Why ADHD Concerns Could Be Holding Back Your Child Instead Of Actually Helping Him

One of the most pressing ADHD concerns is that fact that the meds have their limitations. I know kids who are on Adderall now for more than three years and others who are also on anti-depressants. Yet after three years, their problems of bad behavior, anti social behavior with peers and tantrums in general just keep on occurring. It is clear that the meds are only a partial answer and that the real underlying issues are just not being addressed.

The parents in these cases just think that they need more medicine and they will have no hesitation in asking their doctor for them when they next visit his office. But it is startling to find that the Brooklyn Hospital Center noted that the ADHD meds were contributing to bad behavior in some cases instead of solving the problem. They noted that the children on the meds were battling with the side effects and they were in turn causing all sorts of other problems such as:-

*aggressive behavior
* hostility towards figures in authority
* bad behavior
* weight gain
* stunted growth

The other problem is that parents and carers are not looking at the wider issues. They rarely think that certain allergens, environmental issues and even nutritional deficiencies could well be the trigger that is causing or exacerbating all these problems. They never think about diet or that certain allergic reactions to gluten, casein or whatever could well be the problem.

When we think that one of the ADHD concerns is the crucial imbalance of certain brain chemicals which cause the classic attention problems, restlessness and impulsive and anti social behavior, we should widen our perspective. We should reflect that this imbalance may well be the cause of lots of other childhood illnesses but also a growing problem with how the child interacts socially and academically.

The American Academy of Family Physicians has advised parents and teachers worried about ADHD concerns to ensure the following practices and support systems are in place:-

• ADHD friendly home. This means that there is great emphasis on routine and structure and that the home is well organized
• nutritional deficiencies and diet are carefully monitored. It is no accident that many ADHD kids are low in Omega 3 fish oils, zinc, magnesium and other essential minerals.
• the possibility that an ADHD child may be allergic to certain additives should be actively considered and every effort made to find out what is causing the allergy. The most common problem for ADHD kids seem to be allergic reactions to gluten and casein.
• behavior therapy or more effective parenting skills need to be in place so that there is a clear boundary between what is unacceptable and what is appropriate.

As we have seen, there are many ADHD concerns and the most worrying one is the long term effects of the ADHD meds. There are many alternatives and if you want to consult my website you can find some valid solutions.

Robert Locke is a Health enthusiast who specializes in children's health. He has written extensively on ADHD. Discover what Alternative ADHD Therapy is available. Find out about ADHD natural cures.

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ADHD Child Care: Finding Quality Care for ADHD Kids

Just like finding ADHD natural treatments, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to quality child care for a youngster with ADHD. While parents usually look for day care centers or caregivers that are properly certified, conveniently located, and affordable, parents whose children have ADHD must factor in additional considerations. Here are the things you should look for when finding day care for your ADHD child.

The ratio of children to caregivers

A study published in the journal Child Development confirmed that low child-to-caregiver ratios (few children, more caregivers) are more beneficial to children in daycare. When there are about 3 children to 1 caregiver, the latter was able to provide more emotional support, better structure, and have an easier time catering to the needs of the children. This is an especially important consideration for children with ADHD, who need an adult to provide structure or implement behavior management techniques when needed.

Group size

Find out how many children are accepted by the establishment. The same rule applies - the fewer children there are, the better. Picture a group of 25 five-year olds with five adults, and a group of 10 five-year olds with two adults. Although both have the same child-to-caregiver ratio, the latter would definitely be calmer, safer, and feel more like a family.

Accreditation and qualifications of caregivers

Generally speaking, you want a caregiver who has experience working with special needs children. Find out if the caregivers attend classes, workshops, or engage in other activities designed to improve their skills. In addition, find out of the day care facility has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Association for Family Child Care. This means that the child care center has met the state requirements as well as voluntary child care standards.

Daily routine

A good day care center should not just be a warehouse where children are left alone to play. The best environment for someone with ADHD is a day care with highly-structured activities and set routines. This doesn't mean that every moment of the day has to be planned, but the staff members should direct some of the activities and make sure that your child's developmental needs are addressed.

Establish a relationship with the caregiver

A good caregiver should be your partner in raising your child. Even though you may have a busy schedule, there are ways for you to get involved and work together with the caregiver. Every time you drop off or pick your child up, spend a couple of minutes catching up with the staff. Ask how your child is doing and how things are going at the center. Keep the caregiver updated with your child's ADHD recovery, and ask for help in implementing treatments like ADHD diets.

Dr. Yannick Pauli is an expert on natural approaches to ADHD and the author of the popular self-help home-program The Unritalin Solution. He is Director of the Centre Neurofit in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a passion taking care of children with ADHD. Click on the link for more great information about what is ADHD.

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