Anonymous
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My son is almost 9 and has ADHD. We researched the diet thing very thoroughly, and were told by our son's specialist that the food allergy theory has nothing to do with true ADHD. My mom told me to watch for food dyes, my best friend said get rid of wheat, another friend said take out milk and eggs, but ADHD isn't diet related, it's a chemical condition in the brain. A good healthy diet is important, and we stay away from junk food.
We don't use medication, although if he were worse I would keep an open mind to it, but only as a last option. His life is quite structured. He goes to bed early, even on weekends or in the summer, because he wakes up early and he burns so much energy during the day that his body needs to sleep. He has jobs to do every day, with a schedule posted on the fridge. He knows what is expected of him, and he does better with a set routine. He's a smart boy, but he feels stupid because his grades don't reflect what his brain could really do, if he could make it focus. He compares himself to his older sister and doesn't feel like he measures up. My job is to make sure he has opportunities for success, and to remind him of his strengths. His self esteem is so low, and that breaks my heart. He doesn't handle pressure very well, gets frustrated and emotional. I try to keep things level, and I try to organize our life so we're not running late or having to scramble to get somewhere on time.
There's a really good book called Taking Charge of ADHD by Russell A. Barkley. Our doctor recommended it, and it helped us a lot (I've loaned it to a few of my friends as well). So I guess my suggestions are pretty basic ... encourage her, support her, love her, be so so so so patient with her, give her structure and predictability, and find things she can succeed at. Work with her teachers, because I've found that most of them are very willing and open if you approach them with a positive spirit. And understand that you're going to second guess yourself, wonder if you're doing this right, and wish someone could just tell you what to do to fix her. I question myself when things get tough ... am I using the ADHD as an excuse to go easy on him sometimes? Should I have higher expectations? Am I actually too hard on him? "Oh my goodness, I lost my temper, I'm not supposed to lose my temper, but it's so frustrating sometimes!" I'm sure you know what I mean. Good luck, we'll get them through to adulthood, because we're moms.
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well my future husband (getting married on sat) is 28 almost and he has adult adhd. He was diagonised at 10 yrs old with Adhd. I would say the best way to understand what they are dealing with everyday is to try something..
Get headphones and turn up the music where you can barely stand it..then write a list out for groceries...as well as focus on what the person beside you is talking to you about...thats how their brain works. They can't focus on one task. They think about everything that goes on in daily life without doing it on purpose. Its hard for kids especially in school. Patience is what is the best key. DONT give her more then 2 tasks to do at one time. DONT get upset if she doesn't do it fast enough. They can't. I deal with it and he's soon to be 28. I can tell him to clean up the counter from dinner, put the dishes in the diswasher and take out the trash when your done. Do you know what he will do? The very first thing I told him...or he gets frustrated and mad because im wanting him to do so much. What we can do women can multitask...and some men can too..kids or adults with Adhd can't. Give her chores to do..make sure they are written down everyday or somewhere where she knows what to do. I learned they don't like unexpected things, things that pop up...they want things the same. Adhd kids are not good with change. And lastly just listen. If she's trying to talk let her talk..talk to her in a low tone of voice..they don't like people to get angry with them...or tell them to hurry up when trying to speak. Remember she can't help it...patience patience patience.
Anonymous
Absolutely, the health food store has some really good alternatives, also, alternative healers such as reki, healing massage, acupuncture....all help. Sometimes I think Dr's say a child is ADHD when all they are is very active children with a lot of energy, or very smart and bored with what they are doing. I know my son was very smart, and if I would have listened to the Dr. he would have been on potentially medicine for years unnecessarily.
Barb Outhere
There was a child worker who said the 5 things a child with ADHD needed are -
1. Routine - they need to know this IS what i have to do at this time.
2. A very healthy diet - proper prepared meals with the correct balance of proteins, carbs, vitamins and minerals. NO junk foods, no refined sugars, no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, etc.
3 - 5 . Discipline - If I do this - that WILL happen.
This action HAS this consequence.
I am RESPONSIBLE for my actions.
I AM bigger than the illness.
fairy
i haven't had any experience with this but they do have a few different diets that are supposed to help. i have a cousin who has that and after going through her "detox" period after being taken off one of the medications i would definitely give the diet thing a try. she was taken off of it bc it caused her to be very sick and loose allot of weight. it took 5 ppl to pin her down to stop her from hurting herself or someone else and she was only maybe 10 at the time. just do a search on line and lots of stuff will show up.