Causes of ADD / ADHD

According to the Mayo Clinic, more and more scientists are agreeing that changes in the brain may be a biggest cause of ADD / ADHD. They also agree that the environment may contribute to or worsen behavior.

Scientists have discovered some important differences in the brains of people with ADHD as compared to those without the disorder. They found that the brain chemicals called neurotransmitters don't work properly in people with ADHD. Also, there seems to be less activity in the areas of the brain that control activity and attention in people with ADHD. They also discovered that children with ADHD have up to 4 percent smaller brain volumes than do children without ADHD.

Most of us already know that ADHD tends to run in families. About 25 percent of children with ADHD have at least one relative with the disorder.

Women who smoke while pregnant have a higher risk of that particular baby having ADHD. Drug and alcohol abuse during pregnancy is suspected to reduce activity of the nerve cells that make neurotransmitters. Pregnant women who are exposed to the chemical, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), is also more likely to have children with symptoms of ADHD.

Preschool children exposed to lead and PCB's are at increased risk of developmental and behavioral problems. Exposure to lead, which is found mainly in the paint and pipes of older buildings, has been linked to disruptive and even violent behavior and to a short attention span. The paint can flake and eventually become tiny pieces, mixed in with the playground soil.

THE FEINGOLD DIET for ADHD

The Feingold Diet is not a cure-all or stand-alone answer but it can help, perhaps combined with testing for food allergies, arranging a success-oriented environment and /or ADHD medications.

It's the artificial ingredients and chemicals that you should avoid. Here is a list of items to avoid in your food, medicine, toothpaste and drinks.

The Feingold Program eliminates these additives:
Artificial (synthetic) coloring
Artificial (synthetic) flavoring
Aspartame (Nutrasweet, an artificial sweetener)
Artificial (synthetic) preservatives BHA, BHT, TBHQ

A word about sugar:
Sugar is not necessarily to be omitted from your diet. Cane sugar is the best type tolerated by children. Most people also handle beet sugar pretty well. If you see a sugar that doesn't say what kind it is, assume it is beet sugar. Some folks don't handle corn syrup very well because it contains high levels of sulfite (an additive used in production). It's hard to go without sugar if you like to eat desserts, so try cane sugar as your first "add back in" item after a month of cleansing. If it causes a problem, detox a month and then try beet sugar.

For cooking for the family at home, it's easiest to put everyone on the diet. (unless you don't mind being a waitress and taking multiple orders). This also keeps the the ADHD person from feeling different or ostracized.

Start out the Feingold diet by elimating everything on the no-no list completely for a month or two. It's a back-to-basics way of eating. Buy fresh or frozen fruits and veggies. Cook your own unprocessed meats. If possible, stay this way for life - it's healthier for you anyway. If you feel the need to eat something that you've been avoiding, try it (and nothing else from the list) after the detox period for one month and see if there's any change.

Post a list in your kitchen of what fruits, veggies and meats the family likes. You can slowly add to the list any avoided items after a successful 1 month trial. Use this list as your shopping list and meal planner.

Good Luck!

WHAT THE SCHOOL & TEACHER CAN DO...

Seat the child in a quiet area with few distractions, preferably up front and close to the teacher. Avoid open doors and windows where children on the playground might be distracting.

Providing an area where the child can move around to release excess energy.

Scheduling difficult subjects in the morning.

Mixing classroom lectures with brief periods of physical activity, such as washing the blackboard or going to the bathroom.

Keeping assignments brief.

Allowing the child to participate often. Ask the child questions, even if their hand isn't raised. Ask the child to help out writing something on the board, handing out papers, collecting papers. This gives the child a break from their chair as well as makes them feel more a part of the class.

Giving the child extra time to answer questions or complete tests and other assignments.

Providing the student with a simple outline and notes for lectures.

Providing practice tests or quizzes to do at home.

Allowing the student to use a calculator.

Preparing the student for transitions or changes in routines, such as field trips or changes from one activity to another. Give the 5-minute warning that things are about to end or change.

Encouraging the student to check in with the case manager regularly.

Giving immediate feedback and rewards for desired behavior or for achievement.

Making sure homework assignments are clear and that the student has all the materials needed.

Providing an extra set of books to keep at home.

.