| Are you concerned with your child's behavior? Has he | | | | confirm the diagnosis. Once diagnosed, you'll need to |
| or she been acting in an unusual manner that worries | | | | examine your choices regarding treatment for your |
| you or has someone observing your child at play | | | | child. Children as young as age two are being |
| passed a comment that left you wondering? | | | | medicated with the "traditional" ADHD drugs, Ritalin, |
| Has your pediatrician suggested to you that your child | | | | Cylert, and Dexedrine. |
| might have ADHD? What exactly is ADHD? How can | | | | These are powerful stimulant drugs with troublesome |
| it be helped? Let's start by looking at a few options | | | | side effects such as insomnia, stomach pain, increased |
| available to you and your child. | | | | blood pressure, sensitivity to sunlight, and irritability. |
| The cause of Attention Deficit Disorder with | | | | Concerned parents wonder why stimulants are given |
| Hyperactivity (ADHD) is still a mystery. There are | | | | to children who are already wired and wound-up! |
| many theories about the etiology of this puzzling | | | | Medical research indicates that in children and adults |
| disorder, including heredity and brain abnormalities visible | | | | with ADHD, stimulants help the afflicted person to |
| on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, but no | | | | focus and concentrate. |
| definitive conclusions exist. | | | | The latest medication available for treatment of ADHD |
| Medical science does know that ADHD has no | | | | in children and adults is Strattera. Unlike Ritalin, this |
| connection to a child's dietary habits. ADHD is not | | | | medication is not a stimulant and will therefore not |
| caused - or cured- by nutrition and diets. | | | | have any of the stimulant-related side effects of other |
| The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American | | | | ADHD medications currently in use. |
| Psychiatric Association defines the primary symptoms | | | | Strattera is quickly becoming the medication of choice |
| of ADHD. These include lack of attention, inability to | | | | for ADHD, but although this drug has been proven with |
| listen and follow directions, forgetfulness, unorganized, | | | | adults, there is still a lot of study needed to prove |
| impulsive behavior, fidgeting and restless body | | | | effectiveness in children under the age of six. |
| movements, excessive talking and/or noise making, | | | | Your options come down to two choices: traditional |
| being constantly "in motion," and frequent interruption of | | | | stimulant drugs or the "off label" (not FDA approved) |
| others. | | | | Strattera, both of which require you closely watch |
| Many parents would say that this describes every | | | | your child for adverse effects. A third option would be |
| two-year-old on the planet! Perhaps there is merit in | | | | to keep your child on traditional medicine until they |
| the "Terrible Twos" theory, and the behavior will | | | | reach age six before attempting Strattera. |
| eventually resolve itself within a year or two with | | | | Many parents these days are choosing yet a fourth |
| careful and consistent parenting. | | | | option, one that does not require drugs. If you decide |
| However, ADHD is a real, legitimate disorder that does | | | | not to go with medication to treat ADHD, there are |
| affect both children and adults in some cases; it cannot | | | | behavioral methods of controlling your child's disorder |
| simply be dismissed as temporary unruliness. The | | | | and behavior. |
| diagnosis is correctly made when it's clear that the | | | | If your child is severely impaired, both socially and |
| child is socially and intellectually impaired due to these | | | | intellectually, this path may be a difficult choice, but |
| symptoms. | | | | keep in mind it is possible. In the end, the choice is |
| If you suspect your child has ADHD, consult a | | | | yours. Take all of your options into account, know the |
| pediatrician and a child development specialist to | | | | facts, and then act in the best interests of your child. |