| Question: | | | | ADD have had some birth injury due to, for example, |
| My son has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit | | | | forceps or rapid, champagne-cork, delivery, being born |
| Disorder and is on Concerta tablets. We give him fresh | | | | with the cord around the neck or prolonged labour. |
| carrots juice every morning and lots of fresh fruit and | | | | These can impair the blood flow to the brain and |
| vegetables. I massage his head once a week with | | | | affect the centre that is known to be malfunctioning in |
| herbal massage oil. Can you offer any advice? | | | | ADD -the reticular formation. This network of nerve |
| Answer: | | | | fibers in the brainstem is responsible for regulating the |
| Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit | | | | messages to the brain. It controls our emotions, |
| Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have only recently | | | | attention and impulses, and if not properly regulated it |
| been accepted by mainstream medicine. The problem | | | | can either block the messages, causing the brain to |
| was that ADD is basically a behavioral problem, with | | | | calm down excessively and do nothing or let all the |
| hyperactivity, impulsiveness and Poor attention span; | | | | signals leak through, so the brain is over-alert or |
| no neurological damage could be found. New | | | | hyperactive. Treating ADD is difficult, although many |
| techniques using radioactive glucose show that certain | | | | problems (but not hyperactivity) disappear at puberty. |
| para of the brain can be hyperactive. But experiences | | | | Here is a summary of an approach: |
| such as coming from a broken family, being left alone | | | | Diet |
| for long periods, playing violent video games, being the | | | | Avoid foods that make the brain hyperactive, including |
| victim of bullying, and so on, may also cause a child to | | | | sugar in all forms, excess salt and caffeinated |
| overreact or withdraw. | | | | products. Also avoid all foods containing yeast (bread, |
| The range of symptoms can be classified into four | | | | Pasta, pizza, Marmite, canned produce), as yeast |
| groups: | | | | brews toxic alcohols in the gut, which can reach the |
| Lack of attention:these children are usually lost in their | | | | brain, adding to the troubles. Fresh fruit vegetables and |
| own world, and do things in a trance-like fashion. | | | | juice are good. |
| Without responding to instructions. They find it hard to | | | | Massage |
| focus, but if they are intent on something, nothing else | | | | You are doing absolutely the right thing by massaging |
| exists. | | | | your son. I suggest parents take turns to massage the |
| Impulsiveness:these children do things thoughtlessly, | | | | child in bed for l5 minutes every night. Do neck and |
| with no analysis of whether they should or shouldn't do | | | | shoulders first then the back Press the soles of the |
| it, or the practicalities. | | | | feet with your thumbs. (This is a very basic form of |
| Hyperactivity:they fidget and are constantly on the go. | | | | reflexology.) Massage the scalp with a Oil, to calm the |
| They don't want to sleep, do homework, read or paint. | | | | brain and improve sleep. Do this three times a week |
| This is partly because they can't concentrate well, so | | | | for four months. Leave the oil on the head over night |
| often have learning difficulties. They may bully other | | | | protect the pillow with an old towel or sheet. |
| children. | | | | Other therapies |
| Boredom:the only things likely to hold the attention of | | | | * Reflexology |
| these children are fast-moving video games. | | | | * Biofeedback |
| In my experience, about 60 per cent of children with | | | | * Yoga and breathing techniques. |