"indigo" Children

[khall64au]

Following from another topic on sedating ADD kids:

Some educational circles will label ADD or ADHD kids as "Indigo children" - special individuals born far beyond mundane, rote-learning systems. Unfortunately, many of these children are birthed into mainstream society who have no idea what to do with them or how to direct their potential brilliance.

Are these children misunderstood and experimentally shelved? I have met several distinct examples in my lifetime - whose brilliance is labelled as mentally unstable!

Any comments from "Indigo parents" in Thailand and how to cope?

[MsFigure]

Can't give any personal experience with ADD kids or the medications, but maybe parents of children with ADD take a good close look at their kids diets.

There have been a number of studies done that have shown that there is a connection between the two, and that there have been dramatic (positive) changes to "ADD" childrens behaviours once they have had their diets changed (no junk crap foods or drinks filled with sugar, preservatives & addititives). The children made these changes also without the use of medications.

Just something for parents to think about and maybe look into if they have children with behavioural trouble.

I personally think that too many doctors are quick to label and medicate so called children with behavioural problems as having ADD

[canadiangirl]

Can't give any personal experience with ADD kids or the medications, but maybe parents of children with ADD take a good close look at their kids diets.

There have been a number of studies done that have shown that there is a connection between the two, and that there have been dramatic (positive) changes to "ADD" childrens behaviours once they have had their diets changed (no junk crap foods or drinks filled with sugar, preservatives & addititives). The children made these changes also without the use of medications.

Just something for parents to think about and maybe look into if they have children with behavioural trouble.

I personally think that too many doctors are quick to label and medicate so called children with behavioural problems as having ADD

Very good point. Jamie Oliver, a chef from the UK, did a series about trying to improve school lunches in England -- he found that many of the lunches served by schools were hamburgers, hot dogs -- tons of processed stuff and virtually no fresh food. He made friends with one boy and his family, and used them as "guinea pigs" to try out a new diet of fresh, home-cooked food only. After a week or two, the boy's mother reported that he was so much better behaved, had better concentration, was less aggressive and agitated. Then one night she made him a hamburger or something, and immediately, he returned back to his previous behavior. Everyone was surprised as no one would think that a meal or two would make such a difference.

Not saying that all problems would be solved like this, but I thought it was something interesting to look at.

[H2oDunc]

Im a great believer that since the demise of discipine there is now a "disease" called ADD or AHDD or whatever the latest version is. IMHO they are just unruly, ill disciplined children. Also a lot has to do with what mothers are feeding their children. Now we seem to make excuses for everybody. Nobody seems to be responsible for their actions anymore. People label or find a reason for their behaviour. Only when this stops will we begin to turn around a generation. The great libral ideal has failed. Thats myrant for the day over with

[sbk]

I dislike the idea of medicating one's child to make them easier to handle.

My sister was prescribed Ritalin as a child and my mother absolutely refused to let her take it. Instead, she dealt with her hyperactivity in a more constructive way. Today, my sister is a successful entrepreneur with a good business and a lovely child.

[RueFang]

My father and step-mother medicate my little brother for ADD even though a specialist told them he doesn't have it! It's called lazy parenting..sedate the child so they're "manageable". He's highly intelligent, displays many of the "indigo child" characteristics...he's just a little boy that gets bored easily because his mind needs stimulation that he doesn't get from his surroundings.

[Daewoo]

OK - from first hand experience.

I was the poster child for ADHD. Diagnosed nearly 30 years ago when it wasn't a catch all for bad behaviour. I underwent intensive study at the Sydney Children's Hospital before any treatment began and was prescribed Ritalin (remember this was 30 years ago, the prescription and all repeats had to be authorised by the Minister for Health). In addition to the medication, I underwent behavioural therapy (at what is now called Learning Links), and my mother took the bull by the horns and was very strict following the dietary advice.

Through proper diet, NO PRESERVATIVES, NO ARTIFICIAL COLOURS, NO ARTIFICIAL FLAVOURS, brushing teeth with baking soda instead of toothpaste, rinsing detergent from any dishes, the whole lot I was off medication within 12 months.

I was never badly behaved, just full of energy. By focusing that energy I think I have achieved good things in life. 2 Masters Degrees, good family life, good personal achievements. I don't think I would have done half of that if medicated.

Then again, my parents would never have stood for bad behaviour, so it was either tow their line, or a kick in the behind...

Medication should be a last resort, or a means to an end, not seen as a solution IMHO.

Cheers,

Daewoo

Edited September 5, 2007 by Daewoo

[leisurely]

OK, h2oDunc, how do you explain my youngest daughter? She is constantly on the go, can't settle, highly intelligent, challenging and all the rest. I have not had her assessed, i don't want her labeled all through life. She eats a pretty additive free diet and takes Omega 3+6 oils which I believe have certainly calmed her down. Compare her to her older sister and the difference is startling. Both have had exactly the same upbring, discipline and food. Chalk and cheese are the words that spring to mind. unless you have had experience of a 'challenging' child - and believe me she would try the patience of a saint, be mindful of what you say.

[Goinghomesoon]

We managed until our ADD son entered high school by doing all the healthy lifestyle, behaviour management stuff. Although he had major concentration issues he was not a huge disruption to other kids. His constant toetapping, finger drumming and head nodding did cause problems with his learning; he couldn't keep still long enough to focus on the page and once he *finally* learned to read in 4th grade he said the words swam around on the page.

On starting Year 8 son asked for the medication we had refused for so long. Within a month of being on a small dose he went from failing classes to catching up to passing/average level. The nervous tics stopped. He could sit still like other kids if he chose to (and like all teenage boys he didn't always choose to be well behaved). He was happy and teachers stopped complaining.

ADD may be overdiagnosed. But our personal experience was that meds were a useful tool to use in conjunction with the lifestyle and behavioural management tools we already set in place.

H20Dunc to be honest if you saw the $1000s of dollars many parents spend getting their children extensive diagnostic testing BEFORE they will accept the ADD label, maybe you would not be so dismissive. Most parents I have met do NOT accept this diagnosis lightly.

[bina]

going home:

had posted a long post but it went into cyberspace

u are 100%

youngest child asks for her ritilin: it is important for her when she is testing in maths, languages, reading or other subjects that require structured learning or movement:

she gets for the first four hours (she's in spec. ed in regular school) and then goes on to the 'softer' subjects where creativity is allowed to flow (the ritilin makes her more 'practical' in that her drawing etc use less colour and are less fanciful but more organized and detailed)... she is super intelligent very people oriented not hyperactive just attention span (her TOVA testing showed 200% improvement after ritilin use)...

ritilin doesnt sedate, it works on filling in the missing chemicals in the brain that help neurons communicate properly... diabetics wouldnt skip their dosage would they??

ADDH et al kids should also use ritililn when driving, two kids i know both use (one uses concertina sp?) and their driving habits (safety, response, judgement) improve dramatically with PROPER use of ritilin.

btw, we nevr have junk food, etc in the house, daughter is well behaved well adjusted, with several other cognitive problems that probably wouldnt affect her if we were living in an agrarian non competitive society. she excells in dance, is able to choreaograph complex dances and teach them to other children and adults! but still at age 13 cannot tell time or remember a phone number.

her first two years in grade school were miserable as ex refused to give permission to use ritilin. now he is all for it also.

as with any medication, there are pro's and con's, and side affects...

middle son got prescribed ritilin but he didnt feel good with it, it made his mind 'furry'; he prefers to deal by getting quiet room when testing, etc. coffee btw doesnt affect him at all... and he still bounces and taps and moves, but is also a well adjusted sports oriented teenager who scored highly in pre army testing for good posts. (he's also learning disabilitied and asthmatic)

years and years ago, ADDH kids would just drop out of school and go into work force wherever they fit. my ex, dyslexic and attention deficit (his genes in my kids) barely made it thru school and stayed a field worker until he hit 30+. he only was tested 15 yrs ago. too bad . ritilin doesnt work with him now, but it might have changed his life if he had got it earlier. (and way back then there were no junk foods on the kibbutz, and the children were raised in baby and children houses not at home, so parenting and behavior werent an issue.) ADDH is a neurological problem. behavior therapy helps deal but is not the 100% answer for all.

bina

israel