Attention deficit disorder is a common disorder in children and its symptoms are inattention and hyperactivity. These symptoms are usually present before the age of seven and cause improper child behavior. All parents should know the signs and symptoms of this disease.
Causes of Attention Deficit Disorder
1. Nutrition and food
Lots of food material contains food additives and sugar and many studies have proven that food additives is a big cause of attention deficit disorder. It has been found that sugar is the primary cause of attention deficit disorder and omega three fatty acid is also linked to attention deficit disorder.
2. Heredity
This disorder is also hereditary. There are lots of genes which cause attention deficit disorder and they can be transferred from their mother to baby or from one generation to other.
3. Smoking or using drugs during pregnancy
Women who smokes or drink during pregnancy are at an increased risk of having children with this disease.
4. Brain injury
Brain injury may be one of the cause of attention deficit disorder. Attention deficit disorder can also result from physical injuries, either before or after birth. Many experts say that head injuries can cause attention deficit disorder.
Signs and Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder
1. Makeing careless or silly mistakes in doing some work or while playing any game.
2. Inability to give attention when someone is speaking with them.
3. Difficulty in remembering details or entire events.
4. The child faces problems in organizing and planning something like projects and school homework.
5. He gets bored while doing any task, game or activity before it’s completed.
6. He or she always loses or misplaces books, toys, or other items.
7. The child forgets routine activities.
8. He/she talks excessively.
9. He/she exhibits impulsive behavior.
Evaluation and Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder
There is not any simple method to diagnose Attention Deficit Disorder since symptoms are common among 5-7 year old children. So it is little bit difficult to tell whetjer your child is suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder or not. The American Psychiatric Association defines some criteria for the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder:
1. Symptoms must be present in more than one sitting, school and home.
2. Symptoms must be seen for at least 7 months.
3. Symptoms must appear before the age of 7 years.
4. Symptoms impair behavior in society and family.
Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder
1. The best treatment for attention deficit disorder is meditation. Spend only 10 minutes in morning or evening with your children to do meditation, it can save your child from this disease.
2. Don’t use toxic chemicals and drugs during pregnancy.
3. Psychotherapy is the next arm of treatment. To overcome this disease it is always advisable to consult a psychotherapist or to do psychotherapy regularly.
4. Pay attention to your children’s diet, it should not contain omega 3 and large amounts of sugar. Food should also be additives free.