ADHD is a condition that makes people always active. They are not able to sit for a long time; or concentrate on a single task or activity till it ends. It is a disorder most associated with children. But the consequences can be there even in adulthood if it is not well managed. No one is very sure as to whether ADHD can be prevented. However, there are certain things that can be done to at least avert the onset of symptoms. Some of these are discussed below.
Proper prenatal care
It is believed that improper prenatal care leads to ADHD. Therefore pregnant women should endeavor to take care of their unborn babies. This is done by living a healthy life during pregnancy. The pregnant woman should eat a balanced diet and avoid dangerous eating habits. Alcohol and tobacco are two things that lead to the development of this disorder in children. It has been found out that women who smoked and drank alcohol during pregnancy had children with ADHD. Therefore to prevent your child from getting this disorder quit smoking and drinking alcohol when you are pregnant.
Diet
You must make sure that your child takes a balanced diet. This is training in good eating habits so that they can continue when they grow up. No proof has come out yet that sugar intake will cause ADHD. But there are experts who believe that eating less or no sugar may reduce hyperactivity. This is because sugar enters the blood stream directly and very quickly. This may lead to the production of excess adrenaline which will cause the child to want to be active. Foods that make children overactive should be removed from their diet in order to prevent hyperactivity.
Structured routine
This is good training for all children. They grow up from that to become well organized with very clear expectations. When this is done, even children who are already diagnosed with ADHD will benefit greatly. Therefore parents should establish routines for their children as o when to wake up, eat, play, do homework, watch TV, etc. Once these habits are inculcated in the child, even if they have this disorder, the symptoms might be controlled or even eliminated.
Behavior management
There are experts who believe that behavior management can be used to prevent ADHD. They recommend therefore that parents take the first step in this direction by creating a positive parent-child relationship. This should be based on the child’s desire to please his/her parents. That calls for parents spending quality time with their children. At this time you should allow the child to choose what s/he wants to do and you should allow them do it without much intervention from you. Praise and other positive reinforcement methods should be used to encourage the child to focus on what they do. Parents should not expect too much from their children as this may make them lose focus.
Attention building skills
These are activities that make young children focus on one thing at a time. They include games, puzzles, and building with blocks. Others are reading to your children and telling them stories. It is strongly believed that attention building skills lead to children becoming more attentive.