According to the diagnostic guidelines for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) children under the age of six, must exhibit six or more symptoms for ADD or ADHD, and those symptoms must be present for at least six weeks, in two or more settings. For instance, a child who displays all the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder only at home but none of the symptoms at school than the case is less likely ADD or ADHD, and more likely a parenting or family situation that needs education.

As parents we receive no manual telling us what to do or what to look for if our child is not acting right or is not responding how expected. Yet, as a consumer when ever we buy a car, appliance, even an MP3 player we receive a book complete with of instructions on how to operate, maintain and troubleshoot our new purchase.

This is not the case with children. A typical daily situation, involves parent the happy birth of a baby, a tired couple of days and nights in the hospital, and discharge home from the hospital approximately 24-72 hours after the baby arrives. Postpartum care of oneself and one's new baby is exhausting and essentially a guessing game from that point forward.

Yes, most parents have access to a pediatrician but even that contact is limited, and with the way, families are spread across the United States and even the world often the grandmotherly wisdom that use to be available on site 24/7 may not exist except over the phone and internet. Therefore, it is hard to discern the difference in perfectly age appropriate behavior in a baby or young child is and what is a symptom of something more challenging like ADD, or what maybe a simple lack of confidence in parenting.

Being a parent is one of the most challenging things most of us will do. Some of us will fail drastically, most will struggle indefinitely, and many will learn how to make parenting a success. The difficult part of parenting is the only hands on experience we have before being a parent is to reflect on our own parents and their parenting techniques.

Most parents will did what they felt is right for their child over the years. They will also do this in the spirit of good intention and not deliberate ill will, just like what we are doing today with our children. Yet how many of us have looked back over the past 20 , 30, or 40 years and talked about how appalling that we believed certain behaviors were acceptable in the past that today would end some of us in jail. Even in medicine that which was acceptable years ago is actually neglectful in today's world.

I know nurses who use to smoke non-stop at the nurse's station, and patients who sustained diabolic treatments for psychiatric disorders, which are completely unacceptable and even life threatening now. So just because something has always been done only one way does not mean it is neither acceptable nor desirable to continue.

Many hospitals are implementing alternative medicinal treatments, with crystals and various healing touches to help calm or cure, trauma, cancer and other illnesses. Trying new things out in your home within reason and after validating your research is acceptable. Some of these alternatives may be helpful in your individual situations.

By looking closely at your child's diet, activity and other lifestyles, you can see what maybe helping or hindering your child's ADD symptoms. If hyperactive, ask yourself, is he or she getting adequate exercise and active play to work off the excessive energy. Are you allowing high sugar snacks, which can increase irritability and excessive fidgeting? I know one family who does not allow soda in the home due to the high sugar but substitutes Cool-aid and uses sugar to sweeten the drink. In addition, many children are sensitive to the red color dye used in so many products.

At my home children, do not get soda with caffeine after four in the evening. If my ADHD son drinks something with caffeine at that time, he will be awake until almost midnight. In addition, no violent video games or movies are acceptable at my house. ADHD children are already amped up and the adrenaline flow from "killing" aliens is simply too much for him to handle.

No wonder so many parents feel overwhelmed and inadequate when raising a child with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). There are so many things to consider every day when it comes to alleviating or diminishing the symptoms of hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity, begin by asking yourself each time, is this age appropriate behavior, and if so, do I need to really correct it or simply educate on why it is inappropriate.

In the end keeping things simple and picking our daily fights in the end will benefit everyone. There is no sense in making mountains out of molehills. Ask questions, do research, look up information, talk to other parents, and doctors who specialize in ADD or ADHD treatment, but in the end only you can choose the best course of action for your family. Evaluate everything you can, including your parenting ideas, your children's temperaments, and what is and what is not working currently in your home.

In the end, do not be afraid to try new things, admit what is not working, and implement changes to make life better for your family. After all, if it is not working it is time to look for an answer, and find something that is going to work for your family. Please feel free to write any questions or problems you are experiencing in the ADD forum, it is free, and it can be a learning experience for everyone here.