| Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly | | | | certain circumstances. Many times it will take more |
| known as ADHD, is estimated by the US Surgeon | | | | than 6 months of monitoring the behavior of the child in |
| General to occur in 3-5% of school children. This | | | | different settings to determine and diagnose the actual |
| disorder can be recognized by inattention, | | | | symptoms. |
| impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. Many symptoms | | | | Clinical Studies have shown that the best long term |
| become apparent by the time a child reaches | | | | treatment for ADHD should combine behavioral |
| preschool age and is more readily recognized after | | | | therapy and medication. Since there is no single |
| they are attending school. | | | | universal treatment, parents should also take into |
| ADHD in children is classified into three different | | | | consideration alternative therapies (natural allergy |
| categories. These are: | | | | elimination) as well as natural remedies and dietary |
| -Inattentive - It is difficult for the child to focus. | | | | changes. Many natural remedies for attention deficit |
| -Hyperactive or Impulsive - The child is impulsive or | | | | disorder are becoming popular and successful in many |
| needs to be doing something but can pay attention. | | | | cases. |
| -Combined type - This child will show all three forms of | | | | Parents and teachers should keep in mind that children |
| ADHD; impulsive, inattention along with hyperactivity. | | | | showing symptoms of this disorder should use |
| There are conflicting studies and speculation regarding | | | | patience and kindness since many times it is beyond |
| the causes of the attention disorder, however there | | | | the control of the child. Setting guidelines and using a |
| are many reports that have shown a relationship with | | | | reward system at home and school can put a child at |
| certain foods can cause these symptoms. These are | | | | ease and on the right track. Limiting various activities |
| similar to an allergy but not in the most common form. | | | | that don't allow the child to use their natural thinking and |
| However, the symptoms can be seen as a certain set | | | | imagine can prove useful. Teachers and health care |
| of behavior traits. The child will squirm and fidget a lot, | | | | providers have found that by encouraging a child to |
| they are in constant motion, easily distracted, and do | | | | play with imaginative toys like legos, building sets, and |
| not finish their tasks. They will interrupt others and | | | | imaginary play, will improve their outlook, and |
| have difficulty playing quietly and will often times talk | | | | encourage them to focus and use their minds |
| excessively. | | | | effectively. |
| To properly identify the condition in children below the | | | | Monitoring the symptoms in various settings, controlling |
| age of five years, you should seek the advice of your | | | | diet through the elimination of certain foods and |
| pediatrician to test and diagnose through a series of | | | | encouraging the use of imaginative toys and outside |
| steps that can be outlined by the doctor. Many times | | | | play, will over a period of time help in alleviating the |
| outside sources will be contacted for assessment | | | | painful signs of attention deficit syndrome. |
| purposes to identify triggers or behaviors relating to | | | | |