ADHD - Any Methods That Work Besides Medication??

My mom has had great success with www.interactivemetronome.com If you're interested I could give your her information. She loves working with ADD and ADHD kids because they have such huge potential and this unlocks it for them. I'm not too sure about whether or not her students get off meds, I would suspect so. She's in the Denver area, if you're interested. I know she recommends looking at the diet, too, so you're doing well there. I hope you get some good answers.

Looking for alternate treatments is so important. Our society over medicates our kids everyday. You mentioned he eats very well, are you supplementing him with any vitamins and minerals as well. Minerals can be extremely important and are not as prevalent in our foods anymore as they used to be. So the problem can be, no matter how well our kids eat, they are still missing a lot of the nutrients they need for their mind and bodies to function properly. Our family takes a natural vitamin and mineral supplement called VEMMA. It is a liquid so they bodies process and use the superior nutrition much better than chewables or gummies that are full of corn syrup. A number of kids with ADHD have benefited and I wanted to share it with you. I am a SAHM (was a Chef)and now and working to spread the word on this amazing product, it has helped so many of my close friends and family. Email me at ____@____.com or call if you prefer ###-###-####. It could be worth trying this natural approach and you would know that you are getting the best natural nutrition in his body.

I really, really applaud you for wanting to avoid the meds! My sons best friend was diagnosed and his mom found a Dr. who does the diet analysis, it's actually a study where they see how the child reacts to certain foods, all foods, not just processed foods! It takes alot of work and they never finished the study because it was not covered by insurance and she is a working mom. So there are alternatives, just search them out! It's so hard, ther eis alot of pressure from the schools to get the kids medicated and the Dr.s seem to want to medicate them!

Dear S.,
ADHA is difficult to say the least. It sounds like you're doing a lot to support and help your son. I know of a fantastic supplement that has worked wonders for other ADHD
children. It helps them focus and calms them. It's completely nutrition based. I don't distribute it but I use it and can put you in touch with the distributor and give you a little information, if you like. A very warm and giving company that I'm proud to be involved with. Feel free to email or give me a call on my toll free line.
D.
877-264-7619
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We're seeing a wonderful acupuncturist who uses acupressure to treat my son's food allergies. I know that she does work with kids with ADHD and their families have noticed marked improvement. Email me if you'd like her information. Good luck!

I'm a child clinical psychologist and I've helped many families develop excellent behavioral plans for ADHD kids. The key is that you have to work closely with the school as well. while a normal parenting plan with rewards can be useful, an ADHD kid needs more. close coordination and communication between parents and school is crucial. If you are in CO, I'd be happy to talk to you about this. If you are elsewhere, I can help you to find a referral.

I am not sure how this would work with kids, but I thought I would share my recent experience.

My husband (for years) has been dealing with depression and anger issues. He (finally!) decided he was willing to see a psychiatrist. This psychiatrist is very open to natural methods and put him on a supplement (specifically for correcting brain chemistry) called EMPower Plus. It has changed him. I believe it has greatly changed his brain function, and allows him to respond normally to life's challenges. (Not reacting in anger and frustration when our 2.5 year old disobeys--but responding calmly to the situation, etc...) Anyway, part of his diagnosis was that he has some symptoms of ADHD. Anyway, after seeing what a supplement can do for my DH, I wouldn't be surprised if something like that could help your son. The Doctor's name is Dr. Cormier and he is in the Cherry Creek area.

Good Luck, and I applaud you for not being willing to just stick your son on drugs.

Hi S., I am actually a child therapist and helped start up an ADHD clinic in Jefferson County. I just had to throw in my two cents. It sounds as if you are very committed to working on the behavioral issues with your son and are doing so much research instead of denying the condition. So you are off to a great start.

I have to just say that often people feel like medicating is "giving in" or "giving up". It makes me sad when people feel like they've in some way failed by starting a medication. I don't see it that way at all. ADHD is the most researched and studied psychological condition. Study after study has shown that optimum results come with doing behavioral work (which you described to a 't') AND medication. Medication alone won't work, and often, behavioral things alone won't give you the best results. I've seen so many kids struggle with school and socially and it could have been avoided.

At the very least, I would say be wary of supplements. People have concerns about the medications, but at least they are regulated- supplements often have more adverse side effects and are not studied or regulated.

I am actually one that tries to avoid meds for my daughter as well. She has mild asthma and I resisted starting her on a daily pill for it. But she continually got bronchitis so it was more a matter of the lesser of two evils. You don't have to assume your son would be on meds forever. So I do agree with natural methods when appropriate.

I applaud the hard work you have already done for him, keep it up. And if you do decide against meds, I would recommend checking out several different books on ADHD. Get a mix of books- ones that promote alternatives to meds and ones that don't, see what fits for you.

But please don't get scared by claims of dietary problems and herbs. From your post, you sounded pretty level headed about that anyway.

Best of luck.