If you drink water, will your lost concentration return? A story about rethinking hydration for neurodivergent children [Developmental Disability Parenting]

Hello, this is Papao.

Water, that magical substance all around us.

We don't usually pay much attention to this mysterious substance, do we?

This tasteless, odorless, colorless liquid regulates human body temperature, supports blood flow, transports nutrients and oxygen, and flushes out waste.

It is like the basic infrastructure for keeping the body functioning properly, and if water is lacking, the body immediately malfunctions.

It is said that a 2% decrease in water causes thirst, a 5% decrease leads to dehydration, 10% causes loss of consciousness, and losing 15% to 20% or more can even be fatal.

It is an essential liquid for the human body, with research suggesting that even mild dehydration of less than 5% can affect attention, working memory, fatigue, anxiety, and the ability to concentrate.

In other words, it is possible that simply by not having enough water, one might be less able to concentrate, more prone to fatigue, or more irritable than they would be otherwise.

Now, as I have mentioned a few times in my notes, my daughter has been a child who doesn't drink much water during the day since she was in kindergarten. (Or should I say, "is"?)

The reason is simple.
Because she doesn't want to go to the bathroom.

The bathroom is scary.
She doesn't want to go.
So she holds it in.
Because she holds it in, she has accidents.
Because she has accidents, the bathroom becomes even scarier.

As a result, a rough theory formed in her mind: "If I don't drink water, I won't have to go to the bathroom!" and thus, a child who barely drank any water during the day since kindergarten was created.

However, there is a big problem with that strategy.

She barely drinks any water at school during the day.

While this raises concerns about health risks like heatstroke, could it also have been affecting her concentration and emotional stability at school?

That question comes to mind.

Since my daughter has ASD and ADHD traits, I think it is true that she has difficulty maintaining concentration, struggles with transitions, and is prone to emotional fluctuations to begin with.

But perhaps it is not quite right to dismiss everything as "just because of her traits."

Even for adults, we are more prone to being irritable when sleep-deprived. We get cranky when hungry. It is hard to concentrate in a room that is too hot.

In the same way, could it be that by spending the day in a state of dehydration, her concentration and mood are flying at a low altitude?

Is it possible that concentration and composure, which could have been maintained a little longer, were being eroded by a lack of hydration?

I have been telling them for a while that if they don't drink enough water, they'll zone out and it's dangerous, but...

At that time, I found an interesting research report.

According to a study published in 2017 by the University of East London (involving 96 adults and 60 children), it was found that even a very small amount of hydration (only about 25ml) has the effect of increasing "concentration and visual attention" in both adults and children.

▼Dose-response effects of hydration on cognitive function and mood in children and adults (Caroline J. Edmonds)▼

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195666316307073

Although the research results have not yet been fully proven in all aspects, the "effect of increasing attention with a small amount of water" appeared regardless of whether they felt thirsty or not.

In other words, even before the person realizes they are thirsty, simply taking small sips of water on their desk might help maintain brain performance.

Proper hydration might change how they spend their time at school a little bit.
The waves of irritability might become a little smoother.

July is almost here.
It's the season when the heat starts to get serious, but I want to help my daughter develop the habit of drinking water properly, both to prevent heatstroke and so that she and those around her can spend their time comfortably.

As an aside, writing this article about water reminded me of this.

Are your children drinking enough water at school?
How much is left in their water bottles when they come home?

If you have any tips for dealing with forgetting to drink or anxiety about using the restroom, please let me know in the comments.

I hope this article leads to everyone's "I did it!" moments!

If you'd like, I'd be happy if you could support me with a like, follow, comment, or tip!

May tomorrow be another good day.