Almost 5% of Singaporean kids are believed to have ADHD. In France, ADHD is far less of a worry for French parents, with a rate of less than 0.5% of children. Find out why French ADHD treatments are more successful.
Children often find it hard to concentrate for long periods of time, become easily distracted and experience periods of hyperactive behaviour. Many parents across the world to have deal with these niggling issues on a day-to-day basis.
However, these seemingly common problems can sometimes turn into despair for a parent, when a child’s behavioural problems become so severe and so frequent that they are actually diagnosed with a disorder: Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder or ADHD.
In the US, approximately 9% of school-going children have ADHD. A survey amongst 2,400 children aged 6-12 in Singapore indicated that close to 5% of Singaporean kids had disruptive behaviour disorders. Worldwide ADHD rates are around 5% too. However in France, only 0.5% of kids have been diagnosed with the same disorder. This begs the question of why would a medical disorder affecting how a child thinks and behaves vary so much between different countries?
Triggers of ADHD
Nutrition is yet another factor. Statistics show that as many as 33% of American children are obese, whereas only 16% of French children have this problem. Sugary food, preservatives, MSG, artificial colours and allergens, all of which American fast food is infamous for, can trigger behavioural disorders. This, combined with the lack of exercise, can be enough to eventually lead to ADHD.
Furthermore, it is usual for French families to sit down together for a meal 3 or 4 times per day. This decreases the temptation for kids to binge on junk food, whilst also giving the child structure and routine early on in their lives. In Singapore, obesity rates have been around 12% for the last three years.
Being cruel to be kind
In Pamela Druckerman’s book Bringing Up Bébé, it is argued that saying ‘no’ more frequently to children sets rules and boundaries for children to follow and understand. This will eventually make them feel safer, happier and have greater self control.
It was also noted by Druckerman that the more rigid structure that French parents enforce means that their children and are better behaved in public, throw fewer tantrums and won’t seek snacks between meals.
What is the answer?
France’s secret lies both in parenting strategies and ADHD treatment. A French child is far less likely to develop ADHD than any other child due to a more disciplined and structured upbringing. When a child does develop signs of ADHD, the specific treatment tackling the cause of the behavioural problem seems to be more effective than simply signing yet another month’s prescription slip.
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