| More than 4 million children suffer from ADHD which is | | | | on independent activities like homework. Their |
| characterized mainly by an inability to maintain attention | | | | organizational and planning abilities are improved as are |
| on non-stimulative activities along with a tendency | | | | their problem-solving skills, attention and memory |
| towards impulsiveness and hyperactive behavior. | | | | resulting in better academic performance. These |
| Unfortunately, diagnosing ADHD is not an objective | | | | remarkable results are obtained from a simple and |
| science at all and it is possible and even common to | | | | completely natural activity that merely requires children |
| misdiagnose the disorder for a number of reasons. | | | | to attend ten minutes of quiet time. |
| The condition causes children to develop stress which | | | | Meditation doesn't just treat the symptoms of ADHD |
| they internalize and suffer silently. This eventually | | | | but addresses the underlying causes directly, leading to |
| expresses in several negative ways, including anger | | | | permanent improvement. The technique is taught to |
| and becoming withdrawn. | | | | children under school supervision and they sit relaxed in |
| Alarmingly, the most common drugs used to treat | | | | a darkened room, close their eyes and practice the |
| these symptoms are powerful narcotics that are | | | | meditation technique along with their teachers. At the |
| normally used with adults. Not only do these drugs not | | | | heart of the technique is the ability to make the brain |
| cure the problem but very little if anything is known | | | | become quiet which is so foreign to a child with ADHD. |
| about the long term effects of this treatment. Many | | | | At the same time, the brain is able to strengthen its |
| parents are understandably concerned about the | | | | circuits and connectedness, resulting in normal social |
| effects on the natural development of their child's brain | | | | interaction and improved ability to control impulsiveness. |
| and they are frustrated by the lack of information on | | | | Meditation techniques do not normally involve any |
| any alternative treatments. | | | | philosophy, religion or lifestyle adjustments. They simply |
| One such alternative treatment that has shown very | | | | ask the practitioner to sit quietly for a few minutes |
| positive and encouraging results is meditation therapy. | | | | minutes and settle down to a deep silence, in itself an |
| Children with ADHD who practice meditation daily for | | | | alien experience for many of these children. Like any |
| short periods have shown remarkable results over | | | | other meditation or yoga techniques, these should be |
| relatively short periods of time. They show less stress | | | | practices under the guidance of a qualified instructor. |
| and hyperactivity along with a greater ability to focus | | | | |