Every child has his or her moments, but when there is persistent behavior, such as the inability to focus, concentrate, or pay attention, irresistible impulsiveness, or hyperactivity, then your child may have attention deficit or behavior disorders. In the attention realm, it may be difficult to focus on one particular task, unless it is something they really enjoy. Homework may be a real challenge, even just getting it into the school bag. These are usually bright kids, but organizing and completing tasks can be too overwhelming to even start. Their impulse may be to act or say something inappropriate before thinking. They have a very difficult time grasping consequences and waiting their turn. Activity-wise, they are on the go and want to touch everything and anything. This is appropriate for a toddler but not for older children. With a 4:1 ratio of males to females, ADD or ADHD is present in 3-5% of elementary and preschool-age children.
Often, children will present with something else, such as an ear infection, visual problems, nutrition problems, food sensitivities or even twitching. Teachers frequently suggest an evaluation for attention or behavior disorders. The standard of care is medication, which may or may not help take the edge off some of the behavior. This approach is usually a trial and error process since each child reacts so differently. It is difficult to say which medication might actually work. There are four main types of medication used: stimulant drugs, which can be short or long-acting; alpha agonists; antidepressants; and non-stimulants. They all work on different neurotransmitters or on receptors and their actions. Behavioral and educational intervention is usually part of the plan and can be very helpful if they are offering real tools for connecting with the child.
Behavior Disorders: Common Causes
It is crucial to rule out some of the more common causes of attention and behavior disorders. Vision or hearing problems are at the top of the list. If the child cannot or hear or see properly, the coping style may look like a behavioral disorder. Food intolerances are another common cause and can be easily evaluated by a food intolerance panel. This is different that an allergy panel. Learning disabilities can also cause behavioral changes. A social change, abuse, or a traumatic experience can also manifest in this way. As unique as we are, some children manifest stress physically, while others express it behaviorally. For instance, there is a seizure disorder that looks like inattentiveness. Thyroid dysfunction or a nutrition deficiency can cause both hyperactivity and inattentiveness. Medications that a child may be on for another condition can cause side effects that can include hyperactivity or such. There are also a number of neurological disorders or nutrient deficiencies that can irritate the nerves and cause behavioral issues.
Finding the underlying cause can go a long way in finding answers for children who may have trouble with attention, impulsive behavior, or hyperactivity. Behavior disorders, I find, are often a sign of not feeling well, but little bodies may still be learning how to express what their bodies are experiencing. It is even more challenging to express when they have always felt unwell. It is not unusual for parents or kids not to realize that there is pain until I examine their backs, knees, or bellies. One such child had a smoldering infection in her belly. We were able to resolve many behavior issues within a month by focusing on treating the infection. Another child in my practice was still responding to a shock to his little system years before. Homeopathy did wonders for this child. Naturopathic medicine is very powerful when it comes to attention deficit disorders in both adults and children. Have your child evaluated in our office to find a healthy, natural way to heal that lasts! Contact us today.
