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- $Unique_ID{BRK00142}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{How Can You Treat a Hyperactive Child?}
- $Subject{child hyperactive treatment Mental Emotional Condition Conditions
- Hyperactivity attention behavior behaviors attention impulsiveness sugar
- children kid kids care active activity}
- $Volume{S-23}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- How Can You Treat a Hyperactive Child?
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- QUESTION: I am confused by lots of well meaning but contradictory advice.
- Please help. How can you treat a hyperactive child?
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- ANSWER: Hyperactivity is a disorder associated with an inability to sustain
- attention, and effective treatment of the hyperactive child usually entails a
- combination of behavior modification techniques and medication.
- Stimulant drugs are frequently helpful in managing short attention span,
- impulsiveness, and disruptive behavior. These medications, which work for
- only a few hours at a time, can be used during the day to improve your child's
- behavior in the classroom--but they have not been shown to improve academic
- performance. These drugs are not recommended for children under the age of
- six.
- You and your child's teachers can learn behavior modification techniques
- to correct negative interactions that often develop when coping with
- hyperactive children. Training your child in self-control techniques can also
- be useful.
- In some cases, it's a good idea for the child to be in special education
- classes where specially trained teachers work with smaller numbers of
- children.
- Sometimes the hyperactive child's behavior problems are severe enough to
- warrant residential psychiatric treatment for several months or even a year or
- two.
- Sound scientific studies do not support dietary treatments, such as
- removing sugar from the child's food, or such therapies as sensory integration
- training.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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