Research Paper

Stress and anxiety rid the lives of the majority of Americans. Unfortunately, it appears to be affecting the lives of our children as well. Bullies and intolerant children with an inability to focus are being sedated with amphetamines and diagnosed with various behavioral disorders. Suicide rates are climbing and the amount of violence in schools is alarming.  Could the answer to all of this chaos be as simple as meditation? What would the outcome be if every child was given the opportunity to learn the skill of focusing their energy and controlling their emotions in a new or different way?  What sort of change could this present regarding health issues, both present and future? The intent of my research is to discover more about learning disorders and attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder, and meditation, specifically its history, benefits, and effects on children with ADHD, and how meditation complements primary education.

In the beginning of my research, I first questioned learning disorders. Considering that I was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during my junior year of high school, I had assumed that I was well aware of this diagnosis. I was under the impression that I was diagnosed with a learning disorder. Learning is quite difficult when you experience the effects of this disorder, especially when it involves reading. This is due to the lower levels of norepinephrine in the brain which controls the ability to focus. When these levels are lower than normal, a person will experience a decrease in attention span making it difficult to read, thus making it difficult to learn.

Learning disorders affect approximately 2 million children, roughly between 5-15% of public school children with a male to female ratio of about 5:1 respectively (Zieman). The three main types are reading, mathematical, and writing. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly referred to as ADHD, is the most common mental health problem in children. A common misconception is that ADHD is not actually a learning disorder, rather a mental disorder (Zieman). However, about half of the children diagnosed with ADHD also experience a learning disability due to the symptoms associated with this disorder (Zieman).  ADD is also known to be hereditary, but more commonly noticed in males because it is detected more easily.

While the treatment for those with learning disorders is resolved using an education plan to continuously test and revise the education process for these individuals to increase the effectiveness and learning ability, it’s not exactly that simple for those with anxiety, depression, and ADD/ADHD. The most common solution to these problems includes medication of some kind, mostly stimulants.  However, many parents might argue that the side effects of these medications are too great of a risk. The most common side effects I had experienced, and are listed on medications, were severe nausea leading to vomiting and a loss of appetite. Others are trying other alternative forms of treatment to help control symptoms, such as meditation, neurofeedback, and diet supplements and restrictions to increase brain function.

Most parents will try anything to alleviate the symptoms of a disorder which restricts their children from reaching their full potential in life. Primary education is the first stepping stone to the rest of their life. If they cannot master this, how will they manage in the “real world” and be able to contribute to society in positive ways? Behavioral treatment is helpful, especially when combining the efforts with medication. However, this form of treatment can become expensive, especially for those without insurance or when insurance stops paying for these visits, considering most insurance companies only cover a small amount of visits. 

Some side effects of the medications are minute when compared to the symptoms, such as lack of sleep. There are also some medications available that are not stimulants which don’t have this side effect. Strattera, for example,  is a non-stimulant drug which makes the body’s own stimulant chemical available to work rather than proving a replica of the chemical, while acting similar to other stimulant drugs, such as Adderall. Some of the most severe side effects of stimulant drugs include abuse leading to “immunity” to the effects requiring higher dosing, and potentially long term ticks in the nervous system.

One of my findings in alternative treatments included a small study done by Katherine Ellis, a journalist diagnosed with ADHD, who was looking for alternatives to help her son who is also diagnosed with the same disorder. Neurofeedback is a procedure which helps retrain the brain to concentrate using pictures while monitoring the brain functions. While it has become very popular, it is also expensive, time consuming, and still not proven (Morning Edition). I find it similar to animal obedience training because it uses positive reinforcement to “reward” the brain with an interesting picture once it begins to lose focus, the same way you would train your pet if it were to lose focus or experience a difficult situation while walking in the park. Hamilton stated that “this sort of brain training can take 40 sessions or more, and typically costs thousands of dollars” (Morning Edition). While the study sounds promising according to the scientific jargon and statements, you must remember that it still has not been proven. Any study not proven is not worth spending thousands of dollars on. And though Ellison noticed a change in her son, she also states that his behavior was not the change, rather his attitude was. This could be linked to her simply spending more quality time with her son, not the neurofeedback treatments.

Brain functions are most notably linked to proper diet. If one does not eat properly, their body cannot get the proper amount of nutrients required to perform at optimum levels and produce the chemicals needed to balance it. Proper nutrition and maintaining a structured daily routine are important in reducing symptoms of ADHD, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  Some supplements are said to increase brain functions, such as Omega-3 (fish oil), zinc, and St. John’s wort.  Increasing the levels of melatonin is also believed to help with ADHD symptoms (WebMD).  Omega-3 is a fatty acid commonly found in fish like salmon or albacore tuna. One study resulted in improved hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and inability to think clearly for children between the ages of 7 and 12 years.  Zinc can be found in seafood and dairy products, among others. Several studies show a decrease in hyperactivity, however, notes no change in inattentiveness. St. John’s wort is an herbal supplement suggesting that there may be a chance for improvement in children with ADHD because it affects brain chemicals, however, is not supported by studies because there has not been any evidence of change during controlled environment testing. Although proper nutrition and routine are suggested to help, I believe that it would help any individual, not just those diagnosed with a mental disorder. There is not enough evidence to suggest that this would be a solid resolution as an alternative treatment.

Meditation is a practice that was first used in Buddhist and Hindu-based religions of the Asia continent. It wasn’t until the 1960s and 1970s that this was accepted and used in Western Society. Meditation has long been viewed as a religious practice. Although there are religious ties to its history and where it was derived from, there are no religious backings in the westernized use of its practice.  Many would argue that meditation is backed with a moral lifestyle that brings clarity and peace to one’s mind. However, studies have proven that meditation has health benefits even when used in its westernized, non-religious form.

The practice of meditation has since shown beneficial in many areas of health, including those who suffer from high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and many others (Chrisman). The various uses of meditation for example give the ability to reduce stress levels, which reduce blood pressure, furthermore reducing heart disease. Though I believe that mind and body must both be in tune with each other to be healthy, some criticize the use of meditation as form of medicine. Wakoh Shannon Hickey writes in her critique that she views the use of meditation in western civilization, or without the practice of Buddhism or Hinduism, is merely a source for capitalism. She states that although the United States has spent nearly $51 million on research of meditation during the fiscal years 2008 and 2009, the studies do not define meditation. She argues that without a clear and specific definition of your study, you cannot research properly (Hickey). Although I can agree with her statements partially, I cannot discredit the studies which support meditation improves health. The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine states that “despite the inherent difficulties in designing research studies, there is a large amount of evidence of the medical benefits of meditation” (Chrisman).  

If there are so many benefits to the practice of meditation, what other benefits could it prove potentially with children? Meditation practices in an educational setting can prove beneficial for both pupil and staff and may improve stress levels and self-worth, reducing the amount of violence in schools, and help alleviate symptoms of ADHD in children.  A source found in the Health and Wellness Resource Center referring to the benefits of meditation used to treat learning disorders states that “It helps to slow the mind down and take in the surroundings while focusing on the task at hand. “ (Chrisman) Studies have been conducted in 250 independent universities and medical schools on meditation, specifically transcendental meditation. These schools include Harvard Medical School, Yale Medical School, and the University of Michigan.  The University of Michigan found that, of 60 sixth-graders, meditating students had significantly higher scores on affectivity, self-esteem, and emotional competence (David Lynch Foundation). 

There are two forms of meditation that are commonly practiced: sitting meditation and movement meditation.  Movement meditation is one of two types that involves movement and is particularly helpful for those who find it difficult to sit still, a symptom of ADHD. Most insurance companies do not consider meditation a medical procedure or intervention and therefore are not covered (Chrisman). However, many forms of meditation can be practiced with licensed trainers or a local fitness center in your area. If trainers are accessible to fitness centers, I then question could they not also be accessible to public school systems the same as gym teachers?

                Movement meditation can be performed through exercises like yoga which is used to increase flexibility and focus on a sound, word, or breath. It helps to cope with stress levels and reduce the anxiety. Mood disturbances and distraction levels are also reduced through this form of meditation (Chrisman). Providing a class for yoga could be placed as an elective on the school curriculum similar to how weight training is applied.

Transcendental meditation (TM) is a mantra based, sitting meditation which involves sitting with eyes closed twice a day for 15-20 minutes. A single word, or mantra, is used as a vehicle to relax the mind. Incorporating transcendental meditation into schools has proven to “decrease stress and stress-related disorders, reduce substance abuse, increase intelligence, increase learning ability, improve memory, improve academic performance, and improve standardized test scores.”(David Lynch Foundation) These results are a definite sign that meditation may, in fact, prove to be highly beneficial for adolescents in an educational setting for not only those suffering from a learning disability, but also those coping with high stress levels during a highly emotional and changing period of life. Learning to cope with these feelings at an early age will better supply them with tools for life rather than simply providing a counselor.  

James Krag, M.D., is the medical director of the Valley Community Services Board in Staunton, Virginia. He makes a statement regarding TM in an article which lays out scientific evidence that it in fact is beneficial for students. He states, “Just as there are many kinds of medication, there are also many approaches that are termed ‘meditation.’ The vast majority of the research on mediation has been on Transcendental Meditation- and the findings clearly indicate that TM works better than other researched mental techniques to promote health” (Micucci).  He then goes on give his professional opinion about TM in schools stating, “I strongly support the introduction specifically for Transcendental Meditation into our nation’s schools and health care systems.”  I believe that caring for our health, whether diet or exercise no matter the derivative of the nature is one of the nation’s disadvantages. Too many times people argue over being offended or pushed into believing one way or another. I believe we all need to be open minded to new findings and, if it works, use it.  The purpose of the separation of church and state was to prevent a dictatorship of religion and give people the freedom to practice the religion for which they choose.  Even if children are taught various religious practices, does this mean that we are in fact forcing them to practice any one religion? And if the practice is not deemed religious then is this argument even applicable? I do not believe so.

Yoga has since been implemented into schools across the United States and other parts of the world. The most striking argument comes from the religious aspect which indicates that yoga, or meditation, has been used in the Hinduism religions as a form of salvation. This would also imply that by introducing this practice to public schools would also indicate a violation of separation of church and state set forth by the Constitution. As stated by Alexis Stern in a journal written for “Prayer Versus Non-prayer in Schools” speaking of the case of Jaffree vs. the Court of Appeals to remove a moment of silence in public schools, she notes that “according to the US supreme Court, the First Amendment indirectly implies a ‘wall of separation’ between church and state. This ‘wall of separation’ prohibits any government from adopting a particular denomination or religion as official”(Stern).  She is clearly arguing that by allowing religions into school as available from the school, they are endorsing religion, which is seen as unconstitutional and a violation of rights under the Fourteenth Amendment.  

Many schools have been able to avoid this argument through careful implications of exercise by removing any of the religious aspects. Jennifer Ford, the development director and one of the founders of a 10-year-old program which teaches yoga in public schools, clarifies the practice they use. She says, “No namaste. No om. No prayer positions with the hands. Nothing that anyone could look in and think, this is religious” (Billard).  It is possible to introduce a once religious practice into a secular community without the attempt at brainwashing. The use of this practice has no religious motives, rather strictly concerning the health of the children they spend so much time with as educators.

The overall feeling I have gained through my research of those that oppose the use of yoga in schools appears that it is mainly due to the historical uses regarding its religious background. The terms seem to be creating a lot of the tension. As indicated by Elliot Miller in the argument that yoga should be removed from schools, he states that yoga instructors use “traditional yoga postures or gestures that have clear-cut associations with Hinduism, such as the ‘praying hands’ gesture” (Miller). By removing the term “yoga” and replacing it with a title of something regarding stretch and strength, the sting of practice is removed, leaving little to argue that the uses are implied religious. This allows the schools to implicate a non-spiritual practice that will benefit the students.

Baron Baptiste addresses those who oppose yoga for religious reasons and states, “we adults need to be reminded to lighten up, breathe in the joy and have some fun” (Associated Press).  So many times, people in the United States raise arms to the way others live life in fear of some overtaking of their sacred belief system. It is far too often forgotten that faith is the basis of Christianity and many other religions. Fear has the ability to fester inside us and conger up scenarios that don’t even exist. Children do not have the capacity to look at life as adults and often take life much more literal and less serious. This is what keeps children innocent. They are able to embrace the moment with excitement and enjoy life. We must keep in mind that the purpose of introducing yoga, or meditation, into schools would be for the benefit of the children to enhance their learning and health, giving them better tools for adulthood. It is not about religion, and in many ways, can be striped of any implications of such. Rather than rejecting the idea all together, the two sides need to come together and find a common ground that benefits the whole.  Introducing yoga or meditation to public schools would prove to be greatly beneficial for all parties involved and decrease many of the stress-related problems children have today.