Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – known better by its acronym, ADHD – affects an estimate of over 50 million people, and is common in children. Characterized by impulsivity, difficulty paying attention, and excessive restless activity, ADHD can be difficult on children and parents. But the good news is that, through therapy, diet and medicine, it can be managed.

But many parents here in Ajax are sceptical of medicine prescribed for ADHD, either of its side effects or its overall efficacy, and that’s why they look to natural medicine as either a replacement or supplement to their child’s traditional ADHD medicine. Using non-invasive, non-toxic treatments natural medicine helps a child with ADHD gain better focus, control impulsivity and become calmer.

The first step, as with anything, is to do some research, and learn about the benefits of seeing a naturopath for your child’s ADHD. Finding a Naturopath here in Ajax will take some looking, but the ones that are here are wonderfully helpful, offering an array of naturopathic services, like botanical medicine, vitamin supplements, homeopathy and acupuncture. A Naturopathic Doctor will treat your child personally – that is, they will resist an easy, catch-all approach and instead delve into the specifics of what might be underlying your child’s ADHD.

This focus on the big picture belies a more preventative approach, one that seeks not just to remedy symptoms, but get to the root of what’s causing those symptoms. It’s the kind of personal approach that, unfortunately, is missing in much of mainstream medicine, which is another reason parents should consider supplementing their child’s traditional medicine with naturopathic treatment as well.

There is solid evidence that diet plays a major role in ADHD symptoms, so one of the first things that a Naturopathic Doctor is likely to do is create a diet for your child. This might include a focus on overall nutrition, or supplemental vitamins and minerals, or it might entail eliminating certain things from your child’s diet. There have studies done that indicate rolling back simple carbs and introducing more omega-3 fatty acids – found in nuts and olive oil, and also in fish and fish oil supplements – help treat ADHD symptoms. There is also good evidence that food additives (such as these nine) and artificial colour are linked with hyperactivity, so a Naturopathic Doctor might suggest eliminating those from your child’s diet.

Of course, ADHD symptoms can vary greatly between people, and you shouldn’t take as gospel anything you read on the internet; you need to look into seeing a naturopath about your child’s specific form of ADHD to properly treat it with natural medicine. According to this study, from BMC psychiatry, a significant number of children overcome or partially overcome symptoms of ADHD as they grow older, and it’s with the help of a number of approaches. If you are treating your child’s ADHD with conventional medicine, it might be time to think about supplementing those efforts with naturopathic medicine. Visit a Naturopathic Doctor here in Ajax to learn more.

Visiting the dentist can be a daunting experience, especially for children. Here are a few ways on how to make your kids feel more comfortable when visiting the dentist.

What to Expect

If your child has never been to the dentist, they will have no idea on what to expect for their appointment. Taking the time to explain to your child where they are going, why they are going and what time the appointment is can help your child feel more in control and get a better understanding and what is going to happen. The more information your child has, the more confident they will feel when going for their dental appointment.

Be Honest

If your child needs dental work, it is important to be honest and explain to your child the type of treatment they will need. Choosing the right words can have a significant impact on how your child reacts, so make sure you describe the process in an easy to digest and non-threatening manner, so your child can feel at ease and fully understand why they must get treatment.

The Good Points

For your child to place trust in the dentist, make sure that you speak positively about them. Projecting dentists in a positive light can help your child do the same and help eliminate any fears or worries that they might have. Letting your child know the importance of dentists and how they are the good guys in maintaining healthy teeth can be incredibly beneficial and ensure that the experience runs as smoothly as possible. If you are interested in going into the dental profession, websites like best-dentalassistantschools.com can give you more clarification on the skills and requirements needed to join.

Make It Fun

Going into an unfamiliar environment can cause distress to your child, so make sure to describe all the good points of the dentist. Some dental practices have children’s toys and games in the waiting room so make sure to let your child know so they can have something to look forward to. Also, having a fun dentist can help your child enjoy the overall experience.

Being Present

The most important way on helping your child feel safe and secure in the dental room is by being with them. Your presence can have a massive difference in how your child reacts at the dentist so make sure to be on hand and stay calm to help your child feel more relaxed. The experience can be incredibly stressful so being there to help reassure and give your child the guidance they need can help improve the overall experience.

If you would like more information on how to make you kids feel more comfortable when visiting the dentist, it can be beneficial to ring up your dental practice and let them know your worries and concerns, so they are able to act in the right manner when your child has their appointment. There are also online forums where parents can engage with one another to get a better understanding and to ensure your child has a pleasant dental experience.

7 Steps to Potty Training Success

Potty training your toddler can seem like a daunting task, but with patience and perseverance you can help your child reach this key milestone.

Learning how to use the potty is a key milestone in your child’s life, but starting potty training can seem a little bit daunting. We’ve put together some tips to help guide you through the process, and with some perseverance and patience, you’ll soon have your child leaving nappies behind.

Know the signs

There are no hard and fast rules about when you should begin potty training. The majority of parents start between the ages of two and two and a half, but some children are ready much earlier while others may take a little longer to get to this stage.

There are however some key signs to watch out for. These include your child:

• recognising when they’re passing urine and possibly telling you that they’re doing it;
• knowing when they have a wet or dirty nappy;
• showing signs that they need to pee, such as going to a quiet corner or fidgeting;
• going to the toilet only once an hour or less frequently;
• knowing that they need to pee and telling you in advance;
• being able to follow instructions and sit on the potty or toilet.

The more of these signs your child displays, the quicker and easier potty training is likely to be. You should also try to avoid potty training during times of disruption or changes to routine, as consistency is the key to success.

Be prepared

Before beginning potty training it’s important to be prepared, and there are a number of key tools that will help to make the process easier.

A potty is of course essential – it helps to have one in your main room and in your bathroom, as well as a portable one for when you’re out and about. Purchasing a step stool to help your child reach the sink and, eventually, the toilet, is also a useful purchase.

Disposable ‘pull-up’ potty training nappies can come in really handy, particularly in the early days of potty training. However, these should just be a transitionary step, so also involve your child in buying some ‘big girl ‘or ‘big boy’ pants to help the potty training process seem special and exciting.

Do the groundwork

It’s important to lay the groundwork and get your child used to the idea before you begin potty training. In the run up to potty training, start changing your child’s nappy in the bathroom so that they get used to it as a place where people go to the toilet. As you change their nappy, explain what you’re doing and why so that they start to understand the meaning of a wet or dirty nappy.

It’s also a good idea to leave a potty where your child can see it and, if they’re happy to, encouraging them to sit on it for a minute or two when you change their nappy. Make sure you explain what the potty is for so they don’t just think it’s a fun new toy!

Getting started

The best way to start potty training is to make sitting on the potty a natural part of everyday life for your little one, so it’s important to keep a potty within easy reach. When your child shows signs of needing to wee, encourage them to use the potty, as well as encouraging them to sit on the potty after meals. If you know your child regularly goes to the toilet at the same time each day, try leaving their nappy off and suggesting they go on the potty – but don’t push it if they seem upset by the idea.

One useful tip is to dress your toddler in clothes that are quick and easy to change, avoiding items such as tights or clothes with lots of fiddly buttons. Some parents prefer to start potty training in the summer when children naturally wear fewer clothes.

Make it fun

A lot of children need some encouragement to start using the potty, so making the process fun can help to give them that extra incentive. For example, you could stack a few toys or books next to the potty so that they have something to occupy them while they sit on it. Some parents even make up a special potty song that they sing each time their child sits on the potty or toilet.

It’s also important to reward success. You could buy your little one a small toy when they hit certain milestones, but making a chart and awarding them stickers, or even just showering them with plenty of praise, can be equally effective. On the flip side, try not to act negatively if your little one has an accident. Just remain calm and let them know that accidents happen.

Involve others

Unless you are your child’s only caregiver, it is important to involve others in your potty training journey. As we’ve mentioned, consistency of routine is vital when it comes to potty training, so be sure to keep grandparents and other family members in the loop, along with your childminder or nursery if applicable. An outstanding nursery should be happy to encourage and support your child’s potty training routine in your absence, so don’t be afraid to let them know how they can help.

Be patient

Last but certainly not least, you need to be patient. Potty training can be a stressful process for children and parents alike, and it’s easy to lose your cool when your little one has his fifth accident of the day. But by remaining calm and positive, and praising progress, you can help guide your little one to potty training success.