Rehm Analysis Center, LLC

04/25/2023

I recently came across some positive affirmations to say to your kids. I love the idea & was going to share it, but I noticed most were labeling such as "you are smart" (interchanged with others such as good, brave, etc). I'd like to caution that based on research, we actually build up our children's confidence and self efficacy better by praising their effort rather than achievement. Focus on WHAT they are doing a great job on and describe it (e.g., I love how hard you worked on your project, I am so proud of how hard you studied for that test, I love how you just shared your toys with your brother, etc). We want them to be proud of themselves and come to their own realization that they are competent and successful while enjoying the learning process. It can be a hard shift to make, but subtle changes can make a difference in building motivation and a lifetime love of learning!

03/31/2023

I just wanted to share a heartwarming story from my own family that shows how kids look up to their parents and see things that sometimes we can miss in ourselves. I am a Physician Assistant now, specialized in Psychiatry, though my prior healthcare experience was all in the mental health field primarily providing psychological evaluations and testing/recommendations for treatment and therapy to a lesser extent including group therapy. When I went through PA school, my son was very young and he was always my best patient willing to let me listen to his heart or lungs, look in his ears or eyes, etc so I could practice all aspects of the physical exam as a medical provider. He made me a card yesterday for "doctor's day" and wrote the sweetest inscription that warmed my heart and made my day. I told him I'm not a doctor, I'm a physician assistant, just like I would correct patients who erroneously assume I'm a physician. My son didn't care and still wanted me to have the card and show me how proud of me he was. It was so sweet and thoughtful! Never forget how little ones watch what you do and make assumptions and look up to you as a parent. Your children are often your biggest fans, and we as parents need to also show them how proud of them we are by reinforcing their hard work and effort rather than focusing on their achievements. This is well known through research to create successful and intrinsically motivated kids who set realistic goals and feel proud of working hard to achieve them!

01/23/2017

Very inspiring story!

"Is it okay if I totally trash your office?" It's a question Elyn Saks once asked her doctor, and it wasn't a joke. A legal scholar, in 2007 Saks came forward with her own story of schizophrenia, controlled by drugs and therapy but ever-present. In this powerful talk, she asks us to see people with…

04/01/2016

When I read Kim John Payne's book, Simplicity Parenting one message leapt off the page. Normal personality quirks combined with the stress of "too much" can propel children into the realm of disorder. A child who is systematic may be pushed into obsessive behaviours. A dreamy child may lose the abil…

12/31/2015

ADHD: New Year’s Resolutions
A body at rest, stays at rest…

“The New Year always brings with it an enthusiasm to look at yourself and your life and make some positive changes. While tons of research has been to done to show that New Year’s resolutions don’t work, research also shows that creating habits and setting goals do work. For some ADHD Adults, staying on task and achieving their goals can be a challenge.”[1]

“Recent findings suggest biological symptoms such as decreased blood flow and lower levels of electrical activity in the frontal lobes may be associated with ADHD.”[2]

“The lack of sufficient blood flow to the frontal lobe, can cause malfunction in the ‘executive function’ of the brain-a major component to ADHD. ‘Executive function’ is the part of the brain that helps set and achieve long-term goals. So, the part that would be useful to have functioning at its peak when trying to start a new, good habit or goal must be maintained. We all know it’s really hard for us to get moving!” [3]

For more information about ‘executive functions’ as related to ADHD, download or listen to Dr. Naomi Steiner’s presentation in Additude Magazine.[4]. Play Attention was the neurofeedback intervention used in those studies referenced by Dr. Steiner.

Here are some strategies to overcome that inertia and get moving:

“Fuel up

'Fuel' includes nutritious food, plenty of water, good sleep, and exercise. Your brain needs these things to function at peak performance, just like your car needs gas (or diesel). Fill your tank up with junk and your engine will just sputter.

Find the track

Think through the steps required to complete a task, create a checklist, and follow it. Separating the planning from the doing is incredibly powerful. Usually we can plan, and we can do, but we can’t plan and do at the same time.

Rev your engine

Raising your energy level can be a critical first step to getting moving. If you’re on the couch or at the computer (i.e. a body at rest), it may be unrealistic to expect yourself to spring into action and instantaneously become a body in motion. Start by simply wiggling your fingers or swinging your legs. Gradually increase the energy until you’re up and moving.

Set your wheels straight

Evaluate your options and decide what you’re going to do. Don’t second guess yourself. If you tend to belabor the “what to work on now” decision, or start a bunch of different projects without actually doing anything, you may need to practice giving yourself permission to be wrong. Spend a reasonable amount of time making the choice, and just do it already.

Rely on automation

Anything you can automate is one less thing you have to exert force on, saving you energy for other tasks. Automation includes things like computer programs, online bill pay, and direct deposit. Routines are also a form of automation. Having a repeatable process for things you do regularly means you don’t have to think them through every time.

Remove the boulders

De-clutter your environment. Eliminate distractions. Make a list of questions that are keeping you stuck in the same place, and find the answers.

Start in first gear

You won’t get far trying to start out in fourth gear. Break the task down into small steps, and focus only on the first one. Just like you wouldn’t expect an apple to fall up from the ground into the tree, don’t expect it to be easy to get started on things.

The good news is that once you get rolling, you can expect to keep rolling for quite a while! The laws of physics can work in your favor.”[5]

Play Attention was developed to deal with these kinds of difficulties in the ‘executive functioning’ areas of the brain through the development of cognitive skill sets. To learn more, peruse our website and check out our cognitive games: http://www.playattention.com/play-attention-cognitive-games/

Play Attention integrates feedback technology with cognitive skill training and behavior shaping. You may learn more about Play Attention at one of our upcoming Speed Webinars: http://www.playattention.com/speed-webinar/ At the webinar you can learn how Play Attention can help you achieve improved focus and success in the New Year.

[1] http://untappedbrilliance.com/adhd-and-new-years-resolutions/

[2] http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro98/202s98-paper1/Krishna.html

[3] http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/7051.html

[4] http://www.additudemag.com/adhdblogs/29/11456.html

[5] http://www.additudemag.com/adhdblogs/7/6736.html

Play Attention: http://www.playattention.com/

Play Attention cognitive games: http://www.playattention.com/play-attention-cognitive-games/

Play Attention Speed Webinars: http://www.playattention.com/speed-webinar/

10/22/2015

What a great idea! This would be especially good for kids with ADHD :-)

07/06/2015

Great summer activity for kids!

06/02/2015

"I could see her personality again, I was so happy," a niece says of her 97-year-old aunt.

04/15/2015

Interesting new brain research on depression - using novel techniques they were able to isolate a tiny area that contributes to depressive symptoms in mice when inactivated and improved symptoms when activated.

In 2014, Dr. Eric Turner’s team found that a tiny part of the brain – the dorsal medial habenula (dMHb) – helps regulate moods and controls the motivation to exercise and engage in pleasurable activities in mice, and thus potentially in people.

03/08/2015

Who can identify with this? Sometimes you have to laugh at yourself!

02/14/2015

This is so cute!

Jessica has a day where she's feeling ... really good about her life. ++++FAQ for this video ++++ Q: How old was Jess at the time of the video? A: She'd turn...

02/06/2015

This is helpful information about a relatively less well known eating disorder that is becoming more prevalent in our society, particularly in men.

Food not only nourishes the body but soothes and satiates as well–which is a big reason why our relationship with food can get really complicated. Anorexia and bulimia may be the most commonly talk...