Holistic Treatment of ADD/ADHD :: Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

Holistic Treatment of ADD/ADHD Dear Mrs. Smith: I’m writing this letter to you because I am concerned about your daughter. Jane is often staring out the window and runs to it to get a closer look at the â€Å"cool† animal or insect. She often yells out the answer or â€Å"butts† in front of the other students because she can’t wait her turn like the other students. The hardest thing I’m dealing with is that Jane is constantly talking out-loud, fidgeting with her toys, and also she never sits still. I am concerned about her and I would like to have a conference with you to discuss having Jane tested for attention-deficit disorder or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. This may not be the case, but I would just like to figure out why she is falling behind the other students. Please feel free to call me anytime to set up this appointment my number is 555-1234. Thank you, Mrs. Johnson October 20, 2000 This letter represents the type sent by teachers to many parents about children who are thought to have ADD/ADHD. Attention-deficit disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, most commonly known as ADD and ADHD, are neurobiological disorders that are most common among children; however, they are not unheard of in adults. An internet article entitled â€Å"Understanding and Identifying Children with ADHD: First Steps to Effective Intervention† put out by the US Department of Education cites several different causes of ADHD â€Å"such as pregnancy and birth, illness, lead poisoning, injury and prenatal drug exposure.† Children who have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD have trouble paying attention, are often hyperactive, and act on impulse. Although drug treatment is the most common antidote to ADD/ADHD, a combination of diet, behavior intervention and medication is the best antidote for ADD/ADHD. Diet, although often overlooked, is extremely effective in combating or lessening the effects of ADD/ADHD. James B. Lavalle discussed the problem of a person having poor nutrition as a possible cause of ADD/ADHD in his article â€Å"Emotional, Nutritional Issues Offer Treatment Insight† that was published in Drug Store News. He writes, â€Å"It seems plausible that several nutrient depletions and food intake issues can be linked to possible causes of ADD and ADHD.† Because of a link between poor nutrition and ADD, there can be a reversal by integrating proper nutrition to a person with ADD/ADHD. This addition can, with a combination of behavior interventions and medication, help stop the signs of ADD/ADHD.