|
Strategies to Help With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
I had lunch with a teacher recently. For years he had worked with
special-needs children – those with learning disabilities requiring
personalized teaching styles. He retired early from his profession
because of the epidemic of children (especially young boys) diagnosed
with ADHD.
My friend quit teaching, not because of the challenge of teaching a
child with ADHD; he routinely taught children with far more severe
issues. He quit because teachers and parents would label any child with
a behavior problem “ADHD” just to get them out of their class and,
often, onto some kind of sedative medication.
What is ADHD?
Attention-Deficit/
Hyperactivity
Disorder is characterized by an inability to stay focused on any task.
It may also include impulsive, disruptive and often destructive
behavior. These symptoms may begin between the ages of 6 and 12,
usually by age 7.
First, it is important to know that
most children (and adults) are inattentive and impulsive from time to
time. Also, many, many other conditions and circumstances share these
same symptoms. For example, Stephen Covey described a man boarding the
subway with two disruptive boys in tow. From the description of their
behavior a person could easily see the traits of ADHD. What was the
real problem? They were leaving the hospital where the mother of the
two young boys had just died.
Inattention and impulsive behavior may be signs of ADHD or they may be
signs of something else. We cannot be too quick to diagnose without
fully investigating the circumstances of the person as a whole.
Brains in pain
One interesting line of exploration in the child with ADHD is the
pattern of brain waves. The human brain responds in a similar way to
similar circumstances. Most of us have an increase in Delta brain waves
when we are concentrating and an increase in Alpha brain waves when we
are relaxing.
Theta waves increase and Beta waves decrease when we finish a task and
feel a sense of accomplishment. People with ADHD have the exact reverse
of this pattern: They demonstrate a decrease in Theta waves and an
increase in Beta waves when they are asked to focus on a task.
People in chronic pain have exactly the same brain wave pattern. This
may be why it seems so painful for people with ADHD to “sit still” and
concentrate!
Sources of help
- Proper diagnosis
The most important step in caring for someone with ADHD is ensuring
they are properly diagnosed. As mentioned, there are many conditions
that trigger inattentiveness and impulsivity. Occasionally, a trial of
medication for ADHD may be used by a physician to make the diagnosis.
The physician prescribes a drug and if it helps, the child is said to
have ADHD. But response to medication is no way to diagnose ADHD.
The most important part of any treatment is proper diagnosis.
- Avoiding certain foods
Next, limiting sugar and sweeteners and absolutely eliminating anything
with colors and additives will often prove helpful. Avoiding food
allergies is imperative. Children with ADHD are often allergic to
grains, dairy, corn and soy.
- Supplements
Supplements that are helpful include a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement, Vitamin B-12 (I prefer Super Sublingual B-12 because the ratio of folic acid to B-12 is better for ADHD), VitaCal-Mag D as a calcium, magnesium, Vitamin D and zinc supplement and OmegaPrime as a good source of both Omega-3 and Evening Primrose oil. The amino acid GABA (as found in Peaceful Sleep) may also help balance the Beta and Theta brain waves when used consistently. Conclusion
My teacher friend pointed to a very real problem: Many times a child
will be labeled ADHD because of a behavior problem in the classroom.
Often, the problem was that these children were in distressing
circumstances at school (for example, being relentlessly bullied) or
not having appropriate parental supervision and nurturing at home.
However, ADHD is real and it is a serious disorder that will affect a
person’s entire life. With proper diagnosis and assessment of the
individual learning style of the child there is every possibility for a
full and productive life!
Learn More...
Upcoming Weekly Wellness Reports...
- Osteoporosis/Grandparent Guilt
Please note that Weekly Wellness Report topics will be chosen at the
discretion of Brazos Minshew and based on general relevance.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not
intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
|
|
