| Your child is never still. His or her attention skips like a | | | | psychiatric medications. |
| stone on a pond, skittering away, leaving chaotic ripples | | | | Your doctors may also suggest therapies and |
| behind to disrupt the lives of everyone involved. | | | | behavior modification programs to help you and your |
| Maybe the thought comes to you as you watch your | | | | child become aware of triggers that cause your child |
| child racing endlessly around your living room. Maybe | | | | to lose focus or suffer emotional swings. Either |
| a teacher, or a friend's mother, asks if your child has | | | | course of action can prove beneficial, though you want |
| ADHD. | | | | to proceed with caution and consult with the experts |
| At first you may be insulted, but the idea can come as | | | | regarding the alternatives. |
| a relief: there may be a reason for your child's | | | | Medication is the most controversial treatment. In |
| hummingbird life; maybe even something to help. But | | | | children ADHD medications can have serious |
| where to start? | | | | side-effects. Parents, health professionals, insurance |
| Begin by making a list of symptoms. In children | | | | companies, child development specialists -- all are in |
| ADHD is experienced as a pattern of behaviors which | | | | conflict over the "best" way to proceed when a child |
| can indicated a range of underlying conditions, some of | | | | has ADHD. |
| which prove to be a variety of things other than | | | | It is not unusual for parents and professionals to begin |
| ADHD. Start your search for the cause of your | | | | conservatively with behavior modification training alone, |
| child's behavior armed with information. | | | | sometimes supported by minimally intrusive alternative |
| Consult with experts. | | | | approaches: diet adjustment, reduction of allergens in |
| After you have made a list, find experts. There are | | | | the child's environment, treatment with holistic or |
| two directions to explore, but the first should be | | | | homeopathic medications. |
| medical: go to your pediatrician. Explain in advance | | | | There are formulas that have been developed within |
| what you want to discuss. Your pediatrician can then | | | | alternative medical traditions to ease and focus a |
| decide whether to see you alone first, or observe your | | | | child's behavior. There are no conclusive studies to |
| child, or perhaps refer you directly to a behavioral | | | | show that such formulas are reliable in all situations, but |
| specialist. In children ADHD can provide cover for a | | | | there are indications that some people have found |
| wide range of other conditions, so your pediatrician will | | | | homeopathic formulas give satisfaction. If your |
| want to consider all the possible causes. | | | | doctor approves then look for a formula that calms |
| Expect a series of tests to explore whether your child | | | | hyperactive children or a focus formula that can help |
| has ADHD for certain. Some are physical, like blood | | | | your child maintain attention. |
| tests. Some deal with behavior and emotional | | | | Whatever your choice, know that there are options |
| development. If there is an underlying problem | | | | open to you, and support available if your child has |
| causing ADHD-like behavior, it will be necessary to | | | | ADHD. There are ADHD parent support groups |
| treat that condition specifically. | | | | online, and may even be groups in your community. |
| An ADHD diagnosis is made. | | | | Information is available online and in a wide array of |
| After your professionals determine that your child has | | | | professional publications. ADHD is not the end of |
| ADHD, what can you do? You will be offered a | | | | your life or your child's: just one bump along the road. |
| range of management methods, including powerful | | | | |