Research that Benefits Children and Families: Uplifting Stories

It seems that more and more children are being diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. Though there are many different medications that help children with these diagnoses, it seems there are challenging side-effects, such as decreased appetite which can lead to slowed growth or weight loss. Over the years, some research has been done to determine whether changes in diet have positive effects on children diagnosed with ADHD. From what I read, some children respond positively to diets that are free of food dyes and additives, while others may benefit from diets that are richer in omega-3 fatty acids (see articles referenced below).

If I were to research any topic without the restrictions of present realities I would study alternatives to ADHD treatments. While I understand that some children need medication, I believe that many children are either over-medicated or not medicated because of the stigma of medications being used too frequently or having negative side-effects. While my research topic is broad (I would want to study the use of food diet and sensory diet, as well as the use of more natural remedies) I understand there are many facets to ADHD, and it is extremely unlikely that one cure would fit all. ADHD is a challenging diagnosis for children to live with. This topic is important to me because in my work, though I do see children who have ADHD under management, I also see children who have trouble learning either because they have been over-medicated or they receive no treatment at all. Either way they are unable to access learning because they are in a “fog” or they just cannot focus. It is heartbreaking to see children who want to learn and succeed unable to do so because they simply cannot help it. Such a research study would help children with ADHD manage their ADHD through alternatives less likely to have negative side effects. Sensory and food diets would not rely on health insurance (which can be expensive even with co-pays). Children and families would have control over the ADHD, and children would be more open to learning and having positive experiences in school and at home.

Articles about previous alternatives to managing ADHD:

 Kanarek, R. (2011). Artificial food dyes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Nutrition Reviews, 69(7), 385-391. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00385.x

Dell, E. Y., & Shultz, S. M. (2009). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Has Diet Therapy Taken a Place at the Table?. Journal Of Consumer Health On The Internet, 13(1), 93-102. doi:10.1080/15398280802675088

My Personal Research Journey

The topic I chose to research was Language Development of Young children in early childhood such as infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.  I chose this topic because as a parent and teacher it is very essential to a child’s development.  Language development is important because children go through a number of different stages as language develops, from the earliest stage of producing cooing sounds through being able to produce complex, multi-word sentences.  For example my godson is 3 years old and still does not have the ability to speak clearly nor does he have a large vocabulary I feel that this is because he does not hear correct language on a regular basis nor is he given the time to seat and be taught new things like he is suppose to versus my 2 year little cousin who parents both have a college background.  She has the ability to talk in complete sentences and explain what she is thinking at that moment because she not only has involved parents but she has an older sibling who is in first grade that talks to her like he does to his friends at school so she has the ability to expand her vocabulary. 

The research chart gives me an insight of learning of different ways of doing my research. It helps me to brainstorm the information and look ask questions like "how, when, where", is the topic is essential to my research, It also helps me to read more and look at different resources of my research. I also look forward to receiving advice and other resources from my fellow colleagues as I complete this journey.