Why French Kids Don't Have ADHD...
In light of a few recent threads on behavior problems, I thought I'd share an interesting article I read yesterday!
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...dont-have-adhd Have a great weekend everybody!!! happyface |
Originally Posted by MN Mom: |
interesting but I do not believe it... ds learned to self soothe at an early age. I really think the increased amount has to do with chemicals in our food and environment. the type of wheat we have compared with theirs ours is a higher gluten grain that makes fluffy bread.
And even look at the preschools there more hands on up and move. I doubt they ever do worksheets with preschoolers or kindergarteners. |
Originally Posted by itlw8: |
I agree that the environment and parenting styles should be looked at first before a child is medicated, but it's important not to forget that even parents with excellent parenting skills sometimes have kids who have ADHD, and it can't always be "blame the parent." In the past, people used to blame mothers for being cruel and distant and said that it caused autism. That's such a painful thing to feel, and parents with kids with special needs already have some guilt on them (even though they shouldn't).
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since it is known ADHD is genetic how many French families in the US have children with ADHD it could be they do not carry the gene anyway
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The thing is if there are parenting skills and environment problems the meds won't fis the problem. The meds are a stimulant and ONLY calm and help people concentrate that have ADHD for other people it works as a stimulant .
give a normal child caffeine it hypes them up give a child with ADHD caffeine and it will actually calm them down. |
Originally Posted by itlw8: |
Originally Posted by MN Mom: |
Originally Posted by itlw8: |
Maybe the French are more tolerant of the natural energy of boys. They feed and exercise them in a way that manages the boys' energy?
I find it hard to believe that all of these (mostly) boys on ADHD meds really need it. Recent statistics state 1 in 5 American school age boys are now medicated. Of course some people REALLY NEED the ADHD help. But 1 in 5? |
Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons: He was put on meds (which was an extremely diff choice for me- ) and caught up- he is now in high school and a solid 80's student! Imagine with out those meds he would have been in a special school!!! Those meds allowed him to be fully who he is! And even at 15 you can surely tell the days he forgot his medication! People who don't live it don't know- and IMO articles like this just put more of a stigma on parents choosing to treat or not. |
Originally Posted by Unregistered: |
Very interesting article. I think you all realize that ADD and ADHD is over diagnosed here in the States. There are some children that will benefit from medication but I feel way too many are on it.
To the person that mentioned lack of sleep - you have a good point. My son that was diagnosed with it is a major sleeper. When he was a baby he slept 16 hours a day. In Kindergarten he came home and took a nap and to this day he does not do well if he doesn't have enough sleep. (he is in his early 20's) Caffeine does nothing for him but make him irritable but I am glad to see they touched on the dietary topic. I hope that everyone that has their child on meds ruled out dietary issues first. My son still avoids peanut products as he knows it exacerbates his symptoms and makes him extremely cranky like he hasn't slept all night. I am now watching food items again with my 2nd son because he sleep walks. Overtiredness is #1 cause but we are seeing a connection with red food dye as well. |
On the sleeping thing - My ADHD son has a really hard time sleeping. It takes him several hours to settle down at night and he gets up really early. I definitely think there's a link there.
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Originally Posted by AfterSchoolMom: Then they out her in a medication that helps her rest (fall asleep quicker).. And she's been on it for 7 years now. Is a miracle worker. |
Thank you for sharing. That is a very interesting article.
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Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons: I am just glad I had a Dr I trusted- I didn't see any change with my son based on diet. He used to sleep a ton as a baby and needed it! Now he takes melatonin to help him sleep on the nights he needs it- it isn't every night anymore:) |
I think it's pretty accurate.
And it's not just the French, the comparison is largely the same in regards to the rest of the world as well. Kids here struggle with a variety of "diagnoses" that are completely inflicted by poor parenting. Not all, but I'd say for a majority that's absolutely the root cause. |
I dare any of you with perfect children to go tell the parent of a child with ADHD or autism or failure to thrive, LD ODD any of the alphabet soup out there......... there is nothing wrong with your child it is just poor parenting.
In my opinion many of those parents are 10x better parents than those with perfect children because of all they have to learn and deal with when they have a child that is not perfect. As far as diet do you know how hard it is to remove ALL gluten dairy and dyes for the chance in a million it might help ?? Heck how many time do I hear someone here say I would NEVER take a child with food allergies. Living with someone with ADHD is hard just ask my DIL heck I was glad ds grew up she has him for life. :hug: |
Originally Posted by itlw8: |
Originally Posted by itlw8: Amen!!!happyface It is so frustrating and offensive to hear- but then I forgive- because I know it comes from ignorance!! |
Originally Posted by itlw8: My husband has it for sure - I have tendencies.. you have to laugh together about it - our typical one liner is.. "Ooh a shiny penny!" :lol: |
Originally Posted by Kaddidle Care: |
Originally Posted by Kaddidle Care: too funny We always said OOHHHH a tv for ds... I swear they magically popped on if he walked by and you would find him standing there with his hand on the cabinet an hour later.... but yet concentrate on anything else no way..... |
Originally Posted by Kaddidle Care: Originally Posted by Solandia: Ours is, "Squirrel!" :p BTW, Solandia, I can't even read that without hearing it in my head as James Woods, lol. |
My opinion is that alot of ADHD symptoms can be alienated with a change in diet and exercise. Not all....there are some children that need medication but I feel these kids are much fewer and farther between than we see right now in society.
My dd is being effectively treated with a very strict whole food diet, ALOT of exercise (mostly playing outside) and a strict schedule and routine. This doesn't work for everyone but for her issues we saw night and day differences within 4 days of detoxing her system. I can tell instantly if she's eaten something she shouldn't now even if she lies about it. She literally goes from happy and reasonable to shrieky and wild. The pitch of her voice even changes. It amazes me that "food" can be so powerful even if very small amounts. |
Years ago I read a book called Allergies and the Hyperactive Child. I truly believe that in many cases food and environmental allergies contribute to many of the issues facing our children today. Some people say that good amounts of animal fat is needed to keep our brains healthy and now that we have started going low fat on all our dairies it is changing the way the brain functions.
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Originally Posted by Meyou: I wish all parents would explore the effects processed foods have on their family. |
Originally Posted by canadiancare: |
Originally Posted by Willow: |
Originally Posted by Willow: |
Originally Posted by canadiancare: Genius!!!!! My only concern is, once the damage has been done, can it be reversed? And I understand the genetic propensity, but wouldn't it make sense in our "melting pot" of a country that the problem be far less concentrated and not more?? Drives me nuts when people turn to that as an explanation when the opposite should be true. Because of the diversity this country has to offer the genetic component should have less of an impact, other countries should be suffering far more if that argument was all there was to it. |
I've always done full fat everything yoghurt, sour cream, butter not margarine, homo milk etc. my 3 kids are grown/teens now and excel in school, can focus etc. I also don't use any diet products (full sugars over aspartame)
I have had countless teachers say "if I had 30 of your child my day would so easy" I wish I had known this possible connection before. |
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