I just wanted to share a few non-drug approaches I�ve been reading about in the only book I was able to find on ADHD published in the last year (2008). Anyone noticed how out of date some of the �main books� on this topic are? The book below is a super easy read, good for teens and some children � lots of color photos, large text / good summary of the condition. It has a time line of the medical discovery of �ADHD� as something observed by medical community since 1845 on page 95. Has a great list of all the national associations on page 98.

I hope people find this list helpful. The details can be found in Chapter 6 of the ADHD Update � �Understanding Attention Deficit/HyperActivity Disorder by Alvin and Virginia Silverstein and Laura Silverstein Nunn.�

To summarize the non-drug approaches (some of which I hadn�t heard about):

Training the Brain � biofeedback/neurofeedback gets a mention. LENS is the new version of this technology � it also feeds a message back into your brain/frontal lobe, and doesn�t just train you to keep your attention on the screen you are watching. But either version is supposed to help you increase attention span/brainwaves leading to attention. (Pricing for this is around $80-100 per session in VA). Anyone else got prices?

Attention Trainer � a bicycle helmet that increases game action on a computer when their attention remains high.

Brain Exercise/Brain Gym � The Dore Program � run by Dore Achievement centers in the US, stimulate the lower back of the brain � cerebellum, and helps to control movements � even after 3 months of what is considered to be a yearly program- this apparently had great results! See http://ww.doreusa.com

Training the Ear � Tomatis Method � developed by ear, nose, throat doctor � music is used at different frequencies to retrain the way people with ADHD listen and hear sounds. This apparently improved social and academic skills and increased attention span in LD and Behavior �Problem� kids.

Dancing � Dance Dance Revolution (DDR). A machine that is a cross between Twister and Simon Says � kids match the steps and the musical beat as they stomp on 4 or more panels with arrows, matching an animated screen they are watching. (I believe that�s now known as WI � anyone?) You could of course use Twister and Simon Says I imagine with some degree of success! I find this very odd - seeing as 1 hour of TV and video games is also said to increase ADHD in most kids! but as a former dancer - I don't find dancing at all strange!

Diet and Exercise (obviously)

Green Time � to avoid that new �Nature Deficit Disorder� � apparently 30 minutes in a green place is still better than 30 minutes in a concrete jungle /basketball court. Think trees, oxygen to brain, running around, oxygen going into blood stream, endorphins increasing.

Now � �am I stupid� � or does most of this list get covered under:

We used to have 3 recess times a day when I was 5 (mid 1970s)
We used to do Dance, Drama and Music in school or out of school as much as possible.
There�s a reason for Yoga?

When I compared what I had as a hyper kid to what my son has now � I see that 3 things are diffrent - recess, dance and music. And of course � boys would NEVER go to dance class in the USA without lots of stigma � so of course boys will get diagnosed more frequently � another reason to add to their �reasons why we get diagnosed more often list�.

Forgive my sarcasm - but seriously - for anyone struggling on a budget - wouldn't it be better to put our money into dance, drama, music and outdoor exercise - and reinstate it on the national curriculum for all grades ......instead we look to pay for "ridciulously" priced therapies, doctors fees and medical insruance and drugs (assuming we are lucky enough to have jobs/insurance).

***standing ovation***


PS. Of course, I have learned throughout my adult life that things that make sense are rarely the options of choice by the "powers that be".

A recent conversation with DS's teacher even had her fussing about the lack of recess for her 4th graders. She said that she thought most of her behavior problems and focus problems would be better with more recess time

Thanks for sharing some of those resources. I have many books on ADHD, but don't have any newer ones. But have looked at some info on-line and more up to date research. I agree with you that there should be more activity and outside time incorporated into schools. Also feel that there should be more hydration and snacks for older kids (I work with pre-k and K and think they get plenty). I do find it sad that schools are often so focused on meeting standards that they neglect the positive effect that play and being outside can have on performance and behavior, etc. Even when some schools do get it, they usually are discouraged to do too much of it because often time parents say things like "I am not sending my kids to play, I am sending them to learn."

Anyhow, I am a fan of trying non medical approaches first for ADHD. Although I have to say that I am also a fan of medication for ADHD when needed. Sometimes all the interventions in the world are not enough without medication. I have been working with this population for quite some time and that is just my experience. It's obviously not just with ADHD...it's with a lot of conditions: migraines, depression, anxiety, etc. You try what you can first...and then if it is not enough you go the med route.

ADHD has got to be the most overused diagnosis in the history of the world! Any time the slightest little behavior issue comes up, here it comes like clockwork! "Must be ADHD!" Couldn't possibly be just simple high energy?

This is one of those subjects that just frustrates me! In the past 6+ years, I've had 47 foster children. I can't tell you how many of them came through the door with an official diagnosis of ADHD and in many cases medication. For every one, except one that diagnosis was just simply crap! For the other one, he was actually bi-polar, he didn't have ADHD either!

I agree that is is overdiagnosed in cases, but I have seen it undiagnosed in cases too. Some kids just have high energy, that is not ADHD. Unfortunately some professionals can't distinguish and just provide medication. I personally don't think you should just be able to go to a pediatrician and get mets for ADHD. That's just my opinion, because mental health isn't a pediatrician's area of expertise and because of that they often overdiagnose it. It frustates me when children have had a lack of structure and other things like that in their life that clearly makes them anxious and energetic and people assume ADHD. Especially in cases you have talked about, like in working with foster children. But I have seen the other end of it too which saddens me. Really good kids that keep getting punished at home for acting out at school and not following directions, etc...when they just don't have that self-control. They are great kids that aren't defiant..they just can't help it. Like punishing a kid for not being able to read the board when they don't have their glasses. How much sense does that make? Okay..maybe that was an awful analogy. My DH tells me that I am awful at analogies and that I shouldn't even try, LOL.

Fish. Oil.

I hope you're not talking about me because I didn't say a thing about meds.

For me, with meds:

I like my child (I always loved him--but I now really really like him)
A fight doesn't erupt every other second
He doesn't break everything from numerous window panes and games, toys, lamps, etc. by accident anymore
All his clothes are no longer chewed to pieces
My good friend no longer calls him "pig pen", although he still wears his lunch sometimes.
I'm not afraid to leave him alone with his brother for half an hr while I blog

Thanks eema for providing a differnet perspective. It's good to hear a success story. Where their side effects too though? I hear usually the drugs work, make it significantly worse, or just plain don't work at all.

Interesting to hear everyone's experiences and perspective...on my hunt for a non-drug appraoch if possible....

I still vote for a change in curriculum!

Thanks Eema and Cym for sharing those great examples. I have had tons more parents that I work with that have had good experiences with their children on meds, only a handful of not so good experiences (and those really weren't major, there are just a few kids that don't ever benefit well from meds...no major side effects but doesn't really help). I will have to write some of those down to share with parents.

I am working with some parents now that are completely opposed to trying meds, and it makes me so sad because these particular kids are falling apart. No friends, not able to focus to do their work, coming home with bad behavior reports, getting depressed and not understanding what is wrong with them, bugging the crap out of teachers because they can't stop interrupting or moving around the classroom, coming home and getting lessons from parents on how to focus and pay attention (as if they have control over it and are doing this all on purpose because it's just so fun). It tears me up. Two kids that I am working with I suspect are gifted. They are clearly advanced but are falling behind because they can't even sit to focus and do their work. I see so much potential that I fear will never be met because parents have made their mind up. "No meds, no matter what"

And I love the tearing shirts apart. I have had several kids with ADHD that have had that issue as well. It made me chuckle.

Hi IronMom,
Here's my favorite 'non-drug ADHD approach' -

Flylady.net

This internet site is a fun, free, mentor for folks who want to develop their 'Executive Functioning' - but they call it keeping one's home-space in order. I had given up the idea of a physically peaceful home until I met the Flylady. Now I have a home that cleans itself, on much less time and effort than my old approach.

We found a decrease in 'behavior schools don't like' by instituting regular bedtimes and meal times, too.

Love and More Love,
Grinity

I have e-mailed numerous pscyhologist about ADD/ADHD non-drug approaches. Every psychologist that I have communicated with are deeply involved with SENG.

LUMOSITY is what I have been using in conjuction with medications to manage my ADD.

The psychologist love it and it was produced in part with Dr. Scalon (the name of the company)

Each psychologist has heard of this, and are reviewing the black and white papers for the results.

www.lumosity.com can explain my excitement much better than I can at this moment. It was developed specifically as a non-drug alternative.

Five areas are worked with:

Speed
Attention
Flexibility
Problem Solving
Memory

The problem is, it is over diagnosed. So there are kids that I have met that are diagnosed with it and are just wiggly, and then there are kids (and adults) that I have met that actually have it.

My son and Husband both have it...... and they work on keeping it together and focus. My husband was given med's as a kid and it didn't work well for him.

With my son, every Doctor, specialist and teacher (and the occasional grandma in the supermarket) that has seen him has said, "He has ADHD." None have ever suggested med's (Ok, a couple of the grandmas did . He has come up with some coping strategies that work..... you know what they say, if it works don't break it! We also have him in a Tae kwon do class, and we are very strict about bedtime and sleep.

I think med's are right for some people, I have met kids that have had there lives transformed. But I have also met those wiggly kids that are given the meds .... the ones that didn't really need them and they are like zombies.

So.................. could I get more in the middle of the road?

Yes when strangers have said, "He's really hyper...." I respond, "Yes" that's it, and then try to walk away.

My niece was diagnosed with it, she takes meds, she is one of the kids it has really helped!

Great post.
This just might help us.

I could not agree more. My nephews need lots of exercise and without it they are nearly impossible to deal with.