ADHD for Children
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a group of behavioural symptoms that include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Symptoms of ADHD tend to be noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child's circumstances change, such as when they start school. Most cases are diagnosed when children are 6 to 12 years old.
The symptoms of ADHD usually improve with age, but many adults who are diagnosed with the condition at a young age continue to experience problems. People with ADHD may also have additional problems, such as sleep and anxiety disorders.
The symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be categorised into two types of behavioural problems.
These categories are:
- inattentiveness
- hyperactivity and impulsiveness
Most people with ADHD have problems that fall into both these categories, but this isn't always the case.
For example, some people with the condition may have problems with inattentiveness, but not with hyperactivity or impulsiveness. This form of ADHD is also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD). ADD can sometimes go unnoticed because the symptoms may be less obvious.
Symptoms in children and teenagers
The symptoms of ADHD in children and teenagers are well defined, and they're usually noticeable before the age of six. They occur in more than one situation, such as at home and at school. The main signs of each behavioural problem are detailed below.
1. Inattentiveness
The main signs of inattentiveness are:
- having a short attention span and being easily distracted
- making careless mistakes – for example, in schoolwork
- appearing forgetful or losing things
- being unable to stick at tasks that are tedious or time-consuming
- appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions
- constantly changing activity or task
- having difficulty organising tasks
2. Hyperactivity and impulsiveness
The main signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness are:
- being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
- constantly fidgeting
- being unable to concentrate on tasks
- excessive physical movement
- excessive talking
- being unable to wait their turn
- acting without thinking
- interrupting conversations
- little or no sense of danger
These symptoms can cause significant problems in a child's life, such as underachievement at school, poor social interaction with other children and adults, and problems with discipline. Related conditions in children and teenagers Although not always the case, some children may also have signs of other problems or conditions alongside ADHD, such as:
- anxiety disorder – which causes your child to worry and be nervous much of the time; it may also cause physical symptoms, such as a rapid heartbeat, sweating and dizziness
- oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) – this is defined by negative and disruptive behaviour, particularly towards authority figures, such as parents and teachers
- conduct disorder – this often involves a tendency towards highly antisocial behaviour, such as stealing, fighting, vandalism and harming people or animals
- depression
- sleep problems – finding it difficult to get to sleep at night, and having irregular sleeping patterns
- autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) – this affects social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour
- epilepsy – a condition that affects the brain and causes repeated fits or seizures
- Tourette’s syndrome – a condition of the nervous system, characterised by a combination of involuntary noises and movements called tics
- learning difficulties – such as dyslexia
Looking after a child with ADHD can be challenging, but it's important to remember that they can't help their behaviour.
Some issues that may arise in day-to-day life include:
- getting your child to sleep at night
- getting ready for school on time
- listening to and carrying out instructions
- being organised
- social occasions
- shopping
ADHD treatment and assessment: Treatment starts at home with Anti ADHD Diet
As a parent, you have a huge influence over your child’s treatment. Evidence shows that eating a specially formulated anti ADHD diet such as those formulated by Dr. Daniel Amen, and practiced by Dr. Edward Chan, Principal Consultant Child Psychologist and accredited Amen Clinics practitioner can help your child manage the symptoms of ADHD. That means your child can begin treatment for ADHD today—at home.
ADHD Assessments: ADHD Laboratory Diagnostic tests
ADHD treatment needs to be based on accurate ADHD assessments which not only cover the psychological assessments but also ADHD laboratory diagnostic tests. As J. McCandles, author of "Children with Starving Brains" reported, Anti ADHD Nutritional Supplements need to be tailored to Your child's brain's needs based on ADHD laboratory diagnostic tests as offered at the International Psychology Centre such as gene tests, neurotransmitters tests, heavy metal toxicity tests, gut dysfunction stool tests that identify the nutrients lacking in your child's brain due to a variety of reasons including genetic, wrong diet, and environmental toxins.
ADHD Treatment: ADHD Behavioural Therapy
ADHD behavioural therapy which includes learning better social, emotional and communications skills are all part of a balanced treatment plan that can improve Your Child's performance at school, improve Your Child’s relationships with others, and decrease stress and frustration. ADHD treatment is more effective when the child is properly addressed by professional psychologists who are ADHD experts so that effective treatments are formulated based on the assessment that address emotional, behavioral and nutritional issues of ADHD which medications cannot address
PsychoNutritional Therapy available at Optimum Well-Being Laboratories™ includes:
Heavy Metal Detoxification
With an ever-growing levels of toxic metals in the environment and the widespread mineral deficiencies resulting from this our lifestyles and poor dietary habit there is an increasing need for detoxification. High levels of mercury, aluminum, cadmium and lead are known to cause ADHD Disorder in children. Heavy metal detoxification with nutritional therapy can be done safely to rid of the dangerous and toxic heavy metals in your child’s brain so that can cure your child’s ADHD disorder.
Nutritional Therapy for Delayed & Immediate Food Allergies / Intolerance (IGE / IGG4)
Food intolerances are often difficult to detect and can be an important factor in both acute and chronic physical as well as psychological health. Food allergies/intolerances are linked to the onset of ADHD disorders. This therapy helps your child to overcome specific food and environmental intolerances/allergies.
AA/EPA//DHA Therapy
AA/EPA/DHA balance is critical to maintain good ability to cure your child’s ADHD disorder.
Neurotransmitters Therapy
This therapy allows us to correct your child’s brain neurotransmitters imbalances and deficiencies which are linked to ADHD.
Leaky Gut Therapy
Poor digestion, leaky gut, malabsorption & toxin absorptions contribute to various cognitive and learning issues such as attention, hyperactivity, discipline behaviour, learning, concentration, mood and stress. This therapy allows us to heal ‘Leaky Gut Syndrome’, which is a condition whereby the lining of the digestive tract becomes damaged and the contents of the gut can be too easily absorbed, allowing large food particles, bacterial products and toxins absorbed by the gut, initiating a series of gastrointestinal problems which leads to brain related disorders such as ADHD.
EpiGenetic therapy
This therapy enables detoxification and antioxidant processes problem from genetic causes to be corrected so that normal and healthy brain functions are restored, hence curing ADHD.
Hormonal Therapy
Imbalance & deficiency in hormone can be inborn or environmentally causedand give rinse to ADHD. This therapy corrects these imbalances and deficiencies so that normal and healthy emotions and behaviours are restored and curing ADHD.