| The question about the television ADHD connection | | | | The real world isn't like this and paying attention to |
| has been around for a while, and different studies | | | | slower moving situations like a math class can become |
| seem to suggest different answers. However a | | | | really difficult. The earlier the exposure, the more likely |
| recent study carried out last year on kindergartners | | | | a child acquires problems with attention. |
| suggests that television is not to blame for ADHD | | | | Whether this theory holds true or not, watching |
| symptoms. | | | | television for long hours at a time is still not a good |
| But before you rush off to turn on the TV there are | | | | activity for your child however stimulating it is |
| some points worth noting. | | | | considered to be. |
| In a previous study researchers found that children | | | | The American Academy of Pediatrics currently |
| aged 1- 3 who watched television had an increased | | | | recommend that children under 2 do not watch |
| risk of attention problems by the time they reached | | | | television over concerns that it effects brain |
| age 7. They concluded that for each hour of TV | | | | development and social, emotional and cognitive |
| watched a day the risk of attention problems rose by | | | | abilities. |
| just short of 10% at age 7. | | | | Continue reading for more tips on reducing TV time |
| However there are a number of limitation with this | | | | and to sign up for the free recognizing and treating |
| study. The children taking part in the study were not | | | | ADHD newsletter. |
| formally diagnosed as having ADHD. Rather the | | | | So, although recent studies suggest that there is no |
| parents were merely asked assessment questions | | | | correlation between kindergartner aged children and |
| that helped determine if the children showed similar | | | | ADHD there are confirmed links that watching too |
| behaviors to ADHD like inattention, impulsively and | | | | much TV means a lower reading ability, as well as the |
| hyperactivity. | | | | risk of obesity and increased violent behavior. |
| Perhaps children who have inherent attention problems | | | | Therefore the following precautions may be wise: |
| are more pulled towards television and parents who | | | | - no TV for children under two years old |
| have children with ADHD and other attention disorders | | | | - limit older children's TV viewing to 1 - 2 hours a day |
| are more willing to let their children sit in front of the | | | | - remove TV's from children's bedrooms |
| TV as they seem better behaved and more focused. | | | | The recent study showed that the connection |
| Researchers have also proposed that early exposure | | | | between television and ADHD does exist but I think |
| to TV could lead to a shortened attention span. This is | | | | the debate will rumble on for some time. As with most |
| based on the premise that children spending hours in | | | | things in life, everything in moderation seems to be a |
| front of the TV are conditioned to tune into rapid | | | | great motto and one that applies to TV viewing as |
| moving images. | | | | well. |