Naturally Treat ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a medical condition and generally the most effective way to control the condition is through medical treatment. No treatment has proved to be more effective than medication. But, in milder cases, if there is a very supportive person available to help it is possible to treat the condition naturally.

Getting a Diagnosis

 * 1) Make sure it really is ADHD that you are dealing with. The symptoms of ADHD can often look very much like the symptoms of other disorders and many doctors can be quick to diagnose.  If the diagnosis was done in one day then get a second opinion.[[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 1 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 2) Recognize the symptoms of ADHD. A child with ADHD will often become distracted easily and will be prone to hyperactivity. Other symptoms include :[[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 2 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 3) *Impulsivity
 * 4) *Squirming or fidgeting
 * 5) *Losing things often
 * 6) *Not finishing tasks
 * 7) *Being in constant motion.
 * 8) Eliminate the possibility of underlying medical conditions. A blood test should be done to eliminate the possibility of thyroid problems, lead poisoning and hyperglycemia. All these conditions can create symptoms that look very similar to ADHD.[[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 3 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 9) Have your child do hearing and vision tests. Hearing and vision problems may lead to learning difficulty, underachievement, concentration problems, attention span (ease of distraction) and behavioral problems. These symptoms can also be caused by ADHD.[[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 4 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 10) Take your child to have an IQ test done. IQ testing can greatly help you to treat yours or your child's learning problems.  IQ tests will tell you if there are any learning difficulties present. Also it will tell you your child's learning style and teach you the best way and easiest way for them to learn. [[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 5 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 11) *An IQ test can also identity if your child is gifted. Gifted kids often act like they have ADHD because they are bored easily and need more of a challenge. They often struggle in school and can struggle socially and are often hyperactive.  If your child is gifted then treating his or her ADHD alone will not be enough.

Creating a Structured Routine for Your Child

 * 1) Set up a very structured routine at home. Have daily and weekly routines and put them up on the walls for all to see and stick by them.  ADHD kids need consistency, structure and routine. [[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 6 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 2) * Have a very clear morning routine, a clear homework routine, a clear dinner routine and a clear bedtime routine. Use certain tasks to set up other tasks.
 * 3) Limit television, video games, computer time, and screen time in general. ADHD brain chemicals are produced by activity and by internal stimulation.  If the child spends a lot of time in front of a screen then they are not doing the activities that they need to continue to produce the brain chemicals that they need.[[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 7 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 4) *Put limits on screen time (e.g. no screen time in the morning. For example, 30 minutes a day on school days, and 2 hours on a weekend or holiday and not a minute more). Instead, make sure this time will be spent reading, doing homework, playing outside, playing with toys, relating to other family members and so on.
 * 5) Set up a rewards system. ADHD kids often get quickly recognized for their bad behavior, but good behavior is hard work and earns them little attention.  Make good behavior worthwhile and they will work harder to produce it and after a while good behavior will become a habit. [[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 8 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 6) *Design a points chart and reward points for any behaviors you wish to improve. For example getting started on homework or chores, staying on tasks, completing tasks, getting ready for bed quickly, playing well with siblings, good behavior at the shops.  Allow your child to exchange points for privileges.
 * 7) *Decide how many points each privilege is worth. For example they could earn some TV time, a later bedtime, a game with dad, a bike ride and so on.  There can also be bigger rewards they can save up for like an outing.
 * 8) *Let your child choose the rewards and keep them novel. This system will work brilliantly if your child does not have too many privileges already.  If he is just allowed to do what he wants he/she won’t see the benefits.
 * 9) Have a very clear organization system for school. Ask your child to choose a color for each school subject.  For example establish his/her favorite color for his/her favorite subject, or a color they associate with a certain subject.[[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 9 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 10) *Cover all the books and materials needed for that subject in that color. Then design a timetable for school and home that has colored blocks for each subject.
 * 11) *For middle and high school students this timetable should go on their desk and in their locker.
 * 12) * For elementary school students, put the colors on the desk. This way your child can grab the right books for school and home.
 * 13) Never ignore bad behavior. ADHD kids struggle to consider the consequences of their actions.  They act now and consider the consequences later.  If there are no consequences they will often think the behavior is acceptable. They often have limited inner boundaries so they need to see where the external boundaries are.[[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 10 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 14) *If they misbehave act quickly and nip it in the bud. It may seem like attention seeking behavior but it will not go away when ignored.
 * 15) Do things together. ADHD kids respond very well to one-on-one attention. A normal child has more stimulation inside their brains to stay on task, an ADHD child does not so they are helped by the stimulation of others.  If you sit and do something one on one with your child you will see them sit and concentrate far better than they ever could on their own.[[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 11 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 16) Have a homework system, it helps to have the whole family sit down for homework together. Kids can do their homework, younger kids can do coloring and activity books, adults in the house can do some work or crafts of their own.  The ADHD child then feels part of the family rather than they are missing out.  The others sitting to work too will help to keep the ADHD child on task.  Also you are close by to praise, reward points, help and quickly refocus.[[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 12 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 17) Give your child a warning. The first part of this system is to let your child know they are doing the wrong thing and you want it fixed.  This is important because often they are either unaware of what they are doing wrong or unaware that it is leading to trouble.[[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 13 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 18) *Use as few words as possible and try to phrase it as something they need to do rather than something they need to stop. For example, "Johnny sit properly on the sofa" rather than "Johnny stop jumping on the sofa".  Do not threaten punishment at this stage, expect the child to comply and that this will be the end of it.
 * 19) *If they do not stop then issue one warning. For example, "Johnny, I asked you to sit properly on the couch, do so or you will go to time out". Make sure you give one warning only, if today you give three and tomorrow you give four then every time they will test you until they see how many it will be that day.  If you always give lots of warnings your child will not take you seriously and push it as long as he/she can.  If your child does not comply issue a consequence.
 * 20) Try giving your child a time out. It is important to stick to the same punishment; do not mix and match warnings and punishments. Having an obvious consequence to bad behavior can help to keep your child from doing the behavior.[[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 14 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 21) *Time out works often work well because ADHD kids have short attention spans and hate to sit still. Most consider time out to be a very severe punishment. Keep time outs short; stick to one minute per year of age, or even less.

Making Diet and Lifestyle Changes

 * 1) Remove all chemicals from your child's diet. ADHD is caused by a lack of  certain chemicals in one area of the brain.  The chemicals in foods actually further destroy these chemicals, which is why junk food can make a normal child appear to have ADHD and it can make an ADHD child 100 times.  Eliminate junk food, fast food, preservatives, additives, colors, flavors and flavor enhancers. [[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 15 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 2) Reduce the amount of carbohydrates your child eats and increase the amount of protein. Research has found that this diet is better metabolized by the ADHD brain and helps their behavior and focus. [[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 16 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 3) *When you do give your child carbs, make sure they are complex carbs like whole grain products.
 * 4) Communicate clearly. Eliminate distractions before you tell your child something; don't try to tell them while they are watching TV or yell it over a room full of noise. Say their name first and wait for them to look you in the eye and make sure they are listening.  Reduce the number of words you use; the less you say the more they will remember. [[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 17 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 5) * Give instructions one at a time. If you don't think they heard or understood have them repeat back to you what you said.
 * 6) Make sure your child gets exercise. Exercise produces more of the chemicals that the ADHD brain is lacking. Your child should spend at least 30 minutes per day doing highly active exercise.  Like bike riding, swinging, kicking a ball in the back yard and so on.[[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 18 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 7) Get your child involved in a sports activity that uses many different types of body movements. Recommendations are gymnastics, martial arts, dancing, ice skating and so on.  It may take a little while to find your child's niche, but once you do it will pay off.  They should be doing this sport around 3 times a week in structured classes.  These sports will switch their brains on in the right way. Many parents worry it will affect homework to do sport so much.  But the truth is that in an ADHD kid these sports will improve their schoolwork far, far more than a few hours of homework.[[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 19 Version 2.jpg|center]]
 * 8) Encourage your child to follow their own path. As they get older don't stress if they don't take the usual path, they may not be ready for college at 18, they may not find the job they want at first.  But ADHD kids get in a lot of trouble at school and in other life areas so they tend to develop high levels of resilience.  They will pull through in the end with your love and support.[[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 20 Version 2.jpg|center]]

Trying Natural Supplements

 * 1) Talk to your doctor about using natural supplements. There are a number of supplements that claim to subdue the symptoms of ADHD. However, there are only a handful of studies that support these assertions. The following steps are natural supplements to treat ADHD that have had at least one or more studies conducted on their efficacy.[[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 21.jpg|center]]
 * 2) Try Ginko Biloba. A scientific peer reviewed study found that participants with ADHD taking an herbal product with ginkgo experienced improvements. After four weeks, 44 percent of participants improved in social behavior and 74 percent improved in hyperactivity. [[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 22.jpg|center]]
 * 3) *Another study on Ginko Biloba conducted in 2010 found that while Ginko Biloba did have positive patient outcomes the pharmaceutical Ritalin was more effective.
 * 4) Consider trying Brahmi, or Water Hyssop, which is a marsh plant that grows wild in India. The herb is often recommended as an alternative treatment for ADHD. Two studies conducted on Brahmi found that patients taking this supplement showed improved capacity in working memory, visual information processing and an enhanced ability to retain new information. [[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 23.jpg|center]]
 * 5) Try gotu kola. An Asian herb that is high in nutrients for healthy brain function, Gotu Kola is a source of Vitamins B1, B2 and B6. It is believed to reduce anxiety levels experienced by many living with ADHD according to a 2002 study. [[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 24.jpg|center]]
 * 6) Give your child green oats. Also known as “Wild Oat Extract” Green Oats are thought to produce improved outcomes in staying on task, reducing anxiety and calming nerves. Two studies conducted in 2011 bore this out. [[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 25.jpg|center]]
 * 7) Try Pine Bark. A plant extract from a French tree, Pine Bark seems to have a lot going for it. A 2006 study found that the extract worked to normalize antioxidant levels in children with ADHD. [[Image:Naturally Treat ADHD Step 26.jpg|center]]

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