The number of children labeled hyperactive or learning disabled has reached epidemic proportions. These children with non-compliant behaviour have no obvious cause of disease to be found by physical examination or laboratory tests. The quick response to the problem is usually a behaviour modifying drug called Ritalin.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) are closely linked. It is most common these days to refer to ADD with hyperactivity or without hyperactivity. Symptoms can include temper tantrums, impatience, absentmindedness, learning disabilities, failure in school despite average or above average intelligence, tendency to disrupt other children and an inability to sit still for any length of time.

Parents seeking solutions for their child's disruptive and inattentive behaviour may be encouraged to medicate their children before other options have been explored. In some parts of the US teachers are being given the power to demand medical intervention for children who are disruptive. However, who is the medication really helping, the teacher or the child? While it is true that dealing with a child with this disorder can be very difficult, is drugging the child the answer? Ritalin is a class two drug, defined as a controlled substance and categorised with cocaine and methadone. Ritalin has many possible side effects including nervousness, insomnia, unhealthy weight loss, stunted growth, stomach aches, skin rashes, headaches and hallucinations. Dosages of Ritalin may need to be increased as tolerance builds. Ritalin should never be stopped suddenly as severe depression and other serious side effects may result. Causes of ADD and ADHD can include nutritional deficiencies, toxicity, food allergies, hypoglycemia, excessive sugar intake, an unstable home life and prescription drugs. In many cases ADD and ADHD can be eliminated by dealing with the cause rather than prescribing drugs to deal with the symptoms.

Food additives should be eliminated as much as possible. Benjamin Feingold, M.D., has shown that hyperactivity in children is related to food colourings.

Many children with short attention spans and learning disabilities improved on a diet without food colourings. Also avoid foods containing preservatives such as BHA and BHT and MSG. BHA and BHT are used in packaged and bottled foods that contain fats, such as shortening and vegetable oils. Cereals and crackers commonly contain them.

Red meats which contain nitrites and sodas which contain phosphorus should be avoided. Visit your health food stores and you'll even find that the grocery stores are carrying more healthy alternatives due to consumer demand. The diet should be high in vegetable proteins and whole grains, with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. Junk and fast foods should be avoided. Include tryptophan rich foods such as turkey, fish, wheat germ, yogurt and eggs.

Here are some natural supplements that can help.

Essential Fatty Acids- A major must! Found in high concentration in the brain, EFA's aid transmission of nerve impulses and are needed for normal brain functioning. They are also referred to as Omega-3's or Omega-6's. Flax meal and borage oil are the best sources for children. Borage oil may be taken in a capsule and flax meal which has a pleasant nutty flavour, may be sprinkled on salads, soups and cereal.

Minerals- Everyone can benefit from taking minerals. They must be taken in an easily absorbed form such as the colloidal or chelated kind. The food today has considerably less minerals than that of the past.

Magnesium- Clinically low levels of magnesium in blood plasma are associated with hyperactivity and inattention in children. Mildred Seelig, executive Director of the American College of Nutrition estimates that eighty to ninety percent of children are magnesium deficient.

Pycnogenol or Grape seed extract-Dramatic results have been reported by parents using these supplements for ADHD.

B Complex Vitamins- Needed for correct function of the nervous system. Herbs such as ginkgo for concentration or valerian and melissa for calming may also be very helpful.

ADD sufferers normally have average or above average intelligence, and may be superbly gifted. Albert Einstein, Henry Ford and Thomas Edison all did poorly in school. Einstein was expelled. These people may not have done well in school or conformed to our standards of behaviour yet each of them made great contributions to the world.