ADHD in Children Under 5 - Symptoms, Behavior, Evolution, and Challenges

When examining the subject of ADHD in children under 5 one must first consider hyperactivity. While some children with ADHD are not hyperactive, most are, and it is easy to spot. Children with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity have been unusually active since early infancy. Parent often times notice that their child is different but don't necessary draw the comparison between over activity and ADHD. Parents realize their child is restless, has feeding problems, experiences colic regularly, and encounters unusual and unpredictable crying cycles. These infants often experienced sleeping problems of various degrees; falling asleep late, problems going to sleep, frequently awakening during sleep, arising very early, and difficulty waking up.

 

As the ADHD infant becomes a toddler, their every driven hyperactivity continues. Parents often recognize that after an active and restless infancy, their child learned to stand and walk at an early age, and then, like an infant strongman, burst the bars on his crib only to wreak havoc. ADHD in children under 5 is often noticed in children who are always on the go, grabbing at all objects in sight, and a seeming endless desire to touch (usually by mistake). ADHD children under 5 can easily get away from their parents if not watched very closely. The routine trip to the shopping mall or grocery store can become a search and rescue mission for the mesmerized parent and a search and destroy mission for the toddler. This fact is correlated by emergency room records confirming that ADHD children are much more likely to make an unexpected visit to the ER.

 

As the toddler starts to approach the age of 4 things start to change: he becomes even more active, fidgeting, playing finger drums, and shuffling his feet. His attention span wanes, thus changing tasks constantly. He gathers all of his toys, plays with each one briefly, then moves on to the next task. Dinner gatherings becomes a case of what will little Johnny will do next. The families Sunday drive around the neighborhood turns stressful with car windows going up and down, ashtrays opening and closing, kicking the back of Dads seat, then shouting his famous cry of "Are We There Yet".  

In the case of ADHD children under 5 that have made the leap to preschool, problems with attention, hyperactivity, and social adjustment dominate the spotlight. The ADHD child who is now approaching the age of 5 exhibits a short attention, low frustration tolerance, and the threat of temper tantrums. These characteristics make sustained play and nursery school participation challenging. Problems with fellow preschoolers materialize: teasing, domination, and other annoying behaviors.

 

What is the next step? First if you are a parent facing these challenges I admire you for taking the time to gather additional information about this very real condition. As you move forward you will be faced with a number of treatment options. These include doctor visits, ADHD psychostimulant medications such as Ritalin, and homeopathic natural remedies, just to name a few. Working with your pediatrician or other specialist can help you chart a course for dealing with the symptoms of attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity. ADHD in children under 5 is a particularly delicate issue due to the side effects with many of the well accepted prescription medications. It is not surprising that many parents when treating the symptoms of ADHD in children under 5 are opting for a natural alternative treatment such as homeopathy. Homeopathic remedies for ADHD work safely and effectively to treat ADHD symptoms like hyperactivity, erratic behavior, and lack of concentration without placing your child's health at risk.

R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate of alternative natural health products and supplements with over 10 years experience. To learn more about homeopathic natural health visit Purchase Remedies.com

What Parents Need to Know About Children With ADHD

Parents of children with ADHD should learn as much about the condition as they possibly can in order to be able to help their children. There is no cure for ADHD, so do not be taken in by those who promise to a cure if your child takes an herbal supplement or pills. Children with ADHD have to learn to live with this condition that affects the way that they process their thoughts.

Children with ADHD are often diagnosed with the disorder once they begin attending school. It is at this time that the teacher will usually notice that the child is not behaving like the other kids and will talk to the parents. In most cases, the ADHD is only a problem if the child cannot settle down in school. If the child cannot settle down in class and is continuously disruptive, the diagnosis of ADHD should be made so that the child can get special education. By law, the school has to provide your child with an education under the Americans With Disabilities Act. Parents who have a child or children with ADHD should learn as much about this act as possible. They should be sure of their child's rights when it comes to getting an education.

In addition to learning about education options when it comes to children with ADHD, parents must also be aware of treatment options. No longer is it customary to drug children who have this condition with medications that have negative side effects. There are other options. And children with ADHD should not be labeled as having a negative disorder. Plenty of people have lived very productive lives with this condition. It is all about trying to get the child to learn in the way that makes sense to him or her. Therapy is quickly becoming the gold standard for ADHD children. Many of these children with ADHD are highly creative individuals. They have a potential to do great things with their creativity, if only they are recognized as not being "problems" but having a different behavioral problem and way of thinking.

Parents of children with ADHD should also be aware of the many famous people throughout time, people who greatly influenced society, who have had ADHD. They should know that their ADHD children are in very good company. Lincoln, Kennedy, Einstein, Churchill - all had ADD/ADHD. With the right treatment program that works with the child, instead of trying to get him or her to become something that they are not, the child with ADHD can learn to use their gifts for greatness. Parents of ADHD children should be aware of all the options that are open to them and know that others before them have combated this problem with their own ADHD children with great success.

To learn more about ADD and ADHD in children, visit http://www.adhd-survival-guide.com/

5 Essential Tips For Parents of ADHD Children

Caring for a child that suffers from ADHD can be difficult. However, you shouldn't look at it as if it were a curse. ADHD children are often gifted and unfortunately just misunderstood.

To help your child thrive, it's important to follow some parenting tips. When it comes to parenting tips ADHD treatment advice that really works is below.

Make a special area in the house for quiet activities. This is different from a time out space. Your child can go to that quiet space to enjoy activities by himself such as coloring, reading, or puzzles.

When it comes to parenting tips ADHD parents often forget that their children can relax and enjoy themselves when they are given activities that they can fully concentrate on.

Make sure your child follows a routine. Most children work well on a fixed schedule but this is even more important for ADHD children.

If your child knows what time he has to eat breakfast, do his homework, take a bath, etc. his behavior will be easier to manage.

When it comes to parenting tips ADHD children need to eat a hearty breakfast. Make sure your give your child a protein-packed breakfast every day. This will ensure that your child's blood sugar level is balanced throughout the day and he won't get hungry or tempted to eat junk food.

Avoid giving your child sugary breakfast cereals. They will only aggravate your child's behavior.

Make sure your child gets enough exercise. Exercise is essential to good health. Many children simply don't get enough physical activity each day. More kids sit in front of their TVs or computers instead of play outside with their friends.

As for parenting tips ADHD children should be encouraged to join recreational activities at school or play outside when they get home from school instead of staying in the house. If your child gets a lot of exercise during the day, he will also be more likely to sleep soundly at night.

Give your child a homeopathic remedy to balance his mood and encourage a positive demeanor. Unlike prescription drugs, homeopathic remedies are side effect free so you can give them to your child safely every day.

With just three doses a day your child can be alleviated of all ADHD symptoms. When it comes to parenting tips ADHD homeopathic treatment is a very good choice because it is so effective and gentle.

By ensuring that your child's life is structured and healthy, you can go a long way in curing his ADHD. When it comes to parenting tips ADHD treatment with stimulants isn't all that there is out there. Give your child a chance to recover naturally through lifestyle change and homeopathic treatment. You will be impressed with the results.

Puneet writes a blog about ADHD and helps ADHD sufferers to find new treatments in naturopathy and alternative medicine. If you are looking for a well-researched tip sheet for ADHD parenting, you may read more.

Help With ADHD Children - Strategies For Parents

Many parents are so relieved when their child is diagnosed with ADHD. They think that it takes the blame away from them and they can continue with their daily life, perhaps with the help of a few ADHD meds. Wrong! Now is the time, more than ever, when parents have to take a positive step towards acquiring a few parenting skills which will really help them and their child to cope with ADHD. Parents sometimes think that their child's behaviour will need changing but it is a two way process and the reactions of the parent will often determine how badly or well behaved a child is. Help with ADHD children starts with the parents themselves.

Strategies For Parents

Do not rush into accepting the first medication offered. Treatment of ADHD in children is a complex matter. Try to read up as much as possible. Read about the different medications for ADHD. Be aware of course that a lot of ADHD sites out there on the Net are financed by the pharmaceutical companies themselves. Seek out other views on the ADHD blogs, forums and support groups. This is often one of the best sources of help with ADHD children. You should be aware too of the alternative treatments for ADHD which have no side effects and are perfectly safe. Now you will NOT find that information on any of the major websites. Ask yourself this question. Is the medication I choose going to help my child or his teacher or even myself?

The second strategy is to actually give more prime time to your ADHD child. Spend at least half an hour a day with him or her and no one else and with no distractions. That time can be spent in playing, listening to the child and even discovering what their strengths and talents are. Use these to plan further games and activities which fit in with those talents.

What is the best strategy to adopt if your child is screaming and bouncing off the wall ? Keep calm is not as banal as it sounds. If you are screaming too and answering back in a temper, then your chances of solving this particular crisis is, I would, say, zilch. Actually your reaction will probably create even more problems.

Do not get involved! This is a great strategy I find. Let us say your kid is screaming or demanding something. All you have to do is absent yourself from the scene of the crime. Find another space. Time out applies equally well to the parents. The child knows from the behaviour contract that you have set up with him that unless he is reasonable and calm, then you cannot and will not talk to him. Also he knows that he alone is responsible for his actions and knows the consequences and that applies to us parents as well. Many parents seeking help with ADHD children never realize this.

Help with ADHD children can come in many forms from getting the right support at school and of course at home. Opting for the right treatment of ADHD in children which helps to alleviate some of the symptoms of restlessness, fidgeting and inattention without nasty side effects is all important. There is some interesting information about this type of treatment in the link below this article. It is much cheaper and safer than any other option!

Robert Locke is a Health enthusiast who specializes in Children's Health. He has written extensively on ADHD. Discover what ADHD Alternative Therapy is available. Find out how ADHD behavior therapy can save your sanity.

What Causes ADHD in Children? - FAQs For Parents

The most frequently asked question by parents about what causes ADHD in children is whether any situation in the home life of the child or simply bad parenting could be responsible. Parents can be reassured about this but at the same time warned that unless there is some behaviour modification in the treatment of the child with ADHD, there is a strong chance that the child will have to go through all their life with this condition!

What causes ADHD could actually be a chemical imbalance in the brain and that means that the brain does not function at its maximum capacity leading to all sorts of well known problems associated with ADHD such as inattention, hyperactivity, squirming and impulsivity. These might well be present in any normal spirited child but in ADHD they tend to interfere with the child's development and lack of social skills and inattention and sometimes defiant behaviour can set a whole range of problems in motion. But these are mere symptoms and do not tell us with any precision about what causes ADHD in children.

Researchers have actually found that ADHD children's brains are about 3% or 4% smaller than those of normal children and this could be the result of certain areas not being fully developed. Then there are a whole series of arguments linking the cause of ADHD to diet and media exposure but these are neither valid nor true. Certainly these two factors can exacerbate symptoms but they are certainly not what causes ADHD in children.

The hereditary link in the debate about what causes ADHD in children is one which should be borne in mind because any child with an ADHD parent is said to have a greater chance (by up to 25%) of developing the condition than other children. The genetic link is therefore a probable element in what causes ADHD. It is a fact that many parents when they get their children diagnosed with ADHD discover that they have the condition themselves which is a two edged sword. It may give them a certain empathy with the child in trying to cope but on the other hand, they will be severely handicapped when it comes to providing structure and organisation in family life.

What is uppermost in parents' minds when and if their child is diagnosed with ADHD is how on earth they are going to cope with all this. They have heard all about the ADHD drugs and are understandably wary especially now that some parents are even willing to get their non-ADHD children these drugs when they are competing in the rat race at college! This was in a shocking report in the Nature magazine recently. Pushing their children without worrying too much about parenting skills or ADHD behavioral therapy is the easy and dangerous way out. The side effects of these amphetamines can be alarming whether for young children or college students. They range from sleep disorders, weight loss, appetite and mood swings, stunted growth. In the long term, there is a risk of schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorders and paranoia. Is this what you want for your ADHD child?

Discover a Safer ADHD Therapy.
Robert Locke is a Health enthusiast who specializes in Children's Health. He has written extensively on ADHD.

ADHD in Children - If Your Child Runs Away From Home, Here's What to Do

Things Can Get Out Of Control Fast, So Listen Up

If your child runs away from home, you must call the police for assistance. First determine whether he is running away from or running to something, someone, or somewhere.  

Know where your children are at all times.  A child abducted by a stranger has a three-hour life expectancy. Most child abductions by strangers are sexually motivated. 

These predators often use the child as pornographic material and kill him or her immediately to hush and hide the evidence.  

Explain this hard cold fact gently to your child. Tell him, "If it ever gets bad enough that you think it's better to run away than suffer at home, please tell me immediately. I promise I will help you get what you need, not judge you. I just want you to be safe." 

First-time runaway:

If your child is under three years old, search immediately.  He might have wandered off absentmindedly.  If your older child makes verbal threats to run away, take this as a red flag to sit with him and listen to check his feelings-usually sad, disappointed, and hateful. 

See if some talking will reassure him enough to change his mind.  If you think he may run away from home, begin 15-minute visual checks to keep constant supervision of his activities. 

Keep a record of what he wears each day. Weigh and measure him and have a recent picture ready in case he runs.

If he runs away, first, search for an hour. Call his friends and look at his favorite hangouts, for example, the park; then, call the police. 

Give them the specifics-your child's age, height, weight, and color of eyes and hair.  Describe his clothing and special features, including glasses, freckles, moles, and scars, if any. The police might come by to gather information to file a report.  

Remain calm when your child returns on his own or with the police.  First, check to see if he is physically injured.  Ask him where he has been.  Ask him to give you three reasons why he left without informing you.  Share how you are feeling now.  Ask him to tell you how he was feeling just before he left and how he is feeling now before you.  

If you use a behavior chart or token system to manage your child's behavior, take all of your child's tokens. He did not take them with him (when he ran away), so he must not want them.

See if you and he can learn something and come to some kind of understanding.  He can earn tokens by telling you his reasons and feelings.  From this point on, keep the police telephone number next to the telephone.  Your child should have three days of sight restriction with an adult. That means that he should stay within view of and be supervised by an adult.

Second-Time Runaway:

Repeat the procedure for the runaway outlined above.  This time, when processing, ask your child for three reasons why he wants to return home.  

Third-Time Runaway:

Repeat the procedure for the first and second times above. This time, when processing, explain to him that that you see a set pattern of running to or running from something.  State that the family must go for counseling to prevent this from happening again.

Fourth-Time Runaway:

Call the Juvenile Probation Department to see if it has a program to help chronic runaways. Understand that your child is telling you something repeatedly.  Why are you not listening? 

Suspect that he has additional problems, for example, depression, substance abuse, or physical injury and deal with them promptly.  A psychological assessment may be necessary and follow through on what the psychologist recommends.

You Can Solve This.

If now is a good time to get your child's attitude and behavior under control, I invite you to use these parenting tips to get started. If you want more tips, I invite you to claim your free report "Seven Simple Ways to Get Your Child to Listen to You!" You can download it when you sign up at http://www.AdhdParentingTips.com. It explains the methods I used to transform my son's ADHD/ODD behavior from out-of-control to almost normal. You also get 3 free videos: "How To Prevent Temper Tantrums." The sooner you start this, the easier it is to help your child. You CAN do this.

From Debra Sale Wendler - Respect Effect Mom and Respect Effect Parenting at http://www.AdhdParentingSuccess.com.

3 Things You Must Avoid Doing When Parenting Young Children!

Are you having difficulties parenting your young children? Our research shows that is probably why you are reading this right now! If you would like to be among those who succeed while being a parent to your kids, the time to do things right is while they are still on the young side. So, if you are having troubles, and you want to turn things around, here are three things you should avoid doing.

Number one. You should not be flimsy when it comes to setting boundaries for your children. Many parents feel bad saying no to their children, so they may even initially say no to a situation or a request, only to change their mind later on. You should avoid doing this for two reasons. It sends a mixed message to your children which can create confusion. It also lets them know that if they keep asking you to do something that they want to do, eventually you will say yes.

The best way to avoid these hassles, especially if you are parenting young children, is to just be firm and steady. It doesn't mean you always have to say no to things, or even the same type of requests. As long as you have consistent rules and logical explanations, they will most likely adhere to your words.

The second thing to avoid doing, is really an extension of number one. When your children are very young, the explanations for your reasoning of letting them do things or not, should be as brief as possible. This is especially true during the moments that they are asking you to change your mind. Later on, at a convenient time, you can explain further, but again, you don't have to get into too much detail, unless you can turn it into a learning experience.

Young children are especially curious about things, so it's great to use these times to teach them about life, or whatever. However, during the actual time of the request, it's best to keep it simple and firm. This can be a crucial point because when their mind is set on wanting to do something, the more you get into explanations and dialogue, the greater the chance will be that you might give in to their request.

This is especially true if you are prone to giving in to them. If there are rules of the household that you have, in addition to other things that you generally don't want them to get involved with, it's best to stick to your guns. If you don't, you'll end up with chaos, and as time goes by, more and more stress and tension..

The last thing to avoid doing, is actually far and away, the most important of all. This is probably, especially true for readers of this article. If you have possibly failed at times to employ the first two suggestions, you may be experiencing high levels of tension while you are parenting your young children. There also may be other issues beyond the scope of this article, contributing to this.

Whether this is the case, or not, you should always avoid yelling, screaming, lecturing, or any other similar types of harsh parenting technique. These techniques will only make matters worse, as you might have already experienced. One way to avoid having to yell and scream is to uphold the first two suggestions.

As you continue doing that, you will probably see a decrease in the overall tension in the house. If things have gotten really bad between you and your children, you might consider using some other resource.

We mentioned that not coming down harshly on your children is of the utmost importance. This is because it has been discovered that this causes children to act out even more. The yelling causes stress, which then causes something called cortisol to be released from the adrenal glands to the brain, which then causes all sorts of problems.

Discover how one can learn positive parenting methods that will keep your household tension free, by visiting my Parenting Young Children web site at bestpositiveparentingtips.com/parenting-young-children. There, you can read more articles, including a mind blowing full explanation of the effects of cortisol. You can also get many more resources, and parenting help!

Do You Think Children Diagnosed With ADD Or ADHD Should Be Given Medication?

When it comes to treating ADHD, or even just understanding and accepting ADHD as a real condition, there is no more controversial topic being asked and discussed than the topic of ADHD medications. There are a lot of people who believe that ADHD medications are dangerous and cause more harm than good, especially when it comes to children.

It's Time We Really Understand The Truth

According to the American Medical Association and various other professional medical groups, the answer is yes. The overwhelming belief is that ADHD medications are effective, safe, and make radical differences. But they do not necessarily take into account the bigger picture, and what other options are available and effective.

There is a large body of scientific research that indicates that the most effective form of treatment include medication and behavior therapy (in combination). They also suggest that medication alone is the next best option (without behavior therapy) versus doing nothing alone.

Now, this is what the medical world believes and is how they approach treatment. As a "former therapist" I take issue with this treatment approach for a few reasons, but at the same time I must say that medication can and does help a lot of people.

What Most People Are Not Being Told

That said, you must know that scientific research DOES NOT typically evaluate the effectiveness of natural remedies or other alternative treatments / therapies for ADHD due to funding and profits (drug companies pay a lot for research and of course make a lot from medication sales).

I am sharing this as an important perspective, and not to put down my colleagues, the medical community in general, or the pharmaceutical companies. It's just something that people need to be aware of.

From where I stand, medication can be and has been proven to be an effective method for managing symptoms of ADHD.

However, I do NOT believe it should be the first treatment suggestion, especially after a 15-minute appointment with a pediatrician or other professional. An ADHD diagnosis is complicated, and we must be aware of the process and how symptoms appear and interfere with life.

We need to consider the goals for treatment options. In other words, why would we choose medication versus another treatment option?

Another piece we must consider is that ADHD rarely exists alone, so must consider what we call co-existing conditions (like depression, bipolar, and more). There are a lot of conditions that also mimic the symptoms of ADHD, so we need to be sure we are treating the real underlying condition or cause for the behavior or difficulties.

The simple answer is "some yes, some no." Medication does NOT work for everyone, and there are some people who absolutely need. It's an individual decision that should be and MUST be made as a family, and in conversation with a competent professional.

If you'd like to learn more about ADHD and what most people don't know to tell you, be sure to sign up for your very own ADHD Essentials Course. In this 3-hour audio program you'll get to learn what you absolutely need to know about ADHD, including a basic overview, how medications are supposed to work, and why it is so important to include the family. Visit http://www.adhdessentialskit.com today to get immediate access to this free audio course.

ADHD in Children - How to Get Your Child to Listen to You - Part 1

The Problem: Your child is not listening to you. He is not honoring your first request or complying with your wishes.  

Parents most common question is "How do I get my child to listen to me?"  

This occurs in three main stages depending on your child's hyperactivity and your (his parent's) reactions.  

Stage 1: Passive Noncompliance  

The first is what we call passive noncompliance.   

Here's what it looks like and feels like: Your child is not really defying you and saying NO. But he isn't jumping up and doing what you ask, either. So this leaves you nagging and reminding gently, or not so gently.   

Some mothers have to remind their children 5-20 times to get ANYTHING done. Apparently their child decided "If mom is going to say it 20 times, I might as well ignore her the first 19 times. That gives me more time to do this thing (I like better than that thing she wants me to do).  

Here's what your child does. It almost seems as if he cannot hear you. Yes, he hears you; it's just that he would rather pretend he doesn't so he can wait to mind you.  

Here's what to do: Learn the 5 ways to attract your child's attention. Otherwise he will keep ignoring you, because he can.   

1. Limit your side of the talking to 6 seconds. Stop the long, nagging, and gentle reminding.  

2. Show your child what is in it for him when he complies. For example, if you want your child to tidy up his room, rather than nagging and threatening, try this instead. Get the kitchen smelling great  by cooking something he likes.   

3. Use pre-warnings: Come to his room and say:  

"20 minutes till dinner. Mmm! mashed potatoes. Room check in 15."

"15 minutes till dinner. Room check in 10. Check under your bed." 

"10 minutes till dinner. Room check in 5 minutes. Check the side of your bed. Mashed potatoes when your room's OK."

"5 minutes till dinner. Room check. Dinner when room's OK."   

Check the room and list what is left to be done. For example, "As soon as you get these dirty clothes put away, let me know you're ready for a check." Your child MUST see what's in it for him or he will not comply. Nagging is not a big threat. Missing mashed potatoes is. :)  

The MOST IMPORTANT to do is get started, because this WON'T go away by watching and waiting.  

You Can Improve Child Behavior  

If now is a good time to get your child's attitude and behavior under control, I invite you to use these parenting tips to get started. If you want more tips, I invite you to claim your free report "Seven Simple Ways to Get Your Child to Listen to You!" You can download it when you sign up at http://www.AdhdParentingTips.com It explains the methods I used to transform my son's ADHD/ODD behavior from out-of-control to almost normal in 3 weeks. You also get 3 free videos: "How To Prevent Temper Tantrums." The sooner you start this, the easier it is to help your child. You CAN do this.

From Debra Sale Wendler - Respect Effect Mom and Respect Effect Parenting at http://www.AdhdParentingSuccess.com

Why the Recession Could Be Good News For Parents of ADD & ADHD Children

The recession has forced many of us to take a long, hard and brutally honest look at ourselves, our behaviors and values. We, in the Western World, have become victims of an economy based on a relentless need to consume. This "need" has become so voracious and so predominant in our society that it has been given the name "affluenza."

In the economic boom of the 80's and 90's families became more and more focused on working, earning, spending and then working some more for the next round of spending. We wanted to "have it all" and we have paid the price. There was little time for anything else, for family, joy, laughter, feelings and intimacy.

But some of us didn't stop here. We not only fell victims to this insanity of excessive consumerism and insanely hectic schedules, we forced our kids into it too. Many kids, for the first time ever, had no time or energy left to play with friends or to just hang-out and relax. Instead they were herded from one activity to another in a relentless pursuit for more, more more.

For the first time ever magazines started publishing articles about stressed and anxious kids, a fast growing phenomenon.

But now the recession has forced many of us to take a step back and re-think how much of this is really necessary to the healthy emotional development of your child. The recession has meant less disposable income for many families and many of us have had to cut out unnecessary activities and impulse purchases.

But rather than look at this as a tragedy, it helps to look at it as a blessing in disguise. The recession can be the wake-up call you needed. It can be a time to re-focus our priorities on what's really important - Our families and taking the time to listen, to laugh, to love and to share.

Special Needs Children, including those with ADD/ADHD in particular, need more time. attention, affection and positive discipline than other children. They are, in a sense, more labor intensive than other children.

If your family has been negatively impacted by the recession and forced to cut back then use this time to take stock of your life and what really matters. And know that things will turn around and improve.

Grab your free report "10 Simple Steps To Reduce ADD/ADHD Symptoms Instantly - Without Medication" at http://www.maximindpower.com
The Total Focus Program helps your ADD or ADHD Child to increase his ability to focus and concentrate, ends homework nightmares, decreases impulsive behavior and gives you the tools to get rid of your child's anger and negative attitude. Try a 30 day FREE Trial at http://www.maximindpower.com/TotalFocus.html

ADHD in Children - How to Get Your Child to Listen to You (Part 2)

Stage 2: No Way No How

Here's what it feels like: At the moderate stage, most parents are getting discouraged. This usually happens around age 6, but it may be sooner depending on the child's hyperactivity and the parents insistence. It also depends on how oppositional the child may be. (My son was at the moderate stage when he was about 5.) 

Here's what your child does: He is in charge. You are being held hostage by his angry temper tantrums that last until you give in. He'll have a tantrum every time he doesn't get his way. And he can get quite skilled at them. If this is happening to you, you're both stuck. Your child can't stop it until you change. 

Here's what parents typically do: You may have given up on your child complying with your wishes. So you may be catering to him more and more. You may feel as if you're walking on eggshells. You probably are.

Here's what to do instead: If this is where you are now, I can't solve this in a paragraph. I can tell you what it will take. 

1. First, you will discover how to talk so that your child will listen to you. How to convince him that you mean what you say. 

2. And next, we will mend your relationship that has already been damaged by these daily struggles. If you have been catering to your child's every whim, no matter how extreme, then your child has no respect for you. (One mom was bringing her son cocoa puffs in bed so he would go to school.) 

3. You will NOT be able to correct this without structure AND a reward system. Structure is living by a set of routines. Reward is showing your child what he wins when he lives by a set of routines. The MOST IMPORTANT THING to do is get started, because this WON'T go away by watching and waiting.

You Can Improve Child Behavior

If now is a good time to get your child's attitude and behavior under control, I invite you to use these parenting tips to get started. If you want more tips, I invite you to claim your free report "Seven Simple Ways to Get Your Child to Listen to You!" You can download it when you sign up at http://www.AdhdParentingTips.com It explains the methods I used to transform my son's ADHD/ODD behavior from out-of-control to almost normal in 3 weeks. You also get 3 free videos: "How To Prevent Temper Tantrums." The sooner you start this, the easier it is to help your child. You CAN do this.

From Debra Sale Wendler - Respect Effect Mom and Respect Effect Parenting at http://www.AdhdParentingSuccess.com

Do's And Don'ts For Parents Of Children With ADHD

Worried parents often think that watching too much TV, bad schooling or a poor diet may well be the causes of ADHD and they sometimes blame themselves. But the latest research has identified genetic causes and also biological causes which cause chemical imbalance in the child's brain as the main culprits.

Statistics show that there is a strong hereditary link in ADHD. The close relatives of families with ADHD are 25% more likely to suffer from the condition. The figures for the general population on the other hand are much lower - a mere 5%.

In a recent medical study published by the Lancet, the biological cause of ADHD has been established although more work needs to be done. The food colorings and additives (E102,E104 and E110) found most often in snacks and fizzy drinks, have been shown to significantly increase children's hyperactivity. When there is a chemical imbalance in the neurotransmitters which help the nerve cells in the brain to communicate with each other, then the child may well develop ADHD and show symptoms like impulsiveness and lack of concentration.

Many experts believe that if certain snacks and drinks are to blame for ADHD, why are there no warning notices on the packaging to alert parents ? If that were to happen, there would be social implications as well, because children like to eat the same things as their peers. We are only at the beginning of this research so further studies are necessary.

How safe are the drugs which are used to treat children with ADHD? The most popular drugs are :- Concerta, Adderall and Ritalin. A popular non-stimulant drug on the market now is called Strattera.

What side effects are reported in children taking these drugs? Recently there has been a lot of attention in the press about this and there are concerns that children who already might have heart condition need to be monitored carefully. The drug called Adderall was withdrawn from the Canadian market because of this risk. Whatever drug is taken, children's heart condition, blood pressure and blood tests need to be carried out on a regular basis.

How can a parent decide what is best? They may well want to consider alternative treatments. Even small changes in diet, exercise and daily routine can help. Herbal and homeopathic remedies can also be considered. These act by restoring the chemical imbalance of the child's nervous system. There are no side effects or drowsiness and they have been shown to be a valid alternative because they can restore wellness and harmony.

Mark L Robinson is a writer on Food and Nutrition but also writes on a wide variety of Health, Medical and Sports topics. Visit The Wellness Bible: http://thewellnessbible.blogspot.com for a Herbal Cure for ADHD.

Hyperactive Children and ADHD

Almost every child has times when they may seem hyperactive. It is perfectly normal for your children to sometimes be nervously wound-up and excited. However, for about one in twenty children under the age of twelve, there is a condition which causes them to be so hyperactive and easily distracted that they will need medical attention. This condition is known as "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder", or simply "ADHD" for short.

Some typical signs of children who may be experiencing ADHD, are :-

- Have a tendency to always be moving around a great deal

- Unable to sit still for more than a few minutes at a time

- Difficulty in paying attention or listening to events that are going on around them.

- Very easily distracted

- Often act on impulse

- Trouble sleeping

Of course, many children, particularly toddlers, behave this way some of the time - it doesn't necessarily mean that they need medical attention! If you think your child is showing signs of hyperactivity, you can start by comparing him to other children of his age, and getting a feel for whether he is acting normally. Children with ADHD are noticeably more excessive in their behavior, have excitability levels that are higher, more severe distraction problems, and they never seem to calm down from one day to the next.

Children with ADHD are just as intelligent as other kids, but can appear to be slow learners or fall behind in school. This is because their condition causes them to loose concentration quickly, and have difficulty in following instructions to completion. They are typically more emotional, more demanding, and extremely disobedient, more so than other children of their age.

This types of behavior, often immature behavior can cause many problems at school and with friends. Sometimes these children may get in trouble with the law at an early age. So, unless their condition is recognized, and they get the care and treatment that they need, the child's life could easily remain out of control well into their adult years.

Nobody knows exactly what causes the condition, so treating and managing severe hyperactivity can be very hard. However the manner in which the child is raised and disciplined does seem to have an effect on how severe the disorder becomes. Parents who are emotionally healthy themselves, practice discipline with gentle firmness, and who offer unconditional love, seem to more successful at raising children with ADHD into healthy young adults.

Please note: This article is NOT intended as medical advice, and the author is NOT a medical professional. Please consult a doctor should you need medical advice.

First published at http://www.guide2parenting.com/p1_articles_adhd.php

For more free parenting tips, advice and articles, please go to http://www.guide2parenting.com/

Alternative Approach Provides Help For Children With ADHD

Effective help for children with ADHD is currently one of our most urgent challenges today. Creative problem solving and leadership skills are needed more now than ever before. Many children and teens with ADHD are gifted with an ability to access a genius level of intelligence, but may need some help in learning effective ways to harness and channel the high level of creative energy that's available to them.

Because a child's early environment has a significant impact on all levels of development, each case of child ADHD presents highly individual symptoms which need a personalized plan of action for effective treatment.

Passage of the "No Child Left Behind Act" of 2001 (NCLB) has educators, students and parents under pressure to push students through rigid curriculums. Students who aren't able to flow with the structure are many times labeled as ADD/ADHD and put on stimulant medications to make them easier to manage and more like "normal" children.

Children under 16 are being put on ADHD prescription drugs at an increased rate of more than 33% since 2005. Ritalin and Concerta are two of the more popular stimulant drugs that work in part by suppressing alpha brain waves, which are predominant in many "gifted" children. Depending on the characteristics of a child's symptoms, these drugs may be helpful in some cases but can come with negative side effects and may increase anxiety in children with ADHD.

The educational system will be slow to change so parenting children with ADHD includes the job of finding the safest and healthiest ways to support their kids and help them thrive in a system that's not yet equipped to deal with them as they are.

Brainwave Training Can Provide Help for Children With ADHD

Much like a child can be taught to ride a bike, a child can also be trained to regulate the way they focus attention. Through brainwave biofeedback training, also called electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback or neurofeedback, a child is provided with information to enhance brain regulation. This makes the necessary adjustments which bring about positive behavioral changes and self-regulation.

Learning how to effectively focus attention with brainwave training takes advantage of a child's ability to easily access alpha brain waves. Learning to effortlessly focus attention in alpha is sometimes called "open focus", and is the key to "superlearning" and enhanced problem solving skills. Rather than suppressing a gifted child with drugs, even popular games like "PlayStation" and "Xbox" can be adapted for effective brainwave training.

Other non-drug related strategies to help children with ADHD that work well with biofeedback are herbal and homeopathic remedies and diet adjustments. Using these in conjunction with brain training can be an effective way to accelerate progress.

Max Wardlow writes from experience about ADHD and helps manage a website about natural remedies where you can find out more about ADHD/ADD natural support.

Parenting Angry Children - Seven Easy Ways to Transform From Reactive to Respected Parent

Children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), ODD (oppositional defiant disorder), bipolar, autism, Asperger's syndrome, and PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified), can be difficult to manage sometimes. If your child has one of these conditions, he may try to push your buttons so you lose control and he wins. The only way out of this gridlock is to develop some winning tactics of your own.

Adopt these winning tactics that soothe your child and elevate your parenting style:

1. Refuse to argue. Your child's first line of defense (and distraction from the real issue at hand) is to start an argument. Counter his defensive tactic with your calm logic.

For example, if you child doesn't want to do the dishes, he may say, "I didn't eat any of that stupid dinner so I'm not doing the stupid dishes." You can say, "I hear you. The chore chart shows clearly that you wash dinner dishes this week. Please start now." The more agitated he gets, the calmer and less emotional you get. If you weaken and argue, he wins.

2. Refuse to cater, coddle, or pamper your child when he is disagreeable. Otherwise he'll think, "I must be the prince, and you must be the doormat. Why else would you cater to me when I treat you like a slave?"

Your child's second line of defense may be to throw a tantrum or act out.

This is a control tactic plain and simple. Your child can control this. Counter his defensive tactic by withdrawing your attention. Calmly clear other children, pets, and breakables from his tantrum area, and move to another room. Without attention, he will get bored quickly with his tantrum.

3. Refuse to get emotionally overwhelmed. If you get overwhelmed, say "I need five minutes to decide what to do with you." Set a timer for five minutes, and leave the room to calm down. Then, return in exactly five minutes. That's modeling self-control. (And you win.)

4. Refuse to raise your voice. If your child is out of control, try whispering. If he unnerves you enough that you raise your voice, he wins again.

5. Refuse to beg, bribe, or nag. Otherwise, your child will think you're weak, and he wins. Praise him when you catch him being good. And give him a chance to win by improving his behavior.

6. Refuse to hit, spank, or threaten. You already know that these methods do not work. Your child sees your attempt to use these methods as weakness (and he wins again).

You need to motivate your child to improve his behavior and win your praise and attention.

You can remote control your child's behavior with a token system, also called a behavior chart.

The secret is to find one that is easy to use. Some are too complicated.

7. Refuse to hold grudges or gripe about the past. It's impossible to change the past, so it's unfair for you to harp on it. If you do, your child is entitled to have a tantrum. (And he wins.)

All you have is the present. What you do right now builds your future, and your child's, so make it count.

You Can Solve This.

Your calmer cooler response will be so surprising that your child will admire and respect your patience and strength of character. Then and only then will he trust you enough to learn from you. You both win.

I invite you to use these methods to transform quickly from reactive parent to surprisingly calm cool and collected parent worthy of attention and respect.

If now is a good time to get your child's attitude and behavior under control, I invite you to use these parenting tips to get started. If you want more tips, I invite you to claim your free report "Seven Simple Ways to Get Your Child to Listen to You!" You can download it when you sign up at http://www.AdhdParentingTips.com It explains the methods I used to transform my son's ADHD/ODD behavior from out-of-control to almost normal in 3 weeks. You also get 3 free videos: "How To Prevent Temper Tantrums." The sooner you start this, the easier it is to help your child. You CAN do this.

From Debra Sale Wendler - Respect Effect Mom and Respect Effect Parenting at http://www.AdhdParentingSuccess.com

Surefire Parenting Tips For ADHD Children

Anyone with an ADHD child can certainly use some helpful parenting tips for ADHD. After all, who wouldn't want to get ideas from others about effective treatments and parenting styles, and to get a glimpse of the effort that other parents exert to ensure that their child is given the best care.

It is a constant effort to take care of a child with ADHD, with the constant need for directions, follow up, and supervision. Some of the parenting tips for ADHD you hear may seem obvious, but sometimes we just need to be reminded.

Life can get busy and hectic and sometimes a step back is in order. It can be disheartening to see lack of improvement in behavior. It can dampen a parent's spirit to see their child struggling with school work, house chores, and other simple activities.

With this list of parenting tips ADHD is sure to be less troublesome for the family.

Tip #1 Keep it short and simple.

Children with ADHD find it hard to follow directions. Instructions need to be kept short, simple, and clear. Long explanations will not work as they have a short attention span.

Tip #2 Do not dislike the child, rather, dislike the disorder.

It is not your child's fault that he has ADHD. He needs your patience and understanding however annoying or irritating he can be. This is not him talking, it is his ADHD. Remember the three symptoms of ADHD, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention.

Tip #3 Keep your hopes up, your expectations reasonable.

Don't give up on your child who has ADHD. He needs you. Focus on his efforts, praise him and hug him every time he does something good and appropriate. Do not focus too much on grades and academic achievement. Accept that he may have limitations but acknowledge his efforts.

Tip #4 Patience is a virtue.

Treatments for ADHD are not miracles. They need time to take effect. Behavioral therapy takes several sessions and even the use of homeopathic medications may take 3-6 weeks before a decrease in ADHD symptoms can be observed.

Tip #5 Nature is still the best cure.

Prescription drugs seem to be the first thing many doctors suggest to parents of kids with ADHD. There are better options available. There are natural treatments available. Treatments like homeopathic remedies. Homeopathic remedies are not only natural and safe, but effective as well.

There you have it. Five parenting tips for ADHD management that I hope can be of use to you and your family. Sometimes, just knowing that someone cares for you can do great wonders.

Shannon Pollock is a health enthusiast who specializes in natural remedies. She has researched and written extensively on ADHD. Discover which ADHD treatments Shannon has found to be the most successful and the safest to use on her website: Natural-Health-Remedies-and-More.com.

How To Take Proper Care of Your Children Suffering From ADHD

ADHD refers to Attention Deficit Disorder, which can be found in many children and adults. It is a kind of deficiency, generally the signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD typically shown before the age of seven. The symptoms of ADHD in children is to forget their home work, difficulty in paying attention in school, at home, or at work, inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It is common in children and teens, so no need to be worried about that. The one thing which needs to be taken proper care is to pay proper attention on your children and support them by being a good parent. Due to ADHD, they face some problems in relationships, learning and behaviour and so the ADHD children are sometimes to be seen as difficult to handle because of their behaviour problem. It is more common in boys than in girls.

Since these children are easily distracted by anyone and cannot be able to grasp the thing timely, they need to be taken proper care and guidance. Parents must have to keep an eye every time on their children by taking proper ADHD parenting tips and try to make them happy by realising that you are always there for them. Try to indulge yourself in playing activities of your children to make them a good friend, which is a different fun and interesting.

Try to spend as much time as you can whether it is about by having meals with them, switch off the TV and do a small conversation session with them. Don't let them realise that they are suffering from some disease by giving the love and affection as a parent does and protect them from bad company. Do not hesitate by taking advice from your children and make them realise that they are a part of the family. In short, parenthood is a gift of god that every parent have to respect and love their children by taking proper care of them.

Ajit is an experienced web marketer who loves educating on subjects like SEO, PPC, Website Marketing, Email Marketing, Internet Marketing Consulting and more. Read more at adhd parenting tips or parenting help.

Parenting ADHD Children - A Must Read

Everywhere I go these days it seems I hear somebody talking about ADHD. Children are being diagnosed and parents are at their wits-end wondering what to do. Thinking that they aren't parenting properly. If I just try harder, more discipline, more love, more...something - I can make it go away, right? WRONG!

It's not that you are a bad parent. In fact you're a great parent because you are here trying to get information to help you help your child! Maybe your child hasn't even been diagnosed yet. They are just having trouble at school and you're looking for some answers. Well, this is a great place to get some.

If I seem passionate about ADHD, it's because I am. I have a son that was diagnosed with it about 9 years ago. He was really struggling and I was really looking for answers.

Parenting ADHD kids can be challenging on a good day! These are some tips I have found helpful in parenting a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is by no means an exhaustive list.


Realize that you are working with a disability. It helps me to take a step back and understand that a lot of the behaviors that my son exhibits are because of the ADHD, not because he is a "bad child" or because I'm a "bad parent". It's not like he "purposely" gobbles his supper, forgetting all the table manners that I teach him everyday. Nor is he trying to annoy me with the constant, endless chatter. That is the way he is, period!
Catch your child doing something good. Praise your child for the smallest things that they do correctly or without being prompted. A kind word, or pat on the back will go along way in helping your child repeat such behaviors.
Always show them love and respect and lead by example. By showing your ADHD child love and respect, they will learn that they can trust you, and in turn show you the same.
Find a support - Be that a good friend that you can vent to, another parent that has an ADHD child, or even a good online parenting support group. There will be days when you want to scream, and pull your hair out. It is so very important to have a strong support system.
Take some time for you. Remember Parenting ADHD kids is challenging on a good day! It is very important for you as the parent of an AD(H)D child to take a break. This could be Dad letting Mom have the night off to go out with a friend. It could be sending your children to Grandma's for a sleepover. It could be setting up a regular respite home that your child goes to for a weekend once each month. However you work it in, remember taking time for you, as a parent is not a bad thing. Having a chance to rest and relax will give you renewed energy, and allow you to give your best to your child.

I'd love to share more information with you on parenting ADHD children. Please do stop by my website, and sign up for my free mini-course "Parenting Happy Children". You can sign up over at my website.

Heather Masson has been a parent and professional child caregiver for over twenty years. Heather is passionate about parenting ADHD children, her son was diagnosed 9 years ago. She loves to help and support other parents in their quest for information. Heather believes information and a strong parenting support community are key to raising happy kids. Visit her website to learn more: Child Behavior Classroom

Three Mistakes Typically Made by Parents of Children Diagnosed With ADHD

As a mental health therapist, I often witness parents making three mistakes when their children are diagnosed with ADHD or ADD. If you are a parent of a child or adolescent diagnosed with ADHD, read on to find out if you are currently making these mistakes, and what alternative approaches to take.

Mistake # 1: Thinking ADHD doesn't really exist and it's all your fault (or that of the "other" parent).

So it has finally come to this, after numerous times in detention, poor grades in school, behavioral problems at home and in school, the proverbial straw which broke the camel's back has finally landed you and your child in the office of a mental health clinician, where the diagnosis has been rendered. You don't believe in ADHD and believe you should implement stricter forms of discipline. In most cases, one parent will blame the disciplinary styles of the other parent for the child's problems.

ADHD is a biological problem, caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters (chemicals used by the brain to control behavior), or an abnormal glucose metabolism in the central nervous system. ADHD is also documented and supported by over 95 years of research. Dismissing a diagnosis of ADHD is a costly mistake for any parent to make, because as your child gets older, so do his responsibilities, along with the natural and logical consequences of not following through on those responsibilities. If his symptoms are not properly addressed, his troubles are going to become much worse and more intolerable.

Mistake # 2: Believing that medication cures ADHD.

Medication works in enabling a child to maintain and exhibit concentration, control and goal-directed effort on tasks, but only for a short period of time. Medication also works to temporarily reduce aggression, disruptive behavior and hyperactivity. It is not a cure. In severe cases, to achieve long-term positive effects from typical ADHD medications, a combination of therapeutic services and medications needs to be implemented. It is a costly mistake when parents place their children on medication but make no fundamental changes in the family structure and dynamics.

Mistake # 3: Believing that there is little that parents, teachers and guardians can do to help address behavioral issues of children with ADHD.

This is another costly mistake which goes hand in hand with mistake # 2. Believing there is little one can do to address the behavioral issues and symptoms associated with ADHD is only going to make the behavior and symptoms worse. It usually leads to an overindulged adolescent, whose behavior routinely inconveniences everyone in the household and shows little empathy towards loved ones.

Alternatives.

The most effective measures I have witnessed and routinely suggested to parents for addressing their children's symptoms are as follows:

Parents need to educate themselves on the latest research relating to the causes of ADHD. The spirit behind this rule is for parents to develop an understanding of what their child is going through, in light of their need to be firm in addressing behavioral problems.

Depending on the severity of symptoms, medications might be recommended. However, whether or not medication is prescribed in the treatment process, parents and their child need to learn cognitive strategies to create the type of consistent, structured environment which children diagnosed with ADHD have been known to thrive in. Notice I underlined "parents"; ADHD or otherwise, as long as a parent is a primary caretaker of a minor, in order to implement change in the child's life, the family milieu has to make significant changes. Once a consistent regimen has been established in the home, parents can then play the role of case managers in discussing with teachers and school authorities what methods are most effective in addressing the needs of their children.

Children with ADHD can be successful in school and can learn to self-manage and engage positively on a consistent basis. Through the services of a mental health therapist, parents can internalize cognitive behavioral strategies, for themselves and their child, to help establish positive consistency in the household.

Ugo is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Life Coach in Arizona. He also owns a private practice, Road 2 Resolutions. For more information about Ugo please visit http://www.road2resolutions.com

ADHD Parenting Tips - Decoding ADHD, Giftedness, and Other Learning Styles in Our Children

I don't know what's worse, expecting everyone to have the same learning patterns and preferences or coming up with labels to sort those of us who do learn differently. I've never really been one for labels, because for better or worse, a label is a label and it comes with expectations.

As someone who was identified as a gifted and talented student years ago, while also fighting the label of ADHD in recent years, I can tell you that there is an awful lot of overlap. One major difference I've seen is that the behaviors are talked about quite differently. A child with ADHD is seen as a behavioral problem and children who are gifted are creative and expressive.

But is there really a difference?

I suppose deep down inside, there really is a difference in these different learning styles. And I suppose that some do create additional challenges and struggles, but as someone who carries the burden as well as having conducted evaluations of children, there is an underlying similarity.

ADD / ADHD

Perhaps the most controversial condition of our time. ADHD is characterized by hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity. At the end of the day, it's more about variable attention.

Non-Verbal Learning Disability

Often abbreviated as NVLD or NLD, this learning style or preference is more about a person who does better with technical subjects. Also well known for children who struggle with social skills, and can be mistaken as ADHD.

Verbal Learning Disability

At it's most basic level, these students tend to struggle with both verbal and written expression. The most popular category here is dyslexia.

Gifted

There does not appear to be an agreed upon definition, but according to the NAGC, gifted individuals show exceptional promise and potential to excel in one or two areas.

Twice Exceptional

This is a term I have only recently heard used in the last year or so. This term refers to gifted individuals who also have learning differences or difficulties in certain areas.

Here's the underlying similarity I hinted at earlier:

Students who excel in one or two areas of life, will often not excel in other areas. That's just the way it is. One professor in graduate school referred to this phenomenon as the "double-edged" sword. In other words, there are great advantages and disadvantages that come with excelling in certain areas.

Of course there is more to each of these learning styles, but I want to emphasize that we are talking about differences here. I want you to focus on building strengths, and leveraging the strengths of other people rather than focusing on weaknesses.

To support your child, I'd like to give you free access to my ADHD Essentials Audio Kit. Download over three hours of valuable content on how you can support a child with ADHD and other learning differences.