The Food and Drug Administration recently asked a scientific panel to consider ways of studying drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The drugs studied included amphetamines such as Adderall, and methylphenidates, sold as Ritalin, Concerta, Methylin, and Metadate. Data gathered by the agency’s own studies suggested a link between the drugs and an increased risk of sudden death and serious cardiovascular problems. To confirm their findings, the agency decided to seek outside corroboration from a Drug Safety and Risk Management advisory committee.

A federal health official said that the FDA’s research shows there is a strong possibility that the drugs may be linked to the deaths of 25 people between 1999 and 2003. Of those deaths, 19 were children. The research also discussed 54 cases of serious cardiovascular problems in adults and children being treated with the drugs, including heart attack, stroke, hypertension, palpitations, and arrhythmias. An additional 26 deaths were counted between 1969 and 2003 due to deaths by suicide, intentional overdose, drowning, heat stroke, and other disease.

The FDA’s Drug Safety and Risk Management advisory committee reviewed different ways to study whether or not the deaths could be attributable to the use of the ADHD drugs. Some of the patients already had heart problems or high blood pressure, but the findings on the whole warranted further investigation. Dr. David Graham of the FDA explained the concern by saying, “There’s smoke. Does that represent a fire?” Graham added, “Because adults have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke to begin with, any increase in risk caused by these drugs could affect a large number of people.”

As a result of the committee’s research, federal science advisors voted 8-7 to recommend that the most stringent type of warning labels be added to containers of Ritalin and other stimulants used to treat ADHD. The committee’s recommendation suggested that manufacturers should add the same type of “black box” safety warnings already used on drugs that can cause potentially fatal side effects. The committee was just an advisory body and the FDA isn’t required to follow their recommendations, but it usually does. Panel member Dr. Curt Furberg cautioned that it would be “inappropriate, unethical behavior” if the FDA decided not to disclose the uncertainty about ADHD drug safety to physicians and patients. The drugs already have warnings related to possible risks to patients with heart defects, but the FDA’s Dr. Gerald DalPan said prior to the votes that the agency felt “this warning is appropriate given our current knowledge of these drugs.”

Doctors prescribe ADHD medications to about 2 million children and 1 million adults every month, and those numbers are increasing. According to IMS Health, a pharmaceutical information firm, sales of ADHD drugs increased to $3.1 billion in 2004, from $759 million in 2000. The few studies available providing data on longer-term use of ADHD drugs provide very little information on the risks evaluated by the committee. But analysis of the reports of death and injury suggest a possible link between the drugs and cardiovascular conditions. However, because the link is not conclusive, the FDA’s Dr. Kate Gelperin told the panel that the possible link “is really a question we’d like to have answered.”

The Canadian equivalent of the US FDA removed the ADHD drug Adderall XR, a generic version of Ritalin, from their market last year while risk analysis studies were being done. A Canadian panel eventually decided that there was not enough evidence of risk to ban the drug, and the FDA reached a similar conclusion at the same time.

With the dramatic increase in the number of diagnosed cases of ADHD in this country people are starting to become concerned. Others actually question its existence in the first place. We are the only country that even recognizes this as a condition. Many other nations consider this a normal part of childhood behavior. When a child is over active or has problem concentrating they also have a tendency to treat this with more natural means. Of all the Ritalin produced in the world the United States uses 90% of it while we account for only 5% of the world’s population.

For people that do have ADHD proper diagnosis and treatment can have profound effects on their lives. They do better in school, at work and get along better with their peers. These drugs have been shown to help these people. The problem is that these drugs have the same type of affect on people that do not have ADHD. Diagnosis is sometimes a blurry area. There is no biological test that tells us if a person has it or not. It is more objective than scientific. If a person becomes well versed in the symptoms they can fake it. The positive affects of these treatments can only be obtained by a diagnosis of ADHD and a prescription for these drugs.

What are the Causes of Over Diagnosis?

Parents

Many times parents and teachers do not feel like dealing with a child that is out of control. Diagnosis and treatment is a quick fix to change any negative behavior. A positive diagnosis is seen as an aid to general parenting. It solves the problem of an unruly child. The problem is that treatment usually takes one form and that is to medicate them.

It is much easier when a problem child just stops being a problem. This solves the problem for parents that do not have the time to parent and teachers that feel they do not have the time to teach. What it does not do is address the underlying problem that the child has.

The problem is not the manufacturers of these medications it is the people that use them as the only or primary way to treat ADHD. Even in children that are not a problem it has become all too easy to call them a problem and subject them with unneeded treatments.

Abuse of ADHD medications

These drugs have become noticed by students, professional athletes and teenagers. They are looked at by these people as performance enhancers. They can provide several hours of intense focus that can help get a student through the next test or assist an athlete with their performance in an important upcoming event. This may be something that is too hard to resist for some.

Use as a Recreational Drug

Many teenagers are buying them from their friends to get high. They consume these in large amounts and may be setting themselves up for some serious consequences. These drugs have side effects such as suicidal tendencies, insomnia, stunted growth and liver and heart damage. Because they are taking many times the recommended dosages these side effects can be magnified.

Adults that are Looking for an Advantage in the Workplace

If you have adult ADHD a correct diagnosis and treatment can assist in better performance and a better life. The problem is that diagnosis in adults is very difficult. It requires one to look back on their childhood for information which will assist in the diagnosis. An adult with knowledge of the symptoms may be able to answer questions in a way to obtain the desired diagnosis.

The Business Aspect

An entire industry has been spawned by the increase in ADHD diagnosis. Some of these are legitimate and bring value to people lives while others are only designed to benefit the business owner.

We have coaches and councilors, programs for parents, software, websites and books. All of these companies depend on treating people that have been positively diagnosed and may contribute to the over diagnosis.

It is the job of these companies to keep the topic of ADHD in people’s minds through news media and advertising. They do this under the pretense of educating people when in fact there is little education behind the sales pitch. You should not confuse this with objective education.

People need to understand that this is business and not to believe everything they hear.

In conclusion, if you feel that your life is negatively affected by ADHD by all means get tested. But remember that medication is not the answer to everything. Look at diet, exercise and natural remedies. In other words educate yourself to your options.

Impulsiveness, lack of attention and hyperactivity are the common traits of children with ADHD. All of these can make it hard to teach children in a school environment. Therefore it is important that when teaching ADHD children the day is carefully planned to try and ensure the children are kept organized and motivated to complete tasks.

Teachers who have ADHD children in their classes need to be accepting and accommodating of the condition. Although some children with ADHD may have learning difficulties that are associated with ADHD behaviors, they are not unintelligent, they just need to be given the right environment in which to learn.

So, what steps can be taken to effectively teach ADHD children? First and foremost, it helps to understand their uniqueness. Take a look at the list of strategies for teaching children with ADHD below.

• Introduce the child to an organized environment. When in school, make use of folders and dividers on his desk so he’ll be able to spot things easily. Also a color coding system to distinguish the textbook covers for specific subjects can be useful.

• Children with ADHD can struggle with writing and numerical work. Showing him how to use his finger or pencil across the pages when reading to help keep concentration and so he doesn’t lose his place. When writing, encourage him to use his fingers to specify spacing and graph paper is useful when writing numbers to keep things aligned.

• Reduce his homework. Too much homework can be really overwhelming for kids with ADHD. Better to give a lesser amount and have it completed than allocate a lot and have nothing back. As much as possible, give homework that involves the use of materials instead of requiring lots of writing.

• Provide a warm and welcoming classroom environment, but one that doesn’t offer too many distractions. Think about where you sit children with ADHD to allow them the best chance for concentrating.

• Always show the value of organization in the classroom. Give them time to fix his things by themselves.

• Be liberal with praise. Praise the good deeds and give rewards to those who did well in the schoolwork and homework. Positive feedback will generally work better than negative feedback.

• Monitor the child’s progress. Always have the parents involved.

• Be clear on when moving around is acceptable and when it’s not. Don’t expect them to sit in their seats all day.

• Encourage him to work in groups to encourage interaction with peers.

Parents can also find it hard to find solutions to ADHD behavior. However, it is essential that the parents of an ADHD child get involved with his progress and transition. Keep up to date with what’s happening at school and find out if there is actions you can take at home that will help cement what is being taught in school.

When it comes to homework it is important to be supportive, without actually doing the homework for your child.

Provide a quiet space that is free from distractions, both visual and aural. Take a look at what homework is required and ensure your child understands what they need to do. Answer any questions they have and provide the necessary materials, but then leave them to complete the work.

When the homework is finished review it with your child. If they’ve made mistakes or missed out a section, point it out, assure them that it is alright to make mistakes, but that mistakes need correcting. Always praise him for a good job.

For more teaching tips on helping ADHD children get through their schoolwork, sign up for the free ADHD newsletter below.

Teaching ADHD children can be challenging, but it also comes with rewards. By putting some simple strategies in place you can make the learning environment much easier for all concerned.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition that affects the ability of children to concentrate, and causes forgetfulness and hyperactivity. When it comes to diagnosing ADHD, the process is quite difficult since it influences a major part of a child’s life. The disorder most commonly occurs in the childhood, but more recently has been reported to be diagnosed in a grown up as well.

ADHD is a common behavioral disorder that affects an estimated 8% to 10% of school-age children. Boys are about three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with it, though it’s not yet understood why. Children with ADHD act without thinking, are hyperactive, and have trouble focusing. They may understand what’s expected of them but have trouble following through because they can’t sit still, pay attention, or attend to details. Of course, all children (especially younger ones) act this way at times, particularly when they’re anxious or excited. But the difference with ADHD is that symptoms are present over a longer period of time and occur in different settings. They impair a child’s ability to function socially, academically, and at home.

The real cause?
There is more than one cause for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children, most of which are found to originate from biological aspects. In few cases, parents are to be blamed for such a condition, but it is believed that the change in the structure of the brain might be one of the dominant reasons. Further, there are certain environmental agents that could possibly modify a child’s behavior. In this article, we present the factors that lead to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children as identified by the researchers:

1. Modified anatomy and brain routine
Children who are diagnosed to have ADHD have notable differences in the function of the brain as compared to their counterparts. The chemicals present in the brain, namely neurotransmitters, are responsible for such a behavior. These chemicals are essential for the interaction of the cells present in the brain. The neurotransmitter associated with this disorder, called as dopamine, tends to malfunction and thus results in unfavorable consequences that include impulsivity, lack of concentration and hyperactivity. Further, it has been scientifically proved that a child with ADHD disorder has significantly smaller volume of brain as compared to a normal child. Such children are found to be less sensitive in situations where they are either complimented or punished.

2. Genes
The ADHD disorder is also believed to be transferred from parents who are diagnosed of hypertension. Every fourth child that suffers from this disorder has a relative with ADHD. This disorder is also more commonly found in identical twins. There are also possibilities of a child to acquire ADHD if the parents tend to have psychiatric disturbance.

3. Maternal factors
Pregnant mothers who have a habit of smoking pose a threat of having a child with ADHD. Likewise, using alcohol or other drugs during the gestation period can effectively retard the activity of neurons that produce dopamine. One of the bleak factors is that a pregnant women getting exposed to a chemical poison like polychlorinated biphenyls. Such a chemical is widely used in a pesticide industry.
Consumption of drugs like cocaine has been proved to hinder the normal growth of the brain receptors.

Also, there are cases where the mothers are less affectionate and are very critical towards their own children. They also tend to severely punish the child for literally a tiny reason. Such a situation could possibly show symptoms of ADHD in the behavior of the child.

4. Exposure of a child to environmental poisons
Children, when exposed to environmental toxins such as lead and polychlorinated biphenyls, are feared of acquiring this disorder. Increased exposure to lead levels might even result in violent behavior of a child. Lead is even found in sand, dust and also in water pipes. Other possible environmental factors include pollution, food stuffs that have artificial colors and exposure to fluorescent light. Interestingly, even sugar has been proved to shoot up the hyperactive behavior in certain cases.

Other factors
There are few other risk factors that seem to cause ADHD those of which include:Watching television for a longer period that could possibly make the brain to want a constant stimulation.
Deficiencies in the child’s daily diet that account for poor nutrition could result in its modified behavior.
Children who are devoid of love and security realize that their needs are not met and develop symptoms similar to those of ADHD.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder AD/HD is a complex medical condition which is estimated to affect as much as 6% of the population of the United States. The signs have to do with focus and self management and might afflict children or adults young and old wealthy or poor. The particular behaviors like having your mind drift while studying or loosing your car keys are fairly regular behaviors however in individuals with AD/HD they occur within the extreme. Problem focus,trouble staying on job and paying attention are just a few of the many points that those affected by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder AD/HD must deal with. Unfortunately, most of the individuals most lately recognized with ADHD are children. This has prompted some concern amongst parents who are seeking help for ADHD habits of their children.

Many people today consider that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is over diagnosed in school children. This opinion is even shared by some people in the medical profession. This lack of clarity can make selecting an efficient program tougher for parents who need to be strong advocates for their children who are having difficulty at school or in life. The very last thing any mum or dad would need to do is have your child take pointless prescription drugs with their accompanying potential for long-term damaging impacts. So what’s a father or mother to do? Look at natural cures.

One pure remedy a parent can apply is just to be supportive. If your child does have AD/HD then the lack of self management and focus is beyond their control and your support and encouragement can go a great distance in helping them cope and manage their lives. This is extremely vital to a child’s self-esteem. Adults affected by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder AD/HD may profit from a tight support system. Both children and adults who suffer from ADHD are identified to have self-esteem and self-confidence problems. Positive praises are a must for children. Even when an ADHD child makes a mistake, it is important to discipline in a constructive manner. This may be accomplished by placing a younger child in timeout, however letting them go away after they clarify what they did incorrect or what they should do the following time to make the situation right.

It’s also critically important that a parent educate themselves as much as possible on ADHD points in order that they can be a robust advocate in school in social conditions to ensure that their child has all the assets and opportunities to him or her. The first step in doing so is ensuring that all academics are aware of your child’s medical condition. In case you choose to not have your child take ADHD medications, you will need to let your child’s academics know so. Unfortunately, so many ADHD children are medicated that most academics expect it. Your child will need more care, attention, and support than another ADHD child is on medication. If you know an adult who suffers from ADHD, help is vital in social circles, in addition to the workplace.

Most present research signifies that attention deficit and hyperactivity might be a brain based disorder. There’s additionally a big amount of research that signifies that the symptoms of ADHD could be triggered by diet. Many professionals advocate restricting the diet of a child and even an grownup who suffers from ADHD. This is achieved in hopes of discovering a set off issue, which might make most of the signs of ADHD worse. Parents who are in search of help for ADHD behaviors of their children find examples of this involve eliminating or limiting a child’s consumption of sugar, chocolate, dairy products, and juices. For those who discover a decrease in ADHD associated symptoms when one particular item has been eliminated from the eating regimen, such as chocolate, continuing limiting exposure.

Maximizing the usage of natural remedies like proper eating regimen exercise and rest is probably an intelligent alternative as part of an total program to manage the symptoms of ADHD. As a reminder, if you’re a father or mother whose child is diagnosed with ADHD a lot of the work will probably be your responsibility. This may occasionally seem to be a stressful and overwhelming process, but the above mentioned natural approaches can present assistance, but in a safe and efficient way.

If you have trouble concentrating and/or sitting still, you may have ADHD. For more information about attention deficit disorder, visit the links at the bottom of this article. There is no correlation between people suffering from ADHD and their accomplishments in life. Albert Einstein, Nelson Rockefeller, Galileo, and Thomas Edison are just some of the few famous people who suffer with ADHD.

ADHD can be treated with new drug called Focalin XR. ADHD is more prevalent in boys than girls. There are three types of ADHD, namely predominantly inattentive type, predominantly hyperactive/ impulsive type and a combination of both.

As the name implies, the predominantly inattentive type has symptoms of inattention i.e. absentmindedness, distractibility, a short attention span, and difficulty organizing things. The person suffering from predominantly hyperactive / impulsive ADHA has symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity i.e. unable to be seated in one place for a prolonged period, difficulty for waiting his/her turn. In the combined type, both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity is observed.

After dinner walks, playing in the yard and other outside activities reduces ADHD symptoms. Your diet is also a factor in treating ADHD symptoms. The brand of cookie, potato chip, and ice cream you select in the grocery shop, and the vegetable or fruit you prefer will have a direct effect on your health, ability, and behavior. The products you buy in the grocery shop may contain some chemicals that activate irritability or hyperactivity.

The holistic approach with naturopathic drugs proved to be more effective than the strong and addictive psychiatric drugs (Ritalin, Concerta, and Adderall) in the ADHD treatment. The herbal remedies are used to treat the symptoms gently and effectively.

Common herbal remedies for the treatment of ADHD are Ginkgo biloba, Scuttellaria laterifolia (skull cap), Matricaria recutita(German chamomile), Centella asiatica( Gotu cola) Avina sativa( Green oats), Utrica urens ( Umbabazane in Africa) and Aspalathus linearis ( Rooibos). A natural remedy is less detrimental to your overall health than that of prescription drugs. Children who are using psychiatric drugs such as Ritalin, Concreta and Adderall may develop an addiction and other side effects to their health.

People with ADHD may have other related conditions such as learning disorders, ophthalmic convergence insufficiency, conduct disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. ADHD patients are more likely to have a family member with ADHD or one of the related conditions, implying that ADHD may be genetic.

ADHD diet? The poor distracted parent thinks that it is just another fad hyped up by the medical community and the media. Or maybe some nutritionists and cookery writers want to make some money from a diet for ADHD! Well, here are a few facts just to set the record straight.

Over here in Europe our Members of the European Parliament have not been idle. They have legislated that certain food dyes (colourings), also named as the Southampton colours, should be banned from kids’ food simply because they “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.” These are the ones with the E label as such as E102 and E110. They are also known by their rather attractive names such as Sunset Yellow and Carmoisine. In the UK, a lot of food companies (including McDonalds!) are substituting these colours with healthier alternatives. The British Parliament haven’t passed a law about ADHD diet yet!

Now a lot of kids’ snacks and food still contain artificial preservatives (MSG for example) and colourings, in spite of the European and British recommendation which is voluntary at the moment. Eventually they hope that a ban can be enforced at the end of 2009.

I know one parent who actually cut out all this processed food, baked her own bread and got in as much organic food as she could. She also banned breakfast cereals as they give a quick high but later the kids crash as their glucose levels fall. Eggs are a better bet at breakfast. The first thing she got rid of was the red coloring (Red # 40) and then she applied all the other changes gradually. Her ADHD child began to improve, was less distracted and kicking and screaming on the carpet became a thing of the past. Her hyperactivity lessened and her attention span increased. That was her ADHD diet and it is so simple.

This is an anecdote and just one case, but combined with the facts from the European parliament which were based on research findings from nutritionists, this seems to be the way to go. A balanced nutritious diet is all you need for a diet for ADHD and you do not have to worry about anything else. Staying away from highly processed foods is the key while giving preference to fruit, veg and white meat . Combining this with a natural ADHD cure which will NOT affect the child’s appetite is the ideal way to help children with ADHD. One of the side effects of the
psychostimulants such as Strattera, Ritalin and Risperdal is that there is a loss of appetite and weight loss which can be alarming for parents. This can all be avoided by going for a natural ADHD cure and following a few simple dieting rules.

Did you know that ADHD medications (Ritalin, Vyvanse and Adderall ) carry the black box warning which is the maximum warning put on medicines by the FDA? In spite of what the drug companies will tell you, there are serious concerns about these medicines (basically psychostimulants made from amphetamines). This is why parents are learning about how to treat ADHD naturally. Here are four of the most commonly asked questions.

1st FAQ:- What is the best way to treat ADHD naturally?

Most medical authorities are now advocating some form of medication combined with behavior modification or therapy. The journal called Clinical Psychology Review shows that ADHD behavior therapy often works better than any of the drugs and will produce lasting and concrete results. They came to this conclusion after analysing 170 other studies on the subject! No pills will teach the skills of helping an ADHD child with homework, anger issues, concentration and hyperactivity. Parents learn how to react to their child’s good and bad behavior.

2nd FAQ:- How can food affect an ADHD child’s behavior?

Sugary cereals in the morning can cause sugar highs and later crashes so it is much better to give a high protein and low carbohydrate breakfast. A 70% protein to 30% carbohydrates ratio usually works best. Why? Proteins stabilize blood sugar levels and also help to make neurotransmitters in the brain. It is the lack of these, or their imbalance which is the main cause of ADHD. So a simple dietary measure like this can make a difference. Other studies show that favoring Omega 3 (essential fatty acids) and fewer processed foods can also help. A few simple dietary precautions is one of the easiest ways to treat ADHD naturally.

3rd FAQ:- How can I find one of the best alternative ADHD treatments?

Given the bewildering range of alternatives, this is a very common question. Yoga, meditation, equine therapy, Feingold diet, psychotherapy and talk therapy are all competing. But ADHD homeopathic remedies are probably the safest and most reliable, as thousands of parents will testify. Given the holistic approach of homeopathy, a remedy like this can help the child to focus, remain calmer and be less hyperactive. All this without any side effects or health risks.

4th FAQ:- How can I find a reputable company for alternative ADHD treatments?

You can easily check to see if their facility is a FDA registered one and if they are following GMP practices which are the hallmarks of a serious reliable company. I know that the company listed below uses only the purest ingredients and have trained homeopaths working for them.

Given that this company has now half a million customers worldwide, I do not think there is any question of using shoddy practices or doubtful ingredients. Why not click through and find out the best and safest way to treat ADHD naturally.

Hyperactivity and ADHD go together like a hand in glove. In this article, you’ll learn why hyperactivity creates more problems than just inappropriate behavior and a safe, natural means of treating and resolving it, so your child can do well at home and in school and enjoy a happy, normal childhood.

ADHD, Hyperactivity and the Developing Brain

Neuroscientists tell us that “what fires together wires together.” What this means that the more we engage in a certain behavior, the more that behavior will continue in the future. So being hyperactive creates neural networks in the brain that furthers this behavior. The problem with this is that hyperactivity stresses the brain which compromises the ability to concentrate and stay on task and also can adversely affect development and the immune system. This is why it is crucial to treat ADHD hyperactivity, so the brain can start to heal itself and build neural connections from experiences of what it feels like to be calm and focused.

Although drugs can treat hyperactivity and ADHD, they do so at a cost. All drugs have side effects and some of them can be quite disturbing. For instance, common side effects of ADHD drugs include loss of appetite and insomnia. If your child is not eating and sleeping enough, this will stunt his development and can worsen his symptoms, making it even more difficult to do well at home and in school. When thinking about giving your child prescription medications, consider the long term effects of a developing brain.

This is why countless parents are turning to natural remedies to treat their children. Unlike drugs, natural remedies have no side effects. They also will not interact with any other medications that your child might need to take.

High quality natural formulations with ingredients like Hyoscyamus and Verta Alb have been proven to be effective in clinical trials at treating hyperactivity and ADHD and are FDA-approved. Best of all, natural remedies do more than just suppress the symptoms—while they are working to calm and soothe the nervous system and increase focus, they heal the brain and restore proper function.

In summary, refuse to let ADHD hyperactivity become a lifelong problem for your child. Prevent hyperactivity from becoming habituated in the brain by giving your child a natural remedy that will calm and heal the nervous system, allowing your child to get back on track at home and in school and enjoy a happy childhood.

Part one of this series examined the definitions, several types, and symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This second and final part looks at some causes and how parents can help their children overcome its effects.

ADHD’s environmental causes are historically misunderstood yet easily avoided.

The history of ADHD has been plagued with misconceptions. Originally, it was believed caused by an injury or infection to the brain while the child was still an infant. Later, inattention or hyperactivity was linked to an over-ingestion of artificial sugar, sweeteners and food additives. More recent research has allayed parental guilt by showing that that neither is actually responsible for forming ADHD potential in the child’s brain.

In fact, modern research indicates the same factors contributing to ADHD in children are many of the same practices expectant mothers already avoid for other important reasons. Among other potential health risks, doctors warn that mothers who smoke during pregnancy significantly increase the chances for ADHD in their children. Using alcohol and drugs similarly increases the potential.

Lead poisoning is another possible factor. While the metal has been banned from paint and other construction materials for decades, children living in older buildings and homes may still be at risk.

ADHD medications are effective, but come with controversy.

ADHD varies by child. Doctors and psychiatrists usually develop a treatment regimen that combines re-organizing a child’s work and social environments in tandem with therapy and special medications. These medications are usually stimulants of the methylphenidate variety. Two of the most popular brands are sold under the brand names Ritalin and Concerta. Another popular brand, Adderall, is kind of amphetamine.

Doses are given anywhere from once to several times a day. Effectiveness varies according to the user, and physicians may try out different prescriptions and varying dosages before settling on the best choice for sustained, long-duration use. Side effects of methylphenidate and amphetamine are not generally problematic in the long term. Though some children report feeling “revved up,” the effects are not considered harmful. Additional reported side effects include insomnia, loss of appetite, irritability, and an upset stomach.

Recent research has begun to call into question the benefits of long-term medication therapy. In particular, a study related to the National Institute of Mental Health’s giant Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD recently reported that medications such as Ritalin and Concerta are no more effective after just three years than therapy administered without medication.

Therapy is a crucial step on the road to effective ADHD management.

It’s also important to understand that prescription drugs are not as effective without corresponding therapy and lifestyle management. Parents are strongly encouraged to take an active role in helping their children combat ADHD symptoms. This assistance can include:

Creating a daily routine: All children thrive on structure, and building a pattern to their daily lives helps children feel more relaxed.
Avoiding unnecessary sensory stimuli: Limiting children’s choices (in clothes to wear, what to eat for dinner, et cetera) and turning off television and video games helps their focus by removing “clutter” from their minds.
Communicate and discipline clearly and consistently: Giving clear but short instructions, and administering discipline decisively lets children understand parameters without becoming confused or distracted.
Offer rewards for positive behavior. Families may also decide to enlist the aid of a therapist, who will work with the child on building concentration and social skills. Group therapy is also sometimes effective. Parents may also take special classes and seminars to help them reorient themselves to the needs of an ADHD child.

Behavioral Disorders Related to ADHD

Between twenty and thirty percent of ADHD children also have some form of learning disability. Many struggle with writing, arithmetic, and writing deficiencies, including dyslexia. Other common disabilities include:
Oppositional Defiant Disorder: the child – usually a boy – is confrontational and argumentative with parents and authority figures. As many as one-half of all ADHD patients have some degree of ODD.
Conduct Disorder: A more serious form of ODD, children with CD are aggressively hostile. They will deliberately break rules, threaten or attack classmates, engage in theft or vandalism, and carry weapons. Up to forty percent of ADHD children have CD. Less common disabilities and problems include:
Tourette Syndrome: People suffering from this disorder frequently repeat mannerisms such as sniffling or pronouncing words. They may also involuntarily perform nervous tics
Bipolar Disorder
Anxiety and Depression
Parents worried their child is displaying ADHD symptoms are encouraged to contact a psychiatrist or psychologist for help in making a formal evaluation. Many specialize in working with children. Pediatricians, neurologists and clinical social workers are also able to diagnose the disorder.

Michael Kabel is senior staff writer for http://www.cornerstorkbabygifts.com. Stop by for parenting and baby resources, unique baby gifts, baby gift baskets and baby shower favors.