ADD/ADHD

ADD/ADHD The Restless Child

Help, they want to put my child on DRUGS! This was the message I sent to anyone who would listen. The thought of a zombie child, listless and uncaring, glassy eyes and motionless. I could not fathom how anyone could do this to a child! He is so full of life, curious and inventive, with an imagination that just will not stop. I told myself, so what if he occasionally bounces of the walls like a superball, aren't all children reckless and carefree at times? Don't all parents look at their children and say "If only I had one ounce of that energy!"

Needless to say the first month of school didn't go to well. I received a note from the principal which said " Your child was sent to the principals office twice this week for disrupting the class, he is not doing his work and he is failing"! and to call and schedule a meeting. At this meeting I was told that my son presented all of the classic symptoms of ADHD! Oh, but he is not alone, nine other children in his class also present these "symptoms"! Now, let's see, thirty kids in a classroom and ten have ADHD, isn't that one third of the children? The school psychologist strongly suggested that these children be taken to a pediatrician to be diagnosed and treated. Like little lambs being lead to slaughter, I thought to myself!

Here's how the experts define Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. "ADHD is a Disruptive Behavior Disorder characterized by on-going inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity occurring in several settings and more frequently and severely than is typical for individuals in the same stage of development." Well All children develop differently! One of the first things you learn as a parent is that some children are slower than other and some are faster. And to never gage your child's development by the speed at which children of the same age are developed. But when school starts you are told there is a level that all the kids should be on. This is "Disruptive Behavior" and cannot be tolerated at school, and your child needs help for this "Disorder"!

So, now it is obvious, I have to do something more, my little talks with him had worked at first, but perhaps I should have him tested for ADD/ADHD. While he was going through test after test at school, I was at my computer, reading endlessly, finding out everything I could about ADD/ADHD. From everything I read, I deducted that he didn't fit the pattern of ADHD. He is still and quite for hours at home, doing his homework and doing crafts with me. He is very creative and stays at it until he is finished. I did a little testing of my own based on what I had learned about ADHD, and he was focusing his attention.

Two weeks later and the testing is done and a meeting is arranged. Five women, including myself, seated around a short table in kiddy chairs. Well, your child is very bright, as a mater of fact he ranks in the upper 90 percentile on a scale of average being 50% of children his own age. In other words he's way above the average intelligence of his piers. He is just not paying attention, he seems distracted, he is not applying himself to his work or following instructions. He will not sit still and constantly interrupts. He has a behavior problem and we are sure it is ADHD, we suggest you take him to a pediatrician who will more than likely prescribe Ritalin. Up out of the little chair I came, and the first words out of my mouth "Will you all please excuse me, it seems I have to go and find a way to teach my extremely bright child, because you people obviously can't!" OOPS! definitely the wrong thing to say!

More talks with him, more notes from school, failing grades, it seemed never ending. It became clear to me that my son had some kind of learning problem and weather or not I agreed with the diagnoses of ADHD, something had to change! So, more research, maybe there are alternative treatments to DRUGS. I found so many alternative treatments it became confusing. But the number one procedure for every treatment was a change in diet. It seems there is a link in ADD/ADHD and artificial colorings or dyes, as well as flavorings, preservatives and hydrogenated fats. Sugar, or to much of it also contributes.

No more soda's and presweetened drinks, no more sugary cereals and snacks, no more candy, no more potato chips and frenchfries. I started using Stevia or sweetherb in homemade drinks like lemonade, icy cold naturally flavored herbal teas and chocolate milk made with coco and stevia. Only 100% fruit juices, unsweetened and lots of plain water. Homemade frenchfries fried in olive oil, are on the menu and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. I was blessed with a child who likes broccoli and raw carrots.

I read that vitamin deficiencies can cause focus and attention problems in children. I added a daily natural multivitamin to his diet. Attention problems can be a symptom of lead poisoning or contamination by other metals. Magnesium is a good mineral to flush metals from the system and taken along with calcium and zinc they have a calming effect. Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc supplements were added. Also children need more vitamin B Folic acid for proper development of neurotransmitters in the brain. Essential fatty acids in fish oil, flax oil and vitamin E are important to the development of the immune system. Under developed immune systems were reported in some 75% of ADD/ADHD cases. Fatty acids are also important for signal transmissions in the brain, eye and central nervous systems. I also added Lecithin, a lipid that is required by every single cell in the body. The cell membranes in the body are composed largely of lecithin. These membranes handle the flow of nutrients in and out of the cell. And MSM, a naturally occurring organic source of nutritional sulfur with multiple functions in the body.

You may ask how in the world do I get him to tale all this? Well, we call it a power shake! I take natural vanilla ice-cream (Bryers), add frozen strawberries, low fat vitamin D milk, all his vitamins and supplements, put them in a blender, turn it on and say abracadabra! He loves it, very tasty. Not only does he love it, IT'S WORKING! He is making much better grades and passing the first grade this year. His teacher says she can't believe the change in him. She wants to know my secret, I told her and she has told the other mothers. I get a call occasionally from someone who is in the same desperate spot. It has worked every time. Who knows maybe it's the abracadabra part!

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