ADHD Treatment Option

Many parents feel guilty about the lack of progress that their kids are making. This is usually based on a few assumptions, some of which are false. Let us take the first one. According to Science Daily, research definitely shows that it is NOT the parents who are the cause in the first instance of their child's ADHD. While there is a genetic connection, this is certainly not the main cause nor indeed is watching TV nor the home environment. In other words, it seems that if a parent or a close relative if a child already has ADHD, there is a chance of this being passed on. However researchers have not yet identified the offending gene or genes and there are at least 150 candidates!
As to the real cause, it seems to be the result of a biological disorder with a genetic element . These were the main conclusions published recently in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

One professor at Indiana University called Michael Ruff has a rather controversial view of the main cause of ADHD. He says that it is the direct result of our rather frenetic lifestyle. Childhood now is totally different from what it was thirty or forty year ago. Kids now are in a world of fast moving cartoons, instant messaging, watch too much TV, seldom play real games and almost never sit down and read a book.

According to Ruff, this 'epidemic of modernity' is to blame for some of the cases of ADHD although he is not prepared to say just what the percentage is. He also claims that parents are fully occupied in trying to make enough money to survive in a very harsh economic climate. This makes it very difficult to choose an ADHD treatment option which involves spending prime time with their kids. There is no shortcut to this one.

What About The Parents ?
So, if the parents are not really the cause, apart from the genetic connection which they are powerless to control, what is the role they can play in order to ensure that their children have the best chance by simply learning how to cope in social, academic and home settings.
Whether a child carries ADHD into adulthood will depend a lot on how he is helped now and will be a determining factor in helping him to deal with situations in adult life such as :-
relationships,
driving,
working and meeting deadlines,
social relationships with colleagues.

We know that certain ADHD treatment options may come and go but ONE ways of helping kids to manage this disorder is by making sure that parents are actively involved in parenting! We can forget all about the guilt and start to take action now. It is through this sort of intervention , also known as behavior therapy which has given the best and most consistent results over time. All the major parenting and medical authorities are agreed that the best way forward. In practice behavior therapy means simply that parents are doing some or all of the following :-
1. They have designed an ADHD friendly home which helps their kids navigate it rather than sinking into chaos. That covers routines, structures and reminders in various forms.
2. Their children know what the limits of bad behavior are and what will not be tolerated. they will face the consequences if they do not.
3. But positive parenting will mostly reward good behavior which is praised, talked about often and highly valued
4. TV, electronic gaming and Internet are all limited. Too much TV is discouraged as research now shows that kids have trouble paying attention and focusing after watching a frenetic cartoon show like 'Spongebox Square Pants".
5. Mealtimes are for talking not for watching TV
6. With younger kids, TV is not used as a babysitter and more time is spent on coloring, playing games and reading to them or encouraging them to read on their own.

I know parents who are much more relaxed now that they are on the right path. Instead of lurching from one row to another or imposing punishments such as grounding and exhausting themselves from screaming and yelling, they are beginning to enjoy parenting again.
With behavior therapy or simply more effective parenting skills, they are now in line with what child psychologists and most medical authorities recommend. They can use this as just one part of an ADHD treatment option which will include diet, medication and better organisation in the home.
In the long term, they will soon see results with children learning self control, being less impulsive and even being able to manage deadlines and get through homework. This will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.