Latest news with #deficithyperactivity
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
'Amazing but bonkers': Jamie Oliver shares some of his children are neurodivergent
Jamie Oliver has a "very neurodiverse family". The 50-year-old chef - who has Poppy, 23, Daisy, 22, Petal, 16, Buddy, 14, and River, eight, with wife Jools, also 50 - has struggled with learning disorder dyslexia for all his life but was only formally diagnosed in January this year, and the last 12 months has also seen some of his kids diagnosed with conditions such as ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Although the 'Naked Chef' star declined to name which of his kids are neurodiverse, he believes understanding their conditions have helped him and Jools to become "better" parents, and they like to discuss the needs of their brood in bed. He told The Sunday Times magazine: "[We've] learnt to understand that their behaviour is because they're seeing things differently. "Being aware of that allows you to be a better parent." Speaking about their family life, he added: "[It's] amazing but bonkers. Imagine four neurodiverse people at the dinner table trying to get their point across." Jamie turned 50 on May 27, and though he found hitting the milestone "a bit s***", he is determined to look after himself so he can continue living life to the full for his long as possible. Jamie added: "[Turning 50] isn't great, in fact it's a bit s***. "I'm trying desperately hard to be the healthiest version of me, working on the right things at the gym and physiotherapy. 'Hopefully, I've got a few more years in me yet... 'I'm still here, I'm still alive. I'd like the fifties to be different. I'd like them to be celebratory. I like the idea that my fifties require a different Jamie.' To mark his birthday, the TV star is planning 'a mini festival, a rave in the vegetable patch' at his home in Essex, East England, where he plans to call in some favours from fellow chefs. He said: "[I want them to] 'feed a bunch of reprobates until the early hours. I haven't thrown a party for a while, so I'm probably due one.' And Jamie said his hope for the future is to "get old cooking" and mentor the next generation of chefs. He said: "To get old cooking, travel less and work with more young chefs. The happiest version of me is when I'm bigging up other people and shining a light on them.' Meanwhile, Jamie and Jools will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary later this month but the 'Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution' star doesn't believe grand gestures have been necessary in their relationship. Asked the key to their happy marriage, he said: "Don't have high expectations. You'll be let down all the time. Set them correctly and you'll get nice surprises. "Don't hold grudges, hang around and it might work itself out."
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Jamie Oliver says 'amazing but bonkers' as he shares that his children are neurodivergent
Jamie Oliver says 'amazing but bonkers' as he shares that his children are neurodivergent Although the 'Naked Chef' star declined to name which of his kids are neurodiverse, he believes understanding their conditions have helped him and Jools to become "better" parents Jamie Oliver (Image:) ) Jamie Oliver has a "very neurodiverse family". The 50-year-old chef - who has Poppy, 23, Daisy, 22, Petal, 16, Buddy, 14, and River, eight, with wife Jools, also 50 - has struggled with learning disorder dyslexia for all his life but was only formally diagnosed in January this year, and the last 12 months has also seen some of his kids diagnosed with conditions such as ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Although the 'Naked Chef' star declined to name which of his kids are neurodiverse, he believes understanding their conditions have helped him and Jools to become "better" parents, and they like to discuss the needs of their brood in bed. He told The Sunday Times magazine: "[We've] learnt to understand that their behaviour is because they're seeing things differently. "Being aware of that allows you to be a better parent." Speaking about their family life, he added: "[It's] amazing but bonkers. Imagine four neurodiverse people at the dinner table trying to get their point across." Jamie turned 50 on May 27, and though he found hitting the milestone "a bit s***", he is determined to look after himself so he can continue living life to the full for his long as possible. Article continues below Jamie added: "[Turning 50] isn't great, in fact it's a bit s***. "I'm trying desperately hard to be the healthiest version of me, working on the right things at the gym and physiotherapy. "Hopefully, I've got a few more years in me yet... "I'm still here, I'm still alive. I'd like the fifties to be different. I'd like them to be celebratory. I like the idea that my fifties require a different Jamie." To mark his birthday, the TV star is planning "a mini festival, a rave in the vegetable patch" at his home in Essex, East England, where he plans to call in some favours from fellow chefs. He said: "[I want them to] "feed a bunch of reprobates until the early hours. I haven't thrown a party for a while, so I'm probably due one." And Jamie said his hope for the future is to "get old cooking" and mentor the next generation of chefs. He said: "To get old cooking, travel less and work with more young chefs. The happiest version of me is when I'm bigging up other people and shining a light on them." Meanwhile, Jamie and Jools will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary later this month but the 'Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution' star doesn't believe grand gestures have been necessary in their relationship. Article continues below Asked the key to their happy marriage, he said: "Don't have high expectations. You'll be let down all the time. Set them correctly and you'll get nice surprises. "Don't hold grudges, hang around and it might work itself out."
Telegraph
07-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Late-walking babies ‘may do better in school'
Infants who take longer to learn to walk may end up doing better at school, a genetic study suggests. Scientists discovered the age at which babies take their first steps is strongly influenced by their genes. They also found that the same genes that are linked to late walking are also involved in higher educational achievement. It suggests the same genes that predispose youngsters to do well in education may also be influencing when babies start to walk. Late walking also appears to lower the risk of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). The study from the universities of Surrey, Essex and London found that genetics accounts for about a quarter of the differences in when children take their first steps. 'First genetic study of infant behaviour at this scale' 'We studied hundreds of thousands of genetic differences that are common in the population,' said Angelica Ronald, professor of psychology and genetics at the University of Surrey. 'We see that the genetic differences that influence walking later also influence higher educational attainment and less likelihood of ADHD. 'It is the first genetic study of infant behaviour at this scale and the first one to investigate when children learn to walk. 'Genetic differences are important to study because they teach us about the biology underlying these behaviours.' Babies generally take their first steps sometime between ages eight and 24 months, with most toddlers walking unaided by 18 months. But this can vary and parents often worry if their children take longer to hit the important developmental milestone. For years, researchers knew environmental factors could influence when babies begin to walk, but this new finding shows genetics also has a major impact. In the first study of its kind, scientists analysed the genetic information of more than 70,000 infants, identifying 11 genetic markers influencing when babies start walking. The team found that genetic factors responsible for the timing of a child's first steps are also linked to brain development, including the amount of folding and ridges in the outer surface of the brain - the cortex. Relatively later onset of walking was influenced by some of the same genes involved in higher educational attainment. Likewise, walking later was linked genetically to a lower chance of developing ADHD. Dr Anna Gui, an author of the study and a researcher at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and Birkbeck, University of London said: 'Until now, we didn't understand what causes the wide differences between children when they take their first step. 'Parents might often worry that walking early or late is a bad sign or that they have done something wrong. We see that genetics play a considerable role in influencing the timing of this milestone.' Other factors that influence when a baby will begin walking include the strength of leg muscles, general health and opportunities for practising Prof Ronald added: 'While parents should still see their GP if they are concerned, a slightly later start is not always a sign of problems. There is a lot of variety when children take their first step on their own. 'It is exciting to be able to discover the genes that influence when children learn to walk. Starting to walk independently is a major milestone for young children.' The research was published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.
Express Tribune
09-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
ADHD & women: the story you haven't been told
I sat in the clinic's waiting room staring at the walls. Fear and anxiety crept in but I was ready to seek help. This moment came after a long struggle with concentration and self-discipline. What I accepted as a character flaw got a new name when a friend shared a similar experience and it rang a bell. Scouring the internet for my symptoms pointed out it could be ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). I signed up for therapy despite hearing terrible stories from my circle. Part of me was happy for finally taking this step, part of me dreaded the imminent outcome. After giving my history, finally saw the psychiatrist. A male, in his 60s, I could sense where it was headed but I resisted stereotyping. 'What's your qualification?' he asked. 'Masters,' I replied. Psychiatrist: Masters ki hui larki ko ADHD hota hai? Aise bachay panchwi pass nahi kar patay [Can a girl who has done her Masters have ADHD? Such kids cannot go past grade 5]. The session progressed dismissing the concerns and ended with a prescription for antidepressants. Fuelled with curiosity, I dug the internet and it showed this isn't an isolated case, women all over the globe are in this together. We are misunderstood, misdiagnosed and perceived to be a creature too good to have ADHD. My personal journey leaned into learning coping mechanisms and to make do without medication until I hit the point where medical intervention became inevitable. So, I began reaching out to women with the same predicament to be fully aware of what comes with the territory. My 20s went by being distracted, inattentive and impulsive, on the surface what looked like a lack of discipline or bad memory was just a manifestation of one of the symptoms. With my head always up in the cloud, halfway through the movie, I'd forget the plot or the protagonist's name. It was troublesome but my inner monologue screamed 'You're the issue'' because who asks for the hero's name mid-movie? Wanting to get things done the neurotypical way, my neurodivergent self would make a to-do list hoping to check off the list item by item. The activity would get me pumped up but my impulsive nature looked for a little inconvenience to get off the track. Building a habit was another nightmare, I turned to productivity apps and soon would be back to square one. Beating myself for zoning out frequently, what I got wrong was, it's not inattention but dysregulated attention. In girls, the signs of ADHD are subtle, and internalised such having trouble focusing, staying organised, anxiety and depression, but merely because they aren't physically disruptive doesn't absolve them from the probability of being affected. Later, I connected with Saba who's in the same boat and has been struggling to get screened for ADHD for the past two years. 'Typically, women who exhibit ADHD symptoms are prescribed medicine for anxiety and depression. Mine was mislabelled as OCD (Obsessive-Compusive disorder), though I knew it was ADHD because one, it's genetic and runs in our family. Two, I'm a doctor and understand better. 'Let down by one therapist, I went to see two more but had the same misfortune every time,' Saba shared, expressing her sheer disappointment. 'Though I had glaring symptoms of a stereotypical ADHD-er, I was shut down, even told I'm acting up to score medicine for myself.' The stories of exhaustion continued. Maria, a close friend, shared the hardships she faced looking for validation of her feelings. Recounting her experiences, she explained, "That journey of mental health was a trainwreck. 'I signed up for therapy to understand why I swung between dull moments to intense concentration only to hear, 'You can't have ADHD, that happens to kids only'. I requested psych evaluations, but was told to try therapy as well. In the three sessions I took, the psychiatrist talked more than I did. When I emphasised getting assessed for ADHD, the psychiatrist dismissed the possibility stating ADHD only happens to kids and people grow out of it in adulthood. Keep in mind that no evaluation tools (tests and such) were used for any of these diagnoses.' As prevalent in such cases, he assumed she had BPD (Bipolar disorder) which was appalling as she has something one can refer to as textbook ADHD. 'In my personal life, I often overcommit to multiple social events and exhaust myself keeping up with them,' she adds. 'I also am horrible at time management at work, school, and housework, and my sleep suffers as a consequence. I also struggle with personal hygiene because the task is so daunting. In my professional life, I am often unable to concentrate and often in need of deadline extensions both at work and at school.' Both the ladies withdrew from therapy after a short while. While talking to ladies navigating their lives with ADHD, the questionable demeanour of mental health professionals show how stigmatised and gendered mental health is in Pakistani culture where being born in a female body means you can have cancer but not ADHD. Untreated ADHD 'My ADHD almost landed me in a psych ward,' recalled Areeba, a married professional with teenage kids discovering having ADHD at 40. 'I had a major breakdown two and a half years ago. My clueless husband ringed a close relative (related to my dad) who's a doctor and a well-wisher for help. She revealed, this breakdown was due to the fact that I have had ADHD just like my dad ever since I was kid, and the pieces started to fall together. My long list of always seen as attitude problems growing up and that no one cared to probe into were symptoms of ADHD. Results? Always shamed for my slow reflexes, focus was a nightmare. Science and maths weren't impossible to get, they were not just not taught in a way my brain would understand. Now diagnosed with clinical depression, I have given up trying to blend in. Despite flagging my ADHD, I still get treated for depression only. A little awareness back then and much more inclusive/accommodating medical help now could have done the trick.' In Asian cultures, women have this silent expectation to be super. Anything less is unacceptable. When we hear the word ADHD most of us think of it as a guy's thing because society boxes us as compliant and competent beings. The research skewed heavily towards boys adds insult to injury. What this stigma perpetuates is a culture of denying diagnosis to women. The popular myths about ADHD have an equally negative impact just as the condition itself and are very damaging, especially for women. Disorders aren't gendered. When it comes to ADHD, girls are as likely to have it as boys. But because it doesn't resonate with the fallacy of 'unruly schoolboy' women are subjected to a point-blank refusal in therapy. ADHD is a reality not a gendered disorder 'This bias is implicit not only in Asia but all over the world that ADHD is a man's disorder because of how it manifests in men and women', said Dr Samiya Iqbal, Adult and Child and adolescent Psychiatrist. 'The precursors of ADHD in childhood are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Inattention is a prevalent behaviour in girls as compared to externally observable attributes of hyperactivity and impulsivity in boys.' 'Hyperactivity includes cutting people, inability to sit in peace while inattentiveness is careless mistakes, say, losing things, appearing forgetful, or zoning out. Symptoms in boys are more noticeable as they're bothersome to people around and hence get on the radar. Girls aren't typically that unruly or show such symptoms and there's not much scientific basis to understand why this happens.' She said, talking about how ADHD manifests in men and women. 'If the teacher to student ratio in a class gets high the kids are more likely to get an assessment of ADHD and this diagnostic criteria of picking only externally observable behaviour is a challenging situation.' Unfortunately this explicit difference in manifestation of ADHD and the diagnostic criteria favouring the boys makes the assessment process discriminatory for young girls. 'Another factor is the way we raise girls is that they conform to social norms which masks the hyperactivity or impulsivity in girls and consequently they're misdiagnosed a lot of times. This bias in the screening process can be addressed by configuring the early childhood diagnosis criteria and making it more considerate of internal feelings.' 'In adulthood, untreated ADHD triggers behavioural problems which become the major contributor to misdiagnosis of ADHD as personality issues.' 'When one grows up with untreated ADHD, they are predisposed to esteem issues. For instance, if we internalise the problem and think of the struggles as our own fault it gives rise to anxiety and depression which eventually becomes the point of focus in treatment not ADHD.' This is the reason girls are put on schizophrenic medicine instead of given treatment for ADHD. Boys on the other hand are likely to get into substance abuse or risky behaviours which again prompts the people around to point them to help. ADHD manifests in all aspects of life, personally and professionally Discussing the consequences of ADHD Dr Samiya said, 'As humans we typically have an idea about how capable or intelligent we are as humans. What ADHD does is despite our capabilities it impairs our ability to initiate, prioritise or organise any task, complimented by a warped perception of time, also called 'time blindness' that leads to punctuality and planning issues.' 'The consequences of this can be underachievement in childhood but they're more detrimental in adulthood/professional life leading to high personal and societal cost. An example could be a barrier to equal opportunity to work. In most of the cases the symptoms are presumed to be personal shortcomings instead of any underlying condition inciting esteem issues. That's why adults with ADHD come up with issues in emotional regulation and managing relationships.' Adult life and ADHD 'Navigating life with ADHD as an adult is tricky, the dopamine ebbs and flows, distraction is a constant and consistency is an uphill battle. Even an ad during an important video draws my attention,' shared Hafsa. 'I grew up doing great in studies, my only gripe was with time management and although I worked at prestigious places my career trajectory never went up. My peers progressed but I didn't progress much, pitting myself against them I started beating myself up. Our work was the same but what was special about them? I always wondered. My output was meticulous but procrastination was my biggest hurdle, report writing gave me chills making extensions in deadlines my permanent ask. When I moved continents the pressure to prove myself intensified. Again, it was me against the superficial standards I set for myself. Seeing my anxiety about falling short sneaking in, my husband suggested therapy to me. After taking sessions for 1.5 years my therapist suspected ADHD. I went for an assessment and the results affirmed ADHD.' She recalled her experience of getting diagnosed at the age of 32. When asked if having a female therapist on board helped her in the diagnosis? She replied, 'Having a therapist with ADHD helped me, I had seen other therapists and was always told I had anxiety, depression. Only she was able to identify the loop of repeated patterns I was stuck in. Rejection sensitivity, time blindness, sluggish cognitive tempo, she put a finger on what felt like mere emotions and kept me in the perpetual phase of self-shame. It was relieving to know my condition was pathological and not a personal issue.' This case might not be a norm but it's evident to demonstrate that psychologists and therapists have a key role in providing support to adults with ADHD. A heightened awareness about adult ADHD and administering the skills and resources needed to facilitate proper diagnosis of ADHD in adults can decrease the subjectivity in evaluation and break the cycle. In our side of the hemisphere where the masses grapple with the concept of equal pay and equal rights this health disparity is yet another man-made calamity inflicted upon women. The criminal discrimination is surprising but nothing new. You might have encountered one or more females with (diagnosed/undiagnosed) ADHD in your circle, given the prevalence the number could be high. Here's the thing to understand, women are underdiagnosed/misdiagnosed because of their ability to mask the symptoms. But putting a bandage on the wound conceals the wound but doesn't heal the pain. Early intervention can do wonders for us otherwise the symptoms get worse with time translating into low self-esteem, troubled relationships and greater healthcare costs for women. Ayesha Aslam is a freelance contributor All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the writer
Zawya
07-02-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Unleash Your Children's Potential: iCare Eyecare's Solutions Enhance Learning and Sports Engagement
iCare Eyecare's Mission: Keep your eyes, sharpen your edge, and promote your wellness HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 7 February 2025 - With the rise of digital media, screen devices have become an integral part of everybody's life, and e-learning is an inevitable trend in school. However, this has posed unprecedented challenges to the visual health of everyone, especially children. According to a recent study by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the prevalence of myopia among children in Hong Kong has reached a record high. Notably, after the pandemic, the myopia rate among six-year-olds surged from 13.9% pre-pandemic to 25%, nearly doubling. This trend has raised widespread concerns as myopia is now considered a multifaceted condition that significantly impacts eye health in the long run. In addition to myopia, children may also suffer from other refractive errors (such as hyperopia and astigmatism), strabismus, and various levels of dynamic visual impairments, such as convergence insufficiency (CI). These eye conditions can significantly hamper children's reading, learning, concentration, and sports performance, potentially affecting their overall development. Parents must be aware of these issues and seek professional analysis to ensure their child's vision is not a barrier to their success. Studies in the United States indicate that 1 in 4 children experiences some form of visual impairment, which can sometimes be misdiagnosed as neurodevelopmental disorders such as dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or other learning disabilities. Misdiagnosis, as such, can severely impact a child's academic and motor development. In Hong Kong, families often lack awareness of the connection between vision problems and learning or motor skills. Children with visual impairments may display short attention spans, skip lines when reading, have difficulty retaining information, experience discomfort or fatigue, or even avoid reading altogether, behaviors resembling ADHD. Moreover, convergence insufficiency (CI) occurs more frequently among ADHD patients than in the general population. Apart from academic hardship, various vision disabilities can also lead to poor depth perception, meager eye tracking proficiency, and below-par visual signal brain processing, collectively translating to low performance in sports such as ball games. This underlines the urgent need for parents to be aware of these issues and seek professional analysis to ensure their child's vision is not a barrier to their success. Dynamic and Sports Vision Training to Sharpen Your Edge To improve children's overall visual function, iCare Eyecare offers evidence-based myopia management services, customized orthokeratology (OK lenses) treatments, unique dynamic and sports vision analysis and training programs. These services aim to promote children's long-term eye health, improve overall visual function, and bolster their learning and athletic performance. At iCare Eyecare, our services are directed by Dr. Marco, Ph.D., a visiting lecturer at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Optometry, and delivered by his professional team. With years of experience and a deep understanding of vision science, Dr. Marco and his team employ diverse advanced technologies, such as Optical Coherent Tomography (OCT), non-invasive optical ocular biometry, corneal topography, and automated eye movement analysis expertise, combined with state-of-the-art technologies, enables unmatched comprehensive optometric and visual function assessments, creating personalized eye care plans and professionally tailored vision training recommendations for every child. Maintaining good visual health and dynamic vision abilities is crucial in today's ever-changing world. For instance, in emergencies, well-developed visual skills can help individuals anticipate and react to situations more quickly, potentially saving lives! Both static and dynamic visual skills are essential in daily life, whether reading or participating in sports like football or basketball. With scientific analysis, individuals can now better understand their sports vision capabilities. Most importantly, customized and effective training can be carried out to sharpen their edge in case of a flaw. This knowledge empowers parents to take proactive steps to ensure their child's visual health is not overlooked. iCare Eyecare Professional Services Include: 1. Myopia Management for Children: Professional advice and evidence-based practice to control myopia progression. 2. Dynamic and Sports Vision Analysis and Training: Comprehensive assessments and specific training to enhance visual skills. 3. Personalized Eyeglasses and Contact Lens Customization: Tailored solutions to optimize visual outcome. Founder of iCare Eyecare Dr. Marco Dr. Marco, the founder of iCare Eyecare, is a highly experienced registered optometrist (Part I) with a strong background in clinical practice and basic science research. He graduated with first-class honors from the School of Optometry at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and holds a Ph.D. in Vision Science, making him a physiologist. Dr. Marco previously served as a postdoctoral fellow at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City (specializing in dry eye disease and cataracts) and as a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong. He also enjoys teaching and is a visiting lecturer in myopia science at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Optometry and HKU SPACE. The establishment of iCare Eyecare stems from Dr. Marco's vision to expand the role of optometrists as the first line of defense for the eye and overall health. His "family optometrist" concept aims to protect every family member's health. To promote public awareness, Dr. Marco is an expert contributor to the popular parenting media Oh!爸媽, sharing valuable eye care tips. His dedication to sports and vision have led him to join the International Sports Vision Association (ISVA) and earn a professional diploma in sports nutrition from the Barcelona Innovation Hub (BIHUB). By integrating cutting-edge vision science and nutrition, Dr. Marco helps students and athletes improve their focus, overall vision abilities, academic performance, and athletic achievements. Hashtag: #iCare #iCareEyecare The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About iCare Eyecare Founded in 2017, iCare Eyecare's vision is to provide Hong Kong residents with the highest-quality primary optometric eyecare. Their detail-oriented services go beyond meeting your visual needs but committed to keeping your eyes, sharpening your edge, and promoting your wellness! Address：Suite 1317, 13/F, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, 5 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel︰＋852 3188 4643 Website: Facebook: Instagram: iCare Eyecare 護眼.家
