OT -- natural remedies for ADHD

[Princess-in-Training]

DS is 5, and DH and i have suspected for a LONG time that he has ADHD. I won't go into the reasons why here -- just trust me that we have done the research, monitored our kid, and we would never take such a diagnosis lightly (we both, in fact, believe it is diagnosed too often) His teacher has recently voiced her concerns as well. We have a doctor's appointment next week to discuss this with his pediatrician. DH and I really hate the idea of sticking him on drugs (so many possible side affects!), so I'm looking into alternatives.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has had any experience trying natural remedies for ADHD? I don't want to waste money on snake-oil (most that I've looked at are like, $35 a bottle!), but I'm willing to try that before prescription drugs. I had GREAT success with Gripe Water for DD when she was a baby, as well as some other things like teething tablets, so I know that there are definately some reliable homeopathic remedies out there.

I'm rambling... but I know that Disers have really helped me in the past!

Have a great day!

in training

 

[meandtheguys2]

Have you tried changing his diet? We had a reasonable amt of success with the Feingold diet when i worked residential.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

Taking all or most sugars out of his diet should help too.

 

[Princess-in-Training]

We haven't tried changing his diet yet -- I think we only just finally decided that we have to do something. However, he is SUCH a picky eater... and he has food sensory issues... it would be sooooo hard. Not to say I won't check on the diet you mentioned, though!

thanks!!!

 

[meandtheguys2]

http://www.feingold.org/

I'm sure what foods would give you problems, but the sensory issues might improve when the chemicals are removed. I don't think this diet is a panacea, but for the kid who has issues with this stuff, it worked well.

 

[littleteapot]

www.feingold.org/aap.html

Feingold isn't really hard to follow and it has helped a lot of families.

 

[bumbershoot]

I know 100% that if we hadn't changed DS's diet any medical professional seeing his behaviour when under the "influence" of the ingredients would want to diagnose him with something.

Last summer I finally realized that he could NOT have high fructose corn syrup. He had some behavioural stuff that was worrying me, but I finally put it together while having fun at an outdoor festival. Normal day normal day normal day. Then I did the unusual and let him having a lollipop...did some crafts in the kids area, he got very restless, went to do something else, got a bit aggressive towards the other kids, and when I decided time was up b/c of his aggressiveness, he attacked me. He's very tall and I'm short, and he was using his fingernails and just flipping out. Trying to choke me, scratched my face up and my neck...but when I looked in his eyes I saw fear.

We finally got home (had to walk b/c that's how we got there, we live in downtown) and he passed out for hours.

Finally realized it was the high fructose corn syrup.

Since then we've realized it's also corn syrup and even corn syrup solids. Found out that Dole Whips have corn syrup solids after watching him go Tas (tasmanian devil) after eating one at Disneyland. Took me 5 minutes to catch him while he was running in circles, wagging his head back and forth, not caring if he ran into anyone. Then he fell asleep.

Found out that Uncrustables are loaded with it all.

Can you tell that our Disney trips have changed, food-wise?

Many ice creams have various forms of it in there; we have to get only organic, or certain types of certain brands (some haggen dasz is good, a Breyers or Dryers natural is good, but only certain flavors). Reeses PB cups are fine, but m&ms are not.

Again at DLR we let him decorate a cookie at Woody's RoundUp, and he ate some frosting and some cookie, and within 20 minutes was freaking out again...realized the ingredients were on the box, and again, it was loaded with those ingredients.

It's possible that it might be regular old corn, but no one wants to experiment with it, not even DS. He knows very well that the stuff turns him into a "dragon", as we put it, and he does NOT like being a dragon!


We have also since realized that HFCS causes DH to fall asleep. He can be wide awake, then he'll have a soda, and within 5 minutes he's nodding off. It's very freaky.


Anyway, it's very very very worth looking into as a starting point. Check out all labels, see if there are corresponding behaviours after meal-times, and what he's eating. It can't hurt, and in fact even if it doesn't correspond, really, no one should be eating those pseudo-foods. DS now enjoys pancakes and waffles with powdered sugar instead of syrup while out (though it should be noted that powdered sugar is mixed with corn starch, so the most sensitive can't even have that) and organic pure maple syrup when home. We have all had to go to a more natural, less-processed, diet, and it's good for all of us.

Though it's frustrating, to find item after item with one or more of those ingredients. Even my son, not even 4, sighs when I read yet another label to find those dreaded words, and he'll say "why they put high fruk corn srup in there?" I don't know, son, I guess they are too lazy to figure out a REAL food to make the overall food taste and feel like they want it to taste/feel. It's very frustrating.

But I'm so happy to say that we are ALL happier. Except for the oopsie moments when I let him have something that I find out later has one or more of those ingredients, he is golden and totally fine. And when I do find out while he is eating something (at DCA, eating an Uncrustable from the kid's meal, when I looked at the package and my heart plummeted) I tell him that it's in there, and if he starts to feel like a dragon that he can breathe and talk and try to keep calm, but that I totally understand if he feels rotten. Then I try to find someplace safe for him to run it all off.


It's a good place to start!

 

[brergnat]

If you suspect ADHD AND he has sensory issues, it seems a more extensive evaluation may need to be done. Multiple issues like that could be something on the Autism spectrum (I'm not diagnosing your child, but ADHD-like symptoms along with sensory issues usually point to something more than just ADHD). By all means, discuss with your pedi, but I would recommend asking for a referral to a pediatric neurologist, so that an in-depth eval can be done.

As for natural remedies...it's not "natural", but CAFFEINE is said to really help calm ADHD kids. It has the opposite effect that it has on adults, and really helps them focus and calm down. If you don't want to give your kid soda, try some of that new hot cocoa (by Swiss Miss) that has added caffeine. Just see what it does. I believe caffeine is one of the ingredients of Ritalin as well...

I have a child with autism, and without going into all the drama that accompanies such discussions, I think all the "special diets" are a total waste of time and money. Feed your child a healthy, balanced diet and don't fret about the evils of gluten, casein, and soy. Unless your child has an obvious allergy or food intolerance (manifested by vomiting or explosive diarrhea), you can be assured that his current diet is probably just fine.

 

[bumbershoot]

I wanted to add that DS is fine, totally fine, with normal sugar. He could have safe ice cream with a safe cookie and have seconds, and he's FINE. But if one of those things has corn syrup in it, he's NOT fine. So it's not sugar for DS, it's the fake food made from corn.

 

[bumbershoot]

"CAFFEINE is said to really help calm ADHD kids. It has the opposite effect that it has on adults, and really helps them focus and calm down. If you don't want to give your kid soda, try some of that new hot cocoa (by Swiss Miss) that has added caffeine"

Teehee, giving something with one effect to get the opposite effect is homeopathy.

Just in case OP's kiddo has a problem with HFCS etc, most cocoa mixes are going to cause problems b/c they have corn syrup solids and whatnot.

 

[katerkat]

I wanted to add that DS is fine, totally fine, with normal sugar. He could have safe ice cream with a safe cookie and have seconds, and he's FINE. But if one of those things has corn syrup in it, he's NOT fine. So it's not sugar for DS, it's the fake food made from corn.

I've noticed the same with my kid. When he's had HFCS, he starts showing behaviors linked to autism. I started cutting down his intake and have it nearly eliminated from the house due to South Beach. (Our biggest issue is fruit snacks - all his friends eat them and he desperately wants some, but I can't find any with no HFCS.)

He has some normal sugared candy that doesn't cause a reaction. And we don't cut out any other foods (though we try to eat balanced, healthy foods.) It's amazing the difference in him without the HFCS.

 

[stacy6552]

First of all, You will need a medical evaluation from a psychiatrist. I would also request an evaluation by the school district for services. If he has Adhd, then the school should provide proper support and accomodations for him.

I highly recommend "The ADD Answer" by Frank Lawless. There is an entire chapter about the diet and enviormental factors to ADHD. However, I do not suggest you begin playing with his diet or take any steps that could effect his evaluations.

 

[gelebean]

My MIL has always told me that my son showed signs of ADHD, (she works with a lot of children with ADD/ADHD) but I had always felt that it was just the way he was.

Now I know there can be varying degrees, so I guess it depends on the child but up until this year (he is 6) we have always managed. This year he started getting in trouble at school more often so my DH and I decided we had to do something. We didn't want to give our little guy medicine's so I started researching on the internet. I found that around 70% of kids with ADD/ADHD showed an improvement when they changed their diet. So we gave it a try.

IT WORKED!

Now, my DS was very willing to try the new diet when we sat him down and explained what we were going to do and why. (I think he was tired of getting in trouble too)

We took away as much sugars as we could (including fruit juices), only whole wheat (breads, crackers, ect.) and no cow's milk! Crazy enough this sets him off the most(he drinks rice milk now). No processed meats and of course no sweets.

He can have regular cheerios with rice milk for breakfast or whole wheat bagel with cream cheese. He has yogurt, a ham sandwich on whole wheat bread and whole wheat crackers with water for lunch and a healthy dinner for example.

I am telling you, it made a huge difference. Everyone at his school can see the difference and I have had a lot of parents come up to me and ask what I did.

May or may not work for you but it is totally worth a try!

Hope this helps.

 

[gelebean]

Oh, and since when he does have something he shouldn't (like pizza) it only take a day to get out of his system, we let him have some treats during the weekend.

 

[bumbershoot]

However, I do not suggest you begin playing with his diet or take any steps that could effect his evaluations.

If the behaviours go away with a change in diet, then why would he want to keep those things in his diet? If the things are causing the behaviour, then getting rid of them will alleviate the need to be diagnosed with anything.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We haven't tried changing his diet yet -- I think we only just finally decided that we have to do something. However, he is SUCH a picky eater... and he has food sensory issues... it would be sooooo hard. Not to say I won't check on the diet you mentioned, though!

thanks!!!

Part of the reason why he might have foos sensory issues and be a picky eater is because of the effect that certain foods have on him. I would check out Dr. Bock's book. It is all about diets that help Autism, ADD, ADHD, Asthma and Allergies. It is difficult to change the diet and be very strict about it but in most cases it does work. You just have to be very strong and it will work. My BFF has done the diet with her son. I swear this kid probably ate a tic tac from 2003-2004! He now eats like a champ since she changed his diet this year. It was a little hard at first because he was jonesing for certain foods. He needed to detox from them. It sounds crazy but it is true. The biggest change though is in her son! He has ADHD and he is like a different kid now! Even her doctor cannot believe the change. I would try it personally. Good luck!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

If you suspect ADHD AND he has sensory issues, it seems a more extensive evaluation may need to be done. Multiple issues like that could be something on the Autism spectrum (I'm not diagnosing your child, but ADHD-like symptoms along with sensory issues usually point to something more than just ADHD). By all means, discuss with your pedi, but I would recommend asking for a referral to a pediatric neurologist, so that an in-depth eval can be done.

As for natural remedies...it's not "natural", but CAFFEINE is said to really help calm ADHD kids. It has the opposite effect that it has on adults, and really helps them focus and calm down. If you don't want to give your kid soda, try some of that new hot cocoa (by Swiss Miss) that has added caffeine. Just see what it does. I believe caffeine is one of the ingredients of Ritalin as well...

I have a child with autism, and without going into all the drama that accompanies such discussions, I think all the "special diets" are a total waste of time and money. Feed your child a healthy, balanced diet and don't fret about the evils of gluten, casein, and soy. Unless your child has an obvious allergy or food intolerance (manifested by vomiting or explosive diarrhea), you can be assured that his current diet is probably just fine.

I can understand what you are saying but changing your diet no matter what is ailing you can have an effect. What does it hurt to try it? It just may work. Just out of curiosity and not to start a debate, have you tried any of the special diets?

 

[nascar-j]

I have a child with autism, and without going into all the drama that accompanies such discussions, I think all the "special diets" are a total waste of time and money.

I have a DS10 with significant ADHD. I was also an ADHD kid in the 60's (Pre-understanding and meds). I'm also a healthcare professional and used to work with a fair number of ADHD, autistic and behavioral kids.

As with many diseases, ADHD and autism can occur on a broad spectrum. For those on the milder end, diet changes can impact behaviors well. For kids like my son, it takes significant stimulants (caffeine is a mild stimulant to the poster above) to control his hyperactivity to the point where he can concentrate and not embarrass himself infront of his peers.
Think of this as we do for pain management. Pain also occurs on a spectrum. Mild pain can be well controlled with distraction, music, or therapeutic massage. Bad headache pain can be managed with ibuprofen, a migraine takes bigger guns... Major post operative pain takes codeine or morphine levels of drugs. If I came to you after a major abdominal surgery when you were having 8 of 10 pain and said I was going to prescribe a radio and a massage to your abdomen, you'd think I was nuts and want to know where your morphine PCA was.
ADHD, like pain, takes an appropriate assessment and finding the treatment that works for you or your child. It just depends on where the spectrum you fall and how you respond to the treatment, be it diet, exercise, therapy or pharmaceuticals.

j

 

[minkydog]

Good luck. I hope you can find the right tools that will help your son. My oldest, DS21, has severe ADD. His entire school career was a struggle. Like a lot of other posters, we tried changing the diet, making schedules, adding exercise, blah blah blah. None of it made the difference that medicine made. With the very first dose of Ritalin DS was a different child.

Ultimately, the answer for my son was homeschooling. it was the only way for him to learn without distraction. In school he required large doses of stimulants to even stay on task; at home, in a more limited setting, he was able to learn better and only required minimal dosing. DS graduated high school at age 20 (it was not an easy road, by any means) and went on to complete a year of college. He still has ADD, but elects not to take medication now because he feels it interferes with his creativity(DS is an actor & writes music.) Interestingly, he has been very successful in sales. He could sell you your own dinner! He is currently the asst. manager at an office supply store, the youngest in the state, and he's running circles around all the older management.I don't know how he does it, but I'm sure it has something to do with the unique way his brain is wired.

I just wanted to give you some encouragement. Treating ADHD isn't an all or nothing deal. You may need to try a little of this and a little of that. There is no magic bullet. Best of luck to your family.

 

[meandtheguys2]

bregnet, Just because a diet change didn't work for you, does not mean it cannot be affective for others.

Not ADHD, but 2 of the autistic children I know have made HUGE bounds due to diet changes. One was an accident. I had a spare jug of raw milk, and passed it on to my pastor's wife. By the end of the weekend, her 10 word a day guy (13 years old) was chatting, talking to be socially involved. That Sunday at church, before we had talked with anyone we were commenting on him looking up. Before, his eyes never left the floor. I had no clue what color they were. Incredible change, which continues.

Other case isn't a diet change, but some other supplement. He is a little boy in SS class. Absolutely unconcontrollable. We had to have a seperate aid just for him. I was out of town for three weeks, and I came home to a different child. He sat quietly, talked when appropriate, and wrote his name on his paper. His mom said it was an almost immediate change.

Working with the kids worthy of residential treatement, there were a solid number that improved dramatically when their diet was changed. These changes were maintained even following discharge, when the parent's adhered to the diet. If the parents got lazy, their child became uncontrollable, again. Statisticlally speaking, these kids had a much higher rate of doing well. Attending school, staying out or juvie, and growing up into functioning adults than did the rest of our clients.

Lesson learned...you never know what will or won't work, until you try it. Just like caffeine works for some kiddos and adults with ADHD.