| Do you have a preschool-aged (or older) child who | | | | A third option is to enroll your child in martial arts. |
| has ADHD or ADD? Many times, parents are | | | | Many people overlook this option because they |
| encouraged to medicate their children to help alleviate | | | | automatically think that the last thing they want to |
| the symptoms that can be causing them to have | | | | teach a child with ADHD is "fighting skills" but that is a |
| problems both at school and at home. If this is | | | | myth about martial arts training. |
| something you've been dealing with for a while, you | | | | Children who suffer from ADHD often exhibit |
| may be at your wits end and willing to try just about | | | | symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and |
| anything to help your child handle his or her | | | | impulsivity. Martial arts training actually focuses more |
| symptoms and to relieve stress from their lives. | | | | on respect, concentration and focus and control |
| One of the most prescribed drugs is Ritalin. Doctors | | | | through mastering the movements than on fighting. |
| are even now prescribing it for preschoolers even | | | | When children train a martial art, they learn that they |
| though it has not been approved for children under | | | | need to have high levels of physical control which |
| the age of six. Studies have shown that the side | | | | come from a lot of practice and a lot of self-discipline |
| effects of Ritalin are sometimes so great that | | | | achieved through mind and body control. Once |
| parents stop treating their children with the drug. | | | | children are able to control their body during training, |
| These symptoms include a slowing of growth and | | | | they'll soon figure out how to control their impulses. |
| weight gain as well as insomnia. | | | | Additionally, the concentration used during training will |
| The thing is, without the drug, many parents are at a | | | | eventually carry over to the rest of their lives to |
| loss as to what to do to help their children. There are | | | | alleviate the inattention symptoms of ADHD as well. |
| alternatives however. Some of the most common | | | | To your health, |
| are changing the child's diet to eliminate additives such | | | | Robert Jones |
| as artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners. Another | | | | Master Instructor |
| alternative is to go through behavior training to give | | | | The Academy of Kempo Martial Arts |
| the parents and children tips and tools to help them | | | | Bellevue, WA. |
| all function better together. | | | | |