Do you have a preschool-aged (or older) child who has ADHD or ADD? Many times parents are encouraged to medicate their children to help alleviate the symptoms that cause problems both at school and home. If this is something you've been dealing with, you may be at your wits end and willing to try just about anything to help your child handle their symptoms and relieve stress from their lives.
One of the most prescribed drugs for ADHS and ADD is Ritalin. Doctors are now even prescribing it for preschoolers; even though it has not been approved for children under the age of six. Studies have shown that the side effects of Ritalin are sometimes so great that parents have to stop treating their children with the drug. These side effects include a slowing of growth, weight gain, as well as insomnia.
The thing is, without the drug, many parents are at a loss as to what to do to help their children. There are alternatives however. One common alternative is changing the child's diet to eliminate additives such as artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners. Another alternative is to go through behavior training. This training gives the parents and children tips and tools to help them all function better together.
A third option is to enroll your child in martial arts. Many people overlook this option because they automatically think that the last thing a child with ADHD should be taught us "fighting skills." But, that is a myth about martial arts training.
Martial arts training actually focuses more on respect, concentration and focus and control through mastering the movements than on fighting. Children who suffer from ADHD often exhibit symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. When children train a martial art, they learn to have high levels of physical control, which come from a lot of practice, and a lot of self-discipline - achieved through mind and body control. Once children are able to control their body during training, they'll soon figure out how to control their impulses. Additionally, the concentration used during training will eventually carry over to the rest of their lives. This crossover alleviates the inattentive symptoms of ADD and hyper-activity.
At the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts we know that martial arts training truly does improve the lives of children and families struggling with ADHD. Many of our young students were brought to us by parents desperate to help their children who suffer from ADD or ADHD. I am proud to say that after training, even for a short period of time, these students experience drastic improvements. Even their school teachers report improved focus, concentration and performance in school.
The martial arts aren't about fighting - they are about learning to control the mind and body. No one can benefit from this more than a child suffering from the symptoms of ADD or ADHD.
