Help For The Hyperactive Child – Four Action Points For Parents

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.