Since 2000, the number of AD/HD diagnoses amongst childrenhas risen a whopping 66 percent, up from 6.2 million kids in 2000 to more than 10 million by 2010. (Findings of the study, conducted by researchers at Northwestern University, are published in the March/April Issue of American Pediatrics.) Children and teens with ADHD have an inability to focus, “hyper” behavior, and  difficulty controlling their emotions. Popular treatment for ADHD includes medications—but is that always the best way to go?

According to Dr. Robert Myers, behavioral therapy can be just as—if not more—effective for certain kids with ADHD in the long run. “Some studies conducted on children with ADHD in the last several years have said that comprehensive behavioral therapy works as well as medication in the long term. And the best part is that there are no side effects to behavioral therapy.”

Read More: Reblogged from Technorati: Parenting

 As a parent how did you handle the diagnosis of your child, and what signs and symptoms did you recognize that prompted a visit to the doctor?

If you are unfamiliar about ADD or ADHD in children, you can review the symptoms to know what to look for.