Attention Deficit Disorder: New Perspectives

Attention Deficit Disoder is commonly prescribed todaydistractible environment, where stimulation surrounds us
in children. The author discusses new perspectives onat all times. We have painfully little time to sit quietly,
the diagnosis and treatment based on years ofreflect, dream, imagine at any level. That goes for kids
experience working with children and their families. I amas well as adults. The lack of this quiet time, actually
a Board Certified Psychiatrist and have been practicingpromotes distractibility in children. They are
for 20 years. For almost half of my professionalprogrammed always to be fed with some stimulation.
career, I have practiced Child and AdolescentTheir inner selves are lacking the enrichment and
Psychiatry. The primary reason for referral, by far,nourishment they actually need.
was Attention Deficit Disorder.I was recently exposed to a new type of teaching
Over the years, I watched as the standards ofthat has, at least anecdotally, shown to be particularly
assessment and treatment shifted from aadvantageous for children with high levels of
comprehensive one, to one of almost exclusive focusdistractibility. It is called ‘Superteaching’. The
on medication. While a percentage of our childrenbrainchild of BJ Dorhmann, Founder of IBI Global,
were helped, with ability to stay focused and completeSuperteaching utilizes powerful multimedia technology
assignments, it seemed that an over-reliance onin the classroom. I have been privileged to participate in
medications existed, and still does, with an almost8 days of Superteaching as a participant in an 8 day
complete absence of education on the principles ofintensive CEO training and retreat known as ‘IBI
healthy lifestyle.Forum’; many months after the training, I remain
I say this with confidence, based on my observationsin awe of the power of Superteaching to facilitate
of literally hundreds of children. Foods they eat are highlearning and retention of very complex material. In
in saturated fats and carbohydrates. Not to mentionretrospect, I believe at least one reason for
the sweets consumed by our children. While many ofSuperteaching’s success is the stimulation of
my families worked incredibly hard to provide healthythe participant's ability to dream and wonder about the
food choices, it seemed that once children got tomysteries of nature, the panoramic views of outer
school age, they were introduced to very unhealthy,space, about their own personal dreams and visions,
albeit, attractively marketed food choices outside thewhile learning didactic material. Superteaching is now
home.available in schools. For more information, see with
So how can we adequately assess for attentionalinnovative teaching materials, innovation in diets and
difficulties in children without assessing the nature andsupplements offer new hope for children with
quality of their food intake?The other area that hasAttention Deficit Disorder. Research exists that
completely escaped our attention in conventionalsupplements with essential fatty acids and antioxidants
medicine is exposure to environmental toxins. I used tohelp improve focus and concentration in children with
think of environmental toxins as polluted air nearADD.
smoke stacks, oil refineries or automobile repair shops.A key question about antioxidants exists in ADD. Are
I’ve since realized that environmental toxins arethe benefits due to a direct improvement of attention
everywhere. They are in our carpets, in the plasticsthrough a brain mediated response? Or does the
that we drink from, in the paint fumes emanating fromprocess of detoxification of toxins and of nourishment
our walls.of brain cells improve attention span in and of
And all these toxins, like the unhealthy foods we eat,itself?These answers will only come from more
can contribute to the lack of focus and inability toresearch. We need more research and we need it
concentrate in our children.now. Are our children currently being treated for an
While this makes common sense, it takes a lot ofinnate brain condition or from sensitivity to an
effort to stay healthy in any unhealthy environment.environment that abounds in distractions?Whatever
Where does a busy family begin?the answers are, let’s start with the basics.
1.) Keep an open mind, read, learn and absorb. OnceLet’s get focused on health and healthy lifestyle.
you embark on this journey, you will continue to learn;Let’s provide good supplements to help our
there is no going back.children cleanse their systems. And let’s
2.) Watch where your dollars are going at the grocerydialogue. Let’s share healthy tips with each
store. Are you purchasing fresh fruits and vegetablesother. If supplements work, let’s hear about
or processed foods full of preservatives, and high inthem. Let’s exchange recipes. Let’s
fats and carbohydrates? What is the nature of theshare new innovative ideas.
snacks you are purchasing? Are they healthy or full ofMy personal goal is to provide a foundation for
sugars? Are the juices you purchase high indialogue of innovative solutions for living in a complex
unnecessary sugars? What type of grains are youworld. If you have innovative tips, we would love to
buying? Are there a lot of potatoes, rice and pasta?hear from you: Together we can get healthy and stay
3.) How much exercise do you and your kids actuallyhealthy. This includes for our children with ADD. Many
get on a regular basis? How often do you engage inof these youngsters are among the brightest, most
healthy walks?gifted kids that I know. Let’s stimulate their
4.) How much time do you and your family spend inimaginations. Let’s get them dreaming again.
front of the TV? How about the time you and yourLet’s give them hope for a healthier world
children spend in front of video games or even theahead that they can be part of creating. Let’s
computer?Balance is key. We live in a highlyget focused. Now.