Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) has gotten a lot of attention in recent decades, as more and more schoolchildren are put on pharmaceutical drugs to help them acclimate to the classroom. However, good results are being seen with holistic ADHD treatment in New York City and all across the country.
ADHD is believed to originate in the brain, where nerve cells that control the ability to focus are unable to connect properly. This means that children with this disorder may not be able to cope with the regular school environment, which involves long periods of quiet sitting and concentration. This is more of a physical problem than one of discipline, but it makes it hard for teachers to control a classroom.
Holistic means addressing the entire system to diagnose and handle disorder. This includes physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, social, and environmental analysis. For instance, a child might 'act out' in school because of stress at home or because of like lead paint in their bedroom. Some children have food allergies that lead to a lack of concentration, or they may suffer from vitamin insufficiency. Some sort of abuse - either at home, at school, or during after-school hours - could trigger problems.
Simply prescribing a calming drug does not address any of the above issues. Such medication might be the best approach, but every person and every situation is different. A one-size-fits-all philosophy may be only a temporary fix, leaving underlying problems to continue or worsen.
Although research is ambivalent on the value of food restrictions and proper diet, informed mothers of ADHD kids are not. They try to avoid sugary, high-carbohydrate snacks. To this end, they may discourage teachers from handing out candy at school and try to make sure their kids have a special snack for class celebrations. They build meals around good quality protein, fresh vegetables, and whole grain products.
Another dietary restriction that has won mothers' hearts is eliminating all artificial food colorings, flavorings, and preservatives from their children's diets. For this reason, many ADHD children eat a all-natural diet. These kids also do better on a high-protein, complex-carbohydrate regime of whole foods and fresh vegetables. Allergy testing is helpful, since allergic reaction can include hyperactivity.
Omega-3 fatty acids, which the human body cannot produce internally and which must be obtained from the diet, are especially important for over-active children and adults. This disorder may be better controlled as people age, but it does not disappear. In fact, supplementing fish oils works so well many conventional doctors recommend it for their patients.
Minerals may also be helpful. Testing has shown that affected kids are often low in magnesium and zinc, for instance. Magnesium also helps deal with stress, when combined with adequate brisk exercise and restriction of 'screen time' (TV and computer). There are many mild, calming herbs, like chamomile. Trying a natural approach first only makes sense, with drugs used as a last resort.
ADHD is believed to originate in the brain, where nerve cells that control the ability to focus are unable to connect properly. This means that children with this disorder may not be able to cope with the regular school environment, which involves long periods of quiet sitting and concentration. This is more of a physical problem than one of discipline, but it makes it hard for teachers to control a classroom.
Holistic means addressing the entire system to diagnose and handle disorder. This includes physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, social, and environmental analysis. For instance, a child might 'act out' in school because of stress at home or because of like lead paint in their bedroom. Some children have food allergies that lead to a lack of concentration, or they may suffer from vitamin insufficiency. Some sort of abuse - either at home, at school, or during after-school hours - could trigger problems.
Simply prescribing a calming drug does not address any of the above issues. Such medication might be the best approach, but every person and every situation is different. A one-size-fits-all philosophy may be only a temporary fix, leaving underlying problems to continue or worsen.
Although research is ambivalent on the value of food restrictions and proper diet, informed mothers of ADHD kids are not. They try to avoid sugary, high-carbohydrate snacks. To this end, they may discourage teachers from handing out candy at school and try to make sure their kids have a special snack for class celebrations. They build meals around good quality protein, fresh vegetables, and whole grain products.
Another dietary restriction that has won mothers' hearts is eliminating all artificial food colorings, flavorings, and preservatives from their children's diets. For this reason, many ADHD children eat a all-natural diet. These kids also do better on a high-protein, complex-carbohydrate regime of whole foods and fresh vegetables. Allergy testing is helpful, since allergic reaction can include hyperactivity.
Omega-3 fatty acids, which the human body cannot produce internally and which must be obtained from the diet, are especially important for over-active children and adults. This disorder may be better controlled as people age, but it does not disappear. In fact, supplementing fish oils works so well many conventional doctors recommend it for their patients.
Minerals may also be helpful. Testing has shown that affected kids are often low in magnesium and zinc, for instance. Magnesium also helps deal with stress, when combined with adequate brisk exercise and restriction of 'screen time' (TV and computer). There are many mild, calming herbs, like chamomile. Trying a natural approach first only makes sense, with drugs used as a last resort.
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