| According to Robert Melillo and Gerry Leisman | | | | move in a fully coordinated way and to think and |
| (2004) in their textbook, Neuro behavioral | | | | process information in optimal ways. |
| Disorders of Childhood, "Attention deficit disorder | | | | 2) A primary problem is dysfunction of |
| (ADD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder | | | | hemisphericity, i.e. the right and left hemispheres |
| (ADHD), pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), | | | | are not talking to each other properly. |
| obsessive-compulsive disorder (ODD), Asperger's | | | | 3) Most conditions in this spectrum are the result |
| syndrome, and autism, to name but a few, may | | | | of a right hemisphere dysfunction or delay. |
| be viewed as points on a spectrum of | | | | 4) Environment is a fundamental problem. The |
| developmental disabilities in which those points | | | | authors point out that if these disorders were |
| share features in common and possibly etiology | | | | primarily genetic, they would not be increasing at |
| as well, varying only in severity and in the primary | | | | such an alarming rate. |
| anatomical region of dysfunctional activity (p. 1)." | | | | 5) All of these disorders are variations of the |
| These authors state that the childhood behavioral | | | | same problem. They point out that there is a high |
| disorders share many things in common, including | | | | rate of comorbidity for all these conditions. |
| learning disabilities. Their theory is based on the | | | | 6) These problems are correctable. They state |
| idea that the human ability to think (cognition) is | | | | that the main focus of treatment should be on |
| tied inextricably with movement and that, indeed, | | | | improving motor function in conjunction with |
| cognitive and motor functions are actually part | | | | cognitive training and behavior modification. |
| and parcel of the same biological function. | | | | 7) Hemisphere specific treatment is the key to |
| They cite as evidence that problems of motor | | | | success. "Motor activity, sensory stimulation, and |
| movement such as in coordination or clumsiness | | | | cognitive functions directed toward the |
| are very common symptoms of developmental | | | | under-functioning hemisphere is the most |
| disabilities. The following are some further core | | | | important consideration in treatment (p. 4)." |
| tenets of their theory: | | | | Hyperactivity may actually be the brain's attempt |
| 1) Under-stimulation of the cerebellum and | | | | to correct itself, i.e. provide enough stimulation to |
| thalamus affects both executive and motor | | | | the under-stimulated cerebellum. Further, this may |
| functions. In other words, the cerebellum and | | | | be why stimulant medications such as Ritalin, |
| thalamus (portions of the brain) are | | | | Adderall, Concerta, etc., allow some children with |
| under-stimulated, and this affects the ability to | | | | hyperactivity to calm down and focus. |