| It is amazing when you find out how many children | | | | clothes; it takes days, weeks, months and even years. |
| grow up with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. | | | | Take things slow and do not rush things. This will |
| Did you know that almost ten percent of all the | | | | ensure that the child learns and retains the things that |
| children in the world are affected by a condition | | | | you are teaching and he will practice these things |
| characterized by poor attention, hyperactivity, | | | | more and more. |
| impulsiveness and easy distractibility? ADHD is a | | | | - Positive reinforcement is an integral part of |
| lifetime condition that is caused by an imbalance in the | | | | behavioural modification therapy. Kids learn more when |
| neurotransmitters. It is often diagnosed when the child | | | | they are rewarded after doing something right. They |
| reaches 6 to 12 years old and may continue to | | | | naturally crave for their parents to appreciate their |
| manifest symptoms into adulthood. The most common | | | | efforts. So, by using this method, you don't only teach |
| way of treating ADHD is with the use of stimulants, | | | | your child how to behave better but you also help him |
| particularly Ritalin. However, there are some people | | | | by boosting his self-esteem. You are trying to instil both |
| who want to avoid giving drugs because of the side | | | | self-discipline and a healthy dose of self-confidence in |
| effects that the drugs may have. There are people | | | | your child. |
| who respond better when they are treating ADHD | | | | - Do not be stingy with praise and rewards. Show |
| without drugs. | | | | your appreciation for your child's efforts. If your child |
| So, how do you go about treating ADHD without | | | | misbehaves, you can punish the bad behaviour by |
| drugs? One of the most effective methods of treating | | | | giving out time-outs or taking away some privileges |
| ADHD without drugs is through behavioural | | | | depending on the gravity of the misbehaviour. You |
| modification therapy. This is a technique used to teach | | | | must first discuss with your child what is to be |
| the child how to behave in a socially acceptable | | | | expected of him and what happens if he doesn't do |
| manner. It is based on principles that allow the child to | | | | this, that way he knows what should be done. |
| learn better and for the child to retain what he has | | | | - Communication is one of the things that will facilitate |
| previously learned. Through this technique the child | | | | your child's learning. Remember to discuss with him the |
| copes better with the different situations that he may | | | | things that he has to do, remind him of his |
| encounter. | | | | responsibilities. Now, what are you waiting for? Take |
| Here are some tips on treating ADHD without drugs: | | | | what you have learned here and practice them. |
| - This takes time and effort and will often lead to | | | | Research more about ADHD and learn that there are |
| frustrations and anxieties. It is important for everyone | | | | other things you can do to facilitate treating ADHD |
| to remain patient throughout the whole process. | | | | without drugs. |
| Changing certain behaviour is nothing like changing | | | | |