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