| Despite doctor analysis, it's common for most people | | | | difference. We stopped the Adderall immediately and |
| to seek outside opinions and those specifically of | | | | he's been on only Native Remedies for the last 7 |
| mothers! Attention Deficit Disorder commonly referred | | | | months. |
| to as ADD (Or ADHD if there is hyperactivity involved) | | | | Mindsoothe Jr: Calms him and creates good mood |
| is growing more and more common and becoming | | | | balance, reduces anger & frustration feelings |
| even more of a challenge to deal with in today's | | | | Focus Formula: helps him focus & concentrate |
| society. | | | | Brightspark: reduces hyperactivity and impulsivenes. |
| Having an 11 year old who is ADHD - I have been long | | | | I tried taking him off one @ a time to see if changes |
| intending to write an article and summary of ADHD | | | | were noticeable and they were! He is only all 3 now |
| ADD and summarize both our experiences and | | | | and doing good. |
| thoughts. Below is my article in response to the | | | | BUT..... |
| question I hear so often: | | | | Diet is VERY important - if my son has sugar (which |
| Does my Child have ADHD/ADD? How can I tell? | | | | he usually gets from friends @ school) he is done! His |
| What do I do? | | | | behavior and mood are messed up if he doesn't take |
| My son has had ADHD for as long as I can look back. | | | | care of his diet. |
| Yes, kids are supposed to be hyper but sometimes | | | | Sleep - also very important - if he's overtired he's a |
| you can just see that little bit extra! | | | | mess! |
| As a young child: | | | | Consistent routine & expectations: knowing what |
| Very sensitive, running from one task to another, legs | | | | he has to do, how to do it and when is crucial. |
| twitching while trying to fall asleep, running away from | | | | Throwing a list of 20 things for him to do during the |
| teachers/day care workers many accidents due to | | | | day will confuse & frustrate him easily. Knowing |
| clumsiness, not sitting still. | | | | how he handles tasks and takes them all in has helped |
| As an almost teenager: | | | | us to help him. Now, we keep it simple, write it down in |
| Not focusing in school, REALLY disorganized, school | | | | a check list format so he can tick them off 1 @ a time. |
| work always late, forgetting to eat lunch, losing jackets, | | | | He is very creative and expressive now, though |
| sweaters, leaving doors open, leave soy milk on table | | | | before he could not verbalize his thoughts and usually |
| and forget to put away, mood swings, defiant | | | | came across as rude or as saying the wrong thing. He |
| What were his symptoms? | | | | is very caring and empathetic but can still get easily |
| * Restless | | | | frustrated and hurt (emotionally). |
| * Not able to finish tasks | | | | Our son has learned that ADHD is part of his life and |
| * Did not handle change well (freak out if something | | | | he needs to learn to deal with it. These techniques are |
| unplanned happened like go to IKEA instead of Home | | | | works in progress. |
| Depot as we originally planned.) | | | | Can he be successful still? |
| * Could not sit still, leg constantly moving until asleep | | | | Of course! I've met many people with ADHD as adults |
| * Hyper focus: getting so involved in task (reading, | | | | - some knew they had it, others did not. I watched |
| puzzle, building etc.) that did not hear you to stop. If | | | | how they managed their lives & work and they've |
| asked to stop would freak out.) | | | | all developed techniques that worked for them. |
| * Impulsiveness: throwing rocks @ cars, doing other | | | | What about failures? |
| dangerous things without thinking. Even if told not the | | | | Many people with ADHD/ADD do fail in life. But mainly |
| day before. | | | | because they were not understood or given the |
| * Mood swings: very sensitive, cry easily, low self | | | | opportunity to succeed. Pushed down, criticized and |
| esteem, strange ramblings, over dramatic | | | | punished for not being like everyone else - these |
| What did we try? | | | | people gave up and got resentful and discouraged |
| * Fish Oils, Dietary changes, Increase Omega 3's | | | | (who wouldn't?) and took easy ways out. Most likely |
| & 9's | | | | hanging with crowds who accepted them for who |
| * Pharmaceutical Drugs: Strattera, Concerta, Adderall | | | | they were (rough and criminal crowds.) Self medicating |
| * Native Remedies (Focus, Mindsoothe Jr and | | | | is also a common course of action (Marijuana) to take |
| Brightspark) | | | | the edge off and slow things down. |
| What works for him? | | | | Parenting ADHD |
| * No MILK! (Milk is like liquid sugar for him - super | | | | NOT EASY! |
| hyper.) | | | | Hard, frustrating and big test of limits. But there are |
| * Very little refined sugar | | | | resources out there and remember: no one is perfect! |
| * 2 bananas a day | | | | Every parent will look back on one instance or another |
| * LOTS of water through out day to flush out system | | | | and wish they had approached it differently. |
| * physical activity - sports | | | | Understanding your child and helping them help |
| * CONSISTENT ROUTINE - same routine as much as | | | | themselves will be hard and there is no right answer or |
| possible - repetition | | | | method. Get involved in support groups if you can - for |
| * Positive reinforcement & feedback | | | | yourself, family and individually for the child. |
| Is he on drugs? | | | | Support |
| Not any more. He was on Strattera but that was | | | | * Read books |
| causing him so real crazy thoughts and scary images | | | | * Contact your mental health community center |
| in his mind - so that was done with. We tried Concerta | | | | * Family doctor |
| but that didn't last and the next highest dose was too | | | | * Teachers, School workers |
| much for him. Adderall worked a bit for about 5 | | | | * Web sites |
| months and then stopped working - almost like his | | | | * Brochures |
| body metabolized it and got used to it. | | | | * Psychiatrists/Psychologists |
| Another mom I knew told me her son was on Native | | | | * Support groups |
| Remedies Mindsoothe Jr. a herbal remedy. So I gave it | | | | * Family/Friends |
| a go and it works! My son is old enough to | | | | You are not alone and this path will be a long one - but |
| communicate his feelings and he was able to notice a | | | | understanding ADHD/ADD is the first step! |