In 2006, the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) placed a black box warning on Ritalin, a common stimulant medication prescribed to children for ADHD. It appears that stimulant drugs were the cause of serious heart problems in 135 children, 81 of whom died.

Others said the numbers were considerably smaller. And to be fair, some of the children had pre-existing heart problems, many of which had gone undiagnosed.

The numbers don’t matter. The death of a child remains a matter of grave concern. Up to 2 million children a month take these drugs. Some estimate that 2.5 million children use stimulant drugs. There are many children taking drugs. Amazing statistics, to put it mildly.

Then, in 2008, the American Heart Association said that children should have a standard heart test, an EKG (electrocardiogram), if their doctors thought they should take a stimulant medication for ADHD. It’s not a law, just a suggestion and some think it’s an overreaction. As a parent and grandparent, I would certainly follow the EKG suggestion…even if insurance didn’t pay.

Now, before I continue with this story, please do not take a child off their ADD medication or suggest that a parent do so. If you want to consider reducing a dose or stopping a child’s medications, you should talk to a doctor.

What does this story mean in terms of ADD behavior at home and in the classroom? I predict that anxious parents and doctors are going to take kids off their meds without bothering with an EKG.

What are we going to do with 2 million hyperactive children!

For years, we have not had to take responsibility for helping these children or avoid going crazy trying to maintain some kind of order in the classroom and at home. The drugs did it for us. Now we can be alone.

Here are ten brain-based learning tips to help you and your children cope with ADD:

1. Stop eating sugar, including drinking fruit juice. Cut down on bread and pasta, especially. the one made with white processed flour.

2. Limit TV and video games, especially TV and games that have a lot of flashing lights.

3. Help them get organized. Keep a schedule and be consistent.

4. Stop telling them to stay put. Your ability to do so is limited. Furthermore, movement is essential for learning. It’s an important brain-based learning strategy!

5. Practice deep breathing. Children can even be taught a simple form of meditation that is nothing more than watching the breath. Even getting more oxygen to the brain is a brain-based learning technique.

6. Cross your right ankle over your left, then give yourself a hug by crossing your arms across your body, left over right. Reduces stress on the central nervous system. Try it yourself.

7. Get enough sleep. Put the kids to bed earlier.

8. Exercising, playing, running, jumping, insisting on recess, sp. “free” recess where children choose what to do versus structured play.

9. Do Brain Gym® (See http://www.braingymclasses.com) Quite a few kids have stopped taking their meds or at least reduced their doses by doing Brain Gym. Another highly effective brain-based learning strategy.

10. Eat more foods with Omega-3 fatty acids like wild salmon, sardines, tuna, flaxseed, flaxseed oil. Take fish oil supplements. (Find mercury-free tuna. Look at your health food store.) Omega-3 fatty acids increase dopamine production just like Ritalin and other stimulant drugs do. Brain-based learning includes what we feed our brains and how that food affects neurotransmitters in the brain.

Pick two or three strategies from this list of brain-based learning strategies and see what happens! I guess you will notice an improvement! Less ADD behavior.