| ADHD drugs have increasingly become a quick fix for | | | | parents must spend a tremendous amount of time |
| many children who exhibit aggressive and/or | | | | with their children at home in order to make up for the |
| hyperactive behavior. For those parents who may not | | | | chaos in a classroom environment. |
| be aware, it is in the early stages of growth that a | | | | You will also want to be aware of some triggers that |
| child's brain is constantly changing throughout their | | | | can cause symptoms that are thought to indicate |
| development. | | | | ADHD including diets full of sugar and caffeine, |
| What you also may not know is that physical and | | | | boredom due to a high IQ, hearing challenges, learning |
| emotional trauma can create behaviors that are in line | | | | related visual/ perceptual challenges, visual/ motor |
| with a diagnosis of ADHD. Even something as simple | | | | challenges, ineffective parental communication, |
| and seemingly everyday as yelling and screaming in | | | | negative classroom experience with a teacher and/or |
| front of your children (whether in the womb during | | | | peers, and a sensitivity to food additives. |
| pregnancy or after birth) can have a negative impact | | | | And while it has become increasingly popular to |
| on your children. Distractibility, excessive talking, the | | | | prescribe ADHD drugs, I caution you to double check |
| inability to stay on task, excessive negative moods, | | | | the side effects of any medication that is prescribed |
| and aggression all lead back to issues with physical | | | | by your doctor. This way you are familiar with what |
| and/or emotional trauma. These are some signs that | | | | you might expect if you decide to go the route of |
| may signal you that something may be wrong | | | | prescription medication. As does most medication, |
| emotionally with your child. | | | | many ADHD drugs have a long list of side effects that |
| It's also important to note that hyperactivity can be | | | | can impact your children's mind and body. |
| caused by over crowded classrooms. For example, in | | | | I cannot stress enough that the investment you make |
| childcare centers, the rule of thumb for retaining some | | | | in your children's health will have infinite benefits for you |
| order is six to eight children per teacher. It is much | | | | and your family for the rest of your lives. Please keep |
| more difficult to expect positive behaviors when the | | | | the above information in mind when discussing |
| ratio is closer to 18-30 children per adult assistant and | | | | medication with your primary care physician or MD. |
| the teacher is overwhelmed. In situations such as this, | | | | |