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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.