Name: Jennifer Title: Can you treat add without drugs?

the school and I suspect that my son might have add. Is there a way we can deal with this without drugs? I am terrified of them. Well the side effects anyway, could somebody help?  ?

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Name: Mike • Date: 04/22/2006 01:24:28

Our son has mild ADD. We tried a drug but the side effects were too strong and it affects the growth. We are trying Omega-3 and other dietary interventions. This takes a few months to do in order to see any changes in the child. We are hopefull as May is coming and that would be over 2 months....Yes there are other options as well as environmental changes to do. How old is your child?  =

Name: Jennifer • Date: 04/25/2006 10:04:18

Thank you for your response Mike, My son is seven. He will be eight in May.How do I find out about these options?  =

Name: Eileen • Date: 04/28/2006 02:58:18

Did the school actually say they thought your son had ADD?
Did they actually test him for that? They are not diagnosticians.
This is a very complex issue. My son is ADD but cannot take stimulants because they cause motor tics. But many, many children have been helped by these drugs. First, see a doctor who is trained in this area. Don't go by what a teacher says.
Your instincts as a parent could be right on but it could also be many other things. Good luck.  =

Name: Mel • Date: 05/16/2006 00:42:31

I am sorry this is so long but alot of good info!
Dietary changes
Avoiding food dyes and additives According to a recent report issued by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a small body of research (including a 1982 study by the National Institutes of Health) suggests that food dyes — and possibly preservatives, as well — can aggravate behavior problems in a small percentage of children with ADHD. You can test this theory in your own child's case by eliminating foods and vitamins containing colorings with names like tartrazine, Red 40, and Yellow 5 from your child's diet for several weeks to see if your child's behavior or mood improves. Many foods that contain these ingredients, such as cookies, candies, children's cereals, brightly-colored beverages, and soft drinks, should probably not make up a large part of your child's diet anyway.

Avoiding salicylate and food allergens A few experts advocate eliminating foods that contain the naturally occurring substance salicylate, such as apples, oranges, berries, apricots, and tomatoes. (A regimen called the Feingold Diet, created in the 1970s by Benjamin Feingold, an allergist, advocates eliminating foods that contain salicylate as well as food dyes and additives from the diet of children with ADHD. Studies on the effectiveness of this regimen have had widely varying results.) Several experts also believe that food allergies may aggravate the symptoms of ADHD and recommend eliminating foods they believe may be triggers, such as wheat, corn, chocolate, and eggs, but very little research has been done on this. If you suspect that your child may be allergic or behaviorally sensitive to any of these foods, talk to a nutritionist or allergist before removing them from his diet to ensure that your child is still getting all the nutrients his growing body needs.

Limiting sugar While many studies have examined a possible link between sugar and hyperactivity, none has found a significant relationship. Still, some parents swear that their children act out more after eating foods that contain a lot of refined sugar. It may be more likely that sugary foods contain other ingredients (food dyes, for example) that may worsen a child's behavior. In any event, it can't hurt to reduce the amount of sugar in your child's diet. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, children consume an average of twice the amount recommended. And while some people worry that using sugar substitutes such as saccharine or aspartame may have ill health effects, there's no evidence that they affect behavior in children with ADHD.

Limiting carbohydrates This theory suggests that a diet overly rich in carbohydrates can cause cyclical spikes and drops in blood sugar levels and exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD. "There's some evidence that kids with ADHD crave carbohydrates, particularly refined or simple carbs such as sugar and fruit, and in a small percentage of cases, eating these foods does seem to make the symptoms worse," says Lynn. Proponents of this theory recommend avoiding simple carbohydrates and replacing them with protein- and fiber-rich foods, such as meats and vegetables, but most experts don't subscribe to this strategy as a treatment for ADHD. "The best advice is to offer your child a balanced diet," says Lynn.

Supplements
Fatty acids Preliminary research shows that supplementing a child's diet with the essential fatty acid omega-3 (commonly called "fish oil" because it's found in fish) can help him manage his ADHD symptoms. This strategy is based on the premise that the brain needs certain fatty acids to function properly, and that ADHD symptoms like inattentiveness and impulsivity result from a deficiency of omega-3. In fact, children with ADHD do appear to have naturally lower levels of these lipids than other children do. Researchers are currently conducting studies to test the validity of the theory. Fatty acid supplements are considered fairly safe if you stick to the recommended dose; still you should always talk to your doctor before giving your child supplements of any kind.

Megavitamins and nutrients Some proponents claim that giving a child with ADHD large amounts of certain vitamins (such as B6 and B12), minerals (such as zinc), trace elements, and other nutritional elements can alleviate symptoms. Currently, very little reliable research exists to support this theory. Giving your child large doses of certain vitamins and minerals can, in fact, be dangerous. Offering a balanced and nutritious diet is the best way to ensure that he's getting the nutrients he needs. Speak to your child's doctor if you are concerned about his nutrition.

Homeopathy Some people claim that homeopathic remedies can significantly improve the symptoms of ADHD. The theory behind homeopathy is that certain potentially toxic substances, when taken in an extremely diluted form, can trigger the body's natural healing process. There are currently no reliable studies showing that homeopathy is effective for treating ADHD.

Herbs While you may be tempted to try giving your child herbs, such as valerian and ginkgo, that are thought to calm the nerves and increase the ability to focus, no research currently exists to show that taking herbs can reduce the symptoms of ADHD. And although herbs are "natural," they can be as potent as prescription drugs, especially for children. Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates herbs only minimally, you can never be sure that you're even getting what the label indicates. Always speak with your doctor before giving your child any over-the-counter product, whether natural or synthetic.  =

Name: Serina • Date: 05/16/2006 00:43:34

http://www.oneaddplace.com/adhd-diet.php
This is a great web I thought I would pass it along.  =

Name: Serina • Date: 05/16/2006 00:46:23

My Sister inlaw has her son on a special diet no sugar, & no soda . He now tkes his med during the week only and the dose is lower.I would talk to the Drs some meds are not goto stopall at once. so ask & ask them about the fish oil. Omeg III can be bought in a gel cap it also can be found in Hepm seed oil( you can fry & cook with this) . If you go to your local health food store they can help you.( Just make sure the store has a nutritionist on staff that you can talk to) .
Very best of luck  =

Name: winks • Date: 06/26/2006 12:30:00

I am aware of a treatment centre called dore otherwise known as DDAT that treat children with this condition. They provide a programme of exercises that retrain the (undeveloped) back of the brain to stimulate its development.

I have actually been through this programme as I am dyslexic and it has changed my life by totally minising the affects that dyslexia causes. The programme has given me the chance to reach my goals and ambitions such as attending university, somewhere I never thought I would be.

I realise that I am only one success story but I am aware of loads. The website is definately worth a look.

Hope this helps  =

Name: Moe-bird • Date: 12/07/2006 15:04:10

Winks, Please tell me more about the Dore program. Maybe you could also respond on the ADHD forum, so that others can benefit from your information.
Thank you, Moe-bird  =

Name: suzi • Date: 04/04/2007 23:00:22

i am not sure but i gues it is important to know if it is add or adhd because the meds are suppost to work better with add. also only at school time for a low dose. it is being considered for my son but honestly i'm not sure they really know what is going on with him and i am scared to try too.  =

Name: emma etchells • Date: 07/20/2007 18:28:04

dunno but my son has it we kept him in a routine like going to bed at the same time same meal times daily treats for being good at school and home for doing his home work it does seem to help them cope with having a routine just try to keep it fun for them. Have you tried a sticker chart then if hes been good all week reward him with a treat, you can also keep a sticker chart at school as well our son had one and got on quite well he loved to show off them when he came home.It also helps to keep the same thing going at home and at school.We also have like a diary to show how well hes been at school that day the teacher writes a little comment at the end of a school day.he also has a diary to put down his feelings and what sort of day hes had it also shows what hes thinking.I hope that helps we dont like the thoughts of our son taking drugs either and we feel that this was the best way to go ,it is not easy can get very tiering for you both but nothings ever easy anyway just got to stick at it and hope for the best good luck and take care.  =

Name: stacey • Date: 09/01/2007 03:49:22

i have a daughter who is 1 and a half i am not sure how how early the syptoms appear of adhd  =

Name: stacey • Date: 09/01/2007 04:01:36

i have a daughter who is 1 and a half i am not sure how how early the syptoms appear of adhd obviously she is just near enough a todler but i have seen the way other children act different to her i am not sayin that my daughter has it its just different things from what other kids do yes i know every body is different and thats how a child her age acts but i know theres is something wrong  =

Name: jdourt • Date: 09/01/2007 19:38:37

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Name: Duffy • Date: 09/18/2007 22:19:46

Just came from a meeting with our daughters 2nd grade teacher and she said she suspects she has ADD she said she has to constantly all day long get my daughters attention and get her back on task. She said she will ask her a question and she has no idea what she is talking about. I thought it might be because my husband left in January but the teacher said she thinks it is more then that as it is everyday all day and she doesn't really look sad just zoned out and daydreaming. My husband is against drugs so this could be an uphill battle. They want me to take her to be tested. What exactly do they do and is there anything I can do at home to teach her to keep on task? My daughter turned 7 in March 07  =

Name: keila • Date: 10/21/2007 21:07:23

idk .. i wonder  =

Name: tracey • Date: 11/03/2007 09:56:55

i am going through the same thing with my 9 year old son. i haven't had him tested but he does have symptoms. i do not want to put him on the drugs. i am so upset.  =

Name: Sharm24 • Date: 12/12/2007 13:00:27

I have just ordered some focus from native remedies.. anyone tried this.. ?? we are on day 3 of NO ritalin.. my gut has been telling me for months to take him off.. he doesnt like being on it.. and i have not felt good about the drug..  =

Name: nick • Date: 03/05/2008 11:48:53

can you make any kind of drugs with sugar?  =

Name: nick • Date: 03/05/2008 11:51:07

why do you need sugar if you take drugs  =

Name: Melanie • Date: 04/23/2008 13:42:17

My Son was just diagnosis with ADD. The doctor put him on a mild ADDERALL.. What is other things I can do at home to help him.  =

Name: cjsims • Date: 04/24/2008 16:40:11

I've heard that many parents have had tremendous success with a Chiropractor. Don't ask how, but it is supposed to help. Along with diet changes, and exercise. Good luck.  =

Name: erica • Date: 05/01/2008 00:51:46

how early can you notice the syptoms of adhd in a child..  =

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