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Youngest kids in class may be more likely to get ADHD diagnosis

Youngest kids in class may be more likely to get ADHD diagnosis

By Randy Dotinga
HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Nov. 19 (HealthDay News) -- A new study from Iceland adds to existing evidence that kids are more likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder if they're among the youngest in their grade at school.

The findings suggest -- but don't prove -- that some children are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when they're just less mature than their peers.

"Educators and health-care providers should take children's ages in relation to their [classmates] into account when evaluating academic performance and other criteria for ADHD diagnosis," said study author Helga Zoega, a postdoctoral fellow at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. "Parents can use these findings to help inform their decisions about school readiness for children born close to cutoff dates for school entry."

Community meeting on Alberta school rebuilding to be held Nov. 13

Community meeting on Alberta school rebuilding to be held Nov. 13

The Tuscaloosa City Schools will host a community meeting Tuesday, November 13 concerning the rebuilding of the Alberta school.  Alberta Elementary School was destroyed by the April 27, 2011 tornado and is currently operating in the Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools.

Report: Kids who sleep a bit longer behave better in school

Report: Kids who sleep a bit longer behave better in school

MONDAY, Oct. 15 (HealthDay News) -- When children can get just a little more sleep each night, their school behavior and alertness levels improve, new research suggests.

"Even small changes in daily life that can allow children to add about a half hour of sleep could have a significant impact," said study author Reut Gruber, director of the attention behavior and sleep lab at the Douglas Institute at McGill University, in Quebec.

The finding is published online Oct. 15 and in the November print issue of Pediatrics.

For the research, Gruber randomly assigned 34 children, aged 7 to 11, to one of two groups. One group had their sleep restricted, with bedtimes moved back so they lost an hour of sleep, for five nights straight.

The other group had their bedtimes moved up, so they gained an hour of sleep time for five consecutive nights.

In all, 33 children finished the study.

Photo of the day: Bama's #1

Photo of the day: Bama's #1

This toddler named Khloe celebrated her second birthday by watching the Alabama game with friends and family.

"She's letting everyone know how she feels about her team!" viewer Angie Carroll said with this photo submission, which she titled "Khloe says Bama is #1."

Turns out, Khloe's prediction is right on the money: Alabama is #1 in the BCS rankings announced by ESPN on Sunday. The Crimson Tide is also ranked #1 in the AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches polls.

You can submit your photos to Fox 6 by emailing them to pix@wbrc.com or uploading them at share.myfoxal.com.

Making parental peace with kids' homework

Making parental peace with kids' homework

SATURDAY, Aug. 25 (HealthDay News) -- The start of a new school year is edging closer and it might be a good idea for parents to start thinking about how they're going to deal with homework issues, one expert suggests.

"The battle is different for every family. Some children resist starting their homework, some have a hard time finishing and others do their homework -- but don't turn it in," Drew Edwards, an adjunct associate professor of psychology at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., said in a university news release.

Parents should work with their children to develop an effective system for bringing school assignments home, such as a notebook that children use to record daily homework assignments, or an assignment sheet that they take to school.

FOX6 Sideline schedule: Week 1

FOX6 Sideline schedule: Week 1

FOX6 Sideline schedule week 1: Friday, Aug. 31

 

Game of the Week #1

Clay-Chalkville at Hewitt

 

Game of the Week #2

Oneonta at Pinson Valley

 

Tuscaloosa Co. at Mountain Brook

Homewood at Vestavia

Eagles Landing, GA at Briarwood

Shades Valley at Oak Mountain

Chelsea at John Carroll

Holt at Calera

Thompson at Shelby County

Minor at Gardendale

Huffman at Centerpoint

Sylacauga at Hayden

Pleasant Grove at Mortimer Jordan

Hanceville at Fairview

Walker at Cullman

Hale County at Brookwood

Pelham at Paul Bryant

Hartselle at Hillcrest

Demopolis at American Christian

Trinity at Central HS of Clay County

Talladega at Talladega Co. Central

Carver at Parker

Woodlawn at Jackson-Olin