Is the prevalence of ADHD higher now than at any point in history?

The evidence leans both ways on this one. In the UK it appears to have plateaued; in the US it is on the rise; in Japan and Finland rates of diagnosis are very low. Regardless of the debate on the ups or downs, we know ADHD is the most common brain-based challenge facing Australian children and adolescents.

In a world that seems full to bursting with humans all shouting about “Right now!” and “Change today!”, it can be hard to find the right words to help people to think about the far off (but not that far) future. When we talk about dementia, most evidence suggests that informed preventative thinking and acting, right now, is the wisest choice and most significant action we can take for a brighter tomorrow.

When we worry too much, the visible structure and the way our brain functions changes. Day-by-day, night-by-night, we design it to create, feed and fuel worry, stress and anxiety. The very architecture of the brain becomes a home for agonising anxiety, instead of a calm abode for appropriate action.

What if someone told you that your pain from a physical injury is not a bad back, it’s not wrecked knees, or a frozen shoulder. What if you were told it’s your brain that’s hurting, not your body? You’d probably need a damn good explanation and some solid science to start thinking differently, wouldn’t you?

In a tough time, it seemed easy to take the well-worn start of looking at the definitions of working, together and ‘working together’ to help frame what this theme actually means. All the while considering, why do we still need to be told to work together? Are we all still trying to get on board with it because we all define the deeper meaning of ‘working together’ differently?

World Autism Awareness Day was on the 2nd of April 2020. Was it?

How many meaningful events have come up in this unprecedented calendar and been modified, moved or missed completely?

‘Celebration’ is the key theme for the Dana Foundation’s 2020 Brain Awareness Week – a week in March to stimulate global enthusiasm and build public knowledge and support of brain science.What does your brain conjure up when it sees the word ‘celebrate’?

Is the first big bright thing that pops into your head - PARTY!!!

It’s FEEL GOOD FEBRUARY and by the way, it’s a leap year, so there is an extra day to feel good. But, really, don’t we want feeling good to last longer than that. Some of us may want to change some unhelpful or unhappy behaviours for good, but how long will it really take? And how do we do it?

A new school year is here! The newness brings feelings of excitement and sometimes a splash of anticipation anxiety - for students, teachers and for parents. Some parents may be concerned about the ‘summer slide’ and what they see as a loss of important school skills over the long summer break. Some students may have flicked through their new textbooks and be feeling a little daunted about learning expectations…don’t fret!

Let’s not FLAP about, let’s FLIP this worry and sidestep any chance of a FLOP in 2020!

Hoorah! Hurrah! The long summer holidays are fast approaching providing almost endless opportunities for fun…

“I’M BORED MUM” or “THERE’S NOTHING TO DO DAD” are some of the words that parents dread. Last time we offered lots of great ideas to help keep the kids happy and their brain’s healthy during the holidays. Now, let’s cover why these ideas are SO GOOD for their brains…

Hoorah! Hurrah! The long summer holidays are fast approaching providing almost endless opportunities for fun…

“I’M BORED MUM” or “THERE’S NOTHING TO DO DAD” are some of the words that parents dread, so here are some great ideas to help keep the kids happy and their brain’s healthy during the holidays.

Next time we’ll reveal the “brainy” reasons why these activities are SO GOOD for you and your kids, but for now, just get started!