Alternative medicine for ADHD

There is no cure for ADHD, it can only be treated. Many parents are hesitant to put their child on medical prescriptions to treat their ADHD. You need to work closely with your child's doctor and teachers to develop an individualized, long-term plan for helping your child with ADHD. Your ultimate goal is to help your child learn how to control their behavior so it will not affect them into adolescence or adulthood.

If you do not feel comfortable with prescription medications for your child with ADHD, here are some alternative methods for ADHD treatment:

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy has been shown to be one of the most effective methods for treating ADHD. By giving clear directions and a consistent lifestyle pattern to your child, they begin to develop behavioral changes from negative ones to positive ones. It has been proven that children need structure. By creating a consistent routine, you will help your child know what is expected of them. Organize your child's daily routine, place their backpack, clothes, and toys in the same place every day so they will be less likely to lose them. Teach your child how to avoid distractions by turning off the television, radio, and games when they are focusing on homework. Always limit your child's choices to be between two things so they aren't overwhelmed or over stimulated. Avoid long-winded explanations with your child. Using clear, brief directions with your child will help them understand their responsibilities. Don't be afraid to discipline your child. By using timeouts or removal of certain privileges, your child will quickly learn better behavior. You can also use goals and rewards to teach your child how to track positive behavior and then reward them for their efforts. Remember, they are a child and not an adult so don't expect an overnight change. Help boost your child's self esteem. Helping your child learn talents about themselves will help them to experience success within themselves. It will also teach them concentration and social skills by being involved in music, art or sports.

By taking the time to sit down and help your child with ADHD on a daily basis, you can impact their future tremendously. Some children need to be enrolled in tutoring or occupational therapy in addition to their treatment program. Once your child has been tested for ADHD and you have developed a treatment program, it is important to work with your child on a daily basis. Don't loose your patience with your child. Again it is important to remember that they need time to adjust and learn just as you do.

Diet and Supplemental Medicine

Studies have found that a significant number of children with ADHD are deficient in essential fatty acids. Fatty acids have been shown to make the brain release nerve tissue in the body and they are critical for proper growth, mental function, immunity to colds and viruses, and brain development. Our body cannot produce two fatty acids called Omega-3 and Omega-6. By incorporating these fatty acids into your child's diet, you may help reduce the effects of ADHD.

Omega-6 fatty acids can be found in corn, sunflower, canola and sunflower oil, margarine, vegetable oil and shortening. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in salmon, mackerel, sardines and flax seeds. Many people are deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids, especially children. Males require higher amounts of essential fatty acids than females. Studies have shown that many childhood learning problems are associated with Omega-3 deficiencies.

Here are a few other things you can implement to your child's diet:

• Vitamin supplements: Some children with ADHD may be lacking in critical vitamins such as iron, magnesium, and zinc. Before you begin giving them supplements, discuss this with your doctor since megavitamins may harm the liver.
• Herbs: Herbs can help calm a person, and they may play a role in memory and thinking. Discuss with your pharmacist how safe the herbs are to use before you or your child begin taking them. Some herbs can upset the stomach, cause sleep problems, result in headaches or dizziness, and other side effects.
  
• Antioxidants: There is no direct effect on ADHD by using antioxidants. However, many people use pycnogenol and claim that it has helped their child control excessive behaviors.

ADHD people can reduce the level of unfocused or misdirected energy by starting the day off with a healthy protein breakfast. Studies have shown that a sold protein breakfast can increase concentration, reduce restlessness, and increase mental health and physical calm. Supplement sugary cereals with toast, fruit and scrambled eggs. Even whole wheat toast with peanut better is a better option than a doughnut!

Again, there is no cure for ADHD and if you aren't going to use stimulants to help control your child's ADHD, then you need to have a lot of time and patience. Let's discuss a few changes you can make around your home to help your child control their ADHD:

Homework Time

This is often considered one of the most stressful and frustrating times for the parent and the child suffering from ADHD. Instead of sitting at the kitchen table, set up a desk in a separate room where there are less distractions for your child. Then sit with them one on one and help them with their homework. Many ADHD children concentrate better if they have "white noise" in the background. Using instrumental background music can be a great help to a child with ADHD.

Children with ADHD need reminders to help them stay on task. Try writing down all the tasks that your child needs to accomplish for that day on an index card and place it in their pocket. Then, they will remember to look at it and check off everything they have finished for that day. Many kids with ADHD do better with an organizer in their pocket or even in their backpack.

Teach your child how to write down notes in school, or take a tape recorder to class so they don't miss important information given by the teacher. Some children with ADHD begin to have their minds wander and loose track of important information they need for their homework. This can also help you as a parent when homework time comes and your child needs help.

Positive Reinforcement

Your child needs to feel the rewards that come from good behavior or performance. If you and your child have spent hours on homework and they are able to obtain a good grade in school, give them positive reinforcement. Think of what is important to your child and permit them an extra half hour on the computer or with the video game. Remove access to positive reinforcement if they display unwanted or problem behavior. Take away their rewards for that type of behavior. Teach them what is acceptable and what is not allowed. You can even use a jar and fill it with a star or a bean for good behavior, then when the jar is full; your child will be rewarded for their hard work.

Again, patience and understanding are the best tools you have to help your child and yourself. Think of ADHD as a different approach to learning and living instead of as a problem. Remember that your child just has a busy personality and you need to keep them occupied. Take coloring books to places where you know your child will experience boredom. Try to avoid over-stimulating situations toward the evening hours. Many children with ADHD take a couple hours to wind down from an over-stimulating activity and this can be difficult for the parents when it is bedtime.

Take an active role in helping your child control their ADHD. Remember, they too can become frustrated and it is not easy for them. Find a doctor who will listen to your needs and concerns and will work with you and your child. If you do not want medical prescriptions for ADHD, try consulting a therapist to be part of the treatment plan for your child. Report to your doctor if your child has undergone dramatic life changes such as; a divorce, a move, an illness, change in school, or other events that lead to a child acting out or becoming forgetful. If your child has already been diagnosed with ADHD one of the above life-changing situations can make their ADHD worse.

Before you begin using medical prescriptions such as Ritalin, be sure you know all the side effects and warning information. Some drugs for ADHD have been widely debated in the medical profession. Try using some of the alternative methods above before you result to using medication. Make sure you inform your doctor of all the symptoms your child is experiencing. Some children have allergies or teeth problems that lead to emotional behavior that can be misdiagnosed for ADHD. Always discuss with your child what options are available. You may find that working closely with your child will be a better treatment program than using medical prescriptions for treating ADHD.