What are the alternative treatments for ADHD in a preschooler?
My four year old son was just diagnosed with ADHD (more hyperactivity than attention). My husband and I will choose the medication route only as a last resort after all other methods of treatment have been exhausted. I’ve heard about cutting sugar and processed foods out of the diet and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids (flax seed and fish oil), but is there anything else out there that is safe enough to try?
Tags: Treatments, Alternative, omega 3 and omega 6, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, preschoolerRelated posts:
attention. stimulation. exercise.
You could try talking to a chiropractor, preferably one who treats children. The chiropractor I am seeing now said that if there are subluxations (irritations, vertebrae out of place), it may cause hyperactivity and inattention. So that’s just a thought.
The alternative? Don’t be afraid to be strict, and be extremely patient. Behavioral and Cognitive therapies are also very effective, as is keeping a balanced diet. Eliminate all the junk from his diet, cut down on things like simple carbs, cut down on fats, sugars, etc…
As for natural therapies, proceed with caution and ask your doctor, because those can be just as harmful as ritalin.
Honestly, I believe it’s just a stage in most cases. It could just be his personality. You have to be a strong, consistent parent.
Doctors kept insisting that my little brother be medicated on Ritalin. My mom filled out the prescriptions, then dumped the pills in the trash. The doctors kept prescribing greater and greater doses, but we never gave him the ritalin. My mom was an extremely effective and patient parent, and when my brother reached about age 7 or 8, he mellowed out, and is now doing fine. His doctors took it as a testament to their medical expertise. -_________- HAH!
You can find a list of alternative treatments here:
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/06/17/evaluating-drug-free-alternatives-for-adhd/
http://www.healing-arts.org/children/ADHD/treatments.htm
Preschoolers too young to medicate? read here:
http://school.familyeducation.com/learning-disabilities/treatments/29437.html?detoured=1
After several years of looking at this subject, it seems pretty plain that our experts, most of them, have badly let us down. They’ve completely sold us a modern version of The Emperor’s New Clothes. South Park makes the point in one episode that medicating kids to ‘help” them focus is really about the same thing as beating them in hopes of ‘achieving’ the same results. And hitting kids for any reason is absolutely wrong. Unfortunately, some of the professionals who early on took serious issue with the way in which psychology and psychiatry ran around “diagnosing” everybody and everything allowed The Church of Scientology to align itself with them–which I believe was a political/public relations error that badly hurt their cause. If you can put that sad fact to the side for a moment, and put aside the emotion that many true believers in “meds” express, and put aside fear generally, you might decide as I have that the preponderance of dispassionate, available evidence strongly indicates that so-called “diagnoses” of ADHD are completely made up and arbitrary. Bottom line: the diagnosis itself is illegitimate. The people “helping” you and your son are, underneath, self-serving and, whether they know it or not, cruel. It’s the “science of mental health” itself which is disordered, and disordered badly. It’s fair to say it’s pretty much completely nuts, in fact. (But you sort of already knew that?) Keep being good to your son! He needs you! He ain’t ‘broken’ at all! I’d bet my life on it. He’s just being who he is, and if that’s not good enough for some people well too bad for THEM. Protect that kid!
Rebecca M -
There are a number of alternative “treatments” for ADHD, but I would first be curious to know a lot more around the circumstances of how your child was diagnosed? A child as young as 4 has a LOT going on…and while one can start to think that it might be ADHD, I am always hesitant about making a diagnosis at this age.
A 4 year-old child is still growing and developing, and has so much to absorb from the world.
I really applaud you for taking this stance to use medication as a lost resort.
I would strongly recommend speaking with a “therapist” or coach who specializes in ADHD and child development. I would also encourage you to focus more on the behaviors that you are noticing, rather than the “label” of ADHD. There are a lot of different things that can look like ADHD when it is not really ADHD.
So to answer your question, I would really take a look at how your son is different…and what strategies you are using to support him. In my work, I often find that having the right strategies can make all the difference in the world.
Also - diet can play a significant role or have a great impact. Cut back on sugar, increase protein (especially in the morning), and focus on a balanced diet that is a lifestyle and a “punishment.”
Hope this helps!
Rory
http://www.adhdfamilyonline.com
Child ADHD Coach, “Former Therapist”
Omega 3 Fatty Acids did wonders esp. when combined with Zinc supplements for my friends son.
Also caffeine seems to work well without the side effects of the prescribed medications but I think 4 years old is a little soon to get him started on that route.
Best of luck.