| Toys are an important part of development for all | | | | from relaxation to concentration as they move the ball |
| children, but particularly in the case of children who | | | | around the Mindflex course thus helping them gain |
| have ADD or ADHD, toys can be an important part of | | | | better control of their symptoms naturally. Some users |
| skill development. There are many new toys that are | | | | on Amazon have had so much success using Mindflex |
| shaping up to be the most popular of the Christmas | | | | as a therapy that they have discontinued their |
| 2009 season but not all of them provide the same | | | | children's ADD or ADHD medication. |
| level of education, fun, and financial value. This article | | | | For many years, therapists have been suggesting |
| will describe some of the best toys for children with | | | | LEGOS as part of therapeutic play for children with |
| ADD and ADHD available for sale during the 2009 | | | | ADHD. It can be difficult for children with hyperactivity |
| holiday season. | | | | to complete lengthy tasks that require extensive |
| ADD and ADHD are two very common learning | | | | directions and LEGOS are simple to use, rely on |
| differences in young children and as such, toy | | | | imagination rather than directions, and a structure can |
| manufacturers have really made a special effort to | | | | be completed quickly, instilling a sense of |
| target this specific group of children. There have been | | | | accomplishment when the child completes his or |
| many toys developed in the last few years which | | | | creation, thus boosting self-esteem. As children feel |
| specifically aim to be both fun and therapeutic for | | | | more accomplished they will want to sit with their |
| children with ADD and ADHD. | | | | LEGOS longer, concentrating on building structures for |
| One of the most therapeutic and fun toys available to | | | | longer periods of time. It is important to start with a |
| children with ADD and ADHD this holiday season is the | | | | small Lego set that focuses on free form play rather |
| Mindflex. This is a game that's fun for the whole family | | | | than one of the more complex sets because the more |
| but it has incredible therapeutic value for children with | | | | complex sets will probably just serve to frustrate |
| ADD and ADHD because it utilizes neurofeedback, a | | | | children. |
| technique for aiding in concentration that has been | | | | Another toy being touted as a tool to assist students |
| practiced in pediatrician's and psychologist's offices for | | | | with ADD and ADHD is the Disney Netpal. This spiffy |
| many years. Neurofeedback is a therapy technique | | | | little netbook by ASUS and Disney was evaluated by |
| that shows the user with realtime feedback on | | | | the National Lekotok Center and was found to "be |
| brainwave activity, as measured by sensors on the | | | | especially helpful for children who have difficulty |
| scalp. | | | | copying notes from a board, creating outlines for |
| In the case of Mindflex, sensors that measure frontal | | | | papers or taking spelling tests." Kids can keep their |
| lobe activity are used to levitate a ball and manipulate it | | | | work organized through tools like the a calendar, a |
| around an obstacle course. The whole object of | | | | notes reminder system, and Microsoft Works. Young |
| Mindflex is to use relaxation and concentration | | | | people will love that they can customize their Netpal |
| techniques to move the ball. Children with ADD or | | | | with their favorite Disney characters like Hannah |
| ADHD will benefit from learning to relax the brain when | | | | Montana, Cars, and Jonas Brothers. Their parents will |
| needed and concentrate at other times. They may | | | | enjoy the forty parental controls and the kid-proof |
| even become aware of some of the physical | | | | hardware like a spill proof keyboard. |
| sensations and mental changes needed to switch | | | | |