The ADD and ADHD Cure: The Natural Way to Treat Hyperactivity and Refocus Your Child

By Jay Gordon, M.D., with Jennifer Chang

Summarized with permission of Wiley (www.wiley.com).
All rights reserved.

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PART II

What Is ADD/ADHD and Does Your Child Really Have It?

Attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) is a condition affecting children and adults that is characterized by problems with attention, impulsivity, and sometimes over-activity.

The problems can become more noticeable at different ages as stress at school becomes greater. Sometimes ADD/ADHD is not recognized until the child is in the fourth grade, when there is more responsibility required.

Most children with ADD/ADHD create disturbances in the classroom. They act out, physically or verbally; are uncooperative; or impulsively strike or kick a classmate.

There are lots of questions parents can ask and a number of behavioral signs to look for when they think their child may have ADD/ADHD. Here are three revealing questions:

• What does the school say about your child? School can be stressful in ways that home is not, so it is relevant to listen to what they say.

• How does your child do at birthday parties? Kids have a lot of sugar at birthday parties, and are then asked to follow directions and be part of the group, which is difficult for kids with ADD/ADHD.

• Who is your child's best friend? Kids with this problem often have trouble making friends. They might make up a name.

If your child's ADD/ADHD or other emotional problem is severe and poses a physical danger to him or her and to other children, prompt and proper administration of drug treatment is, of course, recommended, but it is always with lifestyle changes and the hope of eventually taking your child off of these medications.

PART III

The ADD/ADHD Cure Handbook

A thirty-day commitment to an alternative treatment or even just a ten-day trial is not drastic or radical. It may eliminate the need for medication, or at the very least allow a reduced dose and therefore reduced side effects.

There are four important guidelines.

• No processed sugar - The artificial high followed by a crash can create crazy behavior and is caused by regular doses of refined sugar.

• No artificial flavorings and colorants - Artificial sweeteners, flavorings, and colors have been proven to change behavior, as reported in reputable medical journals. These chemicals resemble neurotransmitters in the brain, and have adverse effect on body and brain function.

• No dairy-based foods.

• No foods containing gluten.

It is estimated that 30 to 35 percent of people have sensitivities to gluten (the major protein in wheat and certain other grains), and an astounding 50 to 80 percent of people have sensitivities to dairy.

Get Your Child Involved

Children are more excited about their diet if they feel that they are actively participating in creating it. Look through recipes together and let them help you cook.

Conditioning Your Kids to Eat Healthy

Getting rid of milk, cheese, junk food, and sweets will make your child protest, but don't be discouraged. Young children and older children are still developing their tastes, and they can change.

• Kids can understand the importance of eating their vegetables if you explain it to them the right way.

• Kids watch what their parents eat, so look at your diet.

• Ease them into it: Keep serving sizes small and the pressure low. Let's keep the explanations few in number, and the enthusiasm at a high level.

• Do not underestimate your child's palate and feel the need to dumb down foods to child level by serving only fish sticks and hot dogs.

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