| Are you frustrated with all the conflicting information | | | | of time that he slept dropped to about five or six |
| out there about children with ADHD? Your doctor | | | | hours. Needless to say, it only took about 3 days |
| probably says that stimulant medication is the way to | | | | before the life in our home was out of control. A few |
| go. He will tell you that these ADHD medications have | | | | days after discontinuing the medication life was greatly |
| literally turned "D" students into "A" students. Others will | | | | improved. Believe it or not, it is normal for some |
| tell you that ADHD medications are dangerous and | | | | children with ADHD to be put on sleep medication, to |
| there is no way you should even consider putting your | | | | counter the effects of the ADHD medications. |
| child on them. So how are you supposed to sort out | | | | Overall, nutrition is the most critical piece that must be |
| the truth from the hype? | | | | in place for children with ADHD. I have known of |
| First, let's discuss the need for controlling the | | | | several children who, when put on ADHD medications, |
| symptoms of ADHD. Parents often turn to ADHD | | | | virtually stopped eating. They quickly became |
| medications because children with ADHD often seem | | | | malnourished and had to be given protein shakes in an |
| to create havoc all around them. In our family it | | | | attempt to put weight on. |
| seemed like 80% of our parenting attention was | | | | Considering these problems with ADHD medications, |
| wrapped up in dealing with behavioral issues involving | | | | how should you proceed as you search for help with |
| our son who has been diagnosed with ADHD. That | | | | your child with ADHD? Leave medication as a last |
| only left 20% of our energy for our other 3 children. | | | | solution, not the first. Begin by working on your child's |
| Often times in addition to the hyperactivity piece, there | | | | diet. Many children with ADHD have a sensitivity or |
| is also an anger piece that goes along with ADHD. | | | | allergy to dairy products. Cut out all dairy for two |
| When our son turned 6 years old, we saw an | | | | weeks and observe their behavior. Most children will |
| explosive anger that scared us that seemed to come | | | | show a marked improvement just with this one |
| out of nowhere. For the next year or so, it seemed | | | | change. If you decide to make this permanent, be sure |
| that the relationship with him was sliding down hill faster | | | | to supplement the diet with a quality calcium |
| and faster. We decide something had to be done, if | | | | supplement. |
| only to build a health parent-child relationship. It was at | | | | Next remove red dye totally, and sugar as much as |
| this time that we decide to try ADHD medications. | | | | possible. Many children have a reaction to red dye, and |
| In many ways, ADHD medications are effective for | | | | adding sugar to the diet of an already hyperactive child |
| controlling many of the behaviors associated with | | | | will only make things worse. |
| ADHD. It is true that children can do a complete turn | | | | Lastly, start your child out with a high protein, low carb |
| around when put on stimulant medication. However, | | | | breakfast. Our experience has been that the absolute |
| one thing the medical profession seems to minimize is | | | | worse way to start out the day is with pancakes and |
| the fact that these medications have many side | | | | syrup. A breakfast of meat and eggs, with a slice of |
| effects. | | | | whole grain bread, seems to be the most effective. |
| While side effects of ADHD are usually not a serious | | | | Foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids such as fish are |
| health risk, they can lead to health issues and may | | | | also very good. |
| actually cause the symptoms of ADHD to worsen. | | | | It is very helpful to supplement your child's diet with |
| Two side effects that virtually all patients experience | | | | vitamins and minerals. This will keep the nutritional |
| when taking stimulant drugs are a loss of appetite and | | | | intake at a level that will keep feeding the brain (and |
| interrupted sleep patterns. Both sleep and nutrition are | | | | the body). There are also several plant based extracts |
| essential for brain development. For children with | | | | that improve sleep patterns and brain health that you |
| ADHD, this is especially true. | | | | should consider before turning to ADHD medications. |
| Pre-teen children need between 11 and 13 hours of | | | | It has been said that 80% to 90% of the symptoms |
| sleep each day. We found with our son that after two | | | | that children with ADHD struggle with can be traced to |
| or three nights of less than 10 hours sleep, his behavior | | | | a nutritional deficiency. So why give them something |
| completely fell apart. He would become extremely | | | | that will make their eating habits even worse? Helping |
| unfocused and defiant and it would require another | | | | your child get plenty of sleep, making changes in their |
| two or three days of good sleep to get things back to | | | | diet and finding nutritional supplements designed to help |
| "normal". | | | | with concentration and brain development will all add |
| When we put him on stimulant medication, the amount | | | | up to behavioral changes you can count on. |