Add/adhd

I agree, nutrition and diet are probably the best place to start, can have profound effects, and is safer than medications. For some reason, dietary changes are what parents most resist.

I highly recommend the book "Healing the New Childhood Epidemics" by Dr. Bock. He goes into detail about ADD/ADHD.

Hi H.,

Not sure where you live, but there is a place in Chester (Delaware County) that does brain scans to prove ADHD. It's unconventional and many insurance companies don't cover it yet, but for a lot of parents who are concerned with such a serious diagnosis via a bunch of checklists, having a brain test like this is reassuring. I'm a former special ed teacher with a PASSION for ADHD and have learned that there are so many symptoms that present themselves like ADHD when in fact it is something else. Have blood tests run to test nickel levels and sugars (pre-diabetes manifests itself the same way ADHD looks). Omega-3 Fish Oil is a natural attention booster, which most kids with ADHD tend to crave tuna fish since the body is naturally craving the chemicals to help focus the brain. I have a bunch of non-medication suggestions as well. I always explained to my students and their parents that a brain with ADHD is like a train track with 2 trains traveling on the same track at the same time, it's impossible. The brain is meant to have one hemisphere work at a time. If both sides are trying to communicate to the person then you see ADHD symptoms. So, you have to occupy the one side so the other can do its job. Things like velcro stuck to the bottom of a students desk or a poker chip in their sweatshirt pocket or a cotton ball taped to their pencil side really help. While one hand rubs these multi-texture objects, the other side is able to focus. Finally, stay away from red/orange dye (such as in Doritos) as this has been proven to have adverse effects on people with ADHD.

Hope this was helpful. The medications really can work, but there's a lot of trial and error. Make sure the school is aware of when medications are started, stopped, etc and get feedback. Many suppress appetite, cause students to seem like zombi's, etc. These can have adverse effects socially on the student... which is just as terrible as being "the hyper kid" in my opinion.

Best of luck to your godson!!!
M.

My son was diagnosed with adhd when he was 5. I have him on vyvanse and also take him to a psychologist that specializes in adhd. Make sure you work with a doc that you and the child are comfortable with. Therapy is important too. It helps that he can talk to someone who is a third party.

the book Driven to Distraction by Dr. Edward Hallowell is a great place to start

My daughter is on Vyvance and sees a therapist. I also purchased the book " The Kids survival guide to ADHD and ADD" it's written so she can understand it and explains what it is, has techniques for coping , decision making, diet choices, help for focusing in school and handling the strong emotions that come with it.

Our son is almost seven and currently takes Concerta. He went from the boy who was so out of control he was kicked out of preschool to a thriving first grader who is pleasant to be around and excelling academically and socially. Medications can be life changing for children with ADHD. Our whole family is much happier and less stressed out. Alternative methods have mixed results and I have yet to hear of anyone resolving the huge issues with ADHD simply through alternative approaches. Combined with medication, however, I have heard of some pluses. Omega-3 vitamins are a common one to try. We did but just couldn't find one without a fishy smell and our son wouldn't take them.

A couple of great starting places for information are CHADD and ADDitude magazine. The first one is an association for people dealing with ADHD and the second is a terrific publication devoted to living with ADHD. Both are tremendous resources for families dealing with the condition.

first off, i woudl suggest you start with looking at what your child is eating before you try medications. more often than not, the child is reacting to ingredients in processed foods or has an allergic reaction (delayed food onset, not anaphalactic) so i would start with eliminating everything that has these ingredients first:
- high fructose corn syrup
- artificial colors and dyes esp. red and blues
- artificial sweeteners (sucralose, aspartame, etc)
- preservatives
then if those don't do much, then you may want to condsider wheat (gluten sensitivity), dairy (use unsweeteened coconut milk or almond milk) and soy. those are usually the next items that can cause problems.
then i would also supplement with DHA capsules as that is another thing that will help with brain and nerve function. hope that helps

J. C.
nutrition coach
www.nutrition-in-motion.net

I have two boys with add and adhd. My adhd son I have medicated for the last five years. He is ten. He has been mostly on medidate cd, but added strattera this last fall. Medication is different for each child, you may have to try a couple to find the right one. It shouldn't change your child's personality. Just help him be more in control of himself, focuss better. My teenage add son I have never medicated. He is just disorganized and forgetfull. Some of this is normal for teenage years. Alot of support with family is great. Routine and consistancy is the major game plan in my house. When diagnosis is done, or should probably do this now, parents need to write a request for evaluation at school for services. If his adhd is affecting his school work. It is a long process to get started. And by doing it now they will basically have it set up for next year. But it has to be in writing, and by law they have to do it. Also, by law they can't suggest medication, can't ask about medication, can't tell you to medicate. My kids are a handfull, never a dull moment, but can be the sweetest kids I know.

I have heard wonderful things on the way mangosteen and minerals have helped ADD/ADHD. read the testimony on this page http://mangosteenproof.com/#.... If interested check this site. bwynia.vemma.com

my son was diagnosed at 16 & we gave him the choice to try meds. my hubby was diagnosed too. they have used all the meds except vyvanse. adderall worked best for them but tended to make them jittery & affected appetite. after a couple years my hubby chose to discontinue meds. he was worried about their effects at his age, almost 50. my son felt he needed them until he graduated college and has recently discontinued meds. they both are making an effort to practice lifestyle changes~vigorous exercise 4-5 times a week, healthy diet,omega3 supplements, st johns wort. multivitamins, getting enough sleep, meditation/self-hypnosis. they will always be challenged by add but are learning to cope. 2 great resource books are THE ADD ANSWER by fran lawliss & Dr Amens latest book on ADD

My son was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 7 years old. He is now 13 years old in the eighth grade. He is on Strattera (non-stimulant) and sees a private psychologist. He also has regular sessions with the school psychologist.

Hi, H.:
Check the web: www.CHADD.org
Hope this helps. Good luck. D.

My daughter was diagnosed in 2008. She is not on medication. We have decided that medication is not right for us right now. She is on Omega-3 and DHA. This has seemed to help greatly. She sees a therapist.
When it comes to making a decision on medication I would say to read up on everything you can. Utimatly the decision is yours and it is not a easy one.
There is a web site...www.additudemag.com. It has been a great resource for me.