Ask the ADDvisor     Your questions answered By Linda Karanzalis, M.S., Learning Specialist / ADD Coach
outh Jersey MOM is proud to introduce ‘Ask the ADDvisor’ by Linda Karanzalis, M.S., learning specialist and founder of ADDvantages Learning Center in Cherry Hill. Linda is a former special education teacher with over 15 years of experience working with children, parents and adults coping with AD/HD, learning disabilities and associated issues. Trained by the American Coaching Association in 1997, Linda is one of the first to provide ADD and AD/HD coaching in New Jersey and is a founding member and coordinator of the non-profit organization CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/hyperactivity Disorder) of Southern New Jersey. She also presents workshops to graduate students, teachers and parents. In the Beginning . . . As a special education teacher, Linda became frustrated trying to manage her students’ learning disabilities in a classroom setting. She discovered just how devastating AD/HD and learning disabilities can be to children, adults and their families without appropriate interventions. While most of her students had average to above average abilities, traditional methods had failed these students; the students had not failed. Linda watched as those with AD/HD continued to spiral downward… socially and academically. Her heart ached for these children, realizing the school did not have the resources or expertise to remediate their learning and social problems. ADDvantages Learning Center Determined to make a difference, Linda established the ADDvantages Learning Center. The goal of the center is to help children and adults of all ages with AD/HD and learning disabilities (dyslexia, dysgraphia, central auditory processing disorders, etc…) reach their full potential. Linda developed a social skills program based on her classroom teaching experience, but was also searching for solutions to cognitive processing issues. At the time, professionals identified the root cause of learning difficulties as an inability to process incoming information in the areas of attention, memory, and visual and auditory processing. However, the professionals were unable to offer specific solutions. Linda researched, did her homework, got some training, and began implementing alternative programs specifically designed to develop the cognitive processing skills necessary for social and academic success. The results were astounding! Her students were no longer struggling. Children who were once unable to write sentences were writing paragraphs, organizing thoughts and ideas, completing homework independently and retaining taught concepts. Parents reported improved grades, getting up on time, and even neater rooms. What Linda didn’t expect were the social and behavioral improvements in self-control, better listening, interaction with peers and flexibility. Today… Hundreds of children and adults have been helped by ADDvantages Learning Center and their cutting edge, innovative approach to ‘training the brain’. Students leave with the skills necessary to achieve, motivation to succeed, improved attitudes and self-confidence. Most of all, they leave able to experience success! What Makes the ADDvantages Learning Center Unique? The ADDvantages Learning Center doesn’t just focus on academics but looks at the whole person and their individual process of learning. While the majority of similar programs focus on reteaching or tutoring, ADDvantages focuses on the underlying processing skills: memory, attention, visual/auditory processing, logic, reasoning and sensory integration skills. Linda named her center the ADDvantages Learning Center because she understands that kids with AD/HD are not disabled, but have unique gifts and talents.
I am concerned we are teaching our kids that all behavior issues can be resolved with medication. The message we are sending seems to be just pop a pill and you will become socially acceptable and ‘manageable’. My child has been diagnosed with AD/HD, but I want him to learn to be responsible for his own behavior, not just become dependent on drugs. What do you think?
A: Most parents I see look for alternatives and hold out as long as they can before turning to medication. It’s not an easy decision. No parent wants their child to rely on a pill for behavior management. On the other hand, don’t wait until your child is feeling so frustrated and beaten down that they have lost the heart to work on changing their behavior. This only leads to depression and anxiety. Medication can be a useful tool to help a child focus enough to learn new behavioral and cognitive strategies. Your child’s treatment is up to you. There are some children who cannot function without medication. If you do choose medication, be sure to include other types of interventions. Studies indicate the optimal intervention is a combination of closely monitored medication, behavior modification, social skills training, parent coaching, organization and time management.

Linda Karanzalis