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MrsGoldie
<3 Miracles can happen <3
Member since 9/12 1700 total posts
Name:
R
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Families with ADHD children
Asking for a family member...
10 year old daughter who has shown signs of ADHD and anxiety since she was a little girl. The mother is ready to accept that her daughter may need some form of treatment, but she does not want to medicate her. The daughter has been in therapy for years, but her behavior has become increasingly worse.
Anyone have any success in natural remedies? What, besides medication, has worked for your child?
(posting in parenting too)
TIA 
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Posted 2/25/14 10:10 AM  |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: Families with ADHD children
Obviously no personal experience with this but I have read that diet can play a big role in helping this. Try googling dietary restrictions for ADHD. I know it can help in Children with Autism.
Behavioral therapy may help.
Sometimes when all else fails, medication may be the only option in helping her live a typical life and function well.
GL to your family and her daugher
Message edited 2/25/2014 10:19:07 AM.
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| Posted 2/25/14 10:18 AM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Families with ADHD children
diet is a big thing...eliminating gluten, dairy, and evem foods with red dye. I know when my son has something such a fruit punch with red dye, he is OFF the wayy.
Limiting electronics,tv especially before bedtime.
keeping the child engaged in activities, helps too, such as karate, swimming.
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| Posted 2/25/14 10:22 AM |
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busymomonli
Resident Insomniac
Member since 4/13 2046 total posts
Name:
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Families with ADHD children
My son has ADHD, is also 10, and currently not medicated. We did try medication but I didn't like the side affects so we went off and he is a much happier kid.
That being said, my sons behavior was never that terrible. When he was younger, he had his share of anger issues and tantrums, sometimes hitting me or throwing things, slamming doors, etc. We've removed dyes (for the most part) and his tantrums have gotten much better. But, his focus is what concerns me most. Homework for him is a nightmare. He can't sit still and concentrate for more than a few seconds. As a result, he is falling behind in some subjects in school.
Tell her to look here:
Feingold
Also, Omega 3 supplements are supposed to be very helpful:
Omega 3
If she gets a diagnosis, she can also get her on a 504 plan at school where they will give her extra accomodations.
If all else fails, medication may help. I'm not against trying it again, especially since at 10, they are starting middle school next year and things will get a lot harder to deal with.
We did not go gluten free. My son is so picky and only eats a handful of things as it is.
Message edited 2/25/2014 10:45:20 AM.
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| Posted 2/25/14 10:42 AM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Families with ADHD children
My stepson was diagnosed with ADHD and behavioral issues at around that age. I always new something was wrong but it took time for my DH and his mom to accept it and get help he needs. I will say after much therapy we decided to medicate him around 11 years old. Here are other things we did to help with his ADHD:
1. Extra curricular activities to help him with social settings and learn how to focus. We had him in Tae Kwon Do, robotics, art and cooking classes.
2. Maintain a schedule, and make sure he had decent amount of sleep. If he was exhausted & cranky it would be even harder for him to focus. This led to a bad day with many outbursts in school or even if we were out.
3. He saw a child therapist weekly and a psychiatrist monthly to monitor his meds and any effects.
4. Regular meetings with his schools teachers and faculty staff to monitor his behavior and development. As well as a child study team evaluating him regularly by the school.
5. More time on class work and exams to help him focus because of his diagnosis of ADHD
6. Healthier diet. Excessive fatty foods and junk, sugar or soda can make any child feel lethargic or hyper, it's amplified for a child with ADD.
7. Be strict with a rules and punishment for bad behavior. In my SS case his father would spoil him because he carried the guilt if his son being raised in a "broken" home. This only made his behavior worse and didn't help him. His mom would let him play video games all day to appease him and so she wouldn't have to deal with any outbursts.
8. Which leads to my last thing, if there is some type of activity that the child is obsessed or addicted to, reduce the time tremendously. My son was addicted to video games which is bad for any child, however, again worse for a child with ADD. They are using this activity as way to focus and be calm but it just creates a co-dependency and doesn't allow them to develop the skills they need to behave in social settings.
It was a very tough rode. I know they don't want to medicate and that is the parents choice.
However, if they do decide, FM me with any questions. DH and SS mom decided to medicated after much resistance. I will say that he was on a low dosage from about 11-14. They eventually decreased the dosage until he was taken off completely. At 16 he is has no behavioral issues in school and his grades are decent. He used to have several outbursts a day and get into fights in class. He is a totally different kid. Maturity does help, I can only imagine what they are going through becuase we had a tough rode from 6-11.
Message edited 2/25/2014 11:15:17 AM.
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| Posted 2/25/14 11:10 AM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Families with ADHD children
I just wanted to add that the parents need to make sure they stick to a healthy treatment plan. If parents are not on the same page or ignore the behavior it makes it worse for the child. I know parents have a need to protect their child and not want anything to be wrong with them which can lead to denial. It's a tough realization but once everyone is on the same page: parents, child, teachers & doctor; it truly makes a huge difference.
Message edited 2/25/2014 11:18:46 AM.
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| Posted 2/25/14 11:17 AM |
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MrsGoldie
<3 Miracles can happen <3
Member since 9/12 1700 total posts
Name:
R
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Families with ADHD children
Thank you so much for all of this helpful info!!! That's one of the major issues...consistency. At first it was denial, now the mom has accepted it, but it's the enforcement, discipline, and sticking to a plan, that has to be worked on now.
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| Posted 2/25/14 11:22 AM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Re: Families with ADHD children
Posted by busymomonli
That being said, my sons behavior was never that terrible. When he was younger, he had his share of anger issues and tantrums, sometimes hitting me or throwing things, slamming doors, etc. We've removed dyes (for the most part) and his tantrums have gotten much better. But, his focus is what concerns me most. Homework for him is a nightmare. He can't sit still and concentrate for more than a few seconds. As a result, he is falling behind in some subjects in school.
.
I don't what your schedule is or if did is already done but:
SS was the same way, we he still has focusing issue but when he was younger hwk was a nightmare. They used to allow him to do some of his hwk during a study period or pull him out of class to review and get started. He also would do it in after school. It was easier for him to get started because he has more energy in the day then focusing on all of it after school. We used to also have to take breaks. Math and reading subjects are a lot harder for him then science and history since he enjoys them more.
Age and maturity helps, it will get better!! ;)
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| Posted 2/25/14 11:30 AM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Re: Families with ADHD children
Posted by MrsGoldie
Thank you so much for all of this helpful info!!! That's one of the major issues...consistency. At first it was denial, now the mom has accepted it, but it's the enforcement, discipline, and sticking to a plan, that has to be worked on now.
Yea you are exactly right. I used have fights with my DH over this for years. When we were all on the same page and started being consistent, it made such a huge impact.
My SS parents & even my SS thank me till this day for not giving up and continuing to fight them on this. Idk your friends situation but it was even harder when dealing with a blended style family. If she needs reinforcements to help then make sure she takes advantage of those resources.
I'm the disciplinarian and the strict one on rules, so there has been times when I go to his house to talk to him or take his xBox away or give him a lecture. I'm totally ok with that and so is everyone else. Like I said everyone just needs to be on the same page. And tell your friend not to be afraid of talking about this with her daughter. Kids know a lot more than we think.
Once my stepson told my DH, idk why I am bad i try so hard to be good. It's just hard for the child to control their impulses and know how to react to certain situations.
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| Posted 2/25/14 11:39 AM |
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busymomonli
Resident Insomniac
Member since 4/13 2046 total posts
Name:
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Re: Families with ADHD children
Posted by Sash
Posted by busymomonli
That being said, my sons behavior was never that terrible. When he was younger, he had his share of anger issues and tantrums, sometimes hitting me or throwing things, slamming doors, etc. We've removed dyes (for the most part) and his tantrums have gotten much better. But, his focus is what concerns me most. Homework for him is a nightmare. He can't sit still and concentrate for more than a few seconds. As a result, he is falling behind in some subjects in school.
.
I don't what your schedule is or if did is already done but:
SS was the same way, we he still has focusing issue but when he was younger hwk was a nightmare. They used to allow him to do some of his hwk during a study period or pull him out of class to review and get started. He also would do it in after school. It was easier for him to get started because he has more energy in the day then focusing on all of it after school. We used to also have to take breaks. Math and reading subjects are a lot harder for him then science and history since he enjoys them more.
Age and maturity helps, it will get better!! ;)
I think this is our biggest problem because Dh and I both work and don't get home until about 5:30. His sister watches him after school and he won't allow her to help him with homework (siblings!), and he can't do it alone as he usually needs assistance. So by the time we get to it, its 6:30ish and he's shot. Not sure what else I can do.
Math and reading are his biggest obstacles, especially math and especially word problems. He reads one sentance and his focus is gone so he just guesses the question and the answer and its usually wrong because he didn't read the whole problem. I've been working with him and recently got him a high school student to tutor. Science and SS come much easier to him.
What you said about video games is interesting to me. Ds is obsessed with Minecraft lately. He doesn't respond well to taking things away and it will set off a tantrum. I definitely need to limit his time on there, but wondering how as its the only thing he truly enjoys. And he does socialize on there as he skypes with friends and plays at the same time. I need to bite the bullet and do it, but honestly I'm afraid to.
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| Posted 2/25/14 11:49 AM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Re: Families with ADHD children
Posted by busymomonli
Posted by Sash
Posted by busymomonli
That being said, my sons behavior was never that terrible. When he was younger, he had his share of anger issues and tantrums, sometimes hitting me or throwing things, slamming doors, etc. We've removed dyes (for the most part) and his tantrums have gotten much better. But, his focus is what concerns me most. Homework for him is a nightmare. He can't sit still and concentrate for more than a few seconds. As a result, he is falling behind in some subjects in school.
.
I don't what your schedule is or if did is already done but:
SS was the same way, we he still has focusing issue but when he was younger hwk was a nightmare. They used to allow him to do some of his hwk during a study period or pull him out of class to review and get started. He also would do it in after school. It was easier for him to get started because he has more energy in the day then focusing on all of it after school. We used to also have to take breaks. Math and reading subjects are a lot harder for him then science and history since he enjoys them more.
Age and maturity helps, it will get better!! ;)
I think this is our biggest problem because Dh and I both work and don't get home until about 5:30. His sister watches him after school and he won't allow her to help him with homework (siblings!), and he can't do it alone as he usually needs assistance. So by the time we get to it, its 6:30ish and he's shot. Not sure what else I can do.
Math and reading are his biggest obstacles, especially math and especially word problems. He reads one sentance and his focus is gone so he just guesses the question and the answer and its usually wrong because he didn't read the whole problem. I've been working with him and recently got him a high school student to tutor. Science and SS come much easier to him.
What you said about video games is interesting to me. Ds is obsessed with Minecraft lately. He doesn't respond well to taking things away and it will set off a tantrum. I definitely need to limit his time on there, but wondering how as its the only thing he truly enjoys. And he does socialize on there as he skypes with friends and plays at the same time. I need to bite the bullet and do it, but honestly I'm afraid to.
Kids in general can just be so darn stubborn and difficult. I know every kid is different but may be you can give him some incentive for sitting down and doing hwk with his sister after school or atleast starting it. And your right about siblings, so it all depends on if they are both able to work together in the first place. Its good that you got a math tutor for him.
Math is such a hard subject, I have a degree in math and even I hated the reading comprehension math problems. I would try to make it visual by having him write down the facts as he is reading the passage.
As far as the games, you're right about taking away the one thing he loves. The therapist in the beginning did tell us you cant just rip away the one thing he loves so much and take it completely away from him. So we would just started limiting his game playing to lets say an hour on the weekdays, & only after he finished all his hwk and chores. And maybe two hours on the weekend.
I know its scary, because my SS used to have the mother of all tantrums. We just had to keep reinforcing the rule and ignoring the outburst. We kept reiterating that we can take it away completely and atleast he is allowed to play. We used to try to focus his attention on other stuff or say we want him to try other things as well and as long as he does that he can continue to play his games. I used to try to dangle anything to keep him away: legos, books (diary of a wimpy was a hit), mad science sets, magician sets
Also keep in mind that online interaction is different then face to face social interaction. My stepson also talks online on his xbox with his friends but it is different than real life social interaction. But my SS also had major issues interacting in social settings.
After all that, my SS who was really socially awkward and used to have public outbursts is a waiter. I'm amazed because i couldnt be able to handle the pressure of that job and he enjoys it and loves the customer interaction.
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| Posted 2/25/14 12:52 PM |
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MrsGoldie
<3 Miracles can happen <3
Member since 9/12 1700 total posts
Name:
R
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Families with ADHD children
Just bumping to see if anyone else has some helpful info :)
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| Posted 2/26/14 1:56 PM |
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jessnbrian
Only God knows His plan for us
Member since 4/13 7238 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Families with ADHD children
I don't have personal experience, and EVERY child is very different, but I've heard two things have been very helpful. Acupuncture and music therapy.
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| Posted 2/26/14 3:14 PM |
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peanutbutter2
Carpe diem!
Member since 11/10 5287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Families with ADHD children
I don't have any personal experience, and I am not a professional in the field. However, I was reading an article yesterday about a different topic and thought it might have a helpful suggestion.
What about starting a journal of what triggers her anxiety and other symptoms? Then, maybe they can start to narrow down what to eliminate/focus on/etc.
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| Posted 2/26/14 8:42 PM |
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