The first action point to plan
some practical help for the hyperactive child is to make sure
that their breakfast is not overloaded with sugar and
carbohydrates (eg. cereals). All you have to do is make sure
that there is some protein in the meal (scrambled or poached
eggs on toast is fine). Researchers at the George Washington
University School of Medicine, Washington, DC found that the
hyperactive kids on high carbohydrate breakfast had difficulties
with tests given to them a few hours afterward. When they were
on the protein meal, they did much better. Apparently the
carbohydrates increase serotonin levels which interfere with
some chemical messengers in the brain which affects their
concentration, attention and restlessness.
The second way to organize help
for the hyperactive child is to make sure that the learning
environment at school is taking into account his special needs.
That means having a word with the teacher and even observing the
class if the teacher agrees. You can find out if there is a
behaviour plan and all the kids are signed up to it. Better
still, if they been involved in drawing it up. You could also
make sure that your child is quite near the teacher and is not
near a window or door which can be very distracting. Some
schools are now using stability balls instead of chairs. These
are great in allowing kids some squirming room but at the same
time they have to focus, otherwise they fall off ! This also
helps them in the actual schoolroom tasks such as concentrating
and focusing. What withdrawal of privileges are there if a child
oversteps the mark?
One of the most alarming things
you read about in ADHD blogs about help for the hyperactive
child is the fact that 's/he is not growing' ! There are a host
of other symptoms as well such as tremors, nail biting and
aggression towards other children. That is one of the side
effects of ADHD medication with psychostimulants, unfortunately.
It is also only the tip of the iceberg. Even more alarming is
the fact that the follow up studies done by the drug companies
on long term effects of these drugs cover a two year period. Two
years - yet Ritalin has been on the market for 40 years !
The third way of helping a
hyperactive child is to find out more about these ADHD
medications and what are the possible risks. Good websites are
the ADHD blogs, forums and of course the FDA site itself which
is finally waking up and will probably issue very soon the black
box warnings about the dangerous side effects. You will read
about sudden deaths, strokes and cardiac arrest here so you have
been warned.
The fourth point of action in
helping a hyperactive child is to find out what exactly ADHD
alternative therapies have to offer. What exactly are the
ingredients and are they effective? You may want to find out if
there are any side effects and are they in any way addictive,
like the
ADHD medications. Once you have done your homework, you can
them make an informed choice about what is really best for your
child.
