D.S Du Toit Christian Psychologist

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Marian Rose
6 years ago
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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common

Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty

ADHD has three subtypes: Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive Most symptoms

Fewer than six symptoms of inattention are present, although inattention may

Predominantly inattentive The majority of symptoms (six or more) are in the

are present, although hyperactivity-impulsivity may Children with this

Therefore, the child may be overlooked, and parents and teachers may not

1 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity). ADHD has three subtypes: Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive Most symptoms (six or more) are in the hyperactivity-impulsivity categories. Fewer than six symptoms of inattention are present, although inattention may still be present to some degree. Predominantly inattentive The majority of symptoms (six or more) are in the inattention category and fewer than six symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present, although hyperactivity-impulsivity may still be present to some degree. Children with this subtype are less likely to act out or have difficulties getting along with other children. They may sit quietly, but they are not paying attention to what they are doing. Therefore, the child may be overlooked, and parents and teachers may not notice that he or she has ADHD. Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive Six or more symptoms of inattention and six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present. Most children have the combined type of ADHD.

2 Signs & Symptoms Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are the key behaviors of ADHD. It is normal for all children to be inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive sometimes, but for children with ADHD, these behaviors are more severe and occur more often. To be diagnosed with the disorder, a child must have symptoms for 6 or more months and to a degree that is greater than other children of the same age. Children who have symptoms of inattention may: Be easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another Have difficulty focusing on one thing Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless they are doing something enjoyable Have difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new Have trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities Not seem to listen when spoken to Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly Have difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others Struggle to follow instructions. Children who have symptoms of hyperactivity may: Fidget and squirm in their seats Talk nonstop Dash around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight Have trouble sitting still during dinner, school, and story time Be constantly in motion Have difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities. Children who have symptoms of impulsivity may: Be very impatient Blurt out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences Have difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games Often interrupt conversations or others' activities. ADHD Can Be Mistaken for Other Problems Parents and teachers can miss the fact that children with symptoms of inattention have the disorder because they are often quiet and less likely to act out. They may sit quietly, seeming to work, but they are often not paying attention to what they are doing. They may get along well with other children, compared with those with the other subtypes, who tend to have social problems. But children with the inattentive kind of ADHD are not the only ones whose disorders can be missed. For example, adults may think that children with the hyperactive and impulsive subtypes just have emotional or disciplinary problems. ADHD: Natural alternatives to pharmaceutical medicines. Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) affects about 10% of schoolchildren. However it is over-diagnosed. The New York Times recently reported that diagnosis of this mental disorder is at an all-time high, due to aggressive marketing strategies of ADHD medicines to doctors by pharmaceutical companies. Last year some leading psychiatrists criticised that the all-too-easy diagnosis of ADHD as an example of labelling as a mental disorder something that is just normal child behaviour. However, in spite of its over-diagnosis, ADHD remains a very real condition, sometimes requiring treatment, either pharmaceutically or naturally. If not treated or managed, it can result

in permanent setbacks in school, impossible to make up as time progresses. Therefore early diagnosis is key, and should be done by the time the child reaches seven.

This type is more common in girls. Or it can present with inattentiveness, combined with symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness more common in boys.

3 in permanent setbacks in school, impossible to make up as time progresses. Therefore early diagnosis is key, and should be done by the time the child reaches seven. ADHD can occur with symptoms of inattentiveness only (in which case it s sometimes simply called by an outdated term, ADD attention deficit disorder; a more correct term is ADHD, inattentive type). This type is more common in girls. Or it can present with inattentiveness, combined with symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness more common in boys. Previously it was thought that ADHD affected boys more. However it affects both equally. Girls are less likely to be diagnosed however since they experience the less obvious inattentive type, whereas boys exhibit more of the impulsive and hyperactive type of behaviours. In both cases school work suffers equally and therefore vigilance in detecting symptoms of inattentiveness in girls is particularly important. There is a strong genetic link, so ADHD does tend to run in families. The great outdoors: According to a 2008 study appearing in the Journal of Attention disorders, outdoor activities in green spaces such as parks, farms, even backyards reduce the symptoms of ADHD. In these children exercise improved school performance. Other studies have shown that repetitive movements such as chewing gum, bouncing a knee up and down, or squeezing a stress ball throughout tasks that require attention, improves focus and concentration. This is because the brain releases one of its focus-hormones, called acetyl choline, during such repetitive movements. What s in your kids lunch box? In a recent study, 100 children aged 4-8 with ADHD were put onto a 5-week wholefood diet containing no processed foods - no refined wheat, no artificial sweeteners, no sugar and no preservatives. At the end of the 5 weeks, ADHD symptoms were reduced in 78% of them. As expected their symptoms came back when trigger foods such a wheat flour and sugar were re-introduced. The best dietary advice for reducing ADHD is to eat clean. This means avoid processed or refined foods and foods with artificial additives (such as preservatives, sweeteners, especially aspartame, and colourants). Instead eat natural wholefoods that are naturally rich in micronutrients. Natural alternatives to Ritalin. Ritalin works. And in some cases it s the only thing that works. However some parents report that Ritalin causes changes in their child s personality, sleeping patterns and a reduction in their appetite. This has resulted in many parents seeking out more natural and gentler alternatives. But do these natural alternatives work? The simple answer is sometimes. In severe cases of ADHD, natural supplements seldom provide a complete solution. However their effects are sometime

What has become clear to me over the past 20 years of investigating ADHD supplement research is that no single supplement is good enough.

4 adequate enough to allow for a reduction of the dosage of pharmaceuticals if used together. In mild cases of ADHD, supplements often provide a complete solution with no need for pharmaceuticals at all. What has become clear to me over the past 20 years of investigating ADHD supplement research is that no single supplement is good enough. Generally a combination of all three of the supplements I mention below are needed, usually taken in the morning before school. The results when taken together can be remarkable, and, unlike pharmaceuticals which can come with unwanted side-effects, these supplements come with healthy side-effects. Krill oil: This is my favourite anti-adhd supplement. I have seen remarkable improvement in children who take 1000mg of krill of every morning. Krill oil, like fish oil, provides omega 3 s, important for correct brainwave activity. However, unlike fish oil, the omega 3s in krill oil are bound to phospholipids, which offer 2 important advantages. Firstly, phospholipid improve the ability of omega 3s to enter brain tissue where they are needed. More importantly, phospholipids boost the levels of important brain neurotransmitter responsible for attention and focus. Healthy side-effect: Krill oil is also excellent for immune system health. Product details: Acetyl L Carnitine: This natural amino acid performs two functions. Firstly it is a precursor of acetyl-choline, a brain neutrotransmitter that improves attention span. Secondly it is a mitochondrial energiser. This means it possess an ability to energise brain cells (called neurons) in the areas of the brain responsible for vigilance, thereby prolonging the time that the brain can remain focussed on tasks. Aim for 1000mg daily before school. Healthy side effect: Acetyl L Carnitine also helps keep the heart healthy. Product details: S- adenosyl methionine (SAMe): This amino acid is unique. It boosts levels of all 4 neurotransmitters responsible for focus and attention span, namely acetyl choline, dopamine, nor-epinephrine and serotonin mg every morning usually works well. A word of caution: S-adenosyl-methionine works by blocking an enzyme that destroys neurotransmitters in the brain. The results can be a profound increase in these neurotransitters.

It should therefore not be combined with

on these neurotransmitters), unless under

too much neurotransmitter elevation can be

toxins from the body If you have Signs &

about it please chat to me about it and get

5 It should therefore not be combined with pharmaceutical medicines (which also work on these neurotransmitters), unless under the supervision of a medical doctor, since too much neurotransmitter elevation can be unhealthy. Healthy side effect: SAMe is a nutrient used by the liver to excrete unwanted toxins from the body If you have Signs & Symptoms of ADHD and feel unsure what to do about it please chat to me about it and get help. Add me on BBM(7C4BB895) or whatsupp( ) for professional and anonymous chat.

TEACHING CHILDREN WITH ADHD BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS (ILLINOIS)

TEACHING CHILDREN WITH ADHD BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS (ILLINOIS) Introduction A child s academic success is often dependent upon his or her ability to attend to classroom tasks with minimal distraction. This enables a student to acquire information, complete assignments,