| Do you know what an 'alphabet kid' is? Well, they are | | | | overexposure to electronic media before bedtime |
| becoming fashionable as children are diagnosed with | | | | whether they have ADHD or not. With an array of |
| more and more disorders, such as ADHD, ODD, SD, | | | | electronic devices in the bedroom such as mobile |
| ASD so hence the term 'alphabet kid'. ODD stands for | | | | phones, computers and TVs, it has been shown that |
| Oppositional Defiant disorder, SD for Sleeping Disorder | | | | the bright screens keep children alert (the bright |
| while ASD stands for Autistic Spectrum Disorder. | | | | light tricks the brain into thinking it is daytime). |
| These are the so-called co-morbid disorders so | | | | Children who do not get enough sleep get into a |
| parents end up being confused as they face a task of | | | | hyperactive state the next day and also have learning |
| parenting a child with ADHD and maybe a few other | | | | difficulties. Also, up to 20% of children who have |
| disorders thrown in. Up to some time ago it was | | | | ADHD are going to have problems with insomnia. |
| thought that Asperger's and ADHD would very rarely | | | | Whatever the reason for the sleep problems, parents |
| overlap. The Journal of Autism and Developmental | | | | will do well to establish a bedtime routine and reduce |
| disorders has found that about 50% of autistic children | | | | exposure media long before it is time for bed. This is |
| show symptoms of hyperactivity. | | | | another thing to bear in mind when parenting a child |
| Here are three points to help with ADHD and parenting | | | | with ADHD. |
| :- | | | | 3. A recent book published , called 'The Metabolic |
| 1. Getting ADHD diagnosed is the first hurdle in | | | | Effects of Psychotropic Drugs' points the finger at |
| parenting a child with ADHD. Make sure that it is | | | | these ADHD drugs which are basically |
| diagnosed by a specialist and that means a pediatrician | | | | psychostimulants but their side effects can be long |
| with ADHD experience or a clinical psychologist. Most | | | | lasting and troublesome, eg. they can cause weight |
| doctors are not specialized in ADHD so most | | | | gain and diabetes (Type 2). Antidepressants |
| overdiagnosis occurs here. The psychologist is much | | | | prescribed for children can be equally damaging. The |
| more likely to give an accurate diagnosis. Consultations | | | | third thing to bear in mind when parenting a child with |
| with a psychologist can be quite expensive so a much | | | | ADHD is the need to assess carefully all the risks of |
| cheaper option is to seek out a Licensed Professional | | | | ADHD medication and parents should consider |
| Counselor (LPC). The difference is that these | | | | alternatives. |
| counsellors are at a Master's level while the clinical | | | | ADHD and parenting will be a challenge. One |
| psychologists usually has a doctorate in his | | | | alternative is to consider carefully an ADHD |
| specialisation. | | | | homeopathic remedy which will reduce symptoms of |
| 2. An expert at the Sleep Research Centre at | | | | ADHD, has no side effects and is safe for children. |
| Loughborough University in the UK is convinced that | | | | The link below will answer any doubts you may have. |
| most of children's sleeping problems are due to | | | | |