Advantages of a Title One Tutor Apprenticeship Program

Advantages of a Title One Tutor Apprenticeship ProgramA Title One Teacher Apprenticeship is one of the fastest growing methods to earn a college degree. Because there are not enough colleges and universities to fill up all the slots, they are finding an alternate route to fill these classrooms. By going through a Teacher Apprenticeship program, you can get a college degree with your mind and your hands.One of the first things that you have to do when you are applying for this job is to create a resume that will be accepted by the schools you want to attend. Your application will be sent out through the Title One college search engine and it is vital that you use this application so that it gets noticed and is put on the front page for everyone who has been searching.Because you will be working for a Title One company, they have made sure that their own staff will be very friendly to you when you apply. This is one of the best ways to get noticed as a potential teacher candidate.The s tudents need to show that they will be able to teach themselves. They are being asked to do much more than pass a test, but also the job skills that they will need to pass to become a teacher. You will be expected to know how to interact with students and how to do a good job teaching them.Some of the tutors need to work at home to help out during the summer months. These are free jobs, but some people are looking for these because it is possible to take them during the school year. If you have the right attitude, you can get paid to tutor the kids.There are two ways to get paid to tutor work is by getting a part time job while you tutor or earning money by answering phones. However, you will have to make sure that you do a good job with the research you do before you go about finding a job and you need to be willing to learn how to research as well.With all the jobs available in the high school, college and university systems, there is no excuse for not getting a job as a teacher. All it takes is a little bit of hard work and the willingness to learn.

Learning the Different Chinese Tones

Learning the Different Chinese Tones Learn the Chinese Tones Chapters What Are Tones? The Importance of Stress in Chinese Everything You Need to Know about the First Tone (??) Mandarin’s Second Tone (??) The Third Tone in Mandarin Chinese (??) The Fourth Tone (??) A Fifth Tone? (??) How Can You Master the Tones in Mandarin Chinese?There are lots of Brits who struggle to learn foreign languages. In fact, many of us “study” a language the whole time we’re at school and somehow manage to leave without ever being able to speak it.The Chinese language (and the Mandarin variety spoken principally in Beijing, in particular) has a reputation of being difficult to master.Learning Chinese Mandarin, which is principally spoken in mainland China and Taiwan (Republic of China), can seem impossible and the writing system is almost impossible to decipher if you've grown up using the Latin Alphabet. Chinese pronunciation isn't much easier, either!When you learn Chinese, you’ll quickly come across the concept of tones as you start to get to grips wit h some basic vocabulary and phrases.It's not uncommon for a gifted learner to give up private Chinese tutorials do so because of the seemingly insurmountable challenge of mastering the tones in Chinese.Something that started out as a minor annoyance can quickly into a massive thorn in your side. It’s better to avoid this kind of situation by getting to grips completely with this concept. You'll come across this almost immediately when you learn Mandarin so instead of shying away from this language learning challenge, why not embrace it and learn as much as you can during your Chinese lessons?Discover our tips for most effective Mandarin learning...   NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!D iscover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors What Are Tones?English, much like German and Dutch, is not a tonal language.  Mandarin, on the other hand, is. This means the same syllables in different contexts can be differentiated by using different pitches.Linguists traditionally identify 4 different tones in Chinese.  They can add a 4th dimension to Chinese languages which distinguish them from other languages by their use of pitch to change the meaning of syllables.Turn your vocal chords into a musical instrument and see how pitch can be used to distinguish the four tones in Mandarin.The different tones in Chinese are indicated by different accents when using the Pinyin writing system. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)Thus, a syllable like “ma” (which is a common example used by Mandarin teachers) can have fo ur meanings depending on the tone used.  Tones in Chinese mean that several different phonetic interpretations of each character are possible.In comparison, with 9 tones in total, Cantonese has even more tones than Mandarin. This inevitably can lead to a huge number of misunderstandings for non-native speakers of the language.If you're struggling with written Chinese, don’t forget about the Chinese Pinyin system, either! The Importance of Stress in ChineseMastering tones in Chinese is essential if you want to speak well and make yourself understood.Intonation isn’t just used for expression emotions, after all. It’s used as an integral part of a sentence and should be considered as important to the meaning of a sentence as grammar is.  Imagine you want to be polite but instead say a swearword because your tone wasn’t right...With errors like this, it may be better to just focus on the tones and how Chinese is pronounced at the expense of learning the language.Of course, a beg inner isn’t expected to be able to decipher any given ideogram in their first year of Chinese classes. Instead, they can use Latin transcriptions of Chinese characters in order to better help them learn how to pronounce the words.  In this case, the tones are differentiated using different accents or “diacritics”.The best way to understand the importance of tones in Chinese is by looking at the Yuen Ren Chao’s Mandarin masterpiece, “The Lion-Eating Poet in the Stone Den”.  Throughout the poem, there is one syllable that keeps cropping up: shi.Without the use of tones, the text ends up completely incomprehensible when read aloud.  It should be added that this work was facilitated by calling the poet “Shi”, too.Also consider which variation of Chinese you should learn... Everything You Need to Know about the First Tone (??)The first tone in Chinese is arguably the simplest. It's a flat tone using a high pitch.  Logically, when written out in the Latin Alphabet, this to ne is indicated by a flat accent.  Let’s go back to the example we used before which will give us ma (mother) in the first tone.When studying a language, you should learn more about the culture and the cuisine! (Source: StockSnap)While this might seem easy, you need to pay attention: it can be very difficult to hold a note (given that your muscles tremble a little bit) and even harder when you have to hold a high note.Don’t worry about wavering in the beginning. If you remain calm and keep practising, you’ll get it!  The best way is to start with a quick “la” like a singer would do in their warm up exercises.Learn more about Chinese history, too! NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson fr ee!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Mandarin’s Second Tone (??)The second tone follows a rising curve: It starts low and gets increasingly higher.This uses an acute accent which points upwards just like the rising voice: má (to bother).It’s a bit like the intonation you use to answer the phone: “Hello?” The Third Tone in Mandarin Chinese (??)The third tone is probably the most unusual one for Europeans to pronounce.  You don’t follow a straight route but rather descend from a mid-level tone before rising upwards to an even higher pitch.That’s why this tone is indicated in the Latin Alphabet using a caron, an inverted circumflex accent.For example: ma (horse).In English, the accent would be a bit like pronouncing the word “what!?” as if you’ve been completely shocked by what you ’ve just heard.  As you can see, the third tone in Mandarin is probably one of the most complicated ones. It can sometimes seem completely impossible to say in certain sentences...Of course, there are always exceptions to the rules, too.Both the writing and pronunciation can be difficult for beginners. (Source: Bukejiuyao)If the third tone appears in a sentence followed by another third tone, the first of the two is actually pronounced like the second tone while both of them are still written as third tones.Generally speaking, when the third tone is followed by another tone (of any kind), it’s cut more so than it would be on its own and doesn’t rise as high.  This makes it easier to speak but harder for learners to distinguish it.Find out more about Chinese multilingualism...   The Fourth Tone (??)The last tone in Mandarin Chinese resembles the second tone but in reverse.  You start as high as possible (using the same pitch as the first tone) before steadily descending until y ou reach the same low point as the third tone.Unsurprisingly, this tone uses the grave accent (which points downwards) in the Latin alphabet: mà (to scold).  It’s a tone that can sound somewhat angry. You should pronounce it as if you were giving an order to somebody. A Fifth Tone? (??)Did you honestly think that we’d finished? Of course not!  While experts in Chinese generally agree that there are four tones in Chinese, there are lists where a fifth tone is added.  This is known as the neutral tone by specialists.It’s not as easy to hear as you might think. You’ll need a keen ear to be able to distinguish it.  This tone (or absence of tone, maybe?) is emphasised by an unchanging vowel: ma (an interrogative particle).Find out more about Chinese’s influence around Asia. How Can You Master the Tones in Mandarin Chinese?After reading about the complexities of tones in Chinese, you probably aren’t that interested in learning them any more!  However, you should grab the bull by the horns (or the dragon by the tail, perhaps?) and start practising. It’s not impossible, after all.Learning Mandarin Chinese isn't something you need to do alone! In fact, it’s very easy to get help from the comfort of your own home while sitting in front of your computer: You'll find absolutely tonnes of resources to learn Chinese online.Technology is great for those who’ve started to learn Chinese with a key goal in mind. You can listen to the language and find interactive and audiovisual resources to help you learn how to hear and use the different tones.Otherwise, you can always get Chinese tutorials from a qualified and experience private tutor. There are also plenty of academic establishments that are offering classes in Chinese either as night classes or as degrees in Chinese.When I settled on Chinese as my second language, I found a Superprof to give me Mandarin lessons!Private extracurricular organisations also offer group sessions and classes for younger studen ts wanting to learn Chinese since the demand for the language is increasing.A private tutor can adapt to the needs of their student. While nobody’s perfect, with just one student, an educator can focus on their strengths and weaknesses in order to ensure that they learn as much as possible during every hour spent with them.You could always travel to a country where they speak Chinese and work for either a Chinese or Western company. However, it can be expensive, complicated, and a long way to travel.If you’re not able to travel or attend classes, you could always do a correspondence course while looking for speaking activities on the Internet to boost your oral.Let us now shine a spotlight on learning Mandarin...  Are you looking for a Chinese tutor in the UK? Browse our catalogue of qualified tutors on Superprof.Chinese lessons LondonMandarin lessons LondonChinese classes Birmingham

Corresponding Angles Worksheet

Corresponding Angles Worksheet Corresponding angles worksheet deals with problems based on angles. A straight line which cuts two or more lines at distinct points is called a transversal. Corresponding angles are pair of angles matching in corners. The corresponding angles are always congruent if a transversal intersects two parallel lines. Corresponding lines are mostly used to prove if lines are parallel. If angles are congruent (same) then the lines cut by a traversal are parallel. Corresponding angles are created when a traversal crosses parallel lines. Axiom of corresponding angles are given below 1. If a transversal cuts two parallel straight lines, then each pair of corresponding angles are equal. 2. Conversely, when a transversal cuts two straight lines and if a pair of corresponding angles are equal, then the straight lines are parallel. Example 1: Identify 2 pairs of corresponding angles from the given figure. Solution: From the figure line 3 crosses other two line 1 and 2 = We know that Corresponding angles are created when a traversal crosses parallel lines. = Corresponding angles are on the same side of line 3 (transversal) = Here, angle A and C are corresponding angles. = Also angle D and B are also corresponding angles. = These angles are always congruent. Example 2: Identify all the corresponding angles from the given figure Solution: From the figure line t crosses parallel line r and s = Corresponding angles are the angles that are created when a transversal crosses the parallel lines. = From the above given figure, = 1 and 5, 2 and 6, 4 and 8, 3 and 7 are corresponding angles.

Training Your Voice

Training Your Voice Our Advice for Taking Care of Your Vocal Cords and Avoiding Dysphonia ChaptersSinging: What Are the Risks?10 Tips to Take Care of Your VoiceSinging: How to Retrain your VoiceSinging: Why Should You Consult a Speech Pathologist?“If I cannot fly, let me sing.” - Stephen SondheimSingers know that losing their voice, inflammation of the throat or larynx, chronic laryngitis, hoarseness, coughing, or a sore throat can all be terrible for their singing.Furthermore, women are almost twice as likely to suffer from vocal problems than men. Of course, singing teachers and professional singers are more at risk, too.In this article, we're going to look at the risks of singing in terms of your vocal health, how to take care of your voice, techniques to train your voice, and why you should consider seeing an ENT specialist or speech-language pathologist.Search for singing lessons London here. TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging T eacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsSinging: What Are the Risks?Using your voice excessively can damage your vocal cords, pharynx, and larynx. Make sure you warm up before you sing. (Source: JuergenPM)Put simply, your voice is technically a string instrument and you need to take care of it. If you don’t use the right vocal technique, you run the risk of damaging your voice.Voice loss or hoarseness can occur when a singer’s technique isn’t great. This is one of the risks of singing since you can tire your vocal cords without even noticing. This can make vibrating your vocal cords even more difficult. If you don’t rest your voice, nodules and polyps can appear on your vocal cords.This is the first sign of chronic laryngitis, which leads to an inflammation of the vocal cords.  Instead of singing, you might want to consider singing lessons or a visit to a speech pathologist or otorhinolaryngology specialist (also known as an ear, nose, and throat specialist).An untreated vocal injury could lead to dysphonia, irritations of the throat that are initially benign but can lead to worse problems.These can be caused by a multi tude of factors:Lifestyle: smoking, coffee, alcohol, drugs, lack of sleep, stress, poor breathing, bad posture, dehydration, etc.Temperature changes: you can avoid these with a scarf, honeyed soup, eucalyptus pastels, essential oils, etc.Excessive consumption of antibiotics and medicinal products.Allergies related to pollution or pollen.Asthma attacks.Respiratory problems (lung disease, bronchitis, a bacterial infection in the lungs, etc).Gastroesophageal refluxSwelling of the throatThe hectic lifestyle of singers can also result in voice problems, aphonia, dysphonia; tours, interviews, and a lack of rest can put the singer in a vicious cycle.Find out more about how to avoid vocal cord injury.10 Tips to Take Care of Your VoiceSo how can you take care of your voice as a singer?Here are ten tips to look after your voice. It’s recommended that you warm up your voice before you sing.This is a way to prepare your voice before a concert, for example. Honey is a natural remedy for inflammation of the vocal cords. (Source: stevepb)Second tip: sleep.  If you’re tired, you’ll have to force your vocal cords to sing.  You need to sleep well so that your vocal cords can rest before any exertion. Poor sleep can lead to hoarseness or voice loss.Thirdly, you need to adopt a good posture to open your lungs, allowing you to breathe with your stomach and abs.  To do this, stand up straight, with your feet hip-width apart, hands apart, and shoulders relaxed.  You need to attempt to reduce muscular tension so that you can sing powerfully and fluidly.It’s recommended that you exercise regularly so that you can increase your lung capacity and vocal endurance.  Following a session of physical activity, the body consumes a surplus of oxygen to feed the muscles used and limit the production of lactic acid in muscle tissue.  You’ll notice an improvement in your singing as you improve your lung capacity.Any more advice?Here’s a short list:Qu it smoking: smokers run the risk of fatal diseases (lung cancer, throat cancer, etc.)Rest your voice to reduce tension in the muscles in the respiratory system and throat.Avoid chills.Stop talking: silence is one of the best ways to rest and care for your voice.Don’t sing when your throat is sore or inflamed: sore throats, viral infections, allergies, etc.Consult an ENT specialist or speech pathologist if your symptoms last over a week.In the event of benign inflammations, surgical intervention may be required.  In some situations, more serious medical intervention may be necessary.Check out our tips for looking after your voice.Singing: How to Retrain your VoiceSingers, singing teachers, and just teachers might benefit from retraining their voice, especially in the case of hoarseness or laryngitis. A straw is great for your voice. (Source: Alexas_Fotos)If rest isn’t enough, there are several exercises you can do to retrain your voice.However, don’t self-medicate. Without the advice of a doctor or medical professional, you may make things worse.  You can always enjoy liquorice or eucalyptus pastels, drink herbal tea, lemon juice for coughs, a teaspoon of honey in a glass of milk or coffee, etc.  Avoid pharmaceutical products including cortisone and corticoids as they can have side effects if the wrong dosage is taken.To get your voice back, you can always do the straw exercise.  This involves doing sliding to the top and bottom of your range into a straw and singing notes at a high volume.  This will help them reduce swelling.Here are two other exercises you can do if you’re struggling to sing:Voiced fricatives: such as the sound of the letter “V” across your vocal range, contracting your abs as you breathe out, and releasing tension as you breathe in.“M” exercise: Say “M” while holding the note and feeling the vibrations about your nose, then say “E” (behind the teeth) and then “ooh” (lips).Unfortunately, these exercises can’t fix everything and there may be something more serious going on in your throat.Find out more about looking after your voice.Singing: Why Should You Consult a Speech Pathologist?If you have problems with your voice for over a week, you should consult a speech pathologist. In some cases, a visit to a medical professional may be necessary. (Source: valelopardo)A pathologist?This is a specialist focusing on speech, language, and communication.  They deal with voice, speaking, language, and problems with swallowing or hearing. They can suggest treatment.There are also ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialists who can help.In the case of the following, you should consult a specialist:Vocal fatigueVoice lossVocal fold paralysisVocal cord alterationChronic coughingBroken voiceAllergic reactionDifficulty producing high notesSwelling in the throatLaryngeal painThe doctor may consider a laryngoscopy to have a look at the state of your throat and vocal cords.  This involves placing a light on their forehead and inserting a mirror into the back of the throat.For minor issues, rest may be all that’s needed.  They might advise other natural remedies like herbal tea, etc.  In the case of more serious conditions, such as a nodule or polyps, you may need surgery.Keep in mind, that you don’t need to be unwell to visit a pathologist.  Singers might want to go to get advice on techniques to keep their vocal cords in good condition.It’s important to look after your voice, after all.If you want to work on your voice and improve your singing, you might want to consider getting a vocal coach or private tutor on Superprof. They can help you improve your singing, take care of your voice, and provide bespoke singing tuition. There are three main types of tutorials on offer and each one comes with several advantages and disadvantages.Face-to-face private tutorials are just between you and your tutor. The sessions will be tailored to you, your needs, and your strengths and weaknesses. Of course, since the tutor will be dedicating a lot of time to you and your tutorials as well as tailoring them to your needs, this type of tutorial tends to be the most costly. However, it's also the most cost-effective.Thanks to the internet, webcams, and video conferenc ing software, you can also get online tutorials. Again, these tutorials are just between you and the tutor with the main difference being that you're not in the same room. With fewer travel expenses and the ability to schedule more tutorials each week, the tutor can charge a more competitive rate for these tutorials. Generally, these tutorials are better for academic subjects and not hands-on ones.Finally, there are group tutorials. These are more like your traditional classes with several students and one teacher. The cost of the tutor's time is shared between all the students in the class so you can expect to pay less per hour for these tutorials. Unfortunately, this means the tutor can't spend as much time focusing on you and your singing.

Local Specialities and Traditional Recipes of France

Local Specialities and Traditional Recipes of France The Diversity of Regional French Cuisine ChaptersThe Wonders of the South WestFavourites from the South EastFlavours of the Centre RegionThe Winds of the WestThe Specialities of the North and the East The Capital, Melting Pot of the Nation’s Cuisine France is well renowned for its varied cuisines. In fact, each region has its own local customs and its own cultural identity. And these different identities reveal themselves on delicious plates of food!French regions are proud of their differences; the Parisian brasserie is nothing like the Marseillais Bistrot so be careful you don’t mix them up!Let us guide you the rich gastronomy of France and each region’s specificities… maybe you’ll recognise the names côtes-du-rhônes or châteauneuf-du-pape? And of course, you’ll know the cheeses of the region; Cantal and Reblochon.You can feel the sea breeze for miles in this part of France.A region faced towards the Atlantic, the West has an abundance of fish and the best oysters in France.The inner land is, however, more grain than seafood. It is home to livestock and produces quality dairy products: goat’s cheese in Charente, camembert in Normandy, butter, and numerous other cheeses.Artichokes, green beans, onions… gardening enthusiasts will not be disappointed!And how could we forget the Saint-Jacques scallop and the Breton lobster with its infamous blue shell?The wines of the Loire Valley, known for being lighter than their southern counterparts, are a must-try, but the cider, calvados and perry of the region may still be the more popular choice.The sweet pastries of the Western region are unrivalled; the Kouign-Amann, a Breton cake made up of several layers of butter and sugar is sure to give you a boost!And of course the crêpes, so delicious that you’ll speed through the rest of your dinner just to get to them.The Specialities of the North and the EastOh, how we love the warming dishes  of this region! Close to Belgium, the specialities of this area stretch to more than just beer and fri es (although these are in their own right, delicious!).Better than the sweet beetroots of the Picardie area or the chicory soaked in béchamel sauce, are the delicious mussels, maroilles cheese and spéculoos biscuits.Fresh fish is also on the menu, coming from the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer.Champagne plays a central role in festivities and is a symbol of partying and of success. And along the banks of the river Rhine, the vineyards of Alsace make quality white wine.Flammekueches are there to save you from the cold in those winter months. A mixture of cabbage, potatoes, crème fraiche and lardons make up this indulgent dish. Oh, and who can forget sauerkraut, a veritable institution in this region!Rhubarb and plum tarts sing with flavour from the fresh fruits picked straight from the Orchards of Lorraine.The charcuteries are varied, go down to Lyon where the sausage filled brioche is well worth the visit!The Capital, Melting Pot of the Nation’s CuisineAlthough clearly situated in th e north of the country, Paris acts as a real crossroads to all the different regions of France.Between the Bretons who moved down to Paris and the people from Auvergne who sought better fortune in the capital, different cultures met in the same city, at the same time preserving their own traditions and mixing with others.Since the nineteenth century at least, the City of Lights has set the bar for restaurants in France. All kinds of regional and foreign cuisines can be found there.The local brasseries are fondly thought of by many, while even Michelin starred chefs are happy to eat there.Thus, in a single neighbourhood, you can eat the cuisine of nearly every corner of France!But don’t just stick the capital, crisscrossing the beautiful cities and countryside of France lets you taste local gastronomy for real.Learn more here about the History of French cuisine.Discover more about traditional French Gastronomy here.Try out these great French recipes.

A Guide to the Hindi Alphabet

A Guide to the Hindi Alphabet How to Learn to Speak Hindi: Learning the Devanagari Script ChaptersHow Do You Write in Hindi?History of the Devanagari ScriptBasics of the Hindi AlphabetLearning to Write the Hindi LettersHindi On Your Electronic DevicesSo you have decided to take the plunge and learn how to speak Hindi. You are eager to discover Indian culture and ready to immerse yourself in this Indo-European language.But of course, you can learn to speak Hindi - but you also need to learn to read and write it.So come  and discover the Hindi alphabet with us! by the end of the first millennium AD, it had evolved into Devanagari and Nandinagari (one of the Hindi alphabets used in central and south India, and that has also been used for Sanskrit.)Indic Keyboard for  Android devices that allows you to switch easily between various different Indian alphabets and English.On iPhones, you can simply add a new keyboard and switch by pressing down the “globe” icon on your current keyboard.Do you need to get a Hindi keyboard?To write the Devanagari script, you can simply change the keyboard options on your computer and type with your normal keyboard. Here is the usual layout (called InScript) on a normal QWERTY keyboard:An InScript keyboard for writing Hindi. Image by Suresh Kumar Shukla on Wikimedia Commons.However, if you don’t want to learn the layout by heart, you might want to invest in an InScript keyboard for when you have to do a lot of typing in Hindi.

Is ADHD Genetic

Is ADHD Genetic There is so much discussion online about possible causes of ADHD watching too much TV, eating too much sugar, lax parenting, schools that dont allow for enough creativity or physical activity, etc. Surprisingly, one of least discussed topics is the connection between our genes and ADHD. We know that genes strongly influence our appearance, our intelligence, our athletic ability, and even our personality, so why not ADHD symptoms as well? Decades of research have in fact established that genes play a significant role in the development of ADHD. For parents of kids with ADHD, its probably not surprising to hear that ADHD often runs in families. Most children with ADHD have at least one close relative with the disorder, and one-third of fathers with ADHD have a child who has ADHD themselves. The strongest evidence for the role of genes in the development of ADHD comes from studies of identical twins. Researchers have found that if one twin has ADHD there is a 90% chance that the other twin will have ADHD as well. This is compared to a 25% chance among non-identical siblings. Overall, scientists estimate that ADHD has a heritability factor of .76, meaning that genes are responsible for about 76% of the differences that contribute to the development of ADHD. For comparisons sake, genes are responsible for about 70% of individual differences in IQ, with the remaining 30% being determined by non-genetic factors, like access to high quality early education. As with IQ, whether or not an individual develops ADHD is largely influenced by genetics. However, environmental, or non-genetic, factors also play a role. These factors include exposure to toxins, maternal smoking during pregnancy, and premature birth (among others). If a child is exposed to one or more of these environmental factors, then he or she is at risk for developing ADHD. If a child is exposed to these environmental factors and he or she also carries genes that predispose him or her to ADHD, then his or her likelihood of developing the disorder increases significantly. If we know that genes play an important role in the development of ADHD, is a genetic test available? Many parents ask this question, and why not given that genetic testing exists for many medical disorders and even for ancestry DNA profiles? While scientists can confidently establish a genetic basis for ADHD from twin and family studies, identifying specific genes associated with the disorder is a much more challenging task. ADHD affects multiple parts of the brain and impacts a wide range of cognitive functions. No single gene or chromosomal region is responsible for all ADHD symptoms. Instead, multiple genes make small contributions to the development of the disorder. Researchers have identified a few of these genes already, but they have a long way to go before they have a clear genetic picture of ADHD. So, currently no genetic test for ADHD is available. Despite not yet having a clear understanding of every piece of the ADHD genetic puzzle, researchers are optimistic about where this line of research is headed. In the future, scientists may be able to conduct genetic testing that will measure ADHD susceptibility, even in very young children. This testing would open the door for prevention and early intervention opportunities that could greatly improve the lives of children and families who are at risk. Equally as exciting is the possibility of using precision medicine, which optimizes treatment based on an individuals genetic profile, to tailor ADHD medications and behavioral interventions for each child. This could greatly reduce the amount of trial and error involved in finding the right ADHD medication or the most effective behavioral and cognitive interventions. Understanding that ADHD is strongly influenced by genetics should help parents recognize that they are not to blame for a childs symptoms. There is, however, a great deal that parents can do to help their child manage their ADHD and reach their full potential. In the future, with access to a clear picture of each childs unique ADHD genetic profile, parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals will have the ability to be even more effective with the interventions they use to support children with ADHD. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.