ADHD drugs have increasingly become a quick fix for many children who exhibit aggressive and/or hyperactive behavior. For those parents who may not be aware, it is in the early stages of growth that a child�s brain is constantly changing throughout their development.
What you also may not know is that physical and emotional trauma can create behaviors that are in line with a diagnosis of ADHD. Even something as simple and seemingly everyday as yelling and screaming in front of your children (whether in the womb during pregnancy or after birth) can have a negative impact on your children. Distractibility, excessive talking, the inability to stay on task, excessive negative moods, and aggression all lead back to issues with physical and/or emotional trauma. These are some signs that may signal you that something may be wrong emotionally with your child.
It�s also important to note that hyperactivity can be caused by over crowded classrooms. For example, in childcare centers, the rule of thumb for retaining some order is six to eight children per teacher. It is much more difficult to expect positive behaviors when the ratio is closer to 18-30 children per adult assistant and the teacher is overwhelmed. In situations such as this, parents must spend a tremendous amount of time with their children at home in order to make up for the chaos in a classroom environment.
You will also want to be aware of some triggers that can cause symptoms that are thought to indicate ADHD including diets full of sugar and caffeine, boredom due to a high IQ, hearing challenges, learning related visual/ perceptual challenges, visual/ motor challenges, ineffective parental communication, negative classroom experience with a teacher and/or peers, and a sensitivity to food additives.
And while it has become increasingly popular to prescribe ADHD drugs, I caution you to double check the side effects of any medication that is prescribed by your doctor. This way you are familiar with what you might expect if you decide to go the route of prescription medication. As does most medication, many ADHD drugs have a long list of side effects that can impact your children�s mind and body.
I cannot stress enough that the investment you make in your children's health will have infinite benefits for you and your family for the rest of your lives. Please keep the above information in mind when discussing medication with your primary care physician or MD.