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pathways to parenting
adhd
in young kids young kids have energy. lots of it. most four and five-year-olds have trouble sitting still and following directions. their eyes wander. they touch everything. their little legs bounce up and down all day. so, how do you know if that hyperactivity and inattention are normal or are possible signs of add or
adhd
? and if diagnosed, what is the best way to work with the child? dr. dawn
vick
of the pediatric clinic advises to bring your child to your local pediatrician for a full physical if you are concerned about a possible
diagnosis
. symptoms may be related more to a physical problem like ?anemia, being underweight, not getting enough sleep, or a learning disability,? according to dr.
vick
. she says that she likes to rule out all of the physical possibilities first before diagnosing a young child with add or
adhd
. if an add/
adhd
diagnosis
is necessary, dr.
vick
is an advocate for behavioral modification before prescribing medicine. she explains, ?
adhd
is a multifactorial
diagnosis
. i teach my patients and their parents to focus on making educational environments as well as home environments more structured with minimal distractions. we have to retrain their brains to learn how to manage their
diagnosis
with self- control and self-discipline.? if problems persist after the behavioral modification, then dr.
vick
will consider prescribing medicine, but she tries to avoid it for children under seven. she also suggests hobbies like martial arts and swimming to help children learn self-discipline and exert positive energy. september 2016 | brparents.com 17
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