| A complex condition like attention deficit hyperactivity | | | | discovered that ADHD is more likely to be present |
| disorder is not caused by just one easily identifiable | | | | among identical twins than fraternal twins, even if each |
| factor. Up until today, ADHD experts continue to | | | | twin was raised in different homes. |
| debate what exactly causes chronic inattention and | | | | So what happens when a child inherits ADHD? |
| hyperactivity in children. Experts are far from | | | | According to some studies, children with a specific |
| unanimous, but many agree that one of the leading | | | | combination of genes have thinner brain tissues in |
| causes is a deficiency in the neurotransmitters | | | | areas that control attention and higher functions. |
| dopamine and norepinephrine - the chemicals in charge | | | | Essentially, this part of the brain experiences a |
| of sending electrical impulses throughout the brains. As | | | | developmental delay. The child may be biologically nine |
| to the root cause behind the neurotransmitter | | | | years old, but parts of the child's brain may be like |
| deficiency, experts pin it down to genetics. While | | | | those of a six-year-old. Children with this specific |
| several studies definitely show a strong link between | | | | genetic combination are lucky - after several years, |
| heredity and ADHD, genetics is not the only cause of | | | | the brain tissue thickness reaches normal levels and |
| the condition, nor is medication the right option to treat | | | | the symptoms of ADHD are simply outgrown. Other |
| the disorder. We believe that ADHD is caused when | | | | children are not so lucky, and will have to struggle with |
| complex environmental and situational factors interact | | | | the disorder for the rest of their lives. |
| with the genetic predisposition to the disorder. | | | | At this point, most parents would start stocking up on |
| Researchers have yet to identify a specific ADHD | | | | ADHD medications for their child's lifelong battle with |
| gene that gets passed down from generation to | | | | the disorder. But pause for a moment. A genetic |
| generation. What is known for certain is that a child is | | | | predisposition does not guarantee that you child will |
| more likely to develop ADHD if he or she has one or | | | | develop the disorder. There have to be certain |
| more immediate family members diagnosed with the | | | | environmental factors in play before ADHD develops. |
| disorder. A study once showed that at least one third | | | | This means that your child probably won't get ADHD |
| of fathers who had childhood ADHD have children | | | | unless he or she is exposed to certain lifestyle habits |
| who meet the diagnostic criteria for the disorder. If you | | | | like a junk food diet, exposure to toxins, and lack of |
| or your spouse can remember instances in childhood | | | | exercise. If you think your child is in danger of inheriting |
| where you experienced problems sitting still or paying | | | | the disorder, you can prevent it by giving your child |
| attention to a debilitating degree, chances are your | | | | healthy meals of green vegetables and proteins, |
| children may eventually experience the same | | | | encouraging lots of exercise, and offering a healthy |
| difficulties. The relationship between genetics and | | | | home environment with lots of fresh air, sunlight, and |
| ADHD is further confirmed by twin studies that | | | | rest. |