It’s difficult to quantify what the most effective ADHD treatment is. Because a child experiences more problems than hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, it’s not uncommon for parents to use more than one method to treat ADHD.   But which of these treatments have the most impact?  According to a new survey from Consumer Reports, stimulants are the most effective ADHD treatment for kids, but parents still think it’s not enough.  In fact, the survey notes that kids who tried alternative treatments besides medication did better than kids who were on medication only. As for the most effective non-medical treatment for ADHD, it turns out that sending children to a school better equipped to deal with ADHD made all the difference.

Consumer Reports spoke to 934 parents of children with ADHD and asked them about various topics, from the impact of ADHD medications to the effects of alternative treatments like behavior therapy and diets.  It was discovered that 84% of parents medicated their children at some point, and that 67% of them reported that the stimulants were helpful.  What’s surprising is that not all of the parents were satisfied with the effects of medication, even those who reported that they reduced hyperactivity and inattention.  Only 52% of parents believed that if they could do it all over again, they would medicate their children, whereas 44% also wished there was another way to treat ADHD.  It’s likely that these findings were due to the various side effects of stimulants, which were reported by 84% of parents.

As for treatments beyond medication, 45% of parents discovered that switching their kids to a school that can handle ADHD helped their children “a lot.” Hiring a tutor also worked for the 37% of parents who did so, as did providing a structured schedule of activities.

Diet and nutrition is another approach some families had success with. 17% of families found that adding multivitamins and supplements helped “a lot”, while fish oil supplements got very satisfied marks from 12% of families that tried them.  It looks like these parents might have found validation from the recent study that demonstrates the impact of Western diet on ADHD.  Fast food and junk food not only contain high concentrations of sodium, fat, and refined sugar; they drain the body’s nutrient stores when they get converted into energy.

Although there is no single ADHD treatment that is universally effective, natural remedies and alternative treatments are always worth looking into.  Medication will make it easier for a child to behave and learn because he or she is not as distracted, but popping a pill everyday is like applying band-aid to a wound. It won’t make the disorder get any worse, but it won’t treat the root of the problem either.  At the end of the day, ADHD is a complex condition that requires various treatment methods if you want your child to overcome the disorder for good.  As to what these treatment methods are, it depends on the possible causes of the disorder, what your child needs, and what your overall treatment goals are.

As for narrowing down these treatments, Consumer Reports suggests that parents keep all copies of test results, psychological records, and other medical records related to their child’s ADHD.  It also helps to make a list of every professional who treated your child, the treatment strategies you have tried, and your child’s responses to each. That way, you’ll have an easier time figuring out the next step when you seek a new professional for your child.

When we think of possible ADHD natural treatments for children, tonsil removal is hardly the first thing that comes to mind. After all, ADHD is caused by the interaction between genetics and the environment. What does removing tonsils have to do with reducing hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention?  The answer is more surprising than you think.

Tonsils (two clumps of tissue on both sides of the throat) and adenoids (a single clump of tissue behind the nose) are made up of lymphoid tissue, the same kind of tissue found in the gastrointestinal tract and the tongue’s base. This lymphoid tissue is made up of lymphocytes, which works with the immune system to produce antibodies – a type of protein that fight against germs and bacteria.  Antibody production is normally considered a good thing, but tonsils and adenoids are not designed to handle the sheer amount of viral infections children are exposed to.    And kids get exposed to at least five kinds of germs once school starts.

Normally, tonsils and adenoids swell when they prepare to neutralize germs. Once they’ve done their job, the tissue should shrink back to their normal size. In many cases, however, tonsils and/or the adenoids fail to do so and become large enough to impede breathing. The tissue blockage can be especially problematic at bedtime, when they block the air passages during sleep and cause snoring and overall poor sleep as a result. This interruption of the air flow during sleep is called sleep apnea, which literally means “without breathing”.  This is because the trachea’s entrance is completely blocked, cutting off the air flow to the lungs.

Lack of restful sleep produces daytime sleepiness in adults, but not in children – they become more hyperactive and inattentive as a result.  A study of the sleep habits of 5- and 7-year olds discovered that children with mild ADHD are more likely to snore than the general population. They also discovered that children who snore have lower scores on tests of attention, overall intelligence, and language ability than children without.

Hyperactive and aggressive children with enlarged tonsils seemed to benefit from getting their tonsils and/or adenoids removed via surgery (also called an adenotonsillectomy). After the procedure, they became noticeably more calm and behaved, especially when other treatment options failed to achieve these results.  Researchers from the University of Michigan observed that children who had their tonsils and adenoids removed had behavioral problems and sleep problems before their surgery. When their behavioral test scores were compared to another group of children with unrelated surgery, the researchers noted very little difference between the two groups.  Of the twenty-two children with ADHD from the adenotonsillectomy group, 11 no longer met the diagnostic criteria of the disorder one year after surgery.

This is why a comprehensive physical exam is an important component of the ADHD evaluation process. Detecting enlarged tonsils and adenoids at this stage can immediately narrow down your treatment options and get to the root of your child’s hyperactive symptoms.  If you notice that your hyperactive child snores during sleep or keeps getting up in the middle of the night, this is also a good time to get him or her checked for enlarged tonsils.

Are you tired of punishing your ADHD child for impulses that he or she cannot control? Most parents who have impulsive ADHD children are often at their wits’ end. Children with ADHD hyperactive/impulsive type are not only unable to learn from past mistakes; their tendency to act before they think often gets them into trouble or places themselves and others in dangerous situations.  Besides natural ADHD treatments like neurofeedback, what else can you do to teach their child control their impulsivity?

Some parents have been able to curb their children’s impulses with a simple game called Remote Control Impulse Control.  This card game aims to reduce impulsivity in children (grades 1 to 9) by imparting skills based on remote control symbols:

STOP what you’re doing and consider alternative actions
REWIND and learn from old mistakes
FAST FORWARD and consider the possible consequences before acting

During the game, the players pick a card and read out the true-to-life situation printed on it, which is based on case studies of actual impulsive children. For instance, one card reads, “You see yourself in the bathroom mirror and notice that a few strands of hair seem unruly. You have the impulse to cut them off.” Then, every player should to choose between one of the three impulse control strategies mentioned above.  If you choose “stop”, you should say what you would do instead of the impulsive behavior (e.g. get a haircut at the barbershop). If you choose “rewind”, you should share a similar impulse you gave into in the past, what happened afterwards, and what you learned from the experience (e.g. you cut a bald spot and had to have your head shaved completely, thus teaching you never to cut unruly hairs by yourself). If the “fast forward” option is picked, you should describe what might happen if the impulse is carried out.  Every player can take turns sharing their impulse control strategy and talk about how they might respond in any given situation.

Aside from better impulse control, the game aims to teach kids to learn from old mistakes, anticipate consequences, think before acting, work cooperatively with others, and improve problem-solving skills.  It’s also a great way for the kids to bond with the family. Together with other ADHD treatments, practicing these impulse control skills in a fun way may help your child make better choices in real life situations.

The Remote Control Impulse Control game can be purchased at Amazon and Toys R Us. Have you ever tried this game? How has it helped your child?

You’ve probably told your child to sit still and focus so that he or she can get homework done.  Anyone with ADHD is no stranger to well-meaning statements like, “If you try hard enough and concentrate, you can become whatever you want to be.”  However, relying on mind over matter can be frustrating and downright discouraging for someone with ADHD; after all, their distractible and inattentive brains aren’t exactly their biggest assets. But what if there was a way to use fidgeting as a means to improve focus?

Current research shows that fidgeting is actually beneficial for children with ADHD.  In her book ADHD and Education, Dr. Sydney Zentall observed that inattention increases when a task is repetitive, lengthy, and familiar. Basically, a child with ADHD tunes out when a task becomes boring.  According to her research, an activity that uses another sense besides the one required for the primary task – e.g. listening to music while reading a textbook – improves the academic performance of children with ADHD.  In other words, doing a secondary activity along with a primary one helps the brain focus on the latter. This secondary activity can be referred to as “distractions” or “fidgets”.

Fidgeting is a conscious, mindless activity you do while you work on a primary task.  Fidgeting does not necessarily refer to wriggling in one’s seat; it’s doodling while talking on the phone or pacing while studying for a test. In order to be effective and constructive, fidgeting has to be a deliberate act. At the same time, it shouldn’t take attention away from the task at hand; fidgeting has to be an activity you don’t even think about.

To help your child use fidgets to self-regulate their symptoms, you first need to accept that children require these sensory-motor activities to help them function well.  Don’t tell your child to “Sit still!” or “Look at me when I talk to you.” Acknowledge that these activities are not signs of disrespect, but a way for the child to adjust when they have difficulty sustaining their attention.

Explore different strategies and encourage your child to try new ways to fidget.  Here are some fidgets that might work

Talk while walking

If your child tends to tune out when you give instructions or try to have an important conversation, see if his or her attention improves if you walk while you talk.  Other non-strenuous activity like doing a puzzle together or playing catch will also work. This strategy will make it easier to talk about how your child’s day went or other important matters.

Encourage doodling

Tell your child to try doodling pictures or words while listening to a boring lecture in class.  Doodling is one of the best fidgets and least intrusive one for improved focus.

Buy fidget toys

Busying one’s hands also facilitates focus when a child is listening or thinking about how to answer a question. Fidget toys can be anything, really – a hand-sized plushie, a small rock, even mundane objects like paper clips.  Just make sure these fidgets are small enough to fit into your child’s pocket, allowing him or her to use them without distracting classmates.

Listen to music

Try playing music when your child does homework or chores – something with a steady beat that isn’t too loud or too fast.  Try BrainBalance Music, specialized music designed by Dr. Robert Melillo’s work on sound frequencies and brain function. According to his research, the two hemispheres of the brain become stimulated by certain sound types and frequencies, which is critical to overcome attention problems. For more information, visit i-waveonline.com.

Chew gum

Moving the mouth will help your child concentrate for an extended period of time. If your child’s teacher gets distracted by the sound of gum chewing, have your child suck on a hard candy instead.

Beat the time

Turn household work into a fun game! When doing chores, challenge your child by setting an alarm and racing to get the task done before the time is up.  To sweeten the deal, offer a small reward if your child finishes on time.

Current research shows a direct relationship between learning problems, developmental delays, and many symptoms associated with ADHD. In fact, a report from the National Academy of Sciences shows that mercury and heavy metal poisoning can account for as many as 3% of childhood neurological disorders in the United States. Children are particularly vulnerable to these toxic metals, not only because they have smaller bodies but also because they have not developed immune defenses against many of these toxins. The smallest exposure can do significant damage to a child’s developing nervous system. It’s not surprising that these toxins can cause ADHD-like symptoms, as well as chronic muscle pain, mood swings, chronic infections, and migraines.

There are many tests that can determine a heavy metal exposure, including nutrient element analysis and toxic elements test. Treatments for heavy metal poisoning vary according to the amount of exposure. Some can be addressed by zinc supplements, but more acute cases require advanced treatments like chelation therapy.

“Chelate” is derived from the Greek word “chele”, refers to a lobster’s claw. Just as a claw is used to grab things, so does chelation therapy use a non-metallic chelation agent in order to pick up and pull out a specific type of metal from the body. The most commonly used chelation agent for heavy metal poisoning is called Ethylenediamenetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Aside from being able to attach and pull out lead, mercury, and other heavy metals, EDTA can also slow the free radical activity caused by the presence of these toxins.

Chelation therapy can be done in one of two ways – intravenously and orally. Intravenous chelation therapy is done by a nurse or doctor, and involves sticking a needle into a vein in order to bring a slow drip of the chelation agent into the body. Oral chelation involves absorbing the EDTA through the mouth and can be done at home, upon receiving a doctor’s instructions.

Theoretically, chelation therapy sounds like a good treatment for getting rid of the toxic metals that trigger ADHD symptoms. However, the approach does have several drawbacks. The first is that EDTA and other chelation agents do not often have a specific target. This means that aside from picking up lead and heavy metals, EDTA can also remove a significant amount of calcium and other trace minerals. This can be dangerous because calcium is critical to proper neurotransmitter production and brain function (link to article). Fortunately, the leeching of minerals can be easily remedied by taking multivitamin and mineral supplements.
If you think chelation therapy can help your child, you need to verify if a heavy metal exposure is responsible for his or her ADHD symptoms. From there, do your research for a doctor with experience in doing chelation therapy for children. Although the treatment is known to be safe, there have been several deaths due to human error. Chelation is a very precise and complex procedure that should only be done by experts with the proper credentials and experience.

Kids with ADHD can be very difficult to buy presents for. Like many parents, you are probably at a loss as to what to get for your ADHD child this holiday season. If you buy an expensive toy, there’s a high chance that they’ll accidentally break it or lose interest in it after a few days. But if you get them something too simple, they may not even glance at it, leaving the present to gather dust at the back of a closet.

Before you head out to go Christmas shopping for your ADHD child, take the time to know your child and what hobbies or topics is he or she interested in. Children with ADHD may be fickle and easily bored, but they only behave this way when faced with tasks or subjects that do not interest them. But give them a present related to their real interests, and you’ll find that your child is actually capable of sitting still and staying quiet for hours – and using your present until it naturally falls apart. Here are some gift suggestions that might help you decide what to get your kids this Christmas.

Books

Your child probably has a variety of interests, but he or she might be especially fond of one specific subject. Get your child a book on this subject. Non-fiction books on insects, pirates, magic, and other topics that interests kids can be easily found at any bookstore. Many kids with ADHD are also avid readers and have certain books they enjoy reading, whether it’s comic books, teen romances, or horror stories. Find out what your child enjoys reading about then find a fiction book that follows this theme.

Arts & Crafts

Kids with ADHD are known for their original thinking and creativity. Encourage this part of your child’s personality by giving them art supplies. You can easily find paints, clay, paper, and markers at office supply stores and craft stores. Make sure you check toy stores for toys that promote creativity; for instance, Crayola has a play set that allows kids to make their own crayons. Consider giving the art supplies along with a book that details simple projects they can do with their materials.

Toys with wheels

By this, I mean a bicycle, a pair of Rollerblades, or a skateboard. Movement addresses the hyperactive component, and toys like these will give your child a chance to release some of this extra energy. Did you know that riding a bike or skating counts as exercise too? And that exercise is the cheapest, natural way to manage ADHD?

Musical instrument

If your child shows interest in a particular instrument, why not give the opportunity to learn this instrument? Music lessons are great for kids with ADHD because they address the creative component, attention component, and behavior component all at the same time.

Fidget toys

You can actually reduce hyperactivity by giving your child fidget toys – tiny toys that provide sensory input or engage your child’s attention during “quiet” events. Fidget toys allow kids with ADHD to attend to an interesting activity without excessive movement or talking. Try giving your child a bag with fidget toys and carry this with you to family gatherings to control your child’s behavior. Examples of fidget toys include small manipulative toys, textured toys, a squeezable toy, or a handheld video game that can be muted.

For many kids with ADHD, the biggest challenge they confront everyday is the inability to pay attention – in the classroom, while doing their homework, sometimes while watching a movie. Of all the human faculties, attention used to be one of the least understood. It’s neither a skill nor a talent; it seems to be an inborn ability that cannot be taught or acquired. However, the latest developments in neuro-imaging and genetics provide us with a wider and more sophisticated understanding of how attention works. Studies show that attention is critical to more practical life skills, like the ability to organize things, make deep connections with others, even developing a conscience. More importantly, researchers have discovered that people can be taught how to pay attention, even if they suffer from ADHD.

Brain retraining programs are designed to correct old habits of thinking that lend itself to distractibility, inattention, and lack of focus. Using imaging technology and foundations in neuroscience, brain retraining programs are an alternative treatment that can target the same deficits ADHD medications seek to correct. Although these technologies have not been around long enough to determine if their benefits will last, kids and adults who have tried them found that brain retraining helps in the here and now. The following brain retraining programs are particularly helpful for children with ADHD, but they come with their own drawbacks and limitations.

Neurofeedback

What it does: Neurofeedback is based on the principle that individuals with ADHD have abnormal brain wave pattern that are either over-stimulated or under-stimulated. Beta waves should appear in tasks that require concentration and focus, but individuals with ADHD usually have large theta wave patterns, which indicate a state of daydream. Neurofeedback can retrain the brain until they emit beta waves, thus eliminating symptoms of inattention and distractibility.

How it works: The practitioner will take the medical history of the child and identify the symptoms that need to be treated. Then electrodes will be strapped on to the child’s head while he or she performs a cognitive task like reading out loud. The brain wave activity will be mapped out so the practitioner can figure out the abnormalities in the pattern – which is the theoretical source of the child’s ADHD symptoms. Through a computer game, the child’s brain will then be retrained. The computer game will only work if the child concentrates and emits beta waves. If there are too many theta waves, the game stops working and will only resume when the child concentrates once more. The positive benefits of neurofeedback training remain for months and years after the last session. After a year of therapy, patients tend to reduce their medication dose by 50% or stop taking them altogether.

Costs and drawbacks: The sessions are only 30 minutes long and completely painless. However, the average cost of a treatment course can range anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000. Neurofeedback practitioners are also only available in certain areas. Finally, neurofeedback can only address the inattention issues of the ADHD spectrum and should be used in combination with other treatments.

Bottom line: If you can afford to pay for the neurofeedback treatments, it seems to be worth a shot, especially if your child cannot concentrate on schoolwork.

Working Memory Training

What it does: Working memory is the region of the brain that retains information long enough to accomplish a task. For instance, a child taking a test holds the instruction in the mind as he or she writes the answers. This program can help improve working memory, thus improving the child’s ability to finish tasks, solve problems, and adapt to new situations.

How it works: Of all the brain retraining programs, Cogmed Working Memory Training is the only one that provides convenience and flexibility. A computer program called Robomemo is downloading on to a home computer like an ordinary software. For five weeks and five days in a week, the child will then spend one hour performing several exercises that are designed to improve working memory. As the days go by, the exercises become more and more challenging. Purchasing the program also entitles the child and parent to sessions with a trainer, who can keep track of progress, troubleshoot the program, encourage the patient, and provide feedback.
At least 75% of children who complete the program have improved attention and reduced hyperactivity. Parents also report that they become more “mature” – they accomplish chores without being reminded, and they no longer lose schoolbooks and other materials. Follow-up studies show that 80% of children retained or improved upon their working memory gains a year after their last session.

Costs and drawbacks: The Cogmed Working Memory Training is a rigorous program designed for older children and for children who have better control of their ADHD symptoms. Kids aged 7 and below may be too young to understand or accomplish the exercises. The program is also expensive and costs at least $1,500.

Bottom line: The convenience provided by the Cogmed Working Memory Training is attractive to parents who live too far away from clinics that offer other non-medical ADHD treatments. Like other treatments for ADHD, the Working Memory Training program should be a component of a more holistic solution.

LearningRx

What it does: LearningRx is a series of tutorial centers in the United States that offer one-on-one training to improve cognitive skills. Kids with ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities can benefit from LearningRx’s specialized programs based on their problem areas.

How it works: The child will be asked to take an evaluation exam that will reveal his or her unique learning style and cognitive skills. The exam is an important first step because this will determine which of the LearningRx programs is best suited for him or her.
There are four programs offered by LearningRx. The first is ThinkRx, which provides the foundation of the whole learning program. ReadRx is designed to improve the reading abilities and correct dyslexia. MathRx teaches the child how to use mathematical concepts and logical reasoning. Liftoff provides the cognitive training needed by pre-school children so they can prepare to enter elementary school. Unlike most tutorial centers, LearningRx does not teach academic subjects. Rather, this program teaches children how to use their basic cognitive skills, control their attention span, and overcome their weaknesses with the help of a trainer. The program lasts 12-18 weeks, depending on the child’s needs.

Costs and drawbacks: The first drawback to LearningRx is the expense – the evaluation test costs $100, and every hour spent on the program costs around $90. This means that a whole course of treatment can range anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000. Unlike the first two brain retraining programs covered by this article, there are no published studies evaluating the efficacy of LearningRx’s approach. A small, yet unpublished study, suggest that a 24-weeks program might have a beneficial effect on various cognitive functions.

Bottom line: The evidence for this program is mainly anecdotal and through testimonials. If money is no problem then LearningRx might be worth trying.

How Attend works

Attend has over 70 active homeopathic ingredients that target the brain’s Reticular Activating System, which is responsible for consciousness, receiving stimuli from the spinal cord, and control of focused attention. Children and adults with ADHD usually have enough stimuli for conscious thought, but not for attention or focus (inattention). If the Reticular Activating System is receives too much stimulation, the person finds it difficult to stay still and control impulses (hyperactivity and impulsivity). Specific homeopathic ingredients in Attend (carbonicum and lithium bromatum) complement the chemical activity of the Reticular Activating system while directing and regulating attention. Aside from that, the herbs in Attend can stimulate neuron growth and reduce brain fatigue from prolonged mental exertion. And unlike ADHD medications, Attend can produce these useful effects without dulling the overall cognitive abilities and functions of the brain, which is a long-term side effect of stimulant drugs.

Effects of Attend

First time users of Attend tend to approach the product with suspicion, especially those who have tried ADHD medications and noticed no effect. However, Attend has been scientifically proven to reduce the symptoms of ADHD. The double-blind clinical trial of Attend shows a statistically significant difference in reaction time, performance, self-control, and focus after 30 days of Attend use (4 capsules a day). A number of customer reviews seems to support these findings; however, noticeable changes seem to emerge after a month of supplementation.

Dosage and cost

It’s best to consult a physician before taking Attend, but the website suggests 2-4 capsules a day for adults, 2 capsules a day for children under 50 lbs, and 4 capsules a day for children over 50 lbs. A bottle of Attend is a little on the expensive side – $38 for 60 capsules. Of course, you can’t expect an effective ADHD treatment to come cheap. But if the product doesn’t seem to be working for you, the manufacturer offers a money-back guarantee.

Where to buy Attend

You can purchase Attend through the manufacturer’s website. Amazon.Com also carries Attend at a slightly lower price.

The researchers have found that children taking Ritalin and other psychostimulants had a 7 times greater risk of suffering from suddent unexplained death !

Don’t take the risk with your child. Look into natural ADHD alternatives.

Dr. Pauli