more discrete, mindless activity to help her stay focused (see Staying Focused).

I found many mindless activities in my local dollar store!

Your book lists the Alert Program web site as a Resource. When I checked out the products there I discovered that at the dollar store I had purchased a reflex ball, similar to ones priced from $5.95 to $15.95 on the website, for–you guessed it–only $1.00!

I also wanted to add that The Atlas Pen and Pencil Co. sells bendable pencils, velvet pencils and other sensory-type writing tools on the web site ForTeachersOnly.com.

– Anne (from email)

Crocheting Helps Keep My Mouth Shut!

November 7, 2005

I crochet everywhere. If my hands have a hook and yarn in them I can sit through college classes, lectures, church services, or anything. Not only do I just sit (an accomplishment in itself), I can listen and tune into what a speaker is saying AND keep my mouth shut. This accomplishments could be on the top ten miracles list!

Also, I’ve noticed less behavior problems in classes when you give add kids either playdough, a small rope and illustrations on “how to tie knots, paper to do oragami–any thing to keep their hands occupied. They seem to remember more and participate appropriately when they can do something.

– Jeannie (from email)