I have a 7 year old son that was diagnosed with ADHD over a year ago. His school has been WONDERFUL in helping us find ways to help him focus and keep his body under control in the classroom, but his symptoms are pretty severe. Under the guidance of his pediatrician, who is an ADD/ADHA specialist, we have tried 4 different medications to help reduce his symptoms (Focalin, Concerta, Strattera, Vyvance). Unfortunately, these medications all had side affects, which far exceeded any benefits. My first instincts as a mother, when he was diagnosed, was to say no to the medications, but I received advise from several "educated" sources advising me to try the medications to give him the best chance possible to succeed in school. I wish I had listened to my instincts in the first place. Here is what we have done since taking him off his medication 3 days ago. We have changed his diet to cut out as much sugar as possible, which has made some difference. Also, we are going through the channels necessary at his school to get him approved for his own para-educator next year to get him the one-on-one assistance he needs to keep on track during the day. I know there are many mothers out there with children that have ADD/ADHD, so would you please share with me what you have found that has been helpful for your child? I want my son to be able to live up to his potential, but most importantly, I want him to be healthy and happy. Any advise you have to share would be so appreciated.
My daugher has ADHD too, she was diagnosed when she was 7. For a long time I didnt want to put her meds, she now takes strattera after the adderol made her loose too much weight, I tried meditation in the beginning but with little effect....I would love to have her off meds but am not sure what to do either....good luck with your search.
Hi Jennifer (and Melissa, previous post)!
My daughter, aged 15 has suffered with symptoms similar to fibromyalgia. Her doctor wanted her to go on a heavy pharmaceutical regimen, however, I didn't want to go down that path. We have been using essential oils. Try calling this number during business hours:
1-800-371-2928 Young Living
There might be an oil blend out there to help with your situation. My daughter hasn't been taking these natural products very long, so the results have not yet been obvious. These things take a long time to heal....
Hugs,
M
Hi Jennifer. My daughter is not diagnosed with ADHD, but is mildly mentally retarded with some sensory integration problems and ADD type symptoms. We won't medicate her. A few years back we began taking her to a naturopathic practitioner who did a series of neurofeedback sessions with her. (She does these on ADHD kids, too.) The results were quite dramatic. The point of the neurofeedback was to prematurely mature brain connections. We did this when she was in 3rd grade for about a year. Now she's in 7th, and in the past 4 years we've had NO behavior problems with her at school.
Every naturopath has a different prism that they tend to view problems through, and so some of this woman's advice didn't really connect with with us, but the neurofeedback was impressive. It's something to look into. Good luck.
Try St. Johns Wort. It worked pretty good for my son when he was little. That and a 7:30 or 8pm bed time
There is a chiropractor who I used to work for in Glendora who has been able to successfully treat children with ADD and ADHD. Check her website out at www.richardsfamilyhealth.com. Definitely worth the drive for the health and well being of your child.
Tell her Jennifer Champion referred you.
You might want to try limiting dairy products too. It has made all the difference in my daughter's attention/ excitability.
Hi Jennifer:
The young Living Esential oils aare homeopathic therapeutic oils that are good for many things. Check out the website to see what may work for your son.
There is a company called native remedies. Their website is http://www.nativeremedies.com They have homeopathic formulas for many things including ADD/ADHD. A psychologist worked in conjunction with homeopathic company to come up with formulas to help her clients.My 14 yr. old son has multiple things including ADD and we used their formulas and it made a huge difference for him as far as attention goes. He did better with his school work as a result. Also, I'd suggest looking up Dr. Daniel Amen. his website is: http://www.amenclinic.com He is an expert on this subject and is on cutting edge of treatments, including natural treatments/suppliments. Neuro biofeedback has also proven very effective in helping ADD/ADHD. You might want to look into that also. I knew one person that did that with their son and he got off meds and he never had to go back on and the last time we spoke his son was in his 20's. Of course, it goes without saying when it comes to these issues, what works for one doesn't neccesarily work for all, but these things are definitely worth looking into. good luck.
Hi Jennifer,
I'm not directly affected by ADHD, but I have a friend whose son was diagnosed with ADHD and a son who has mild autism and I'm always providing her with info as it comes along. Here is a website I found and forwarded to her.
http://www.bodyecology.com/08/03/06/should_parents_of_children_with_autism_feel_guilty.php
Also, I've read that some chemicals will also exasperate children's symptoms so switching to safer non-toxic products may also help.
I'm a customer of Melaleuca and can give you info on that if you're interested. http://www.TotalWellnessInfo.com
Claudia~
Hi Jennifer,
I have a 4 year old who has ADHD and we feel the same way you do about medication. It's a little easier to say no right now as he's not in school (just preschool) but we're still grappling with some pretty severe issues (hitting/biting) besides the hyperactivity and distraction.
Last week we started him on the Feingold Program, which eliminates additives like food dyes and preservatives from his environment. I researched it for a coupla weeks (in fact, I posted on this board about it!) and then figured it'd be worth a shot, why not? It's only been a week, so it's hard to say whether it's working or not, but nights and mornings at home were smooth sailing this week (school is another story...).
If you want to learn more about it, you can go to http://www.feingold.org/. There was actually a news report that covered a recent British study that supports the diet, you can watch it at http://cbs3.com/health/Health.Alert.Hyperactivity.2.664437.html
Feel free to email me if you have any questions and want more info, good luck!
Hi Jennifer,
My stepson had ADHD and is now grown. I did alot of research back then and have always had in interest in it. Back then I gave him chromium picolinictinate because that helps level the blood sugar. I now am a distributor for a company that carries a product that has 19 fruits in it and that does the same but is even better because it gives you the nutrients your body needs. Let me know if you would like to try it. My 13 year old takes it and he says it makes him more focused at school. I am all about the natural stuff. I was not happy with the meds. my son was prescribed and there are so many side effects!
Jennifer,
I would strongly encourage you to try a very incredible product of top nutrition and cleansing. You can read more about it at www.healthenergizer.isagenix.com. or call me at 562 748 0579. Dr. Karen Copeland
Hi Jennifer,
I have a homeopathic practitioner to recommend to you. Her name is Gabrielle Traub. She is world class, only female homeopath in the world to receive honorary doctorate. My 10 year daughter was having trouble with anxiety and panic, my neighbor is a Dr. and recommended I see her.
She specializes in women and children. Has done studies on children with ADD and such.
I went to her as a last resort before putting my daughter on medication for her problem. I didn't think we would ever get to the point where things were normal again with her but we did exactly as Gabrielle told us and with time, things turned around.
Her number is (858)531-5279, her website is www.discoveryhomeopathy.com
You are welcome to get in touch with me if you need any more info. [email protected]
Best of luck to you.
I have two little boys with special needs. I have tried everything under the son, except drugs. I have an amazing product that you have to try. It has worked wonders for my entire family. Go to melissam.freelife.com and read about the amzing Gochi. You will love it. If not, you get your money back. No risk and everything to gain.
Let me know what you think.
God bless.
Melissa
Greetings Jennifer,
Sounds like you have an awesome school and great support. Have you also tried eliminating all food and drinks with Red food coloring, dye number 40. This also has an effect I have noticed on children's behavior. When I taught first grade many moons ago, (an educator for 22 years) a parent shared she gave her child a natural substance, "Calm Child". I would never have suspected that this child was ADHD. I recently saw this at my Health Food Store. My little guy is only 3 years at present and diet is so very important in maintaining his disposition. I was giving him fruit snacks and his behavior was out of control. Lo and Behold, dye #40 is used. It is found in a lot of foods to get the color pink, orange, red, purple and blue. Even Go-gurts had it! Eliminating this really helped bring my boy back to balance. If ever the time comes that I need to try 'Calm Child' I will. I know there are lots of answers out there and wish you lots of luck as you find his!
As a mother of Add/HD/Dyxlesia daughter. You are on the right track about the sugar. No Sugar of anykind. Refined flour turns into sugar. Cereals have been processed so they have sugar. Oatmeal, cream of wheat are better,I use Splenda but just a touch, nothing instant. Also fruits have sugar. Be minimal with the fruit. Vary the fruit. Lots of liquids are good as long as they are sugar free. Hyper children burn a lot of calories and since they are so active they prespire alot. That is why water is important. My daughter also has many alergies. Her room has to be kept dust free and I bought a Sharper Image ionizer. It seems to work very well. At least she rests better at night. Loud music, noises are very irritating to her also. We speak softly and slowly. She gets calmer when she is home. This is also very calming to me also.
I have agrandson who is now 13. who was not diagonised with ADHD until he was 8. We tried alot of home remedies.Nothing worked. We also tried several perscription drugs. We hated putting him on the perscription drugs but he was un bareable other wise. If you son has ADHD then he probably has something else like ODD. We tried counciling several times which was a disaster. Because 1 told us pretty much to let him have his way. "Not". He is very smart.But has no comin since. We have him on concerta & risperdal because he would get anger over nothing & would start swinging.The main thing is watch his SUGAR intake. You can find alot of info on the net.
Hi Jennifer. You are on the right track...You need to get your little boy's "System" BALANCED. Eliminate slowly, one by one, sugars, white flour, everything "Artificial", etc. Start an all natural Diet. Eliminate all Proccessed foods as much as possible. I know in the real world that is pretty hard, but over time, it becomes a habit. Start adding a product called Extreme X20 to his water source. This product has over 70trace minerals, including the electrolytes Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium... It has a PH of 9.9. This is VERY IMPORTANT as well, because medications make the body ACIDIC and we need to make it ALKALYNE as soon as possible..Our bodies need these minerals for all of its ACTIONS and REACTIONS...
Most Children "DIAGNOSED" with ADD, or ADHA, usually have a MINERAL DEFICIENCY...As soon as he becomes "Balanced', you will start to notice an immediate difference.
Check out this product at www.xooma.ca It will be the best 5 minutes of your time you invested...
You could also delve more into his diet. Cutting out the sugar is excellent but there are more things to try like gluten, dyes, milk products, etc. Might as well try them all. Does he sleep well? That can sometimes cause certain behaviors. Has he had a full physical to rule out other medical issues that can manifest with ADHD-like symptoms? There are also many other medications out there. You've only tried 4, so that's something to think about. What kind of counseling did your doctor recommend? The treatment plan should always include behavior therapy. Medication only allows him to focus but he needs to learn appropriate behaviors. Does your district have a Special Day Class geared specifically to kids with ADHD? IMO, I would try all these things before attaching him with a para-professional who may be great or who may not be. The idea of a para-professional would be to provide him services but be faded out eventually. He will probably NOT want to go to Middle School with an aide, so keep pursuing other avenues like you're doing. The counseling to learn appropriate behaviors though is key so I hope that's happening for your son. Good luck with whatever you decide.