| Let's face it, today the overdiagnosis of ADHD is more | | | | that the medications used to treat ADHD can have |
| prevalent among school-aged children than in previous | | | | some pretty serious side effects. So, if you suspect |
| years. Although this disorder should be carefully | | | | your child has ADHD but don't want to put him on |
| diagnosed, many doctors, teachers, and parents are | | | | dangerous prescription drugs, try some of the following |
| pushing for easy ways to control hyperactive children, | | | | ideas: |
| some of whom don't have ADHD. ADHD is difficult to | | | | - Get moving more. Sometimes kids who seem |
| diagnose because there is no set standard by which | | | | hyperactive really have a normal amount of childish |
| doctors can determine whether a child has the | | | | energy that they have no outlet for. Each day, make |
| disorder, and the situation is made worse by a school | | | | sure your child is getting at least an hour of moderate |
| system and home habits that create hyperactivity in | | | | exercise. |
| children. | | | | - Cut back on natural stimulants. Cutting back on sugar, |
| It isn't that schools have some evil intention to | | | | caffeine, and other natural stimulants can help |
| medicate every child who can't sit still for very long. | | | | hyperactive children settle down. |
| The problem is that the way the educational systems | | | | - Help to develop their imagination. Many kids don't |
| are set up today, even kids who don't have ADHD get | | | | have as much imagination because the television is |
| restless, bored, and easily distracted. Think about it this | | | | always making things up for them. Get your child |
| way. Every school day across the nation, millions of | | | | reading and playing games he invents, and he'll be |
| children under the age of twelve are required to sit still | | | | working to develop his attention span too. |
| and quiet in a classroom for almost six hours solid. | | | | - Try homeopathic remedies. There are some |
| Most school-age children aren't built for sitting still and | | | | completely natural, side-effect free homeopathic |
| quiet, so they become fidgety and easily distracted. As | | | | remedies on the market that have been proven to |
| a result, teachers press parents of perfectly normal | | | | calm hyperactive children and to enhance |
| children to have them tested for ADHD. Then, the | | | | concentration. You can safely use these supplements |
| overdiagnosis of ADHD happens when doctors | | | | even in children without ADHD. Be sure to choose |
| diagnose kids who could really just be bored or | | | | wisely. Ensure any remedy you purchase has been |
| perhaps have a different learning disability. | | | | approved by a homeopathic practitioner. |
| Often, a child's home situation doesn't help either. The | | | | If you are serious about making sure your child doesn't |
| overdiagnosis of ADHD may stem from the fact that | | | | become a part of the overdiagnosis of ADHD |
| kids today have very short attention spans. This is | | | | epidemic, you really need to take some time to |
| partially because of the fact that children are watching | | | | understand who your child is and what his needs are. |
| television at younger ages. Television shows, with their | | | | While it may be difficult to live with a hyperactive child |
| bright colors, constant movement, and noises, can | | | | who may not behave well at home or in public, the |
| wreak havoc with children's minds and spoil them for | | | | consequences of ADHD medications, which can |
| quieter pursuits that require more imagination, like | | | | include rage behaviours, sleeplessness, and loss of |
| reading and making up games. | | | | appetite, are too serious to ignore. Rather than |
| So we have an epidemic of overdiagnosis of ADHD | | | | throwing your child into a system full of error and rush, |
| because our current culture sets children up to show | | | | take your time and try the above steps as safe, |
| ADHD-like symptoms and then makes it easy to | | | | natural cures for your child's hyperactivity. |
| medicate them for these symptoms. The problem is | | | | |