Some Facts About ADHD. Helping Children Without Medication

Some Basics About ADHD         

   ADHD is a  disorder that effects both children and many adults as well. ADHD is more common with boys than with girls. Between 4-8% of children in the United States are effected by symptoms associated with ADHD, but also, most other countries have similar or even greater rates of ADHD with children.  

See http://www.winmentalhealth.com for the following links:

 Stimulants and medications

Green Therapy for ADHD

Several excellent books on ADHD

Neurofeedback (Biofeedback)

Some of the most common symptoms are:

·          inability to concentrate

·          impulsivity

·          inability to focus

·          fidgety

·          inattentiveness

·          not being able to sit still

   ADHD can exist with or without impulsivity. For some, ADHD-IA, or Inattentive type is common. Many symptoms associated with ADHD are also associated with bipolar disorder, and there are errors in diagnosis. The most common form of treatment for ADHD is medication, but there are many other forms of intervention that can help. (the medications most commonly used are stimulant medicines.) Not everyone agrees with the labeling system that classifies children as ADHD. In fact, one respected physician, educator and author, will not use or recongnize the term. (Dr. Mel Levine, All Kinds of Minds organization.) So there are different ways of looking at mental health problems, espeically  with children.

Side Effects of medications:
      The most common side effects of stimulant medications are insomnia or  depression. Also, jitteriness, facial tics, and emotional sensitivity can also result from use of stimulant medications in children. Depression might be more common with prolonged usage. 

      At times, there have been a very serious side effects with medicines for ADHD, such as  deaths associated with heart failure for children who have undetected heart problems. The testing for such congenital heart defects is expensive and cost prohibitive, so testing for heart defects is generally not conducted when stimulant medications are administered. Also, in 1 out of 1,000 cases, schizophrenia like symptoms have resulted from usage of stimulant medications, bizarre behavior, voices, delusions. 

For most children, there will be serious side effects, with medication use:

·          weight loss

·          Insomnia

·          depression

...as well as a number of others. It is thought that within six months, only about half of children on medications for ADHD will continue to have serious side effects. Within two years time, a recent study indicated,  only 15% of those on medications for ADHD will have serious side effects. (see David Rabiner, helpforadd.com.)  So there is a tolerance that develops in children who are on medications for ADHD. It might also be true, however,  that, as in the case of Prozac, the effectiveness of the medication decreases in time as tolerance builds. 

 tics how serious a concern?

  School is usually where ADHD is first diagnosed in children.

*  Boys with ADHD outnumber 
   girls at least 2 to 1

*  Up to 10% of children in some states
   are diagnosed with ADHD.

Some other children's disorders:

*  Up to 10% of children in some states
   are on psychotropic medications

*  New Jersey has the highest rate of
   autism in the nation, with over 10 in 1,000 
   of children diagnosed with this disorder.
   Medications have not proven to be an
   effective aid for children with autism.

        ADHD can be overcome. There are many positive steps that can be taken not only to control the symptoms but also to live a normal,  healthy life without the need to take daily medication. The more support a family has, the better they are to cope.

Children with  ADHD need positive, interactive educational instruction. They need attentive teachers, preferably, smaller classroom settings. They often need one on one assistance. Tutoring, coaching, mentoring all positive areas of assistance in helping children with ADHD.

One reading coach who has worked with hundreds of students over the years with both learning disabilities and ADHD says that in even the children that she has tutored with the worst ADHD symptoms, with support from professionals and from dedicated parents, those whom she has worked with have been able to be successful in school without the need for medication to “help them focus”.

 One student with severe ADHD symptoms went on to successfully complete college, with support from others for his special needs and without medication. Many other similar experiences have been reported.

Positive Attitude and Positive Teaching  …..for more on this subject see http://www.winmentalhealth.com for articles on ADHD and other related subjects.