ADHD Webinar Use Alternative Therapies to Manage ADHD Symptoms 2013 ADHD Awareness Webinars (Type your questions in the box to the right.) ADDitude Magazine ADHD Awareness Expert Webinars - www.additudemag.com/webinars
Sandy Newmark, M.D. Sandy Newmark, M.D., is the founder of the Center for Pediatric Integrative Medicine in San Francisco and author of ADHD Without Drugs: A Guide to Natural Care of Children with ADHD. He is head of the Pediatric Integrative Neurodevelopment Clinic at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Sandy is a regular columnist in ADDitude magazine and contributor to www.additudemag.com ADDitude Magazine ADHD Awareness Expert Webinars - www.additudemag.com/webinars
Alternative treatments for ADHD should be considered part of an Integrated Treatment Program, which could and should include behavioral intervention, optimal school placement and classroom management, and medication when appropriate.
Alternative treatments on their own are sometimes as effective as medication, and they can be an important part of a treatment program for those children taking ADHD medication.
Nutrition is the keystone of any alternative treatment program for ADHD. The first nutritional intervention consists of a healthy diet, without artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. The diet should emphasize a balance of unprocessed low-glycemic-index carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats at each meal, as well as adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Many children with ADHD are sensitive, or even allergic, to certain foods. When these foods are removed from the diet, symptoms improve sometimes dramatically. This has been proven in multiple research studies. The only way to know if this is the case is through an elimination diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids are an important part of an integrated treatment program for ADHD, and multiple research studies have shown them to be effective without side effects for the most part. They can be taken as capsules or in liquid form; gummies or chewables are usually not adequate.
Iron and zinc are two important minerals that can affect ADHD symptoms. Deficiencies of either of these can worsen symptoms. Your doctor should check your child s levels with a blood test, and deficiencies should be treated, if necessary.
EEG neurofeedback and Cogmed have a reasonable body of research to indicate their effectiveness. Other home computer programs may be helpful, but do not have the same type of research to support them.
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Upcoming Webinar Dates Feb. 8, 2013 - Make Friends, Keep Friends: Raise Your ADHD Child's Social IQ Feb. 12, 2013 - Stay Calm, Stay Collected: Shout-Free Tips for Managing an ADHD Child s Behaviors Feb. 21, 2013 - Why ADHD Children Act the Way They Do: Causes and Strategies March 1, 2013 - Carrot and Stick: Dealing with Challenging Behaviors in Young Children with ADHD www.additudemag.com/webinars
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