Help a Child With Attention Deficit Disorder Without Using Drugs

ADD and ADHD are two of the most commonly diagnosed disorders in children. Gone are the days of "boys will be boys." Busy lifestyles and increased demands outside the home have led to less and less time to focus on your children. Teachers, TV and video games have somewhat taken over the parenting role in many homes in this day and age. Along with these external forces has come a deficiency in patience. This has caused an increase in a rush to diagnosis of attention deficit disorder and a quick supply of drugs that helps both the child and the parent. If you are concerned about the side effects and the risks associated with ADD drugs and your child, there are some alternatives. With a little research you can help a child with attention deficit disorder without using drugs and by focusing on nutrition and exercise.

Steps

 * 1) Visit your family physician and ask about a possible iron deficiency in your child. A 2004 study found that 84 percent of kids with ADHD had a deficiency in iron as opposed to 18 percent of kids who did not have ADHD. Further research supports increasing iron in your child's diet may help with ADHD symptoms. You should increase iron with diet, not with supplementation. Lean red meats should do the trick.  [[Image:Help a Child With Attention Deficit Disorder Without Using Drugs Step 1.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 2) Get your kid off the couch and get him into some exercise. Although most people exercise to lose weight and be healthier, plenty of studies support the theory that exercise stimulates the brain and increases the executive functions. It is also suggested that exercise makes kids less impulsive which helps them to learn better, which in turn also helps them to work harder at learning and give up less often; they do not accept failure as readily. This is important in children with ADD and ADHD.  [[Image:Help a Child With Attention Deficit Disorder Without Using Drugs Step 2.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 3) Play games with your kids. Freeze tag is both good for learning as well as burning (off energy). Have your kid make a funny face or pose, and then yell "Freeze!" and he has to hold the pose however it was, for at least 10 seconds. This is a fun way to teach your kid how to learn how to concentrate. Working a jigsaw puzzle together is also a great way to spend some quality one on one time with your child as well as getting him to learn how to sit still and focus. You can challenge him to races to get him interested if puzzles just aren't his thing.  [[Image:Help a Child With Attention Deficit Disorder Without Using Drugs Step 3.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 4) Avoid giving your child foods that contain artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Although few studies support this theory, it is just plain good advice for healthy eating. It is quite obvious that the closer you can get to a food in its natural state is going to be much better and healthier for you than those that are processed into an unrecognizable state. There are studies out there, however, that support the theory that these artificial ingredients have a measurable negative effect on higher learning centers in the brain.  [[Image:Help a Child With Attention Deficit Disorder Without Using Drugs Step 4.jpg|center|550px]]

Warnings

 * Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children younger than 6 years. Keep iron supplements out of reach of children. If overdose does occur, seek immediate medical attention or call a poison control center.

Related wikiHows

 * How to Focus with ADHD