Re: hyperactivity - Amy

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy,

Two of my 4 kids are diagnosed ADHD, and I totally understand what you are

going through! People used to make comments on how " active " my kids were,

and a few rudely asked if I ever thought about a good spanking.

A few dietary changes that worked for me were lowing their sugar intake,

keeping sugar and artificial dyes to an absolutely minimum, eliminating MSG,

and testing for allergies. Believe it or not, allergies can cause

hyper-activity symptoms!

One of the things that I've found, is that ADD or ADHD kids just don't have

that " stop-gap " that allows them to think through what they are doing. Most

kids can look ahead, and remember the consequences of their actions. I don't

think that hyperactive kids can, and it takes them longer to learn to stop

whatever it is they're doing wrong.

A few behavioral things that might help. Having a more rigid routine, if

things are the same every day, it makes it easier for the kids to anticipate

what is coming. Schedule quiet activities into your day such as coloring,

working on letters and numbers, reading a book, to help them calm down. As

much outside, running time as possible. (thank goodness the warmer months

are coming) Use a shopping cart at the store, even if you're only going in

for one thing, and take a small finger-activity toy when you have a longer

shopping trip planned, things like a travel-sized magna doodle or a 5x8 pad

of paper and a pen. Have him copy the letters on the box items you pick out

or draw a picture of how the aisles look, anything that might interest him.

I hope this helps some. If you have any other questions, or just need to

talk, feel free to email me at pcpets @adelphia.net (no space of course!

LOL) I remember feeling like I must be doing something wrong, because my 2

just couldn't behave no matter what I did. It does get better as they get

older!

Take care,

Pat