Child with Adhd

Updated on October 25, 2008
L.Z. asks from Hamtramck, MI
29 answers

I have a child with adhd and I would like to know if there is anything that worked for some moms other the meds I don't want to give my child meds any advice on what worked for some moms in the same situation. thanks

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Thank you to everyone who responded to my request all your suggestions help alot I will do my research and find out more I can do for my child he has a low form of adhd so I know I can make him better without the meds I will not look at the meds for a solution so thank you all.

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D.N.

answers from Detroit on

My daughter responded very well when I removed all artificial colors and preservatives from her diet. I understand that removing dairy and high fructose corn syrup will also help.

K

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D.C.

answers from Detroit on

There's a good book (and DVD) about diet/nutrition and ADHD.

http://www.gutandpsychologysyndrome.com/

1 mom found this helpful
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N.C.

answers from Detroit on

I just heard on the radio yesterday that if you can find a activity that they like like playing a musical instrument or excersing can really be helpful.

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D.S.

answers from Detroit on

Hi L.,
I understand your concern. I am a pediatric chiropractor and I treat children with ADHD and they get positive results. Usually when children have ADHD, they have other underlying issues as well. Chiropractic can help your childs body function better, natrually. Basically, it helps your brain communicate with your body better by freeing any interference in the spine that can be affecting the output to the nervous system. Diet is BIG. There have been mentions to it, and I feel that it is a very important approach to that as well. I have a couple of websites that can offer you more information. I applaud your effort to not medicate. Unfortantley, the medical community's most common answer to this issue is drugs, and sometimes this isn't always the correct solution. Taking a more holistic approach to your child's health will not only help their immediate issues, but can improve their health in the long run as they develop. I have worked with Dr. Sue McCreadie as well and she is a great pediatrician who is a holistic MD. Check out these sights. www.icpa4kids.org, www.mcpakids.org, www.healthisfreedom.com
Feel free to call me if you want to talk about options.
Sincerely, Dr. Heather S. ###-###-####

1 mom found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Hi L.,
I recommend Carlson's fish oil which my daughter gives to her girls(ages 4 & 10) in capsule form (but there is liquid form also in orange flavor, quite good:))..The brain is 60% fat and needs good fat to nourish it and keep it healthy. Check out www.mercola.com He is great for medical and natural advice. He recommends fish oil and krill oil. You can summit questions and you can read some of his newsletter responses on the health question you are concerned about...I also go to my local health store for advice. So glad you asked to go the natural way!
C.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.C.

answers from Detroit on

Hi,
I have an 8 year old that a psychologist said had adhd after talking to him for 5 minutes. He is a very creative, imaginary,and hyper loving boy. They wanted to hold him back in school because of it, I'm sure they would have thought of another reason. I did the research on the meds. I didn't like any of the side effects. I know, I know there is side effects for everything. That being said. I did put him on meds and they made him scary aggressive. I took him off and started to homeschool him. The meds didn't do anything but make him more mean. Since I have started homeschooling him last year at the end of the school year. His attitude and aggression has completely changed. I know that it is hard to deal with. I don't believe public schools are much help. Since he has been home he has gotten a closer bond with me and my husband. Not worrying about what the kids are thinking or saying in school. He is a very happy child. He says that he would love to go back to school. But then when he gets all his work done here at home, he goes man mom it is better to be at home and be able to do what I want instead of sit at a desk all day. It works for some and others it don't. I'm very blessed to be able to stay at home with my kids. I have 4 all together they are the love of my life, besides my wonderful husband. It helps to have a supportive husband behind you as well. Email me if you have any questions. I don't know if I was much help. I did talk to someone who has a child with severe adhd and she said that the meds concerta work really well. They don't have to carry all those warning labels either. I would cut back on sugar products and try just plain natural fruits and vegetables. I have cut that out and seen a difference. It does take a while though. Lots of work and patience. I hope I helped you some.

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J.H.

answers from Detroit on

I'm so excited to see all these parents posting about natural methods to help ADHD!!! I have a great book that may help you further: "Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies" by Dr. Kenneth Bock. He's had groundbreaking success in virtually curing many kids of these disorders in his pediatric practice (I'm still baffled as to why the American Academy of Pediatrics still refuses to examine these methods!) I've watched my own nephew go from being on the autism spectrum and really struggling with behaviors to being considered just a "quirky child". And it has all been done with dietary changes, healthy vitamin supplements, and therapies (no meds) - I'm not trying to trvialize it but my point is that it's been done with the methods used in this book.

Watch out of vaccines as well - the doctor in this book believes vaccines are good for a majority of kids but some kids just have more trouble processing the toxins (which usually happen to be the kids who end up with one of the 4 "A" disorders). So you may want to do some more research on the vaccines before moving forward. Dr. Sears' Vaccine Book has some great suggestions on that subject.

Best of luck!!!

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S.R.

answers from Detroit on

I forwarded your question to my dtr, and she gave this response:
If you are interested in a non-medicinal approach to recovering your ADHD diagnosed child there is wonderful information available. ADHD is in the Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Parents who are successful in recovering their children are having astonishing results using the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) along with supplementation. This approach has had phenomenal results recovering children in the autistic spectrum which includes autism, adhd, add, aspergers, etc. The cause of the autistic spectrum is gut related so the recovery program involves the SCD diet and supplementation. Great books to read are: Gut And Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride (there are some very informative and eye-opening youtube videos of Dr. McBride that you can find doing any internet search for her name), We Band of Mothers, testimonials of parents who have recovered their ASD kids using the SCD diet, and Breaking The Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall. Feel free to contact me as I am doing SCD and very familiar with the protocol. You can recover your child and it can be done without drugs. Bless you for having the fortitude to find out how.
I could give you my dtr's e-mail if you contact me first.
S

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S.S.

answers from Detroit on

In scientific studies at University of California Berkley, pycnogenol was shown to have a positive impact on ADHD. Some say it stops it altogether. I have access to this natural substance in an isotonic formula (kids drink it and feel the benefit in 5 minutes). If you want to know more, I have tons of information!

You need to know, though, that not all pycnogenol is the same! A gal that I met here bought some thru another source and it was not good.

S.
____@____.com

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R.W.

answers from Jackson on

We cut out High Fructose corn syrup, Dairy, and food dyes. That helped for awhile but due to the severity of my son's ADHD paired with sensory integration disorder (he seeks sensory input in some area's and is highly sensitive in others) he was literally running himself into walls bouncing off and doing it again, inability to respect personal space, hitting/kicking his classmates, making disruptive and disturbing noises, unintentional disobedience etc all of which were making him feel bad about himself because he WANTS to do what is right and he WANTS so badly to be a good boy. We ended up putting him on meds this past spring just after he turned 6yrs old. The change was amazing, he went from a crazy active, unable to stop himself frustrated and angry child to boy I knew he was under all of that other stuff. The Meds allowed him to be himself, an extremely bright (scored off the chart in reading and math tests this year!) friendly, caring, boy who is so much happier now that he can be good. He actually calls his meds his be good pills. He hates not taking them because he doesn't feel in control of his own body/mind off the meds.

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L.H.

answers from Detroit on

Hi L.,
I know of a great nutritionist who will help you over the phone with information to help your child or any child with autism or ADHD ... she's had great success. If you're interested let me know and I'll give you more information.
L.

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R.A.

answers from Detroit on

I had three boys and received pressure by teachers who wanted them on ritalin like so many of their classmates. Instead, I looked for causes and nutritional answers. As it turned out, they had many allergies, including food allergies that were the source of their nervous or irritable behavior. Please go to www.feingold.org to learn about the feingold diet for ADD. Eliminating the chemicals from their food, especially artificial colors, made a lot of difference for my children. Especially red dye, which caused headaches and irritability. The blue dye caused stomach upset and even vomiting in my oldest at age 11. The school tried to tell me it was nerves.
Meds should always be the absolute last resort for a child's behavior problems. Our foods contain many things that didn't even exist 2 generations ago. Good luck.

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C.S.

answers from Detroit on

Dear Leila,
I have the right thing for you. I can show you an article about the ADHD and pycnogenol (which is known as OPC-olygomericproenthocyanidin).
There are many pycnogenols on the market, but I vcan reccomand you the best one. It is called OPC3 and it has red wine, grape seed, pine bark, bilberry and citrus extracts in it.
Please e-mail me back and I will help you get this amazing product.
You can't find it in Helath store or drug stores.
Thanks,
C. Seys

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P.R.

answers from Detroit on

You are probably going to have to do quite a bit of reading and some detective work of your own with your child. Check out every single tip you get from the parents who answer your request, and try the ideas one at a time.

Know that vaccines contain agents that are always neurotoxic, so do your vaccine research. You may want to pick and choose your vaccines and not do all the boosters--educate yourself.

Food dyes and preservatives are a big factor in a lot of kids w/ add and adhd. Google "Feingold diet" for starters on this one. There are digestive enzymes to help -- one product is called NoFenol by www.houstonni.com

Another book that is helpful is "Is This Your Child?" by Doris Rapp MD

Essential Fatty Acids (in the form of fish oil) may be helpful.

Working on sensory development at a neurological level may help. I think the HANDLE program is best for this, but you'd have to travel a long way for a formal eval (Florida, California, Seattle). There are some activities on www.handle.org if you want to try some. Even though your child isn't autistic, Judith Bluestone's book, "The Fabric of Autism," may be helpful.

Epsom salts baths are an easy thing to try first while you're reading about Feingold. (TRY just ONE thing at a time.) Sulfation expert Susan Owens says to add a cup of ES for every 50 lbs the child weighs to the warmest bath water the child will tolerate (don't BURN the child!!! but warmer water absorbs better), minimim soak 20 min, no soap until the end of the bath. Most parents do this religiously for a couple of weeks and then stop on Friday night to see if they and the child notices any differences on the weekend. Ask your doctor if they're safe for your child. (I am not a doctor. I am a mom. Always seek medical advice.)

Ross Greene is coming to West Bloomfield on Nov 16 for twenty bucks--might be interesting for you to hear him.
http://98.130.55.106/index.php?option=com_content&tas...\
d=161

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L.D.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Check out hope139.com they help with all kinds of things like this without meds.
L.

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M.G.

answers from Jackson on

Hi L.,

I have had success using supplementation and diet changes with my son. There are a couple of great CDs I could share with you. Would you like more information?

M.

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A.H.

answers from Detroit on

I would start with a very healthy diet and great sleep, regularly. Lack of sleep can make a child seem like they are ADHD since they are then always in overtired mode where they are hyper crazy. It's worth a shot. Good luck!

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B.G.

answers from Detroit on

L.,
I applaud you on trying to find healthier ways to deal with your childs situation. I am a chiropractor in Eastpointe, MI, and I have seen and helped several children and adults that have been diagnosed as ADD/ADHD. There are several areas that we address in the office. The first is the nervous system.
Chiropractors are not neck and back pain doctors, we are nervous system doctors. Our bodies are self healing and self organizing. The central nervous system (our brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (the nerves that branch out of the spinal cord and go to the cells, tissues, and organs in our bodies) control how our bodies heal and organize itself. If there is any interference in the communication of our nervous system with the body, then there will either be increased activity or decreased activity, either way the body is no longer functioning at it’s highest potential. Chiropractors call this interference a subluxation (sub-lux-a-tion). This interference/subluxation is caused by three major life stresses- Physical stress (trauma, repetitive motions, poor posture); Biochemical stress (preservatives in food, drugs- prescription, alcohol, smoking); and Mental or Emotional stress.
By allowing the nervous system to function properly this allows the symptoms to decrease as the underlying cause is treated.
The second area that we look at with ADD/ADHD patients is their nutrition. Many people have food allergies that result in behavioral issues as well as being deficient in vital vitamins and minerals. We have a Creating Wellness and Intervention Program that we co-manage care of our ADD/ADHD clients which focuses on the nutritional and chemical aspect as well as other areas of ADD/ADHD.
If you would like additional information for you and your child, we have a website www.khalilchiropractic.com with a link to the Wellness Center. I can be reached at Khalil Family Chiropractic ###-###-####.

Yours in finding better ways to health and wellness
Dr B.

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V.J.

answers from Detroit on

First off you have to cut out all the processed foods and especially sugar. You might as well consider it an allergy to sugar.
also we have incorporated a non drug approach to ADHD in our office called Auriculotherapy. It has done wonders for the adhd child. Please feel free to contact me for further information.
Yours in health
V.

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A.H.

answers from Detroit on

Hi L.
I was treated for a "motor over flow" as a child, and given rittlin for it. All I remember of that time is how the meds made me feel so mentally sensitive. They made my brain hurt, I was super sensitive to vibration. And could feel the traffic 1/2 a mile away as disturbing. I also went home sick a lot because of it. My mom took me off it and we started eating even better.
I'd suggest reading something by Gary Null, he's amazing.
"The Food-Mood-Body Connection: Nutrition-Based and Environmental Approaches to Mental Health and Physical Well-being" sounds like a great book to me. He also has some info on vaccinations "Germs, Biological Warfare, Vaccinations: What You Need to Know "

Many conditions that are generally believed to be purely mental disorders are actually caused by vitamin deficiencies, food allergies, hormonal imbalances, and environmental factors. In this book, the best-selling health and fitness expert who has been called "Mr. Natural" by Time magazine presents nutrition-based treatments for the underlying biochemical imbalances that cause many of today's mental problems.

Dan bellow mentioned this site http://www.gutandpsychologysyndrome.com/
I was just reading about the book and am very excited about it. Great stuff when the medical people find the connection between a healthy digestive system, the food we eat, and how our bodies/brains function as the end result.

This site looks good too...
http://www.savvypatients.com/add.htm

Good luck, A. H

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J.B.

answers from Detroit on

My 10 year old stepson is ADHD and is sent home with homework on the weekends but not his medicine (he's on Concerta, and it works very well for him during the school week). My husband and I have him run in the backyard right before settling down to do his homework. This helps him focus. When he starts to lose focus, we excuse him to take a break and do something else active for 15-20 minutes. It seems to work for us. Good luck!

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M.T.

answers from Detroit on

My daughter was reciently diagnosed with ADHD and we do not have her on meds at this point (she also has a heart murmur). We are just working with a therapist and it seems to be going fairly well.

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C.L.

answers from Detroit on

My chiropractor has great success with helping. I've talked to him about ADHD a bit (I teach piano to students with ADHD at times) and diet also makes a differencce.

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K.D.

answers from Detroit on

L. we have tried a few things and found that meds worked best for our daughter. That said you can try finding out if a food allergy is causing the ADHD, it was the cause of a friend of mine's son's problem - they eliminated the food that was causing and it is a night and day difference in the boy.
You could try caffine, Mt. Dew has a higher amount than a lot. It is a non-med stimulant that sometimes helps.
We went to a therapist, who after several years suggested the meds.
Hope this helps and good luck.

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C.T.

answers from Detroit on

Hello L.,

Congrats on having a wonderfully adventurous child that God gifted you with. I also have an ADHD 13 year old and he makes me smile everyday.
Check with a well know nutritionist in your area, but nothing will give you or your child piece of mind like meds that the doctor prescribes. This disease is just that, a disease and there won't be anything but certain meds from the doctor that will allow the brain to get under control.
Hope you have a great day.
God Bless, CIndy

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A.H.

answers from Detroit on

I recommend checking in with a Naturalpath to get your best options first. They are very educated on the subject. Also, I am not very certain if a child with ADHD can be 'cured' of this, but I am certain that natural medicine (Reflexology, Essential Oils, Etc.) can greatly assist in addition to a scheduled routine and diet.

Rid the current diet of excess sugars (many convenient foods and beverages are FULL of excess sugar.) The more natural the food (and if it is in it's original form and skin- such as apples/ oranges it is even better!). The routine helps the child to come to know what to expect in his day.

Good Luck!

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J.B.

answers from Detroit on

My daughter has ADHD. Without the meds she can't sit down in school, or follow what is going on. On meds she has gotten all A's and B's, and gets along better with kids. I'm not a medicine person either, but truely believe these kids brains/hormones are different. We treat diabetes with medicine, why not mental problems.

Good luck.

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A.S.

answers from Detroit on

focus all natural (nativeremedies.com)just started to give my child today. read good reviews. good luck . I know the pain. I gave my child med, small dose. It help and my child got all a's last year. the reason is my child didn't gain weight the whole year. the doctor said that was normal. Different meds for about 3 years. had trouble with all different meds for different resons.I try behavorial therpy ,made things worst he felt their was something wrong with him.

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S.S.

answers from Saginaw on

I have to commend all of you that deal with the ADHD with out meds. some times just changing diet will work other times other interventions work as well. I have noticed with my boys even though on meds they have to have many things repeated to them. Depending on the day and how the ADHD is affecting them I may have to go and tell them one step at a time for something as simple as picking up the mess they made in the living room. The other thing I have found that works is when I am talking to them I have to keep bring there action back to me and have them repeat what was told to them. good luck

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