| Wouldn't it be wonderful if attention deficit | | | | electroencephalogram or EEG, to map brain |
| hyperactivity disorder and video games were the | | | | activity is needed, means that the video games |
| definitive treatment for this mental condition? I | | | | must be used under the right kind of supervision. |
| am not talking about the average video games | | | | Experts and medical authorities are |
| and other electronic media which the NIH have | | | | understandably cautious in that parents might opt |
| condemned as a possible cause of obesity and | | | | for an enjoyable type of treatment and abandon |
| even ADHD. There has been a recent | | | | the tried and tested treatment for ADHD which |
| development in ADHD and video games which | | | | up to now have more or less worked. Certainly |
| although controversial, could be a pointer to future | | | | the idea of not having to medicate ADHD children |
| treatment of ADHD. | | | | with methylphenidate and other amphetamines like |
| How and why did ADHD and video games | | | | Concerta, Adderall and Vyvanse is an attractive |
| become a reality? In a NASA study, children were | | | | proposition for many parents. |
| given these games to play and their brain waves | | | | Apart from the cost of a gaming system such as |
| were wired up to sensors. If they lacked focus or | | | | the one described above (about $2,500), the fact |
| concentration, this had the effect of slowing down | | | | is that ADHD and video games can only be |
| the controls on the game so that it became | | | | considered as an alternative to other types of |
| impossible to play it. This would be a sort of brain | | | | therapy. |
| training involving neuro feedback which could then | | | | Which brings us back to the tried and tested |
| be applied to other areas of learning such as | | | | means of treatment which may never be |
| homework and academic achievements but also in | | | | replaced. There is an alternative to ADHD meds |
| doing normal everyday tasks. | | | | and that is ADHD homeopathic remedies which |
| But it is still early days and enough studies have | | | | are safe and have no long term risks for the |
| not been done to show what the short term and | | | | ADHD child. Why not try and find out more about |
| long term benefits could be.This is the opinion of | | | | these treatments instead of fantasising about |
| Dr. Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental | | | | attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and video |
| and behavioral pediatrics at Schneider Children's | | | | games. |
| Hospital in New York. Also the fact that an | | | | |