Treatments For Adhd - A Few Home Truths

There is a lot of talk nowadays about how ADHD behavioural therapy is probably one of the best treatments for ADHD.certainly treating ADHD without meds is an appealing proposition. Then there are advocates of the so-called ADHD diet and others who swear by Ritalin which is an amphetamine and a powerful mind altering drug. Others swear by homeopathic remedies for ADHD as there are no side effects nor any risk of drug abuse. It is sometimes hard to know which way to turn and everybody is very persuasive. If I knew the answer, I would not be writing this article but would be sunning myself on an exotic beach !

I do not believe that there is an ADHD diet but I do believe that Omega 3 fatty acids can help a child to concentrate and can lessen the symptoms of ADHD. Why do I believe this ? I have been reading up on the research carried out by the Inflammation Research Foundation. In one experiment they gave ADHD children ( admittedly a very small number of them) large doses of Omega 3 fatty acids which are normally found in fish and fish oils. The children were typical ADHD kids in that they had problems of concentration, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Normally kids with ADHD have very low levels of these fatty acids also known as EFAs (essential fatty acids). Well, after two months on these high doses of Omega 3 supplements, the kids were found to have higher levels of the fatty acids and their ADHD symptoms were much improved. Their inattention levels were almost halved and their hyperactivity scores fell as well. There have been other experiments too and all point in the same direction so I always tell parents just to add these supplements to their children's diets as one of the best ways of complementing any of the treatments for ADHD they may be following.

Treatments for ADHD are normally regarded through a pharmacological approach but pills will not teach children behavior, nor social skills . neither will they help them to grow up to be responsible caring and tolerant adults. The work of Dr. Gregory Fabiano is particularly interesting in this context. Dr. Fabiano was awarded a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) by the White House and his work shows conclusively that in the long term behavior modification together with some form of medication or even without it, is one of the best treatments for ADHD.

Let us say that your ADHD child has temper tantrums and meltdowns, is aggressive, obnoxious and acts out at school. In addition he may be a defiant child and full of the victimisation syndrome which these kids often have. How do you teach them to be responsible for their actions ? That is precisely what parents learn in a behavior modification program and it is sometimes used as the only way of treating ADHD without meds, although I personally do not agree with that.

I am convinced that teaching children to be responsible for their actions is one of the best ways of disciplining any kid whether he has ADHD or not. It is also one of the best treatments for ADHD out there. It is no accident that the British government is setting funds aside to teach parents of problem kids, these very skills. When this is combined with ADHD homeopathic remedies, there are often much more successful outcomes, than with psychostimulants alone.

By: William Locke

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Robert Locke is a Health enthusiast who specializes in Children's Health. He has written extensively on ADHD. Discover what treatments for ADHD are available. Smart parenting is the key to successful ADHD treatment and the problem child. Sign up for FREE Parenting tips on children behavior issues