Helping Children with ADD/ADHD
Being parents of a child who suffers from ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) can be an anxious and heart breaking experience. You want to make sure you find a doctor or health care advisor who understands the intricacies of the condition thoroughly and can provide all the care and treatment your child needs to overcome the condition. At Village Pediatrics, you will have at your disposal a team of doctors trained and experienced in treating children suffering from ADD. In addition, we take great efforts in gaining an intimate understanding for your child’s specific needs. In us, you will find pediatricians who care about your child almost as much as you do as they battle through this frustrating condition.
What is ADD?
This disorder, also commonly referred to as ADHD, is a brain condition affecting young children and is categorized by inability of the child to pay attention and hyperactive impulsive behavior. Essentially these children are unable to prevent themselves from displaying their most spontaneous responses in both speech and action. Since this is so similar to regular child-like behavior, it often goes undiagnosed until the child is closer to 7 or 8 years of age.
Causes of ADD
It is not entirely clear what causes ADD. It is a neurological disorder and current research suggests that it is genetically transmitted. Specifically it occurs due to an imbalance in those chemicals in the brain that regulate human behavior. Other research has also revealed that children who during their gestation period experienced some obstacle to normal brain development like usage of drugs, excessive alcohol and smoking by the mother could also cause the condition.
What is more reassuring is what does not cause ADD. It does not develop due to poor parenting or bad teachers. It is also not caused by too much television or excessive video games. However, once the condition is diagnosed, care should be taken to avoid exposure to such factors.
Symptoms of ADD
The most common symptom of ADD is the child’s inability to remain focused or attentive to any one task or conversation. It is also often seen by extremely hyperactive and spontaneous behavior by the subject, which should ordinarily be controlled. Children suffering from ADD usually find themselves getting bored very easily, appearing lost in thought and unable to complete fairly mundane tasks. Further, they have difficulty keeping still even for a second and feel the need to constantly run or jump about. If the condition is allowed to persist without treatment, it will result in the patient being unable to control natural impulses and behaviors which could affect schoolwork, home life and relationships.
Treatment of ADD
There are a number of treatment alternatives to battle this condition, which can be extremely frustrating and worrying for the parent. They range from therapy, dietary counseling, exercise suggestions and a change to the current home environment. There is some medication also available but this should always be used in conjunction with the other treatment suggestions provided.