| When a child is diagnosed with ADHD, parents will | | | | show the same set of symptoms -- hyperactivity, |
| often blame themselves. "What did I do to cause this?" | | | | inattentiveness, and impulsive behavior. |
| is their first question. | | | | Lead poisoning can also cause distraction, irritability, and |
| The short answer is: nothing. Research shows that this | | | | difficulty concentrating. Be sure your kids aren't being |
| condition has biological causes. Knowing this can help | | | | exposed to paint that contains lead. This isn't as much |
| parents who think they caused their child to get this | | | | of a problem as it used to be, but there is still |
| condition. Why do some kids get this? Nobody really | | | | lead-based paint around, so it pays to be vigilant. If you |
| knows. But there are certain risk factors that make it | | | | had a difficult delivery when your child was born, it's |
| more likely that a child will develop this condition. | | | | possible that he suffered some brain trauma. These |
| Genetics and heredity can play a big role, as ADHD | | | | kids are at a higher risk to develop ADHD. |
| does seem to run in families. If a child has this problem, | | | | Computer imaging of the brains of people with this |
| there is a 25 percent chance that a close relative has | | | | condition sometimes shows reduced frontal lobe |
| it too. About twice as many boys have symptoms of | | | | activity. Lower activity in this part of the brain can lead |
| this condition as girls do. Some studies show that girls | | | | to problems with paying attention, controlling impulsive |
| have different symptoms, so it's possible that it's being | | | | behavior, planning ahead, and getting organized. |
| missed in girls. | | | | A low level of a neurotransmitter called dopamine in |
| Many parents wonder if their child's diet is causing the | | | | the brain can result in your child having problems |
| behavior problems. Apparently there is some evidence | | | | controlling his emotions and his reactions to things. He |
| that these kids aren't getting enough essential fatty | | | | may also have trouble concentrating and reasoning, |
| acids, which are found in meat, fish, and eggs. | | | | and may not be very coordinated. Once again, the |
| Flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, and borage oil also | | | | result is inattentiveness, impulsive behavior, and |
| contain EFAs. Supplementing with these oils may help. | | | | hyperactivity. |
| Food allergies or sensitivities to food colorings and | | | | Tourette's Syndrome may be mistaken for ADHD. A |
| artificial preservatives have been linked to this problem. | | | | child with this problem may repeat words, cough or |
| Cutting out processed foods and eating more fresh | | | | grunt repeatedly, blink his eyes, or bounce his legs. He |
| fruits and veggies and whole grains may help. Many | | | | has no control over these behaviors, which are called |
| foods and drinks, including fruit juice, are very high in | | | | tics. And medications like Ritalin can make these tics |
| sugar. Be sure to read the nutrition labels on foods you | | | | worse, so a correct diagnosis is important. |
| buy. | | | | Allergies, food intolerances, poor nutrition, hypoglycemia |
| Tea, coffee, colas, and chocolate contain caffeine, | | | | (low blood sugar), learning disorders, depression, and |
| which can affect some kids. There are many herb | | | | family and emotional problems can all cause mood |
| teas available now that are really good. You can | | | | swings, irritability, and restlessness, and make it hard for |
| sweeten them with stevia, instead of sugar or artificial | | | | a child to stay focused and remember things. |
| sweeteners. | | | | Research is finding more and more evidence that |
| It's extremely important for expectant moms to avoid | | | | ADHD is not caused by the home environment, but |
| drinking, smoking, or using drugs while they're pregnant. | | | | has biological causes. Knowing this can remove a huge |
| All these things can affect how your baby's brain | | | | burden of guilt from parents who might blame |
| develops. In fact, kids with fetal alcohol syndrome | | | | themselves for their child's problems. |