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ADHD
Articles by Native Remedies:
Ritalin and Attention Deficit Disorder: by Tess Thompson With the incidence of attention deficit disorder increasing many people resort to various drugs the ADD treatment. The irony of the situation is that there is no fool-proof method of diagnosing ADD, and many a times there are normal children who have been diagnosed and stamped as ADD and being given child ADHD treatment while they may be normal children with maybe a slightly higher need for attention or slightly hyperactive. With such children and those that genuinely suffer from an attention deficit disorder, most physicians use drugs like Ritalin and Prozac or Zoloft. These medicines only serve to reduce the symptoms of ADD for a certain period of time and have numerous side effects that are harmful in the short and the long term. The dangerous side effects of Ritalin that have been observed include possible seizures, suppression of growth, angina, blood pressure fluctuations, insomnia, loss of appetite, headaches and much more. Studies have actually shown that ADD children whose treatment includes stimulant drugs like Ritalin are at a higher risk to get into vandalism, crime, alcoholism and abusive substances. To add to it, the fact that it does not seem to have been proved that drugs like Ritalin can actually cure ADD. Dr. Robert Mendelsohn once said “No one has ever been able to demonstrate that drugs such as Cylert and Ritalin® improve the academic performance of the children who take them.... The pupil is drugged to make life easier for his teacher, not to make it better and more productive for the child." There are many lawsuits that have been filed against various parties like the American Psychiatric Association, CHADD and Ciba/Novartis Pharmaceuticals. The Ritalin manufacturers are being charged with conspiring to promote the diagnosis of ADD to promote their drug. And since the diagnosis is not totally objective, the case has been a complicated one. Parents come under the pressure of school psychologists, medical practitioners, teachers and social workers to use these drugs without any detailed understanding of the process of diagnosing the condition, effects of the drugs, alternate therapies possible and the role of nutrition and diet. It may be a good time to mention that parents should take things in their own hands and try and obtain a greater understanding of the problem before blindly administering drugs to alleviate symptoms. An herbal remedy for ADD, homeopathic treatment, diet control and nutrition, supplements are among the various options that you can consider and evaluate.
Teaching ADD students:
The greatest challenge for a teacher is to understand that some of the disruptive behaviors that she may be observing in her students may not be deliberate but may be caused due an attention deficit disorder. Ignoring assignments and staring into blank space may not be signs of a slow child but may actually be caused by ADD. The ADD treatment may be a responsibility of the parents but a teacher plays a key role in the adjustments that the child makes with the environment and the manner in which he copes with the world and its requirements. Irrespective of the fact that the parents may be providing the best child ADHD treatment or using alternate herbal remedies for ADD, the teacher needs to adopt certain techniques to be able to help the ADD child cope with the curriculum. Identifying an ADD child is the first task. Understanding the various symptoms of ADD and the manner in which they manifest themselves can go a long way in aiding the process. The next step is to devise ways and means of enabling the ADD child to flower and perform to his best. Schools that have a separate program for managing ADD children are the best places for such children. Concepts like ‘paired leaning’, ‘no time tests’ and ‘correct behavior for the day’ are adopted by these schools and provided to teachers to aid them in their teaching. These schools also give checklists of things to do and avoid so that the teachers are well equipped with classroom management strategies. Those who teach children with ADD should ensure that they consult experts like psychologists and special educationists to ensure that they are using the latest and most advanced techniques available for these special children. A teacher needs to ensure that the curriculum is structured with little surprises. Tasks need to be broken down into manageable modules and timed tests should be avoided for ADD children. Paring ADD children has proven to be a good strategy for better performance. Teacher should also keep in mind that repetition and constant reminders work well with their wards. Even though each ADD child is different and unique and a teacher will need to customize the techniques as she goes along, there are certain specific aspects that need to be kept in mind. Too much excitement or distraction can prove to be harmful and shall mar the concentration capabilities of an ADD child even further. Techniques like eye contact, starting a question with the name of the ADD child and usage of imagery will lead to better success. Handling emotional situations becomes a must for a teacher who teaches ADD. At no point in time should the teacher lose her cool and resort to angry words or frustrated actions. Behavior modification techniques such as rewards can help. It should be noted that instant gratification is required for younger children though delayed rewards can be used with older ones. It is also important that the child understand what you are punishing him for. This is extremely important because many times the ADD child does not know what he is being punished for since his brain works in a different manner. Make sure that you communicate with the parents and understand key achievements of the child at home to be able to modify your techniques as you go along.
Teaching ADD students:
The greatest challenge for a teacher is to understand that some of the disruptive behaviors that she may be observing in her students may not be deliberate but may be caused due an attention deficit disorder. Ignoring assignments and staring into blank space may not be signs of a slow child but may actually be caused by ADD. The ADD treatment may be a responsibility of the parents but a teacher plays a key role in the adjustments that the child makes with the environment and the manner in which he copes with the world and its requirements. Irrespective of the fact that the parents may be providing the best child ADHD treatment or using alternate herbal remedies for ADD, the teacher needs to adopt certain techniques to be able to help the ADD child cope with the curriculum. Identifying an ADD child is the first task. Understanding the various symptoms of ADD and the manner in which they manifest themselves can go a long way in aiding the process. The next step is to devise ways and means of enabling the ADD child to flower and perform to his best. Schools that have a separate program for managing ADD children are the best places for such children. Concepts like ‘paired leaning’, ‘no time tests’ and ‘correct behavior for the day’ are adopted by these schools and provided to teachers to aid them in their teaching. These schools also give checklists of things to do and avoid so that the teachers are well equipped with classroom management strategies. Those who teach children with ADD should ensure that they consult experts like psychologists and special educationists to ensure that they are using the latest and most advanced techniques available for these special children. A teacher needs to ensure that the curriculum is structured with little surprises. Tasks need to be broken down into manageable modules and timed tests should be avoided for ADD children. Paring ADD children has proven to be a good strategy for better performance. Teacher should also keep in mind that repetition and constant reminders work well with their wards. Even though each ADD child is different and unique and a teacher will need to customize the techniques as she goes along, there are certain specific aspects that need to be kept in mind. Too much excitement or distraction can prove to be harmful and shall mar the concentration capabilities of an ADD child even further. Techniques like eye contact, starting a question with the name of the ADD child and usage of imagery will lead to better success. Handling emotional situations becomes a must for a teacher who teaches ADD. At no point in time should the teacher lose her cool and resort to angry words or frustrated actions. Behavior modification techniques such as rewards can help. It should be noted that instant gratification is required for younger children though delayed rewards can be used with older ones. It is also important that the child understand what you are punishing him for. This is extremely important because many times the ADD child does not know what he is being punished for since his brain works in a different manner. Make sure that you communicate with the parents and understand key achievements of the child at home to be able to modify your techniques as you go along.
Child ADD Testing
Determining whether a child has enough symptoms of ADD and whether child ADHD treatment is required is a tricky task. This is especially so since the problem is more psychological than physical and there is no standard battery of medical tests that can be conducted that will result in a report that can unequivocally recommend ADD treatment. There are many ADD diagnostic techniques that are available on the Internet to help you identify whether your child is at risk or is already suffering from ADD. These tools are extremely helpful in enabling you to understand the reasons of certain behaviors that you may be observing in your child. None of the tests available on the Internet are supposed to be understood as self-diagnosis tools and should only be used to aid in deciding whether to seek medical attention or not. Among others, the diagnostic technique used by Daniel G Amen, MD divides the symptoms and factors that need to be considered into various groups. What is studied is the past history, levels of restlessness, impulsiveness, organizational skills, issues with initiation of a task and concentration, negative feelings, issues with relationships, temper, need for constant stimulation, motor coordination skills, levels of energy and frustration. This all-encompassing list of various aspects of symptoms of ADD helps in identifying those that need to seek help. Items under past history include bed-wetting, behavior problems in school and a family history of ADD and learning disorders. Distractibility, a key symptom of ADD, includes a low attention span, poor listening skills, lack of attention to detail, inability to follow simple instructions of a game. Restlessness exhibits in fidgety behavior like playing with hair, picking skin and biting nails. It also manifests in constant movement from one place to the other including an inability to sit in one place. Being impulsive on this scale involves taking immature and impetuous decisions and lead to an inability to follow any kind of protocol. It also includes lying and stealing as an incontrollable problem. Poor organization skills include being late all the time, inability to stay on top of tasks that need to be done, misplacing things and belongings and getting overwhelmed with normal tasks that a child that age can accomplish. Problems of initiation and concentration include aspects like procrastination, starting projects but not finishing them and untimely completion of tasks, if at all. Similarly each of the broad areas listed above have been detailed in this test for ADD and provide cues about the level to which the ADD symptoms manifest. It is important to note that only if more than 20 items receive a score of more than 3 on a 5 point scale should you see a cause of concern. If you feel that your child is a borderline case, there is no harm in soliciting and finding out more about herbal remedy for ADD since these are devoid of any side effects and may help in treatment at the right time without letting matters get out of hand.
Determining whether a child has enough symptoms of ADD and whether child ADHD treatment is required is a tricky task. This is especially so since the problem is more psychological than physical and there is no standard battery of medical tests that can be conducted that will result in a report that can unequivocally recommend ADD treatment. There are many ADD diagnostic techniques that are available on the Internet to help you identify whether your child is at risk or is already suffering from ADD. These tools are extremely helpful in enabling you to understand the reasons of certain behaviors that you may be observing in your child. None of the tests available on the Internet are supposed to be understood as self-diagnosis tools and should only be used to aid in deciding whether to seek medical attention or not. Among others, the diagnostic technique used by Daniel G Amen, MD divides the symptoms and factors that need to be considered into various groups. What is studied is the past history, levels of restlessness, impulsiveness, organizational skills, issues with initiation of a task and concentration, negative feelings, issues with relationships, temper, need for constant stimulation, motor coordination skills, levels of energy and frustration. This all-encompassing list of various aspects of symptoms of ADD helps in identifying those that need to seek help. Items under past history include bed-wetting, behavior problems in school and a family history of ADD and learning disorders. Distractibility, a key symptom of ADD, includes a low attention span, poor listening skills, lack of attention to detail, inability to follow simple instructions of a game. Restlessness exhibits in fidgety behavior like playing with hair, picking skin and biting nails. It also manifests in constant movement from one place to the other including an inability to sit in one place. Being impulsive on this scale involves taking immature and impetuous decisions and lead to an inability to follow any kind of protocol. It also includes lying and stealing as an incontrollable problem. Poor organization skills include being late all the time, inability to stay on top of tasks that need to be done, misplacing things and belongings and getting overwhelmed with normal tasks that a child that age can accomplish. Problems of initiation and concentration include aspects like procrastination, starting projects but not finishing them and untimely completion of tasks, if at all. Similarly each of the broad areas listed above have been detailed in this test for ADD and provide cues about the level to which the ADD symptoms manifest. It is important to note that only if more than 20 items receive a score of more than 3 on a 5 point scale should you see a cause of concern. If you feel that your child is a borderline case, there is no harm in soliciting and finding out more about herbal remedy for ADD since these are devoid of any side effects and may help in treatment at the right time without letting matters get out of hand.
ADHD Symptom Checklist for children:
by Tess Thompson
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has gained a lot of prominence in the recent years. Though a lot of research has been conducted in the recent past, helping the medical practitioners to gain a better understanding on ADHD including ADHD treatment, an easy and accurate identification of this condition is still not possible.
ADHD is commonly found in children and is characterized by hyperactivity, short attention span and impulsivity. This makes the diagnosis even more difficult since children have high energy levels and hence are extra active by nature and are known to have a short attention span. So how does one distinguish between a ‘child-like’ behavior and ADHD?
Over time, the experts have laid out a few guidelines which can help in eliminating other possible reasons and hence diagnose ADHD. For children, there is a checklist available that a parent can use to assess if the child needs the help of an expert. This checklist contains some symptoms that need to be monitored. However, it is important to note that this checklist is applicable to children who are above six years of age. It is difficult to diagnose ADHD in children who are of age five years and below. You may use this checklist though it may not be complete in itself:
Symptoms for Hyperactive Type ADHD
1. Talking excessively
2. Difficulty in playing quietly
3. Fidgets and squirms in the seat
4. Runs about or climbs a lot a inappropriate times
5. Leaves the classroom when expected to be seated
Symptoms for Impulsive Type ADHD
1. Has a problem when waiting for the turn
2. Often interrupts or intrudes on others
3. Blurts out the answer even before the question has been completed
Symptoms for Short Attention Span Type ADHD
1. Makes careless mistakes and does not pay attention to details
2. Does not listen when spoken to directly
3. Has a problem with organizing tasks and activities
4. Gets distracted easily
5. Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish
6. schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace
7. Loses things and is forgetful in daily activities
8. Does not follow instructions and fails to finish tasks
9. Has short attention span and avoids tasks that require sustained mental effort
Before concluding that your child might have ADHD and needs expert help, it is important to assess the behavior of your child over a period of time. Your child should exhibit these symptoms over a period of time, which should be at least six months and under different situations. And if your child is actually diagnosed with ADHD, you need not lose heart. There are many scientifically proven methodologies to help your child overcome this condition. These range from pharmaceutical drugs, natural medicines for ADHD, counseling and even natural remedies for ADHD treatment.
ADHD and Diet:
Is there a Link Between Sugar and Hyperactivity, and Is There Really an Effective Diet? By Tess Thompson
In the 1970's, Dr. Ben Feingold developed what came to be known as the "Feingold Diet" after he thought he noticed a link between certain foods and hyperactivity in children. The ingredients he flagged to avoid were mostly food additives which he thought were causing allergic reactions in some of his patients, but sugar was also on the list. For years following, Dr. Feingold's theory grew in popularity and acceptance, but the theory was based only on his patient's testimonials, and a link between sugar and hyperactivity has yet to be proven in studies. While there is not overwhelming conclusive evidence that any particular food will cause or prevent hyperactivity, a well-balanced diet that is rich in a variety of brain-healthy foods will benefit anyone, and some preliminary studies have found certain food types to have a positive effect on children with ADHD. Contrary to Dr. Feingold's theory, some recent studies have shown that large amounts of sugar can have a numbing effect on children and can actually induce tiredness. These days, most doctors agree that while limited amounts of sugar are acceptable in a diet, large amounts can be harmful in a variety of ways, even if sugar has not been shown to have a particularly negative effect on ADHD and treatment of it. One study by the George Washington University School of Medicine found that children who ate a protien-rich meal performed as well or better afterwards in school than children without ADHD. Foods that are high in protien include meat, fish, milk, yogurt, beans, peanut butter and eggs. There is also various research, including a study done by Oxford University in London, which suggests that including Omega-3 fatty acids in hyperactive children's diets will moderate their ADHD symptoms. Omega-3 fatty acids are often lacking in the average American diet, but can be found in salmon, mackarel, sardines and flax oil. Both protiens and omega-3 fatty acids should be a part of everyone's diets, and it is important to remember to moderate your child's intake of any one food group. In general, green vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protiens and healthy fats should all be included in your child's daily diet. Removing as many simple and refined carbohydrates as possible from your child's diet could have a positive effect as well. These kinds of carbohydrates include candy, cake, white bread, potatoes, white rice, and pasta, and are broken down very quickly by the body, often causing surges and dips in energy. Instead of white bread and white rice, try substituting whole grain versions of the foods, and give your child fruit instead of cake or candy. While it might be impossible to eliminate all of the suggested items from your child's diet, it should be possible to moderate them in favor of healthier foods. Although there is no specific diet proven to be an effective child ADHD treatment, a healthy mix of fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fats and protiens promotes general well-being and will also help eliminate the possibility of your child suffering from a nutritional deficiency that might be affecting his or her behavior.
Is there a Link Between Sugar and Hyperactivity, and Is There Really an Effective Diet? By Tess Thompson
In the 1970's, Dr. Ben Feingold developed what came to be known as the "Feingold Diet" after he thought he noticed a link between certain foods and hyperactivity in children. The ingredients he flagged to avoid were mostly food additives which he thought were causing allergic reactions in some of his patients, but sugar was also on the list. For years following, Dr. Feingold's theory grew in popularity and acceptance, but the theory was based only on his patient's testimonials, and a link between sugar and hyperactivity has yet to be proven in studies. While there is not overwhelming conclusive evidence that any particular food will cause or prevent hyperactivity, a well-balanced diet that is rich in a variety of brain-healthy foods will benefit anyone, and some preliminary studies have found certain food types to have a positive effect on children with ADHD. Contrary to Dr. Feingold's theory, some recent studies have shown that large amounts of sugar can have a numbing effect on children and can actually induce tiredness. These days, most doctors agree that while limited amounts of sugar are acceptable in a diet, large amounts can be harmful in a variety of ways, even if sugar has not been shown to have a particularly negative effect on ADHD and treatment of it. One study by the George Washington University School of Medicine found that children who ate a protien-rich meal performed as well or better afterwards in school than children without ADHD. Foods that are high in protien include meat, fish, milk, yogurt, beans, peanut butter and eggs. There is also various research, including a study done by Oxford University in London, which suggests that including Omega-3 fatty acids in hyperactive children's diets will moderate their ADHD symptoms. Omega-3 fatty acids are often lacking in the average American diet, but can be found in salmon, mackarel, sardines and flax oil. Both protiens and omega-3 fatty acids should be a part of everyone's diets, and it is important to remember to moderate your child's intake of any one food group. In general, green vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protiens and healthy fats should all be included in your child's daily diet. Removing as many simple and refined carbohydrates as possible from your child's diet could have a positive effect as well. These kinds of carbohydrates include candy, cake, white bread, potatoes, white rice, and pasta, and are broken down very quickly by the body, often causing surges and dips in energy. Instead of white bread and white rice, try substituting whole grain versions of the foods, and give your child fruit instead of cake or candy. While it might be impossible to eliminate all of the suggested items from your child's diet, it should be possible to moderate them in favor of healthier foods. Although there is no specific diet proven to be an effective child ADHD treatment, a healthy mix of fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fats and protiens promotes general well-being and will also help eliminate the possibility of your child suffering from a nutritional deficiency that might be affecting his or her behavior.
