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Parenting – Not One Of The Causes Of ADD

By Tess Thompson

Even though a large proportion of children in the United States suffer from symptoms of ADD, scientists and doctors have yet to come up with conclusive causes for ADD. There was a time when people blamed parents for a child that exhibited signs of ADD since it was considered that the cause for ADD was poor upbringing. But further research has proven that the causes for ADD are more likely to be biological ones and are not related to parenting and rearing.

Another cause of symptoms that required child adhd treatment was thought to be a minor brain trauma due to a small accident or difficulties during birth. This is why ADD was often referred to as minimal brain damage or dysfunction. But extensive research has proved that this could explain only a few cases and many children that required ADD treatment had no history of a traumatic birth or even minor accidents.

The theory that is being propounded these days is that ADD is probably caused due to biological reasons. It has been seen through PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scanning that certain parts of the brain among children suffering from ADD are reduced by about ten percent. These parts that control attention use less glucose and are therefore less active.

Some people believe that ADD is caused due to lapses in nutrition, especially in the area of refined sugar and food additives. This much debated theory remains controversial since regulated diets helped alleviate symptoms in only about 5% of the children, a large proportion of which suffered from food allergies to begin with.

Another theory being tested out is whether exposure to cigarette smoke, crack cocaine and other such substances before birth can be blamed as causes of ADD. Heredity seems to be the only one aspect that has been established as an uncontroversial factor since it has been seen that 91 percent of the times both identical twins.

Even though the causes of ADD have not been established, it is clear now that parenting and upbringing are not the culprits. This removes a heavy burden from the parents who earlier felt guilty and confused about their role in their child’s condition. Now, with better information, the parents can concentrate on seeking relevant treatments for their kids. These could include herbal remedy for ADD , regulated diet treatment, exercise and therapy.