Has a pediatrician or pre-school teacher suggested that your toddler may have ADHD? Have you noticed unusual behavior by your child that concerns you? Are you wondering what steps to take in order to help your child grow socially and intellectually? Let’s look at some options and facts to help you decide what to do next.
The cause of Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (ADHD) is still a mystery. There are many theories about the etiology of this puzzling disorder, including heredity and brain abnormalities visible on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, but no definitive conclusions exist. Medical science does know that ADHD has no connection to a child’s dietary habits. ADHD is not caused - or cured- by nutrition and diets.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, Version Four, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), the primary symptoms of ADHD include lack of attention, inability to listen and follow directions, forgetfulness, unorganized, impulsive behavior, fidgeting and restless body movements, excessive talking and/or noise making, being constantly “in motion,” and frequent interruption of others. Many parents would say that this describes every two-year-old on the planet! Perhaps there is merit in the “Terrible Twos” theory, and the behavior will eventually resolve itself within a year or two with careful and consistent parenting. However, ADHD is a real, legitimate disorder that does affect both children and adults in some cases; it cannot simply be dismissed as temporary unruliness. The diagnosis is correctly made when it’s clear that the child is socially and intellectually impaired due to these symptoms.
If you suspect your child has ADHD, consult a pediatrician and a child development specialist to confirm the diagnosis. Once diagnosed, you’ll need to examine your choices regarding treatment for your child. Children as young as age two are being medicated with the “traditional” ADHD drugs, Ritalin, Cylert, and Dexedrine. These are powerful stimulant drugs with troublesome side effects such as insomnia, stomach pain, increased blood pressure, sensitivity to sunlight, and irritability. Concerned parents wonder why stimulants are given to children who are already wired and wound-up! Medical research indicates that in children and adults with ADHD, stimulants help the afflicted person to focus and concentrate.
There’s a “new kid on the block” for the treatment of ADHD in children and adults. The new drug Strattera is not a stimulant, thus having none of the stimulant-related side effects. It is rapidly becoming the treatment of choice for ADHD. However, the safety and effectiveness of Strattera with children under age six has not been established. Essentially, you have two options: try your toddler on the traditional stimulant drugs, or your pediatrician can prescribe Strattera “off label” (not FDA approved) and closely monitor your child for adverse effects. A possible third option is to maintain your toddler on a stimulant until he/she reaches age six, and then switch to Strattera.
Many parents these days are choosing yet a fourth option, one that does not require drugs. If you decide not to go with medication to treat ADHD, there are behavioral methods of controlling your child’s disorder and behavior. If your child is severely impaired, both socially and intellectually, this path may be a difficult choice, but keep in mind it is possible. In the end, the choice is yours. Take all of your options into account, know the facts, and then act in the best interests of your child.
Note: The information and materials in this article is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment nor should it be used as a substitute for the care and knowledge that your doctor can provide to you. If there is a disagreement between the information presented herein and what your physician has told you then it is more likely that your physician is correct. He or she has the benefit of knowing you and your medical problems.
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