I first learned the terms ADD and ADHD early 2006 while listening to a television morning show. The reporter started, " Did you know that 75% of our nation's children are on some sort of medication?" That stopped me in my tracks. I set down to hear more about the possible answer to this question. I was shocked to what I was hearing! I knew then that I had to do research on this subject. I began right away. I first began with an internet search on Google: ADHD. I found out the following factoids of information ( Bussing,M.D. and Grohol,Psy.D.:Psucj Cemtra): The Understanding of ADHD include:

• An estimated 3 to 5 per cent of our children are affected-approximately 2 million children in the U.S.
• ADHD is among the most common mental disorders among children. It is one of the top reasons for referral to a pediatrician, family physician, pediatric neurologist, child psychiatrist or psychologist
• The symptoms of ADHD do not always go away-up to  60 per cent of child patients retain their symptoms into adulthood.
• Many adults with ADHD have never been diagnosed, or they have been wrongly diagnosed, so may not be aware they have the disorder.
• ADHD has been identified in every nation and culture that has been studied.

After some time researching the symptoms of this disorder, I came to realize that I too, could be labeled with Adult ADHD. In  my adolescent years, I struggled with the traditional forms of learning. My  parents were always hearing from my teachers that I was 'lazy' and 'stubborn' that I could do the work but was just not putting my mind to it. It was in adulthood I was viewed as having a learning disability. That didn't change the impact of what the system had inflicted on me. The system failed to recognize"the thirst for learning' that was always there; which is why I so deeply identify with the concepts of the books " The Edison Gene" ADHD and the Gift of the Hunter Child by Thom Hartmann and Linda Kreger-Silverman, Ph.D. who wrote: " Upside-Down Brilliance/the Visual-Spatial Learner".

The Edison Gene points to te fact that those who have this gene are by nature, Enthusiastic, Creative, Disorganized, Non-linear in their thinking ( they leap for new conclusions and observations), Innovative, capable of extraordinary hyper-focus on what is found interesting to them. The individual holds all the qualities of interest to become the explorers, inventors, leaders and discovers of our world. Yet, we see them as having to be compared to those who we have labeled 'normal'. We have labeled 'normal' to mean; being detail-oriented,logical. These so called "normal' children have their draw backs too they find it hard to move quickly in thought and action. However, those who are the title of ADHD have their own strengths as swell as limitations when it comes to learning , they do not do well in school environment that teaches in a repetition memorization form. The views of Dr. Linda Kreger-Silverman for Visual-Spatial Learners are:

1. They think primarily in images
2. Have visual strengths
3. Relate well to spatial environment
4. Learn concepts all at once
5. Learn complex concepts easily and stuggle with 'easy' skills
6. Has a good long-term visual memory
7. Creates unique methods of organization
8. Sees the big picture, but can miss the small details.

An examination of our current Health System and the ADD/ADHD Child

When we review the way our American culture addresses health issues, we should start by looking at the advertising that bombards us every night when we watch television. The pharmaceutical commercials often show someone feeling ill and then the same person feeling 'Wonderful' after taking their drug. Forget the side effects that may include; shortness of breath, loss of appetite or other unwanted symptoms, making you wonder if the cure is worth the oncoming illness of the side effects. As for our children, it's a parental duty to look at possibilities for treatment that does not include such drugs.

A New Direction for Heath Care Procedures and Practices

Holistic medicine offers the parent viable options in choosing an alternative approach for their children's health and is why I embrace the writings of alternative methods for addressing ADHD/ADD issues in the classrooms. Thom Hartmann writes that using the term pathology as it refers to ADHD, does serve its purpose; but for practical reasons, we need a defining line of what calls for professional treatment and what does not .

While I do feel that modern medicine does hold an important place in our health care system, I also believe that it is time for Holistic healing approaches to be taken more seriously by Western Medicine and the two disciplines be used to advance each of the others strong points. After all, what we view today as 'modern medicine' all started with the shamans, the tribal medicine man and psychic oracles. Having discussions with a few professionals in the medical field indicates that a new awaking to the benefits of Holistic Medicine is now gaining in popularity and recognition. My goal is to support this 'slow but sure' positive change in the health care industry.

Five Intuitive Steps to Help the ADD/ADHD Child - The Myth of the A.D.D Child by Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D