ADHD Alternative Treatments for Children?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), can affect adults and children. This common condition is estimated to affect 3 to 10 percent of school age children. Children with ADHD or ADD experience a difficulty with paying attention, concentrating, following directions, and they also frequently get bored easily and act impulsively.
Some parents don’t want their children to take medications for ADHD, so instead, these parents seek possible ADHD alternative treatments, which can vary from dietary changes to chiropractic medicine and more.
Some of the ADHD alternative treatments that are believed to decrease symptoms include:
- Dietary restrictions – for years, researchers have stated that processed sugars and carbohydrates consumed by children can affect their activity level. The sugar is believed to increase a child’s blood glucose levels, which in turn gives the child an adrenaline rush. Although there is no proof that high levels of sugar lead to ADHD, it is frequently advised that parents add fiber to their child’s diet to keep adrenaline levels even. High fiber foods include certain fruits such as berries, as well as whole grains and oatmeal.
- Feingold Diet – this ADHD alternative treatment diet is thought to decrease hyperactivity by eliminating artificial colorings, flavorings, and preservatives.
- Behavioral Interventions – this tactic sometimes focuses on the parent and their parenting skills. One of these intervention methods consists of parents taking a parent education class that focuses on child safety, parenting techniques, and understanding their child’s behavior.
- Chiropractic medicine – some chiropractors have said that they believe their treatments may be an effective ADHD alternative medicine. It is thought that by adjusting the sufferer’s spine, the ADHD patient will regain balance in the brain.
Consult your physician if you suspect your child is exhibiting symptoms of ADHD, or if you’re considering alternative treatments.
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