If you think that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a short attention span condition then you’re only skimming the surface. There’s a whole complex dimension that affects both kids and adults says Dr. Eva Tischer who has dedicated herself to helping individuals through a mixture of preventive and physical treatments. She talks to Tempo about her experience and the challenges she faces…
TEMPO: How did you get into ADHD therapy?
Eva: I grew up as daughter of parents, who – to the best of my recollection – permanently, indiscriminately and desperately tried losing weight with different common diets that were always short-term and not sustainable. These experiences impacted my philosophy on nutrition, physical activity and the importance of taking personal responsibility for one’s health. My life philosophy integrates my second occupational career as a sports scientist where I focus on long-term intervention programmes for women struggling with overweight, obesity and associated chronic diseases.
TEMPO: How did you come up with the concept of “POWERKIDS”?
Eva: As a mother of two elementary grade children I have always been highly interested in children´s Personal, Social and Health development (PSH). I realised that many kids from age six onwards are overweight or obese and deficient in motor abilities, because of the lack of physical activity. Through my Sports Science Centre in Austria I developed programmes in motor and social-emotional development as well as in healthy nutrition, in collaboration with schools and sports associations. My programme, POWER KIDS by Dr Eva, is a mixture of preventive health programmes aimed at 6 to 12 year olds who are overweight and obese, and it is also suitable for those who have ADHD.
TEMPO: Why do you think “POWERKIDS” is right for the UAE?
Eva: The GCC countries have some of the highest rates of type 2 diabetes in the world. The UAE ranks second and there’s indication that childhood obesity rates in UAE are two to three times higher than the recently published reports. That´s why I launched POWER KIDS in UAE.
TEMPO: How does POWER KIDS work?
EVA: The secret of POWER KIDS is the focus on each child according to his or her unique timing and growth pattern.
Especially in the later childhood years, that is 8 to 12 years, the child’s perceptual abilities become increasingly refined, because the sensomotor apparatus works in greater harmony. The programme is a learning laboratory in which children learn through movement, by performing activities based on principles of child development. The activities are customised to the child’s individual needs, interests and abilities.
TEMPO: How can you spread your programme?
Eva: Because my patients need holistic long-term health solutions, I always worked with doctors, hospitals and insurance companies in Austria. That´s why I am interested to work with the health care community here.
TEMPO: Where do you run your programmes?
Eva: I run POWERKIDS in Kidoos Branches at Abu Dhabi Mall, Dalma Mall and Deerfields Mall. You can get more information from www.power-kids.ae and www.facebook.com/”POWERKIDS”byDrEva.
