Dear Dr. Rain:
My daughter was diagnosed as having AD/HD. She is a love, but is all over the place! Is there anything we can do besides medication?
Signed,
Leery of Medications
Dear Leery:
AD/HD is one of the most common reasons a parent consults with a child psychologist. At least 6 per cent of the population has AD/HD. The majority of parents I see are understandably worried about starting medication. Not only is it a big responsibility to decide about medication for a child, but also, there is much inaccurate information on the web about AD/HD and treatments.
The research shows that the most effective way to help a child who has AD/HD is through a combination of medication, behavior modification strategy, and classroom accommodations.
Very recent research also indicates that nutrition, sleep, and physical activity can have a modest impact on AD/HD symptoms. A study was done that divided children with 
AD/HD into two groups. One group was given the standard American diet of processed foods. The second group was given unprocessed whole foods, foods your great great grandparents would recognize as “real foods”, such as meats, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed home made breads. The children who had unprocessed whole foods showed a modest improvement in their AD/HD symptoms. The children on a processed food diet showed no improvement.
AD/HD into two groups. One group was given the standard American diet of processed foods. The second group was given unprocessed whole foods, foods your great great grandparents would recognize as “real foods”, such as meats, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed home made breads. The children who had unprocessed whole foods showed a modest improvement in their AD/HD symptoms. The children on a processed food diet showed no improvement.Similar research was also done on physical activity and sleep. Children who engaged in at least 30 minutes each day of physical activity showed modest improvement in their AD/HD symptoms, compared to sedentary children who showed no improvement.
Most parents are unaware of the impact of insufficient sleep on their children. With insufficient sleep, children are more emotional, stubborn and distracted. Young children need 12 hours of sleep daily. This need begins to back down around age 10 years. By adolescence, the sleep need is about 9 to 9 1/2 hours daily.
Interestingly enough, children diagnosed as having AD/HD with enlarged adenoids show sleep disruptions due to enlarged adenoids creating breathing issues at night. When the adenoids are removed, the sleep improves and the AD/HD symptoms go away. This is because the child never had AD/HD in the first place. The child simply had chronic sleep deprivation.
Making a decision to try medication is one I recommend you make hand in hand with the Pediatrician. Your doctor can answer all of your questions and address your concerns about side effects. Successful medication can make a huge difference in your child’s life. Research shows that the benefits are substantial. Concurrent work with your child psychologist to help you learn effective behavior management tools will also greatly improve your daughter’s behavior at home. However, it may not improve her school behavior without medication.
