Adhd - Santa Fe Springs, CA

Hi K. from another K.!!

My Son also has ADHD. He has grown out of it pretty well as he matured and still has some residual focus issues. My son was on ritalin thru first grade, and I hated that I was drugging him, but he did do well on the meds.

I'm not sure what steps you are already taking, but here is what I did.

I decided, with the help of his wonderful 2nd grade teacher ~ to wean him off the meds. We cut the meds in half and then to 1\4, but we made sure he had a protien snack before lunch and after lunch and he was taking omega-3 pills (three a day) the protein and the omega-3 really helped him to focus and kept his energy level on an even keel. I also met with each of his teachers up until highschool, and let them know that he had adhd, was not on meds (by 5th grade he was med free) and they kept him close (to thier desk) and helped him focus as well. I removed ALL processed food from the house - this removed all yucky chemical and preservatives that just added to the issues. That was a hard time.. getting used to "natural" snacks, but I let him cheat when he is visiting his aunt or grandmom. I also introcuced him to martial arts, the activity, plus the discipline they practice is REALLY helpful.

Good Luck!! Mares at the Grass Roots was REALLY helpful with this, hopefuly they will be back in business soon!

Dear K.,

My children were diagnosed ADHD and I didn't want to give them med's that cause harm in the long run. So, after much research, I turned to the "Feingold Diet" and information from the "Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation." You can google these websites. After only a week or two of changing their diets and eliminating chemicals, all my kids were practically normal. A lot of substances cause ADHD symptoms - like glues, permanent markers (used for white boards in schools), cleansers, detergents, most cleaning chemicals, off-gassing from carpeting, bedding, new clothing, and new construction materials (counter-tops, cabinets, shelving - all woods and plastics). Any foods that are produced by food companies add preservatives (chemical-based), and dyes (highly allergenic). A good naturopathic physician can help identify foods and elements that are particularly aggravating for your son.

I learned to prepare foods directly from organic local farms. It's important to shop your farmer's markets. A lots of foods, including organic foods, are being shipped in from other countries that are using pesticides which affect us. And, the tobacco companies are buying the larger organic farms - and we certainly can't trust them!

Please research on-line about Indigo kids. You'll learn that most ADHD kids are extremely intelligent. My kids are grown and are all college grad's, 2 with doctorates. My ADHD nephew graduated top of his class at Harvard Law. I highly suggest that you explore websites regarding Indigo Children. A lot of the children coming into the world today are genetically superior to previous generations and our school systems don't know how to handle them. These kids are not "controllable," they need guidance - they need an entirely different approach to disciple and teaching. There's a lot of info you can get from googling "Indigo Children". When I used techniques for Indigo Kids, my own children went from "school-age problem kids" to angels with very few problems.

I also got a trampoline and took my kids to a "gentle" chiropractor for adjustments. It's especially hard on kids to sit in a controlled environment all day in school. I let my kids go wild at home for the first hour or two after school to let out all the stress. They were much calmer after that. And martial arts are extremely helpful for focus and stress control. My son (who just earned his doctorate in acupuncture herbology and oriental medicine) loved Chi Gong.

Good-Luck!

Dear K.,
Greetings!!!

It's wonderful to hear that you have taken your son off this medication. I STRONGLY, STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU NEVER PUT HIM ON ANY PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE, INCLUDING HIS TEACHERS, SAY TO THE CONTRARY!

I'd recommend calling the CITIZENS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (CCHR). Their # is: (323) 467~4242. And, here's their website: http://www.cchr.org/. They can definitely help you!

I'd also recommend checking out 2 other organizations that can also help you:
http://ablechild.org/
http://www.psychsearch.net/teenscreen.html

As you probably already know, your son's diet (what he eats) can also play a vital role in how he behaves.

Hope this helps! Please free to call me anytime: (323) 906~2784.

L. (Mama to 19 week old Dylan Orion) : )))

Don't let the school dictate your son's well being. Getting in trouble on the playground is not something he should be medicated for...That is a behavorial. Now if your son is having difficulty focusing and having classwork issues again well then that is different. I know alot of kids on medication and have witnessed some miraculous changes. I do understand what you're saying about they just seem "different" on medication. Trust your mom's intuition and try to deal with the behavorial aspect to see if you can keep him off the meds.

Hi K., My son had many problems growing up with ADHD from pre-school on. I am an LVN and resisted medication at first also. After many problems with school work and socially I changed my mind. The dramatic change was scary. However, I wanted my son to be sucessful in school and socially. The medication helped to control his impulsive behavior in school and on the playground. It does take adjustment, and there are different meds to try if one doesn't work. Take your time. Give meds a chance. The bottom line is a good start, quality of life for your son and being sucessful (school and having friends). I don't agree with the global ("no drugs") anymore. Make sure he gets the proper testing and remember YOU are his advocate! My son eventually stopped taking the meds. I still have to remind him to "stop and think" before acting. He is 22! Good Luck.

You don't mention how old your son is. I also do not like meds, but after several years of problems at school, I relented. My son is now in 7th grade, has no behavior problems at school anymore and is on the honor roll, and yes, he is still taking the meds. He says he feels better (less jittery, more in control) when he takes them. We've tried every brand out there with varying side effects, and are very happy finally with Concerta. So, perhaps a different medication or lower dose might work for your son. If not, try some healthy alternatives - we've found fish oil to be helpful, and believe it or not, caffeine can actually help too (our son would drink a cup of tea).

Hi K.:

I suggest you go to the website “naet.com” and order the book “Say Good-bye to ADD and ADHD,” as sometimes the behaviors are the result of a body’s reaction to things it perceives as allergens. If you decide to pursue treatment, you can find an NAET certified doctor through the website. I (and 2 of my grand children) go to Dr. David Karaba for other allergy related treatment (freedom) in Fullerton and absolutely love him. His phone number is ###-###-####. If you want to do further research, you can also visit narfnet.com. Here’s the information on the book:

Say Good-bye to ADD and ADHD
By - Devi S. Nambudripad, M.D., D.C., L.Ac., R.N., Ph.D.

This book explains how ADD and ADHD are related to food, chemical, environmental factors, vaccinations, drugs, and other factors. In Say Good-bye ADD and ADHD, Dr. Nambudripad, the developer of NAET® (Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Techniques), provides an innovative and natural solution to ADD and ADHD, the most common problem plaguing many children and adults today. This book will provide guidelines to help self-evaluate and recognize the symptoms of ADD and ADHD or educate the parents to observe and evaluate the child’s behaviors from a very young age by guiding through a list of abnormal behaviors or patterns in the child. If any abnormality is suspected, then the parent could seek appropriate medical help at an early age. This book show you how certain commonly used foods and environmental substances can cause attention deficit and hyperactive disorders in your child; how you can test your child and detect the culprit causing the child’s sudden abnormal behaviors in your privacy of your own home using the Nambudripad’s Testing Techniques described in the book. This book will educate you how your child’s health problems can relate to allergy and, how allergies can manifest in myriad symptoms that might seem unrelated. The author also provides a few effective home-help procedures that might temporarily get your child out of trouble. The book also helps you find the help in assisting your child find the help he needs to reduce ADD or ADHD or even eliminate permanently and help the child lead a normal life. The book is supported by case studies from NAET® practitioners, and testimonials from patients who have been treated successfully by NAET®.

Hi K.,
My heart goes out to you and your son.
I have gone round and round with this situation with my oldest son who is now in 8th grade.
I wish I had known earlier what I know now. Your boy has special needs and it is the schools responsibility to provide services to meet your child’s needs. There are regulations governing what the schools must provide for your son by law. Most parents are not aware of these services or laws because the schools usually don’t voluntarily give out this information because it costs them money. In addition to this, there are time lines that they are required and expected to keep in relating to providing these services once you have requested them.
Go on line and Look up. FAPE (Fair and appropriate education.) Find out how to get an SST/ IEP going for your son. Better-yet you can save yourself, your son and your family a lot of time, energy, pain and suffering and just do what we finally did. Hire a Child Advocate a dispassionate 3rd party to fight for your son’s rights and do this for you. Hiring our advocate was like hiring a lawyer. There may be some that do this for free but most charge. We paid quite a bit for ours but it was soooo well worth the investment. I wish we had just paid the money earlier. If you think you can’t afford one, ask yourself this question. If your son’s special need was leg problems and your child needed a wheel chair so he could function and get around a little easier with one, would you deny him one because it cost too much. Schools are not Psychiatrists and while they can suggest medication because it is easier for them, they can’t make you put your son on medication. My son was not receptive to medications and we tried many that I wish we hadn’t. We tried to work with the school on our own and the result was useless until got help out side the school and the district and hired an independent advocate. The services that were finally provided and the compensation my son received justly paid for the cost of the advocate.
You have to protect your child at any cost. Don’t let the school continue to neglect your son’s needs and what is in his best interest. Schools are willing to provide only the least they have to do for your son. An advocate will fight for the most of what will help your son. GOOD LUCK

When our daughter was first diagnosed she was about 5. I read every book I could find on behavioral methods of dealing with ADHD, tried everything, and found a few things that did help a lot. It took a lot of time and persistence, not to mention patience, but some of the methods really helped and the notes home grew fewer and fewer and finally just became friendly conversations with her teachers once in awhile. She finally did go on medication in 9th grade because she just couldn't maintain focus, but by that time she had a lot of insight into her own situation, and we could work with her to include medicatiion along with a Section 504 plan at the school to meet most of her needs.

After trying some other medications, we finally found that Strattera worked best for Katie. It works on Norepeiferin (sp?) levels instead of dopamine. It doesn't have the ups and downs of most ADHD meds.

Hi K., my name is S.. I am a counselor in a residential treatment center and I work directly with boys ages 7-19, many of which have been diagnosed ADHD. I am not a Doctor, but I do have over 12 years experience in the Social Services field and am part of a clinical team which develops individualized treatment plans for the residents. Each week I meet with a psychiatrist to discuss the residents on medication so I have been educated on the many different medications for children with ADHD. If you are very adament about keeping him off the medication, but are concerned about managing the behavioral issues, you may need to submit a written request to the principal that your son receive and IEP . If you are not familiar with this, it is an Individualized Education Plan. IEP's are developed specifically by you, your sons teachers, and school administrators/counselors to address his needs and also makes him eligible for resource classes and counseling. Smaller class size, individualized short term goals, and a more structured environment will definitely help him to be more successful in school and may curb some of the behavioral problems. I would also like to recommend that you discuss other medication options with your doctor. I have found that Stratera has less side effects in children. It is not a stimulate, which means it doesnt wear off, although it does take a few weeks to build up in the system. There is a book I recommend- "Driven to Distraction" (Im not sure of the author) but it is a basic rundown of ADHD addressing the childs needs as well as the parents needs. I hope this information helps. Good Luck

Why not talk to the MD to see if there might be another medication he can try. My son also has ADHD and we had to try some different meds and adjust dosages. We had the same problem with the weight gain but he just had to learn to eat when it was time. I felt that the results of being medicated outweighed the side effects. It is easier for me to get him to eat then to deal with the ADHD. And the benefits....better attentions, better grades, better listening and following directions...etc. I know it is hard but my son needed meds. Have you also tried changing his diet? No junk food, no sugar? 70% of all diseases and disorders are due to bad diet and lack of good nutrition. My son is now a teenager, doing very well. Doesn't take his meds anymore because he has learned to deal with his disorder, and we cut out all junk and sugar from his diet. Good Luck! Check out www.juicyfruitsandveggies.com for a whole food supplement I give my son.

hi, have you tried or heard of Neurofeedback? I saw a report on it as a alternative to meds for ADHD on Frontline on PBS a few weeks ago,also cutting out all the hidden sugar in his diet is an alternative, I would go the diet and exercise route before you put him back on drugs, the drugs can really do a number on these kids as I saw on this episode of Frontline and how over medicated our children are and the terrible side effects.
there is lots of info on the web about what alternative therapy their is for ADHD.
best of luck to you , I know it can be heart breaking for you.

Giving him, and his teachers, some tools on how to help himself when he's overstimulated, tired, on edge, etc. may prove really helpful. Having him at the front of the classroom, having his teacher touch his shoulder when he's given directions, troubleshooting what his triggers are with the fighting...so you come up with an action plan together, etc. You can go to a behavioral professional to help you come up with ideas. I agree with you that it's alot more work, for everyone, in honoring who he is. Hang in there.

You should check out information on learninggymusa.com. They are in Manhattan Beach and they have a lot of programs (and natural ideas) for help with ADHD.. they can help with diet and also with a program that might help. Hope this helps.

Have you seen a counselor? My husband is a family therapist and used to run a preschool for children with adhd, etc. You can check out his website at http://www.georgecastromft.com or call him at ###-###-####.

My son was a very hyper little one at that age. Everyone, including the schools wanted me to put him on meds, but I don't believe children should be drugged so they can calm down. I changed his eating habits a bit. I tried cutting out as much sugar as possible. He was fed more veggie and less fruit due to the natural sugar that fruit has. I also got him involved with out door activities. They need to be able to be energetic children. Having them in activities allows them that freedom as well as gives you a break. We just need to learn how to pick our battles. Take time to explain when it's ok to be wild and crazy and when it's time to be calm.

Hi K.,

I know how you feel. My son is now 23 and about to graduate college with a degree in engineering..He still sometimes has a hard time getting thru his studies. He stayed on medication until he felt it was time to stop. I know a lot of parents don't like the thought of it but if it helps your son stay focused it is important he stay on it. They say diet helps..I never found that to be true..Most of these children are very bright but need some help. My advise to you is to keep him on the meds but maybe have the dr lower his dose. Yes it is easier for the school but it is also easier for your son and that is who you need to think about.

I'm not a parent but my work is alternative medicine, have you tried this route? There is much to be done for adhd sufferers. Evidence and experience is showing that diet and the types of foods your child eats can reduce or completely elliminate adhd symptoms. The big no-no are refined sugars, processed foods, additives, colorants, pesticides... There is also strong evidence of an allergy/adhd connection. Enough excercise is also helps because it releases the right hormones in the brain to keep a balance. Also studies have shown that in adhd sufferers they have a shortage of omega 3. And are you absolutely sure your child has adhd? I have a friend whose child was diagnosed adhd years ago and now they find out it is Aspergers Syndrome and not adhd at all! There is a lot of imformation out there and qualified people to help you with it, to help your child get a grip on this or get rid of it all together, without drugs! I hope this helps!

If I were you I would get another opinion from another doctor. One that specializes in this field. I had the same problem as far as the school telling me my daughter had ADD. I took her to see Dr. Samson in Long Beach, CA. It was ruled out. I agree that a lot of the schools want kids to behave a certain way, and if one child doesn't go with the status quo automatically they have ADHD. But, you will probably need to address the anger issue with you son, and let him know that it is not tolerable anywhere.

Hi K.,

I am not sure where you live but UC Irvine has a well repected elementry school designed specifically for children with ADHD. They also offer parental and children classes during the evening. Their website is http://www.cdc.uci.edu/schoolprogram.shtml . If it does not show here, you can Google UC Irvine and ADHD then click on the school program on the side bar. They can be a great source of information.