Introduction
Are you worried about your child being on medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? Have you considered alternative treatment methods for your child? This article will explore alternative treatment methods for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children. Additional ways to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder include sleep and exercise.
Sleep
Getting enough sleep is important for anyone. However, for someone with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder it is especially important. On an even further note, it is especially important for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to get enough sleep. To be specific, when children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder do not get enough sleep, they can become tired, anxious, and restless. This is a bad combination. According to webmd.com, the following can be stated about getting enough sleep for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder:
Getting enough shut-eye can be a game-changer for kids with ADHD. Research shows that just an extra half-hour of sleep can help with restlessness and impulsivity.
“A lot of kids with ADHD also have sleep disorders, and each condition makes the other one worse,” says Mark Stein, PhD, an ADHD specialist at the Seattle Children’s Hospital.
While some doctors recommend sleep aids such as melatonin, you should start by practicing good sleep habits:
- Have a consistent bedtime, even on the weekend.
- Keep the bedroom cool and dark.
- Create a soothing winding-down ritual.
Exercise
In addition to getting sleep for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, another way for children to improve their symptoms associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder without medication is to exercise. According to webmd.com, the following can be stated about exercise as a treatment for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder:
Make sure your child has plenty of opportunities to run and play (at appropriate times). Some recent studies found that after about 30 minutes of exercise, kids with ADHD can focus and organize their thoughts better.
Conclusion
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder medication can have many negative side effects. Nobody wants to experience these side effects. This is especially true for children. Therefore, to conclude, this article has provided readers with alternative treatments besides medication for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. These alternative treatment methods for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder include getting enough sleep at night time, in addition to getting enough exercise during the day light hours. Having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder does not have to be a burden for children. Use these strategies to improve their lives.
Photo by Victor Semionov 