The following is a guest post. Please let me know if you enjoy the topic, as it can definitely be discussed in more detail in the future. Thank you! -Kelly

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has become more commonly diagnosed over the last decade, and whilst the diagnosis of a child with ADHD can be a controversial one- the subject still does need further investigation- despite the fact that drugs are now available to treat it.  If you have a child with this disorder and don’t want to go the pharmaceutical route for treatment, then you should consider alternative treatment options.

It is not surprising to see that a majority of people don’t want to get treated with drugs that carry serious side effects. This is also the case when it comes to those suffering from ADHD. Many parents still prefer to treat their child using alternative medicine instead of the stimulant medications commonly used to treat the disorder. Medications are often effective and so are the alternatives to medications. But what alternative ADHD treatments are commonly available?  Alternative medicine ADHD options include:

Diet for ADHD Treatment

It is believed that the diet of the ADHD child can affect him in many ways. There are certain types of foods that are included in his diet that are not beneficial to him and there are certain foods in his diet that will help him reduce his symptoms of ADHD. The Feingold Diet removes all of the artificial additives and colorings from the child’s diet, and is one example of dietary intervention.

ADHD and Behavioral Modification

The behaviors and actions of the child with ADHD are often the main signs of his disorder. Due to his behavioral outbursts, he finds it hard to get along with others sometimes. He should be taught how to deal with the people around him in an appropriate manner and how to act in school. This will help him to reduce symptoms of ADHD such as hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and inattentiveness. The child’s behavior should not be the only subject of change, but also his parent’s behaviors too. The parent’s behaviors toward the child will affect him also, so they should know how to handle him appropriately.

Interactive Metronome Training for ADHD

In this training, the child is taught how to monitor his physical and mental actions by using and mimicking a rhythmic beat. He will learn how to concentrate by being taught to focus on mimicking the rhythmic beat. Some success with this method has been demonstrated, within one study.

Chiropractic Medicine for ADHD

Some individuals believe that an ADHD child’s spine is incorrectly aligned with his skull, which is why his brain does not work well. His spine can be aligned with his skull with Chiropractic Medicine. This method is not well supported by research, at this time.

Neuro-feedback and ADHD

The electrical activity of the brain is detected by the cortex through electrodes placed on the scalp. The electrical activity activates a computer game. The child experiences success with the game when the electrical activity meets certain criteria.

The child, in essence, plays the computer game by using his brainwaves. Through neuro-feedback, the child will learn to change the workings of his brain. Until he knows how his body is supposed to react on its own, the machine will show him how he should react. Eventually, he will not need the machine to react appropriately.

Homeopathic ADHD Remedies

Doctors who use Homeopathic ADHD remedies as a treatment for ADHD generally report good results. Additionally, a placebo-controlled double blind study of 43 ADHD children showed that homeopathy can effectively treat the disorder. At two months after the end of this study end, 57 per cent of children showed improvements with homeopathy, even though they discontinued the homeopathic treatment. 24 per cent had relapsed two months after the study, and the remaining 19 per cent of children continued to have positive results, but only when taking the homeopathic treatment.

About the Author: Jemma G is one of the people behind the popular GPS Bites website.  Jemma regularly contributes to blogs on technology and health matters, and is also an expert on GPS devices.

Autism is often discussed in connection with special diets, food and eating challenges, and other health issues including the great GI debate (here’s the counter-argument on the lack of connection between GI concerns and ASD).

So it is with careful consideration that I share this next research discussion. A study was released in 2012, suggesting that autism may be “linked to the typical American diet” (FIHRI, 2012). The study itself is interesting and provides plenty of ‘food for thought’ (please excuse the horrible pun). As with any study, it is important to consider the lead researcher of the study and any agenda that may be presented. Although the lead researcher , Renee Dufault, has been associated with the U.S. Public Health Service and the Food and Drug Administration in the past, currently she is listed as a founder of the Food Ingredient & Health Research Institute. Additionally, an online biography suggests that she was “encouraged to retire” from the FDA. She is also a licensed special education teacher.

Dufault’s prior research findings suggest that High Fructose Corn Syrup contains trace amounts of Mercury, and asserts that such amounts may be related to the increase in behavior disorders and learning disabilities noted recently. (Link is to the published study). The current study attempts to create a model of nutrition, environment, and genetic factors may interact to contribute to outcomes for children in the United States.

Disclaimer:Information is shared on the research team, as available, to help professionals and parents carefully consider the findings of this study.

Key Study Points

• Genetic and environmental interactions may be affected by dietary factors influencing outcomes and expression of genes (i.e., whether or not the genetic factor is noted in an individual).
• Mercury has been found in high fructose corn syrup and is allowable in trace amounts in some food coloring in very small quantities (1 part per million).
• Children with autism may have a Zinc deficiency that impairs their ability to eliminate heavy metals (i.e., Mercury).
• Pesticide exposure may impair development for children, with some evidence suggesting exposure prior to birth also has an effect.
• Wheat and corn are dietary staples that may be contributing to this exposure, as they are highly consumed, including corn used to manufacture high fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners.
• The researchers suggest that exposure to toxins including high fructose corn syrup, mercury, and pesticides in combination may reduce neural plasticity and impair learning in children.
• As consumption of sweeteners has increased over time, so has the rate of children diagnosed with behavior disorders, learning disabilities, autism, and ADHD.

My Opinion of Findings

• The study provides an interesting perspective.
• Generally maintaining a more healthy diet, with fewer processed foods, is recommended by healthcare professionals.
• The concept of mercury being present in sweetener and other foods is an interesting one and is worth reading about.
• I am not trained as a toxicologist, nor do I have experience with FDA guidelines. The study is highly technical and I am not able to accurately assess findings due to my lack of background. That said, it’s interesting to consider that diet while pregnant and diets of children may be influencing symptom presentation of those who are diagnosed. Especially when you consider the often self-restricted diets of children with behavioral needs and those with autism diagnoses.
• The concept of diet and autism is clearly not new; however, limited evidence exists to support the elaborate (gluten, casein, soy-free) diets that are often recommended.
• The idea of adhering to a more natural diet, rather than cutting out specific products may be more manageable for families, safer, and could potentially be more affordable (i.e., shopping at local markets for produce, limiting processed foods/sugars).

Overall, the findings are an interesting perspective on the hypothesized relation between autism and diet. It is important to be thoughtful in the research we allow to impact our daily lives and the lives of children. My opinion currently is that I may not be able to fully analyze the technical components of the study, but generally providing children with a less-processed diet and nutritious foods is not likely to hurt!

Are more natural dietary changes a good idea over GF/CF/SF diets?