Being a parent is a big commitment. As a full time carer it takes up most of your time, energy and attention. If you have a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Dyspraxia, it takes up every second of your time, all of your energy and a lot of your patience.

Unfortunately, differentiating between ‘ordinary’ energetic behaviour and hyperactivity can be quite difficult. With most babies and young children activity is the normal constructive process where learning takes place. In hyperactivity, the expenditure of energy is often undirected and fruitless, uncontrolled and continuing both day and night.

Children with learning and behavioural problems tend to get put into one of a number of boxes. Are they dyslexic, having problems with words and writing? Are they dyspraxic, having problems with coordination? Do they have ADHD, the official term for what used to be called hyperactivity, with poor attention span, concentration and hyperactive behaviour? Often, these different behavioural problems overlap, but the treatment is often very different.

Many scientific studies are being carried out on behavioural problems and general difficult behaviour in children and adolescents. Simple dietary changes seem to have a big effect. Forward thinking Irish primary schools are taking advise from the experts and banning fizzy drinks, sugary bars and sweets in the classroom.

If your child is displaying behavioural problems, consider revising his/her diet. Here are a few tips:

• Eat fresh whole foods (oats, lentils, brown rice, vegetables)
• Minimise, or completely avoid, sugar. Read all labels for sorbitol, dextrose, fructose, maltose and avoid
• Minimise refined or processed foods
• Eat plenty of seeds in pies, vegetable stews, porridge, homemade bread
• Eat oily fish (mackerel, salmon, herring) regularly
• Add a teaspoon of Linseed oil to your child’s porridge or soup
• Minimise fried foods
• Remove all foods containing additives, colours and preservatives
• Give small regular meals/snacks to maintain even blood sugar levels, vital for stable moods, sleeping and energy
• Offer your child a little bit of protein with carbohydrate at each meal