Treating ADD/ADHD Without Drugs – Options for Hyperactive Kids
by Jon Bennett
There are lots of drug-free therapies for Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Because these therapies target the causes of inattention and hyperactivity (and there can be many causes!), they are sometimes very effective. So it’s worth your while to explore them – here are a few therapies you can try:
1. Diet The basic idea in the ADD/ADHD diet is to have a lot of healthful, organic food (fruits, vegetables, fish) and cut down on any possible allergen that can cause hyperactivity – this might be wheat protein, milk, soya, eggs and any kind of additive. Some children respond dramatically to diet – you can try this for your child if she seems to be sensitive to food. You will need a doctor’s or dietician’s help to put your child on an exclusion diet and to make sure she does not become malnourished.
2. Neurofeedback The idea behind neurofeedback is that it is possible to train ADD/ADHD children to modify their brains to make them resemble the brains of normal children. The training sessions are a bit like video games – but they are played with the mind. The trainer will attach electrodes to your child’s head, and connect them to the game. Your child will have to learn to control the game with her mind, and in the process her brain learns to concentrate and work faster.
3. Special exercises or movement therapy There are special exercises taught by occupational therapists to help ADD/ADHD children sit still and write faster and more clearly. Some children find the conventional seating position in a classroom very uncomfortable, and so they are not able to either sit still for long or write well. Look out for signs that your child is unable to sit still because she is uncomfortable: does she sit with her hands under her thighs, and does she twine her legs around the legs of her chair when she is writing?
4. Sensory integration Some hyperactive and distractible children have oversensitive hearing, sight, and touch, and therapy to desensitize (‘integrate’) their senses often improves their behavior. Auditory integration therapy can bring their hearing to within the normal range, and vision and occupational therapy to help them improve eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills can also help them focus.
5. Behavior therapy If your child is behaving badly because of emotional problems, finding a sympathetic and supportive psychotherapist will help her behavior improve. This kind of therapy is very helpful especially for misbehavior caused by trauma or depression. But it is important that the therapist should not suggest medicines quickly, and give your child time to recover emotionally.
Because these therapies are so different, look around and see what will suit your child. If you find a treatment that tackles the cause of the ADD/ADHD behavior, you will find your child is much better emotionally and physically – without drugs.
About the Author
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