What is ADHD?

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a medical condition with difficulties with staying focused or being hyper and impulsive.

Symptoms must be severe enough to cause impairment in the daily functioning of the person at home, in school, in the community or at work.

ADHD can be very serious. Those with ADHD have higher rates of other psychiatric and behavior disorders and are at greater risk for having problems with education, their career and are more prone to have accidental injuries.

The U.S. Surgeon General, the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recognize ADHD as a serious disorder.

Prior to the age of 5, ADHD symptoms may be difficult to accurately diagnose due to being easily distracted and overly impulsive. As young children get older, problems with hyperactivity, keeping attention, or being impulsive tend to stand out in their school performance and with problems in behavior. Learning becomes more of a concern to parents and teachers causing referrals to health providers and educators to determine if there is a problem with ADHD.

Occurrence of ADHD

ADHD affects about seven percent of our population in the US. However, ADHD exists throughout the world. Children with ADHD have been identified in every country in which this condition has been studied.

ADHD is three to five times more common in boys than girls.

At one time, ADHD was thought of as a childhood disorder with symptoms diminishing during adolescence and outgrown by adulthood. We now realize that more often than not, children with ADHD continue this disorder into adulthood.

ADHD can severely effect a person’s quality of life. Children with ADHD often have difficulty with socializing, school performance and behavior. Adults with ADHD can exhibit problems in college, in the work force and in social relationships. Failure to perform as well as others can lead to problems with self-esteem, anxiety and depression.

Health care professionals have been diagnosing and treating children and adolescents with ADHD for several years. In fact, almost half the referrals to mental health practitioners in schools, clinics or private practices are to treat children and adolescents who have problems related to these symptoms. Early identification and proper treatment can improve the quality of life for those with ADHD leading to improved school achievements, work, social adjustment and success in accomplishing goals.

Problems

ADHD affects a person’s ability to control behavior.  Students with ADHD often have problems with attention and also controlling hyperactivity. The brain is responsible for self-regulation–planning, organizing and carrying out proper behavior.

Difficulties in self-regulation exist to some degree in everyone. Many people have experienced problems with concentration. Sometimes it's a result of being tired, bored, hungry or distracted by something. We have all had times when we were overly restless or hyperactive, we couldn't sit still, we were unable to pay attention, we became overly impatient, we were too easily excited and too quick to respond. Does this mean we all have ADHD? No. Although problems with self-regulation are found in everyone from time to time, these problems are far more likely to happen with people with ADHD. And they lead to impairment in one’s ability to function at home, in school, at work or in social situations.

The best solution to ADHD is to enroll your child into a fun program that creates a focused environment. 

Here is how we can help you:   We have an environment that specifically addresses these issues..  Karate helps children focus on the tasks at hand. Karate training is an excellent alternative to medication.  Studies in recent years indicate that ADHD children who study Karate usually improve in relation to concentration, self-confidence and academic performance.

Healthy Body

We all know the sugars in ones diet amplifies hyperactivity in children. According to the top Health care professionals, the physical demands of a Karate class tire the body and take the impulsive edge off hyperactivity with ADHD. Also, the physical aspects of training help send the oxygen to the brain and more efficiently process sugars in the diet.

Healthy Mind

Physical Karate training also leads to a strong mind. Students are encouraged to show courtesy and respect to others inside and outside of the school, persevere through difficulties and behave with integrity. Concentrating on executing moves also helps to focus the hyperactive child's mind on specific tasks. Research shows that Karate is better than other treatments for "self-concept" and has "positive effects on self-esteem, self-confidence, better management of both feelings of aggression and feelings of vulnerability" in children with ADHD.

Structure

Children diagnosed with ADD or ADHD are more successful in structured activities. In Karate classes, a child practices techniques that are broken down into repetitive movements and participates in a variety of activities and exercises that apply techniques in a structured manner. The child is taught to develop powers of concentration, but in very short bursts that are manageable.

Channeling Hyperactive Energy

Hyperactive children can focus their energy into practicing exercises and techniques at home. Karate training gives children and parents tools to channel their excess energy. Parents can encourage the child to work on kicks and punches or practice forms that incorporate these moves, or practice a combination of physical exercises. The longer hyperactive children are committed to Karate training, the greater these effects become and the more focused children will become with their future goals.