Oops - I Skipped Over Chapter 2

I don't know how I did it - but it looks like I skipped right over reviewing Chapter 2 for you all. Oops!

I am so glad I caught this, because Chapter 2 has some great content.

Chapter 2:

"Parenting Doesn't Cause ADHD - Genes Do."

Dr. Monastra reviews and dispels some of the major myths around parenting as a cause of ADHD. Well, as you might be wondering - parenting or parenting style does NOT cause ADHD.
Instead, it is our genetics that we pass down which is said to be responsible for ADHD.

Much of the remainder of Chapter 2 is spent talking about the very scientific, technical aspects of what is believed to cause ADHD. There are some interesting points in there - but when you are looking to help your child, this is NOT the part of the chapter that does it. However, I cannot stress enough the importance of digesting this information so you can understand what we believe causes ADHD.

Perhaps the most useful part of Chapter is towards the end, where Dr. Monastra discusses effective treatment. In his opinion (and I agree), effective treatment includes a combination of techniques.

This can include medication (but NOT always), along with therapy, education, social skills classes, parenting classes (to learn strategies to help your child), and the development of a communication channel with school professionals to better assist your child with his or her learning habits or struggles.

Well - that's it. I must say there were some really GREAT strategies mixed with some very powerful content. Just watch out for the technical part, and focus on getting a general idea of how our bodies work and this relationship with ADHD.

In closing, I want to add that this content is reviewed from Dr. Monastra's book, "Parenting Children With ADHD." Like in previous posts, I have pulled out what I have found to be useful and important. However, there could be incredible information that I overlooked which might pertain to your individual situation.

Disclaimer:

That said, I always want to share that I added the part about medication not always being necessary. Remember folks, medication can and does make a difference with many children struggling with ADHD. And - as always, please do not make any changes without first speaking with your treating physician, psychiatrist, therapist, or other direct care professional.

Sugar, Screaming, And Being Kicked Out Of School

Sweet as sugar?

Some clarification might be needed:

This morning I wrote an article about a 3-year old boy whose parents and pre-school teachers were certain their son had ADHD.

He exhibited all the behaviors, and then some. For some time, it was sounding as if the child might be suffering from quite a number of different problems, least of all being ADHD. There was some concern about the child's aggressive behavior towards his peers at school and his own siblings.

This seemed to be a clear cut case of a child struggling with ADHD.

But, as the article continued, it revealed something unexpected.

Dad decided to remove all sugar from his son's diet to see what, if any, impact that might have on his child's behavior.

The shocking outcome was that this little boy who was once terrorizing his siblings and peers at school (and even his parents at home), was now behaving like a totally different child.

The story here:

When speaking with this father, I grilled him about what events in his life or his son's life could be impacting and influencing his behavior.

The moral:

I do not necessarily believe all the hype about sugar and having a better diet or better lifestyle to supposedly "cure" ADHD or other related disorders.

In fact, I don't know what I believe about that. I personally follow the literature that says ADHD is biologically based and that ADHD should be treated by medication.

At the same time, I do firmly advocate that you should consider the bigger picture before making the leap that someone has ADHD.

What this means for you:

• You are tired
• You are frustrated
• You are stressed out
• You have no time for yourself
• Life is running wild
• You want to be free

These are all possibilities for you.

All I ask, or rather suggest, is that you find a peer, colleague, or professional who can help you step aside from what is going on and driving you crazy...

So that you can evaluate the situation and see what else might be contributing to or the cause behind what might appear to be ADHD.