University:
Borough of Manhattan Community College
Course:
PSY 100 | Introduction to Psychology
Academic year:

2021
Views:

77

Pages:

3
Author:

Z. Hayward

Can ADHD be prevented from childhood? How to Reduce the Risk of ADHD in Children Even though you cannot completely prevent ADHD, there are several things you can do during pregnancy to reduce the possibility of ADHD occurring in your child at birth, including: 1. Taking supplements for pregnant women Folic acid supplements are a type of vitamin that is important for mothers to consume during pregnancy. Folic acid plays a role in preventing defects in children at birth. During pregnancy, mothers can consume 600 mcg of folic acid with special supplements for pregnant women. 2. Avoid smoking and alcohol Everyone should avoid excessive use of cigarettes and alcohol, especially pregnant women. Cigarettes and alcohol can inhibit the growth of a baby's brain while it is still in the fetal stage. 3. Maintain food consumption Apart from supplements, mothers can also get folic acid from daily food. Types of food that contain folic acid are asparagus, avocado, bananas, broccoli, citrus fruit, eggs, green leafy vegetables and nuts. Treatment for Children with ADHD from Childhood If the child is still diagnosed with this condition even though the mother has taken precautions during pregnancy, the mother does not need to worry. Here are some things parents can do to deal with their child's ADHD: 1. Maintain children's food consumption and diet Nutrition has an important role in children's growth and the formation of the ability to learn, retain information and remember. Therefore, it is important to ensure that children have a healthy and balanced diet. The food that children consume can also influence hyperactive behavior and focus. Consuming large amounts of sugar or unhealthy processed foods can increase a child's energy and encourage impulsive behavior. 2. Establish a structured routine Children who have had ADHD since childhood will carry out daily activities more easily if they have a structured routine. Parents can discuss the daily schedule with their children, so they know what they have to do. After agreeing, try to follow the routine. This can train children's abilities to complete certain activities. 3. Conduct behavior management exercises Many health experts believe that there are training techniques that can help the behavior of children with ADHD. The main technique that is usually used is to use positive reinforcement so that children are encouraged to repeat good behavior. Praise from parents can also encourage this exercise to be more effective. This behavior management technique will be very useful in the future so that children can carry out their obligations smoothly, such as doing homework or attending classes at school. For further information, parents can also find out about Psychological Therapy for Treating Children with ADHD. 4. Administering medication Doctors can also recommend several types of medicines that are safe for children. For people with ADHD, there are two types of medicines that children can take, namely psychostimulants and non-stimulants. Psychostimulant drugs can help balance hormones in the brain so that children can focus better. Meanwhile, non-stimulant drugs can reduce ADHD symptoms and are usually used together with psychostimulant drugs.