Weekly
Healthy Advice From VÄXA
ADDress Your Child's
Chances for School and Lifetime Success!
In last week's health
tip, we met Abby and her son Charlie. Abby had just realized
that Charlie was following her own pattern of attention difficulties.
The doctor told her that Charlie may have an Attention Deficit
Disorder - ADD. He also exhibits a Learning Disability (LD)
that he can't describe to anyone (LD encompasses challenges
like dyslexia, slow speech, difficulty with numbers, etc).
Abby was assured that, just as the learning disability is
tangible and addressable, ADD and ADHD are very real physiological
deficiencies where the Brain and Central Nervous System arenÂ’t
communicating properly. Charlie isn't just being a "bad
child".
But Abby isn't sure if she wants to start Charlie on prescription
medication. There are only 2 or 3 weeks to go before school
starts. What can Abby do?
Unlocking doors to communication, knowledge and encouragement
Relying on one course of action isn't necessary when there
are so many avenues open. Here are some tips we've put together
from a variety of expert resources:
- It's very important that families
with ADD, ADHD and LD challenges have open lines of communication,
especially at this time of year when kids must face the
doors to the classroom and parents can't be with them.
- Include your special child in conversations
about avenues selected to decrease their discomfort
and anxiety, be it dietary changes or the need for
natural or prescription medication. Plan an activity
they enjoy. Do dry runs of schedules to ease "first
day jitters".
- Talk to your child's school, and
know their education rights. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 guarantees services that are designed
to meet the individual needs of qualified students
to the same extent that the needs of other students
are met - i.e., to give the ADD, ADHD and LD child
the same devotion and chances as others get through
services that may help them adapt.
- Check for allergies or sensitivities
to things like milk and white flour, sugar and chocolate.
Be aware that, although certain foods may aggravate symptoms
of ADD and ADHD, dietary changes alone will probably not
be the only necessary solution.
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