Girls Struggle with ADD and ADHD

Because most girls with ADD or ADHD aren’t diagnosed, they struggle throughout school with their class work and their self-esteem. Girls are better able to hide their inattention and disorganization better than boys, so their aren’t diagnosed with ADD as often as boys.

Sometimes girls with ADD are misdiagnosed as having depression because they become quiet and withdrawn as their grades slide and they begin to see themselves as stupid. Girls are often told to just try harder and are relieved when they find out they have a real problem. Read more about girls and ADD from the Columbus Dispatch.

Neurofeedback Used to Treat ADHD

Instead of giving their children pills, some parents are trying neurofeedback by using video games that teach the brain to focus and concentrate. Neurofeedback sessions are like weight training – the user has to develop stamina and consistency before they see results. After several months of regular neurofeedback sessions, some children are able to discontinue their medication. Read more online.

Exercise Helps Kids With ADHD

Doctors are currently studying a variety of non-medical treatments for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, including the effects of exercise. Studies show that exercise increases levels of two key brain chemicals that help people focus; children with ADHD often struggle with being able to focus and concentrate. Researchers say if kids could get enough exercise, they might not need medications at all. Some even say that the rise of ADHD in kids might be directly related to the sedentary lifestyles of today’s children. Learn more about helping children with ADHD from USA Today.

Tonsillectomy May Help Alleviate ADHD

In the April issue of Pediatrics, a study shows that half of children diagnosed with ADHD before having their tonsils removed no longer showed signs of the disorder one year later. The study, conducted by a team from the University of Michigan Health System, studied the link between children’s sleep-related breathing problems and daytime behavioral problems. While the researches cautioned that tonsillectomy is not a cure for ADHD, the findings support the idea that sleep-disordered breathing helps cause behavioral problems in children. Parents should have their children evaluated for sleep problems and a tonsillectomy if their child snores regularly and had problems at home or school. Learn more online.