Allergies Affect Kids In Multiple Contexts

Here is a Reuters story (pic from them as well) that certainly matches my own childhood experiences. I remember years of miserable days and nights in the spring and early summer. The gist of the story is that allergies don't just make kids uncomfortable. Allergies affect their sleep, concentration in school and even physical activity like on the playground. My bet would be that the interrupted sleep would be a huge piece that leads to some of the other problems, especially school performance. And we already know from other studies that sleep deprivation can actually take a toll on IQ over time. It's a good thing the medications available are better than the ones I had access to as a kid.

A Factor to Consider with ADHD Treatment

I see parents frequently who are wondering whether to have their child assessed, believing he/she might have ADHD. The parents who do go on to have their child assessed and discover their child does meet criteria for the diagnosis of ADHD also wonder about whether to treat it primarily with behavioral approaches or whether to consider stimulant medication. This headline was all over the place recently and is worth considering when weighing all the important variables in an important decision. Study Finds Slower Brain Maturity in ADHD Kids