Is my child struggling, or is he/she just young?

It's not often that we view children in the same grade at school to be different ages. We usually think that if they are in the same grade they must be the same age. That's not always the case. I think it’s something to think about, especially if your child struggles to pay attention. Are they really struggling or are they younger than their peers? I have had several patients tell me that their child is having a hard time paying attention, isn't retaining what they are learning or are having a hard time focusing.

It is important to know how your brain works and what influences your ability to focus, concentrate and learn. The type and quantity of food and beverage you consume, the amount of sleep you get, the quantity of exercise and stress management you practice ALL contribute to the ability to learn. I found an interesting article that I wanted to share from ScienceDaily from a few weeks ago.
ScienceDaily (Aug. 17, 2010) — Nearly 1 million children in the United States are potentially misdiagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (commonly referred to as ADHD) simply because they are the youngest -- and most immature -- in their kindergarten class, according to new research by a Michigan State University economist.

These children are significantly more likely than their older classmates to be prescribed behavior-modifying stimulants such as Ritalin, said Todd Elder, whose study will appear in a forthcoming issue of the Journal of Health Economics. Such inappropriate treatment is particularly worrisome because of the unknown impacts of long-term stimulant use on children's health, Elder said . It also wastes an estimated $320 million-$500 million a year on unnecessary medication -- some $80 million-$90 million of it paid by Medicaid, stated Elder.

According to Dr. Daniel Amen, some learning difficulty may be from distractibility, hormone imbalance, impulsivity, or even from sensory integration difficulties. Dr. Amen states that there are 6 different types of ADD and each type responds differently to different interventions.

If you or your child is suffering with this please know that Brimhall Wellness Center offers therapies that many of our children patients are using to enhance their learning, memory retention and assisting those with ADD. If this is something you have been wondering about, please call our office so we can help you take the first step in the right direction.

- Dr. Brett Brimhall, DC