In our society, an increasing number of children are being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), and nearly 2.3 million of them are currently taking medication to control the disorder. I am a parent and am related to a child with the ADHD, and have been very concerned about the possible side effect that the medication can produce, since I know that some of it can be very harmful. I was therefore very excited to hear of a new study, recently brought to light, that showed how a simple, effortless technique know as Transcendental Meditation can treat ADHD in a safe and non pharmacological way.

The study was published in the journal Current Issues in Education, and related that children who learned Transcendental Meditation showed over 50 percent reduction in stress and anxiety, improvements in ADHD symptoms, as well as positive changes in brain patterns, after only three months of practice. After six months, measurement of the children's brain patterns associated with distractibility, previously very high, moved into the normal range.

Several studies had already shown that TM is uniquely effective against stress, in reducing anxiety and improving cognitive functioning, but the new study shows that the same results occur when children with ADHD practice the technique. Moreover, these children, who generally suffer from an inability to focus, are able to practice TM ( a technique not requiring any mental effort or concentration) with no difficulty. Sarina J. Grosswald, Ed.D, lead researcher in the study said that for that reason "this technique may be particularly well suited for children with ADHD".

Researchers said that the encouraging results "exceeded their expectation". Personally, as a parent with young children I am thrilled. I have been very concerned about the liberal way we dole out prescription medication to our children. Until recently we did not medicate our children to such a high degree so the consequences on our upcoming generation are yet to be seen. But Transcendental Meditation, a simple effortless technique that is practiced just 10-20 minutes twice a day offers a safe solution.