ADHD and sleep!

There is so much talk and research on (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) ADHD, that as a teacher I find it hard to believe society has changes so much, and that this change has constituted such an increase in cases that we have today. The New York Times article written by Dr. Vatsal G. Thakkar suggested that more children are staying up late and sleeping less, and this could be one of the causes of ADHD or its symptomatic behavior.

I would agree, not enough sleep can making anybody have a short attention span or just be edgy, and Thakkar brought up a good point worth research. In the past, it has been suggested that the RF waves from cell phones could also be affecting the increase in ADHD numbers. We also have the ongoing debates on whether modified foods are contributors, or if certain common ingredients found in foods have an adverse impact.

I believe we also have to look at society, not just material causes. In the past, parents disciplined more, and in ways that demanded respect. A lot of ADHD behavior is similar to same behavior a disobedient child would have. Children will try to get away with misbehavior at times, and if the child is being reared in an environment where there is a never-ending forgiveness by the parent, and no structured discipline, then bad behavior will follow. There is also learned behavior. If at home the child sees a parent stressed and acting out, they too will behave the same in response to their school’s daily pressures. 

I know many think “society” should be responsible in helping rear a child, but that just would not work very effectively  How many times in the news do we have to see how children have been kidnapped and held away from school or others and no one knew?  Homes can be isolated islands that provide each child their own unique outlook and experience, and being able to monitor each child's daily environment would be impossible.