Our diet that we share here is not a “one size fits all” type of diet nor is it the Feingold diet or other popular diet programs. It’s not a list of foods to avoid. It’s the exact principes for the diet I created and formulated for my son. I am not a doctor. I am not a nutritional expert. After failing to get any type of help from the 6 doctors I spoke to about my son’s ADHD, I was a desperate mom searching for solutions.

Why Does This Diet Work for My Son?

After years of researching, reading, trial and error, multiple doctor visits, and frustration – I finally discovered that many of my son’s symptoms were due to allergies and digestive problems. I still do not have all of the answers, because I cannot get my son the proper medical care he deserves – every doctor we speak with is just too eager to write out prescriptions and not even discuss diet.

Because a lot of my son’s ADHD symptoms are due to digestive issues, diet works very well for us.

If you are not sure whether or not diet might be able to help you, you may want to read our article on Signs Your Child Could Benefit From an ADHD Diet. If your child’s ADHD symptoms are combined with digestive problems, malabsorption problems, or immune system problems, it is very likely that by treating these through diet can often drastically reduce the symptoms of ADHD.

This diet helps address the digestive problems based on some of the work I’ve researched on food allergies and irritable bowel syndrome.

Before You Start This ADHD Diet, make sure to check with a child’s doctor and pharmacist before stopping any medications! It can be very dangerous to just stop taking them. It takes a LOT of patience to wait for results and it is VERY difficult to get other people to comply with the diet rules.

Step 1: Identify Food Allergies
Gluten (found in wheat) and dairy (all milk based products) are found in most foods and are a very common food intolerance/allergy issue for many children. Many parents of children with autism find that a gluten and dairy free diet can help immensely. I did a 60 day elimination diet of milk and wheat for my son – I found that there was some difference with milk and how much he coughed at night, but none whatsoever with or without the gluten. He can eat all gluten and doesn’t get any stomach problems typically. There are many other foods to consider as potential allergens also: eggs, soy, legumes, and more. You can have your child tested for food allergies, but the tests are not always accurate.

Step 2: Take Probiotics
While my son was on the dairy and gluten free diet, I gave him dairy and gluten free probiotics. They were cheap at my local grocery store – I think I spent about $6 for a bottle of them. See this list of probiotic supplements for more details. Probiotics are good for helping getting your digestive system balanced back out.

Step 3: Go Organic and eliminate all pesticides and processed Foods
This has been the single most effective method for keeping my son’s symptoms manageable. Turns out that red food dye and apple juice cause the kid to go entirely haywire. See our article on ADHD and Pesticides for more information. It is not always easy to follow a completely organic and unprocessed diet (I have the cooking skills of a caveman, and so me making things from scratch is usually a recipe for disaster!). But it is well worth it in my opinion.

Feed Your Kid Foods That Promote Better Brain Function and Health:
Some of the foods I strongly recommend for kids: blueberries (good source of fiber and antioxidants), Pasture/Grass Fed Beef, Chicken and Egg products (higher ratio of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Ground Flax Seed in moderation (Omega 3 Fatty Acids), and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables (lots of vitamins and minerals). I do not recommend supplements for kids with ADHD unless you have your child tested for nutritional deficiencies and through the supervision of a doctor – need to be very careful of synthetic vitamins so it is best to just eat foods that contain the natural forms.

Getting your kids to eat healthy is a heck of a challenge, so you have to be inventive. For example, I made brownies and mixed in organic blueberries and spinach puree in it. I made smoothies out of coconut milk, strawberries, blueberries and spinach. My son never knew it was “healthy”. (Spinach by the way, has more calcium than milk and coconut milk contains easy to digest medium chain fatty acids.)

Step 5: Identify Other Problems
Does your child have trouble writing or opening packages? Have problems with eyesight or hearing or speech? While not related to diet usually, having your child screened for and treated for these issues can often help make ADHD symptoms less. For example, my son really struggled with writing, so his attention span was ZERO for language arts. We’ve been working with a physical therapist for this and finding it much easier to get work finished now. If a child has hearing problems, it might be harder for you to get him to communicate or listen to directions.

An Example of Foods To Eat

This is just a sample list of foods you can eat on this diet. There are many more, it really just depends on your child’s tastes and preferences.

Breakfast: Eggs (omit if allergic or doing elimination diet) or Oatmeal flavored with REAL maple syrup or organic applesauce and cinnamon or my smoothie recipes.

Lunch: Chicken Nuggets (these can be found organic and/or gluten free), Rice Cake Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Carrots, Strawberries, Oranges, My Healthy Brownies

Dinner: Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes, Meatloaf (usually mixed in pureed vegetables with this), Peas and Corn – Chili is also a good food.

Snacks: Popcorn, cookies made with veggies, Pretzels, Fruit, Homemade Granola Bars & Trail Mix

Yes, you will have to do some sneaky cooking for awhile until your child is willing to start trying new foods. Yes, it is really hard to convince people such as grandparents or schools that they need to not give your child garbage to eat. Yes, other people will think you are insane when you flip out on them for giving your child foods that are considered “normal” (ie: apple juice or candy). Yes, you will have a few fights with your kids about what they are allowed to eat and what they are not allowed to eat. Yes, you will likely stray off this diet more than once or twice.

Even if following these diet guidelines, it may take 30-60 days for noticeable improvement. Your child’s body needs to detoxify and start getting the nutrients it needs, and sometimes it takes awhile depending on the age of your child. Some children may not see any improvement from this diet – it really depends on whether or not their ADHD symptoms are due to nutrition/digestive issues. After doing an elimination diet, if you see no difference whether your child eats a certain food or not, then you can allow it back into their diet. Most foods during an elimination diet should be avoided at least 7 days.

This diet does not substitute medical or professional advice. It is not created by anyone with any type of formal medical training, I am not even sure I passed biology in high school. All I know, is that after years of everything, this is what finally worked for us. I hope it will help someone else perhaps maybe be able to have a happy healthy kid.

Resources:

Dr. Dahlman’s Diet: This ebook is free, and geared mostly towards treating IBS. But because I personally think that ADHD may be related to digestive disorders, there are some interesting things to read in here. It’s not going to treat your child directly for ADHD, but it will help you understand the role of probiotics and good digestive health.

Gluten Free Dairy Free Diet: This site has plenty of free information about doing a gluten and dairy free diet for children.

Free Info For Leaky Gut Syndrome: Goes into some of the science behind leaky gut syndrome.

I will add more resources for this diet as I have time – if you have any questions feel free to ask them or share your experiences with diet in the comments below.

If you are wondering if it is worthwhile to try exploring diet for your child, here are some signs and symptoms that a custom diet plan for your ADHD child may be beneficial:

Chronic Constipation or Bed/Daytime Wetting: My son was peeing his pants at school and wetting the bed every single night. All the ADHD doctors just chalked this up as “being very common in boys and especially those with ADHD” We took him to a urologist, who discovered he was severely constipated, which in turn placed pressure on his bladder making it more difficult for him to control himself. Most doctors will suggest an over the counter medication called Miralax for constipation. This will probably be necessary if your child is extremely constipated as it will give you and your child some much needed relief. However, you need to find the root cause of constipation in order to decide what types of foods to include and avoid in a diet. For example, wheat has lots of fiber (which can help ease constipation) – but for a child who is gluten intolerant it may make the problem even worse. When we finally treated the constipation, and got his diet on track – guess what? No more daytime accidents and no more bed wetting and no more humiliation for my son at school.

Strong Food Cravings: Did you know that if a person has undiagnosed and untreated food allergies, they often crave the very foods they are allergic to? For example, a child with a milk intolerance/allergy might crave milk and other dairy products. It is because the body starts getting dependent on the chemicals released in the brain when these foods are present. Food addiction is very real and much like addiction to other substances such as caffeine or alcohol for example. Sugar cravings are another common food craving. This may or may not be related to food allergies, but eating a lot of sugar can cause blood sugar levels to go up and down dramatically which can cause a child to go through mood swings, high and low energy periods, and other side effects.

The Non-Vegetable Eater: Kids need to eat vegetables. ADHD kids, generally hate vegetables. Getting my son to just eat peas is a battle sometimes. The natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in fresh, organic fruits and vegetables simply cannot be replaced by any vitamin supplements.

Malnutrition Symptoms: Even if your child eats a great diet, that does not always mean that they are absorbing all the nutrients from the foods they eat. While height and weight are the obvious indicators of a child getting the right nutrients, there are also many other symptoms of vitamin deficiencies.

Allergic Shiners: Does your child have deep dark circles around his or her eyes? If your child frequently has “bags” under the eyes or looks like he or she has not slept well even after they have slept, it is generally a good indication that you should either take your child to a food allergist specialist or experiment with elimination diets under the supervision of your child’s doctor.

Frequent/Extended Use of Antibiotics: This is debatable and not well researched, but while I was pregnant with my son I was on antibiotics for much of the pregnancy due to kidney stones. My son as an infant and all the way up until we finally got him healthy through diet also suffered frequent ear and respiratory infections that were treated with antibiotics. Research now shows that good digestive health depends on friendly bacteria such as those found in yogurt. For that reason, you may wish to discuss probiotics with your doctor. (Note: Probiotics are generally best as a supplement as foods such as yogurt generally do not have high enough count).

Food Dye Makes Your Child Go Crazy: My son cannot eat anything red. If you give him something red, such as Hawaiian Punch for example, he is bouncing off the walls, aggressive, and really hard to get to calm down. I never really noticed this, because he was like this all the time before we tried the diet – now I know immediately when someone has given him something to eat with red food dye.

If your child has any of these signs and symptoms in addition to the usual characteristics of attention deficit and hyperactivity with ADHD, then it is worth the time to pursue finding a GOOD doctor or nutritionist to work with and find the right diet for your child.

If your child does not have any of these symptoms, it is important to remember that not all cases of ADHD are caused by food related reasons or related to digestive distress. Because the cause of ADHD is unknown, there is a good possibility many different causes may exist, which means some children might be helped by diet, others may not. Some children may not have any of the above symptoms but still greatly benefit from diet.

A study conducted by researchers from the University of Montreal and Harvard University according to an article published by Time Magazine (2010)  found that children with concentration levels of pesticides in their urine were 35% more likely to be prone to develop ADHD. The higher these levels, the more and more the risk multiplied.

This study, while not the most current, has been a topic of big debate, simply because more and more people are starting to question the effects of pesticides and food preservatives and other toxins in our environment and how they relate to our health. All of us want to be healthier – but often times we do not know the right information to make healthy choices.

What Most People Don’t Realize: Most Food is Poisoned

Unless you purchase food that is certified organic, you are consuming pesticides. It is otherwise impossible to avoid them. Even foods that say “all natural” may contain toxins that can negatively impact one’s health. Reading labels is not enough – you need to be sure that the foods you eat are organic in order to avoid pesticides.

This is hard for a lot of parents to grasp, especially because there are many name brands we have come to trust or use quite a bit. For example, a recent study on apple juice found that well known companies such as Motts apple juice tested unacceptably high for having arsenic in apple juice – up to 5 times higher than the considered “safe” level by the EPA. We are talking about microscopic particles here of course, but when you consider the whole entire human body is made of microscopic particles, it is not that surprising or astonishing that it could have an effect on some people, especially children who have a smaller body weight and are in their early developmental stages.

While some foods are better than others (ie: spinach absolutely should be organic, while foods that need peeled generally contain much less) – it’s very hard for a parent with a child with special needs (and likely a picky eater) to find foods that are safe. Even if you are lucky enough to live near a grocery store that offers organic food, it can be extremely expensive and out of budget for many families. Sometimes however, the cost of food far outweighs the negative effects of pesticides.

Why Would Pesticides Have a Role in ADHD?

It is hard to understand why pesticides may have such a big role in ADHD symptoms. However, if you understand the science of food and digestion and how it makes the brain function, it makes it much easier to see the potential for a link.

Leaky Gut Syndrome:
Many kids with ADHD experience digestive problems that can cause constipation and malabsorption of nutrients (which then also factors into behavioral issues and the way the brain functions). It also suggests that perhaps these children simply have a compromised immune system that cannot simply process all the toxins in our every day world.

This is a concept often associated with the term leaky gut syndrome and is also a common topic of discussion amongst autism researchers. (Leaky gut syndrome suggests that food particles and toxins are permeating through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream, causing food allergies and toxin overload).

Toxic overload is not a surprising concept in the research associated with ADD. Many people have discovered that symptoms of ADHD are actually symptoms of poisoning from heavy metals or other dangerous chemicals that are present in our environment.

For example, studies are now finding that flouride, which is found not only in toothpaste but also in most public drinking water, can cause the very same symptoms of ADHD. Mercury is another hot debate, as it is often found in vaccines (though many are now changing their formula) as well as in dental fillings. All people who experiment the symptoms of ADHD should also be screened for lead, as the symptoms for lead poisoning are often similar as well.

Do leaky gut sydriome and toxic overload explain everything? Unfortunately, not always.

It is important to remember that ADHD is a set of symptoms, that describes hyperactivity and the inability to focus or concentrate or complete tasks. These symptoms likely have a variety of different causes, and most likely there is no one single cause to pinpoint that would be true for all children. For example, a child with food allergies and sensitivity to preservatives, may display similar characteristics of a child with lead poisoning. Both may experience chronic constipation and an ability to focus and concentrate. A child may also have ADHD from other reasons, such as a genetic disposition for the way the brain functions or how the body’s immune system works.

Bottom Line: There is no conclusive evidence about the link between ADHD and pesticides. Finding a doctor who you can trust (and is not just some quack looking to make a fortune at your expense) is extremely difficult to do. But, what I can tell you, as a mom of an eight year old boy, switching to an all organic diet has made all the difference.

Difficulty concentrating is one of the common symptoms of depression, and the trademark characteristic of attention deficit disorder, so the fact that the two are often related is not a surprise.

Caregivers for children with ADHD and other behavioral health conditions can also often feel depression, especially if their responsibilities seem too difficult to cope with or the parent feels overwhelmed.

Depression and ADHD are also both genetically linked in some families, which can also make it difficult to tell the difference between one another.

How can you tell if you or your child are depressed?

In general, feelings of depression last for a period of two weeks and longer. Everyone has their share of ups and downs in life, but when the downs seem to be more frequent than the ups – and shaking away the blues becomes more and more difficult, it marks a cause for concern to speak with a professional regarding depression.

Here are some of the common signs you may be depressed:

Feelings of Out of Control or Being Overwhelmed
Feeling sadness
Feeling apathetic towards life and others
Avoiding Family and Friends and Social Interaction
Increased irritability and outbursts
Feelings of being worthless
Feelings of self-blame
Feelings of anxiousness or unexplained fears
Headaches and fatigue
Thoughts about death or suicide

Most doctors are able to quickly evaluate and diagnose depression. There are also many clinics who provide free depression screening. It is important however to know what the differences are between ADHD and depression:

Chronic Sad Mood: It is not unusual for someone with ADHD to experience sadness or unhappiness, but most times it is a reaction from a specific event. With depression, one may feel unhappy or sadness for no reason at all. The ADHD mind, quick to forget and move on, generally does not dwell too long on one thing – whereas with depression it is a recurring mood that does not go away. I

It is also important to note that most people who suffer from depression are generally in denial about it. They do not want to admit they are depressed, or they will not be honest that they feel the characteristic symptoms. Parents of children with ADHD, but with no medical diagnosis for themselves are especially prone to being in denial about depression.

Depression can start at just about any age, so while it is more commonly diagnosed in older children, even toddlers and elementary school students can display the signs and symptoms of depression.

It’s OKAY to Feel Depressed

Before we go on any farther about what to do about depression, we want to make clear that it is okay to be depressed. There is nothing “wrong” with you – millions of other people have depression and feel the same feelings as you do.

With the way our society is today, depression is higher than ever. Why? Because people are not nice to each other. There is high stress and ridiculous demands put on us everywhere. Much of what we see on television and through the media can also make us feel depressed. We generally do not eat as well as we should, which can also play a big role in our mood and well being.

For most people, life is chaotic, whether you have ADHD or not.

So if you feel depressed, don’t be embarrassed about it. Don’t try to deny it. Because depression does not have to last forever. It can be treated in a number of different ways.

Common Treatments for Depression

Screening for Physical Disorders: Diabetes, Thyroid Disorders, and many other physical conditions can sometimes be linked to depression. It is helpful to work with a doctor who is experienced in both the physical and emotional sides of depression. Often times for example a patient who is feeling depressed may simply have a thyroid or hormonal imbalance. This is especially common in women.

Changes in Diet: Food plays a big role in how much energy we have and how well our bodies are able to perform from day to day. When you take care of your body physically, it will help it work out things that bother us emotionally as well. Sugar for example can lead to depression, as it causes changes in blood sugar levels that can cause erratic mood swings. Caffeine is another stimulant that can sometimes cause depression when used in excess. Eating foods that are high in Omega 3 Fatty Acids, and reducing sugar consumption can often help one feel better without the need for medication.

Therapy: While therapy sometimes has a negative stigma attached to it, it’s actually quite helpful IF you do your homework and get a good therapist. There’s no need to feel ashamed about talking to a therapist about your problems and thoughts and feelings – most of us simply were never taught the skills required to deal with the frustrations of life. For children, play therapy is usually the most beneficial and helps kids learn techniques to talk about their problems and work through them.

Medication: Medication is usually a last resort as a treatment for depression, and often medications can have severe side effects. However, medication can also often be a major help for some. It is important to research whether depression may be a side effect of a medication. It is also very important to be careful when combining stimulant and anti-depressant medications together. Some medications for depression, such as Wellbutrin, can sometimes make some people feel worse.

To find the best treatment for depression, identifying the cause is key in choosing one that will be effective. For example, if it is a physical problem, treating the physical problem will treat the depression. If it is due to a poor diet, a healthier diet can help. If it is due to just experiencing a low time in your life, therapy can help you work out problems and find solutions to help you be happy and enjoy life again to its fullest. If it is believed to be due to a chemical imbalance, medications may help.

If your doctor suggests you have depression, make sure they do a thorough evaluation to diagnose the cause of it. When there is a clearly defined cause, it is much easier to choose the treatment that will be the most successful and effective for you.

If you or your child is suffering from depression and ADHD, here are some things you can do to help:

1. Seek Treatment: Why suffer when you don’t have to? There are people in every town who can help you deal with and treat depression. It’s nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about – it’s no different going to the doctor for a sore throat or a fever.

2. Reduce Triggers: While no one can live in a bubble and remove all stress from our lives, there are a lot of things that we can change that will make it easier to cope with depression.

3. Find an Outlet: It’s good to find ways to help deal with feelings as they come up. Some people do better with writing or painting, others can find that jogging or pounding tennis balls can be therapeutic. Finding a positive way to express your feelings can help you greatly.

4. Get Outside: Natural sunlight and fresh air can always help any situation feel brighter. Research has shown that those who do not get enough sunshine can be prone to depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder, because it is especially common in areas that get less light in the winter months.

Depression and ADHD can be overwhelming sometimes, but it is not a hopeless situation. There is a lot of help out there available – you do not have to do it alone! Speak with your doctor, or find if there are services available in your area. Many times these services are available free of charge, even if you do not have insurance.

It’s important to know that all medications pose risks and potential side effects. Not all of them are guaranteed to have the same effect in everyone. Your own health and genetic history may also be a very important factor that your physician will take into consideration, since some medicines for ADHD are known to be of more concern for those with a history of heart disease or tics.

It should be noted also that while we will try to update this list as much as possible with new medical findings and research, there is no guarantee that we can be sure this list is the most up to date because things can change often, frequently, and rather quickly. It should also be noted that we here at ADHD Parent support do not recommend any one medication over another, because it is a decision that is best left up to you and your doctor. There is no such thing as the “best medications for ADHD” because it will vary from person to person. Not all medications have the same effect and results on everyone and so talking to your doctor is the best course of action to pursue. This ADHD medications list is here mainly for information purposes so if your doctor is talking about switching medicines you can have a familiarity of the different drugs available.

Another important thing to note is that some medications listed here have not been approved for all ages or may have certain age restrictions, such as being meant for adults only or not being studied in children under the age of 12 or 6. So depending on your child’s age not all of these medications may even be an option for you to consider just yet.

You may also want to consult with your health insurance company. Not all insurance companies will cover all medications, and many may even only cover the generic unless it can be proved medically necessary through your physician and the pharmacist. It is unfortunate because this leads to many parents being forced to try certain medications when they would rather avoid them.

To help make this list the least confusing, we’ve gathered the medications together under the type of generic name brand.

Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine: Adderall, Adderall XR

Methylphenidate: Concerta, Daytrona, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Ritalin

Methamphetamine: Desoxyn

Dextroamphetamine: Dexedrine, Dextrostat

Dexmethylphenidate: Focalin, Focalin XR

Lisdexamfetamine: Vyvanse

Buspirone:Buspar

Clonidine: Catapres

Did we forget to list medications for ADHD you have used or heard of? Share it in the comments below.

For years many parents and professionals have been wondering what the link between ADHD and sleep is and how the two relate to each other. For some, it seems like it is a never ending “What came first? The chicken or the egg?” type of the question. Does attention deficit hyperactivity disorder cause problems with falling and staying asleep? Or does not sleeping properly cause the symptoms of hyperactivity and restlessness?

For parents struggling in getting ADHD kids to sleep, this lack of sleeping could even potentially make managing the usual symptoms of the condition worse.

There are many different sleep disorders that exist. Some of these, such as sleep apnea are related to factors that disrupt sleep. Individuals with sleep apnea frequently snore and often may even stop breathing while sleeping. Because of this interrupted sleep pattern, some believe that may cause hyperactivity or inability to focus.

Other parents are greatly concerned about medications that may work in relieving symptoms and help their child function at their best at school or at home may be keeping them up at night because the ADHD medication is a stimulant.

If you’re a parent with a child with ADHD who isn’t getting enough sleep, here are some things you can try:

1. Speak to Your Child’s Doctor: Speaking to your child’s doctor is one of the most important things you should do first. If sleep apnea is a concern or other conditions, your doctor will be able to assess if any of these sleep disorders exist and what the best solution in treating them might be. Some studies have found that some stimulant medications are better than others in helping kids get a good night’s rest.

2. Establish a Quiet Routine: Many children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have trouble unwinding at the end of the day. Even if they are tired they may still be ready to go and can’t relax enough to actually fall asleep. A good routine that is quiet might help. An example routine would be a light snack, bath time, reading in bed, and then lights out.

3. Promote Physical Fitness: While being physically active won’t cause kids to go to sleep by itself, it can help with burning off a lot of their extra energy that can make it easier to fall asleep at night.

4. Limit Television Time: Many ADHD kids can become totally absorbed in shows they are watching on television which may make it even more difficult for them to fall asleep. Taking TV out a child’s bedroom or not allowing him or her to watch it near bedtime may help.

5. Reduce Stress and Activities: Many families have very hectic and busy lives and the afternoons and evenings are filled with activities and things that can cause stress. If you’re driving kids to soccer practice and running errands and going to another activity, it can really all become overwhelming and make it more difficult for all of you to relax.

6. Limit Caffeine and Sugar: Caffeine is often hidden in a lot of foods, especially different types of soda. Eating too much sugar can all have effects on kid’s blood sugar levels which can sometimes result in changes of extreme hyperactivity to feeling tired. By limiting these things, while they don’t cause ADHD or completely cure the symptoms if avoided, can help somewhat for parents who constantly struggle.

These are just a few tips for dealing with ADHD sleeping disorders in children. Do you have any suggestions? Share them in the comments below.

However, before you jump out to buy fish oil, there’s an important thing to remember: not all fish oil products are the same and there is no guarantee that it will improve your child or even be safer for them. In fact, one Norwegian study showed that those who ate foods with the Omega Three naturally in them saw greater absorption from smaller amounts of food than larger amounts of supplements. Eating salmon once a week for example, could be better than taking a large amount of supplements.

Fish oil is thought to have many benefits and it is derived from the tissues of fish such as salmon, mackerel, trout, tuna, and herring. However, there are also some concerns about toxins such as mercury and other contaminants, which is why the FDA recommends that only a limited amount be consumed each week.

The benefit of eating these fish or taking the supplements lies in the Omega 3 Fatty Acids. These Omega Three essential acids are believed to have many important nutrients that our body does not produce on its own.

Many children however are likely not going to enjoy the taste or smell of these supplements (after all, they are a little fishy!) and even getting a child who is a picky eater to eat the salmon or tuna could be a bit of a challenge – there are adults who don’t even like it!

The good news is that Omega 3 acids can be found naturally in other foods that your kids likely will eat – and giving them natural whole foods is the safest thing you can do since many vitamin supplements can sometimes do more harm than good. Since supplements are not regulated by the FDA may also not have the quality and standards you would expect or require. You also want to make sure that you do not take too much, as the adage of “too much of a good thing” can really hold true for many. Those who have taken large mega doses of Omega Three’s have been subject to problems with blood thinning and even possibly stroke.

For the safest way to test any benefit or improvement in your child, eating healthy foods is the recommended way to go by most pediatricians. The other foods that contain omega 3 beside salmon include Flax seed and walnuts, which can be incorporated into just about any child’s diet unless a nut allergy is a concern. Flax seeds can easily be incorporated into a number of recipes or even turned into flour which you can purchase. Other foods that have some of these fatty acids include Cloves, Kale, spinach, raspberries, mustard seeds, broccoli, and a few others. Some organic eggs and grass fed beef also contain higher sources of Omega 3 Fatty Acids, and most kids will eat these things without too much complaint.

There is certainly no to little harm in incorporating salmon, walnuts, spinach, raspberries, and flax seed into a child’s regular diet as long as no allergy concerns are present. However, taking supplements should only be done under the recommendation of a child’s pediatrician, as the concern for contaminants and whether it is actually necessary of beneficial is still a subject of controversy amongst many.

It’s also important to remember that before changing your child’s medication for ADHD you should always consult with a doctor to make sure that is done in a safe method, as some medications can cause severe symptoms when stopped suddenly. Being an informed parent and choosing a doctor who does not just reach for the prescription pad can help you determine the best route of treatment for your child.

Do you have any experience using fish oil for ADHD? Share your comments about ADHD, fish oil, and omega three fatty acids in the comments section below.

After all, only terrible parents would out of desperation and exhaustion let their kid watch TV to fall asleep. Only a terrible parent would leave a shopping cart full of things in the store to carry out a screaming and flailing kid. Certainly good parents wouldn’t be lying awake at night wondering why their child was such a monster. Good parents don’t feel resentment towards their child, do they?

I started to really get caught up in what a bad parent I was. I was starting to feel pretty frustrated and kind of hopeless at the same time. Other parents and kids I knew didn’t seem to have half the problems me and my son did. I was convinced that my child’s ridiculously bad behavior was karmic justice for all of the bad parenting I was doing.

But, as it turns out, I’m not a bad parent – and I never actually was. I’ve actually been told quite a few times by several therapists that I really am a good parent. (They swear they weren’t just saying that to boost my self esteem!) I was following the right discipline ideas, I was doing all that I could. My kid just has a mental health disorder, that’s all.

With so many people assuming that ADHD is just a diagnosis that means “Bad Parenting” it can be really frustrating. For one, it causes hundreds, if not thousands of parents to deny their kids have problems. It makes parents feel like they are the ones to blame – as if their actions are in direct correlation to why their child misbehaves, can’t sit still, and is jumping from one thing to the next. Instead, many kids go undiagnosed. Nobody wants to accept that they have a problem or that their kid has a problem either. In fact, we might even tiptoe around the issue with parents – by either not talking about it or trying to find some kind of ridiculous miracle cure rather than accepting it as an illness.

If you feel like a terrible parent, you’re not alone. Every parent, even parents of completely mentally healthy children, feel these kinds of feelings from time to time. But if you’re constantly beating yourself up about it, it’s time to stop.

It’s not easy to go from feeling like horrible parent to good parent. So to help you dismiss those horrible parent feelings, here’s some help:

1. Embrace The Diagnosis: Breathe that diagnosis with a sigh of relief! There is nothing “wrong” with you – or even your child necessarily. Your child has a medical condition. And while a medical condition requires treatment and attention and research and understanding – it is not the end of the world. Millions of people with medical conditions can continue on with happy and successful lives. When you start realizing there is a medical condition, and not “something wrong” it really helps put things into perspective.

2. Do Good Parent Things: Good parents make sure their kid has the basic necessities and is in a safe environment. (Y’know – fed, clothed, bathed, not playing in the street, child proofing the house, etc.) Good parents take their child to a doctor when the child is sick – and good parents will make sure that they research and follow through with a treatment plan for their child’s ADHD. Don’t brush it off as something unimportant or will go away on its own. Instead, talk with the doctors, the therapists, the teachers, the professionals. It’s the best thing you can do when you are in doubt.

3. Realize You’re Not Alone: There are thousands of parents right now feeling just like you are. The good news is you can find others to help you and relate to. Join a forum or message board. Check with CHADD.org and find a local chapter near you. Call a neighbor, call a long lost friend, open the phone book and call one of the help line’s in the front. We always feel like we are alone and have no one to turn to or talk to about something – but that’s not the case.

4. Take Time-Outs: If you’re getting overwhelmed or frustrated – take a break. Let someone else watch your child(ren) for a few hours. Go for walks. Take a relaxing bubble bath. Do something FUN and do it for YOU.

It’s time to forget about what means “normal” and what means “terrible parenting”. Instead, focus on getting you and your child the treatment you need to get through it – and it will get better eventually. You CAN be happy. It’s not hopeless. And you’re not a terrible parent if you’re still reading this site. Pat yourself on the back for being a good parent. Because good parents recognize there is a problem and seek help not only for their children, but themselves too.

As parents we’re left basically with unknown territory and the FDA and drug companies, which many people do not trust, especially knowing that many of the major drug companies provide funding for the approval of drugs. Stories of children having negative, even life threatening side effects to ADHD treatments and medications leaves many parents wondering if there is a safer and more natural remedy to help their struggling child and help them save their own sanity

In the uncharted territory of alternative treatments available parents must be just as equally cautious as they are about putting their child on medication. We live in a society where we would all like instant results and cures for our problems and ailments. Unfortunately there are many people who prey on this desire for us to believe there is a miracle cure and will try to convince you and sell you just about anything – and whether it’s safe or effective doesn’t matter to them. While we’d all like to take some sort of magical formula and watch all of our problems disappear, it usually takes quite a bit more work than that.

That is why this website ADHD Parent Support does not recommend or support any specific treatment or cure for ADHD symptoms. Every child is different, and so is every situation unique in diagnosing the condition as well as the way to treat it.

The best thing parents can do is to seek the trusted opinion of behavioral health specialists, educate themselves as much as possible in the different treatments available, and try to look at the situation objectively in making a decision to determine the best thing for their child’s health.

Allowing social media stigmas against medication or therapy or the opinions of family members, friends, or other parents influence your decision you may not ultimately be what is best for you and your child. This list is meant to be only a resource in helping you learn the different alternatives available that you can research further and discuss with your child’s doctor.

Here is an overview of natural remedy options:

Behavioral Counseling: While behavioral counseling is not a “natural remedy” in the form of something you can take or eat, it is one of the most useful and successful methods in treating ADHD successfully, with or without the use of other treatments or medications. For children too young for medication, or for those who constantly struggle with behavioral issues, it can take many months or years to see improvement, but in general it always leads to a more positive outcome.  Finding the right therapist is vital – be sure to find someone with a thorough understanding and plenty of experience.

Diet: Many parents and professionals have speculated that diet may be a way to change a child’s behavior. The keyword here is speculated, since there have not been a lot of studies done that effectively prove that it is what causes symptoms or can help alleviate them. The ADHD diet is a strict one that may also potentially deprive your child of nutritional value he or she needs that restricts a large amount of dairy, protein, and whole grains. For parents of picky eaters, it would be practically impossible to try this diet without first being involved in a major battle of what the kid can and cannot eat. Having other family members in the house would also cause a lot of grief with this. If you are considering a special diet for your child, it would be best to first speak with your pediatrician and a nutrition specialist who can perform allergy tests. You may likely be best off simply following the USDA’s guidelines for a well balanced diet outlined by the food pyramid.

Vitamins: From fish oil to flaxseed to Vitamin C, there are plenty of supplements and vitamins available that many believe could potentially help with ADHD. However, most people do not realize that if they are eating a well balanced and nutritional diet they do not need vitamins – and taking more vitamins that your body needs can be much more dangerous than a potential deficiency. For example, takin iron supplements without the direction or advice of a doctor can be fatal. Again, speak with a pediatrician or child nutritionist before taking any course of action. You can likely get all of the child’s needs in a well balanced diet without the need of supplements. See our article on ADHD Vitamin Supplements.

Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for treatment of emotional or physical symptoms. While there have been proven studies that certain smells do change our patterns of brain waves, it is also another untested territory related to ADHD. It is believed that citrus smells such as orange and lemon can be related to helping improve focus and concentration, where smells such as lavender can help with relaxation. Will burning scented aromatherapy candles transform your child’s behavior overnight? Most likely not, but at least your house will smell good!

Music Therapy: Music therapy is another natural remedy option that some parents may wish to explore. There is some research supporting the effect of music in calming and focusing, though specific ADHD treatment studies are few and far between. You can find meditative music just about anywhere, though there are other audio tracks that work specifically on tuning to certain frequencies and rhythms to produce an effect. Speaking to a reputable and experienced music therapist can give you more information and insight on this type of treatment.

Meditation: Meditation is another possible treatment source for ADHD that does not require drugs or medication. However, it is quite likely that you will have difficulty in getting your ADHD child to sit somewhere long enough to practice meditative techniques. If you can find a child meditation specialist in your area, that may help you learn ways to get him or her interested. While it most likely will not cure ADHD, as there is no cure, it could be a good way to learn how to manage hyperactivity and over stimulation.

With so many different ADHD natural remedy options, it is not surprising that some parents may decide to try these instead or in lieu of professional advice. Many parents are looking for that magical miracle cure when unfortunately one does not exist, and it can take years of experimentation with medications, therapy, and other treatments before finally finding the right combination of things that is best for you and your child. For these reasons, it is imperative to start things off right and as soon as possible by talking to your child’s doctor. The sooner you start seeking help, the sooner you will better understand the disorder and begin seeing hope again.

There are tons of different ways to stay organized, and it will greatly depend on your child’s invidual personality as well as their age and grade level. What works for a second grader for example may or may not work so well for a high school student.

Below are some of our favorite organizational tips for helping kids at school to stay on task and focused:

Color Code System: It will depend on your child’s age and grade level, but a color code system for different school subjects can help. This is especially helpful for middle school and high school students, who may have a different teacher for each subject. Coordinating book covers with folders can be a great way to remember what is needed for each class. Some parents may use an accordion style folder in conjunction with this method for handling multiple teachers and classes.

Homework Journal/Folder: A calendar notebook with pockets is an excellent way to keep track of homework assignments. Have the child write down the assignments in the notebook, and if there is a corresponding worksheet or directions they can place it in the folder. They can then put the homework in the folder when they are finished to ensure it is always in the same place to turn it in the next day.

An Extra Set of Books: It’s not uncommon for students to forget books at school or at home. Requesting an extra set of books is something you can do through your child’s IEP or Section 504 plan to help you make sure that your child will always have the materials he or she needs.

Pack for School the Night Before: Having a routine where you get everything ready for school the night before can be a huge help in dealing with the usual hustle and bustle of morning activities. Make sure your child has his or her homework, lunch, clothes, jacket, and anything else they might need ready to go in one spot.

Remember Less is More: The more simple everything is, the easier it will be for you, your child’s teacher and most importantly your child. Having too many folders, notebooks, binders, and other items can make it difficult for anyone to keep track of what is going on. Reducing the amount of unnecessary papers and other items can help make it easier for everyone.

Organize Pens, Pencils, Etc: Chances are your child will need pens, pencils, and other basic school supplies. Some notebooks have organizers that can hold all of these items in one place, or for some children a pencil box or case may be more suitable.

Do you have any other tips for helping your ADHD child be more organized at school? We’d love to hear about it in the comments section below!