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It's a debilitating condition that affects children in different ways. Some will be so severe that day-to- day life is very difficult. The condition can affect the child's education and cause major disruption to family life.

Over half of children with ADD/ADHD have specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia or dyspraxia. Though their intellect may be normal or advanced their condition can contribute to poor results at school and low self-esteem. Other disorders, such as oppositional defiant disorder where children will deliberately defy and argue, and conduct behaviour disorder where children will show antisocial behaviour, can accompany ADHD.

Depression, anxiety and obsessive behaviour is also more common in children with ADHD. They may also have problems with coordination and speech. Although hyperactivity may improve at puberty, 60 per cent of children with ADHD will show ADHD behaviour in adulthood.

What causes it?

ADHD is caused when a child's brain can't cope with the masses of stimulation he receives. It may be because of an inherited imbalance of neurotransmitters, the chemicals that transmit nerve signals in the brain. The frontal lobes don't work well with processes such as decision making. Chemical imbalances of noradrenaline and dopaminein the brain may contribute to the condition too. But ADHD can be caused by a variety of different problems.

Do additives make kids disruptive?

Yes. New research has shown that there is a definite link between controversial E number additives and behavioural problems in children. E numbers are used widely in Britain and approved by the EU but some are banned in Scandinavian countries and in the US. Avoid:

Colourings:

• Tartrazine (E102)
• Ponceau 4R (E124)
• Sunset yellow (E110)
• Carmoisine (E122)
• Quinoline yellow (E104)
• Allura red AC (E129).

Preservative:

• Sodium benzoate (E211).

Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer and the Co-op have all banned artificial colours and flavours in own-label products. Nestle has dropped artificial colours from Smarties losing the blue colour as a result.

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