Attention Deficit Disorder

Children are naturally active, exuberant, easily distracted and, at times, very uncooperative. Unfortunately, our society does not understand and honor the truly amazing exuberance of a remarkable child. Our public schools are not designed to embrace these qualities in children. Nor do they appreciate a child's unique learning style and developmental readiness. Children are made to sit at a desk for hours at a time, work on a task within the time allowed, memorize everything that the teacher says, and be quiet in order not to be distracting. When children do this, they are considered "normal". Those who do not comply or exhibit strong reactions to this environment or become "fidgety" are given the problem-child label. They are considered a disruption and an inconvenience. However, these children are usually very creative, curious and intelligent. They want to learn, but cannot adapt to the typical school environment.

"Attention Deficit Disorder" (ADD) and "Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity" (ADHD) are not concrete medical or neurological conditions. There is no laboratory "test" for ADD/ADHD. These children are often very intelligent and creative, yet they are likely to be labeled as being unmanageable or out of control. Symptoms of ADD/ADHD are definitely real in some children. Taken individually, impulsive, inattentive, hyperactive behaviors are perfectly normal. However, for children diagnosed with ADD, or particularly (ADHD), these behaviors are so constant, so disruptive and unmanageable that parents can't keep control; teachers can't teach, and the children themselves don't socialize well.

ADHD tends to run in families. For approximately half of the children affected by it, symptoms run into adulthood. In early childhood, boys are much more likely to be diagnosed with it.

An ADHD diagnosis applies to children who consistently display one or more of the following behaviors over time:

• Inattention. Difficulty focusing on one thing at a time, unless it's a favorite activity such as playing video games.
• Hyperactivity. Constant moving, roaming, squirming, talking, tapping feet. Doing several things at once.
• Impulsiveness. Difficulty thinking before acting.

You might have a child who tunes out in the middle of a conversation; is disorganized and appears lazy or unreliable; chronically procrastinates; gets very impatient and easily frustrated; acts or speaks impulsively; frequently feels restless or bored; carries on many projects at the same time; feels as though he doesn't measure up; is prone to mood swings or depression.

Even if all of these behaviors exist, making an accurate diagnosis can be difficult. There is not laboratory test for ADHD; professionals base their assessments solely on what they observe.

There are many known and suspected causes of ADD/ADHD, including exposure to toxins, alcohol or drugs before birth, poor nutrition, chemical or food allergies, environmental toxins, metal toxicity, yeast overgrowth, childhood vaccinations, and extensive television watching.

Nutrition

Food affects behavior, memory and learning ability. Moreover, children have specific and complex nutritional needs that are not met with the standard American diet. Learning requires optimal health and brain function; if a child is eating the wrong foods or those foods which are deficient in the proper nutrients, his or her learning ability will be compromised.

A typical child's diet contains large amounts of over-processed, packaged foods with unnecessary, harmful ingredients. These foods are vitamin and mineral deficient and full of pesticides. Freezing, frying and overcooking further compromise the vitamin content. Sugary donuts and cereal can affect a child's ability to pay attention and cause irritability. Artificial colors, flavors and preservatives may well also contribute to difficulty with thinking, coordination, and memory.

Allergies and Environmental Illness

Many children who are considered to have a learning disability, hyperactivity, or attention problems are actually suffering from food or environmental allergies. Cow's milk is one of the biggest culprits of allergies in children. It might be a good idea to remove all milk products for at least a month. Other foods that can cause allergies are wheat, corn, soy, eggs, citrus and peanuts. Additional things to look out for are nitrates (found in hot dogs, bacon and luncheon meats), MSG, caffeine, artificial colors and preservatives, and any foods with hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Read the labels: almost all packaged foods have some or all of the ingredients listed.

Organically grown vegetables are important to increase your child's mineral intake. Super foods like barley green, chlorella, algae, spirulina and wheatgrass have maximum vitamin, mineral and amino acid concentrations. Nutritional yeast also has high levels of amino acids. The amino acids are important because they enhance communication between brain cells and are necessary for mental clarity, memory and concentration.

Lecithin is also a very powerful brain food. Lecithin contains the B vitamin choline which boosts memory and concentration. Choline is found in egg yolks, fish, wheat and soybeans.

Modifying Behavior

Both parents and teachers need to learn new ways to think about kids who have problems paying attention and focusing. Helping to keep track of what gets done and what doesn't, moving a child's desk closer to the teacher's, and creating small steps toward solving problems so that a child feels mastery.

Activities such as karate classes, team sports and dance and music lessons may also help a child develop focus.

At home, behavior modification revolves around rules, rewards and punishments, and all three have to be clear and predictable. Most important, parents should be supportive, not punitive, in their discipline.

Some helpful suggestions to help a child learn to focus:

• Maintain a schedule and set rules. Post them in a convenient location.
• Set realistic goals and provide opportunity for success.
• Use clear, brief directions.
• Provide organizational help. Record important information in a notebook.
• Provide consistent rewards such as notes and positive feedback.
• Don't give instructions or ask a question unless you have a child's full attention.
• Don't yell or shout when addressing an ADHD child.
• Don't repeat the same command over and over rapidly. ADHD children have a delayed reaction time.
• Be very direct and specific in your requests.
• Be consistent in your expectations and requirements, as well as your discipline and praise.
• Show as much love as you can to build self-esteem.

Implementing these suggestions will help your child to replace unhealthy behavior patterns with positive ones, resulting in benefits for the entire family.

Summary

Eliminating processed foods, chemicals and allergens, and eating an organic whole foods diet can help children to function at their highest level of health. It is much more difficult to go this route than to accept a drug as an instant cure. It takes time, persistence and effort for both parent and child. It is not easy to change the diet of a child who is completely attached to unhealthy foods. Usually, the entire family needs to cooperate. However, there are huge payoffs in the behavior changes and the overall health and happiness of the child as well as the whole family.

As a pediatrician, I am aware that there is certainly a place for medication in the treatment of behavioral disorders. The information given here is a means for you to determine your options and to make your own informed choices. Whether or not you elect to have your child medicated, he or she will certainly benefit from the lifestyle changes suggested here.

To request a personal consultation with Dr. Markel about this topic, click here