How to treat attention deficit disorder in children

Most people have come across a child who suffers from attention deficit disorder (ADD), with many children being diagnosed much earlier than before. Thankfully, there are now plenty of effective treatments available to help to cure ADD in children. Read on to learn how to treat ADD in children.

How to treat children with attention deficit disorder

Attention deficit disorder (usually abbreviated to ADD) is a form of developmental disorder which is believed to affect between three to five percent of children around the world. The disorder is recognised as chronic, meaning that up to a half of those diagnosed in childhood will continue to have the condition during adulthood. ADD treatment for children ADD is a condition which is usually diagnosed before the child reaches the age of seven. The types of treatment used to help those suffering from the disorder may include behaviour modification, medication and changes to lifestyle. Much research has shown that when a child with ADD or ADHD has a healthier, balanced diet, it can make a profound difference to their quality of life. While medications for ADD and ADHD kids, such as the stimulant Ritalin, have had much bad press in the past, it must not be overlooked that medications can play a significant role in managing the condition.

The symptoms of attention deficit disorder

How do you know if your child may be suffering symptoms associated with either ADD or ADHD? The first step is to understand the key symptoms exhibited in suffferers. What are the symptoms of ADD? Symptoms associated with ADD will typically involve a lack of being able to focus, inattentiveness, lack of patience and avoidance. However, since inattentiveness is a very common issue with many youngsters,it is important to be aware that some children may appear to exhibit symptoms without actually having ADD. This is why, it can be difficult to diagnose, especially when children are in large class sizes and the teacher has difficulty in keeping an eye on all the pupils. One explanation for ADD symptoms is that children suffering from the developmental disorder may be affected by a lack of dopamine in the brain. In contrast, adults suffering from schizophrenia have been recognised as having too high a level of dopamine.