Following simple safety rules can help protect children from injury while they’re having fun this summer, say experts from Safe Kids East Central and the Medical College of Georgia’s Children’s Medical Center. 

Here are some safety guidelines: 

• When riding in a vehicle, children age 12 and under should be secured in the back seat in a child safety seat, booster belt or safety belt that’s appropriate for their age and size. Children ages 4 to 8, or those weighing more than 40 pounds, should be in a car booster. Children taller than 4 feet 9 inches may use an adult seat belt. 

• Teach children never to play in or around parked cars. They should be taught where the trunk release is located. Never leave a child alone inside a car. 

• Never let a child under age 10 cross a street alone. Make sure all children know when and where to cross a street. At night, make sure children wear reflective materials. Never let children walk alone at night. 

• Always supervise young children around pools, spas, baths and buckets. Children should always wear a personal flotation device when on boats, near open water, and when taking part in water sports. 

• Enroll children in swimming lessons with a certified instructor, but don’t assume that swimming lessons make children “drown-proof.” They still need to be supervised when doing water-related activities. 

• Children should always wear proper protective equipment (such as helmets and pads) when using bicycles, scooters, inline skates and skateboards. Teach children the rules of the road. 

• Always supervise children at the playground or in the backyard. Make sure they play on a safe surface, such as mulch, rubber or fine sand. Check that playground equipment is in good shape and safe. 

Do you ever forget to take your medications? Most of us do, and if you have ADD this may be a regular event. Your pill cap may have the answers for you. We found a new pill cap on the market that glows to remind you when it’s time to take your meds. And when you are running low on medications, this smart pill cap sends a refill request to your pharmacy. Great way to manage those last minute monthly refill calls! At risk of sounding like an infomercial, but wait there’s more….this pill cap apparently emails you or a designated family member reminder messages about taking your medication. Check out http://rxvitality.com and give us your feedback. We are always on the lookout for tools to help you manage your day.

A Columbia & NYU study reveals teens watching TV three or more hours a day are at risk for developing attention and learning problems. The study examined 678 families from upsate New York, interviewing parents and children about their television habits and school performance.

Did excessive TV time cause attention and learning problems, or were children who already had these problems more prone to watch TV? The association is not clear, but suggests that those who watch a large amount of television are at a disadvantage in school compared to those who do not.

Some of the outcomes noted with increased TV viewing include failure to complete homework, boredom at school, poor grades, negative attitudes about school, failure in secondary school, and failure to obtain post-secondary education. It may be simply that excessive TV viewing takes away time that may otherwise be spent on educational activities, reading and doing homework.

To improve educational achievement, parents should limit TV time to 1-2 hours per day of quality programming. We suggest removing the TV from your child’s room to limit unrestricted access and monitor what your child is watching. Spend more time on family activities and games that challenge learning and thinking for everyone!

http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=604353

New evidence reported by the British Food Standards Agency (FSA) shows a link between food additives-commonly found in junk foods and soft drinks-and hyperactivity in children. Scientists at Southampton University tested the effects of seven synthetic colorings and preservatives in children ages 3 and 9. As a result British government researchers are warning parents to keep artificial colorings out of their children’s diet. Their data supports the long-standing suggestions that additives and preservatives are linked to ADHD.

Supermarket chains in Britain, including ASDA (a unit of Walmart stores) and Tesco, have responded by removing all artificial colors and flavors from it’s own private labeled food products. ASDA has pledged that by the end of the year it’s own labeled food and drinks would no longer contain any artificial colors or flavors, aspartame, hydrogenated fat, or flavor enhancers. http://uk.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUKL152719320070515

Food additives and enhancers offer no nutritional value and may be worsening your child’s behavior. We recommend keeping the use of additives to a minimum in your own family’s diet and eat healthier by choosing whole foods, served in their original form the way mother nature intended. At ADD Health and Wellness, we integrate nutritional information with traditional psychotherapeutic and medical interventions for the best outcomes.

More data released emphasizing the risks of smoking during pregnancy. Biological Psychiatry just this week released data that highlights the impact of smoking during pregnancy. Specifically, there is a connection between an unborn baby being exposed to smoking and ADHD symptoms in genetically susceptible children. The study investigated male and female twin pairs, aged 7–19 years and determined that: “When genetic factors are combined with prenatal cigarette smoke exposure, the ADHD risk rises very significantly”.

We have substantial research indicating that children with ADHD are at increased risk for substance abuse. Therefore, smoking during pregnancy actually perpetuates the difficulties associated with ADHD across generations.

Is there really more to say about Omega 3 fatty acids? Yes! According to Dr. Alex Richardson, a research fellow at Oxford University’s Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics. “Our brain is built, maintained, and repaired by what we eat” says Richardson. It is clear that nutrients do affect brain development, and in particular the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA play an important role in brain cell health. Omega-3’s have shown benefits in improving symptoms of ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and developmental coordination disorder. Still not convinced you need these essential fats? A 2005 study of 117 children ages 5-12 showed signficiant improvements in reading, spelling and ADHD symptoms after only a few months of omega-3’s. Smart tip: add a tsp of liquid fish oil to your protein shake in the morning to improve mood, learning, and behavior!http://thestar.com.my/health/story.aspfile=/2007/5/10/health/17640080&sec=health

Laughter is contagious. Research published in the Journal of Neuroscience last December has shown that positive sounds such as laughter triggers a response in the listener’s brain. This response occurs in the area of the brain that is activated when we smile, as though preparing our facial muscles to laugh. The research team played a series sounds to volunteers as they measured their brain’s response using an fMRI scanner. Sounds were positive, such as laughter or triumph, whilst others were unpleasant, such as screaming or retching. All of the sounds triggered a response in the volunteer’s brain in the pre-motor cortical region, which prepares the muscles in the face to respond accordingly, though the response was greater for positive sounds, suggesting that these were more contagious than negative sounds. The researchers believe this explains why we respond to laughter or cheering with an involuntary smile.