FIrst and foremost take him to an allergist through a Naturopath. Have them do allergy testing and bloodwork for any nutritional deficiencies. MANY many times attention deficit is caused by an underlying condition and most doctors don't do a full bloodwork like a naturopath would do. Nor do traditional allergists, but you can start with a regular allergy doctor then a Naturopath.

I have my son on On Task Vitamins. I've recently found out that a.d.d. and a.d.h.d. kids are deficient in magnesium and zinc. The chewable cherry vitamin/mineral tablets have: magnesium, zinc, B6, C, and E. --the exact combo needed for children with mineral - vitamin deficiencies seen in children. Also a liquid B12 also works.

It takes a while before you will see results - somewhere between 4-8 weeks. The body has typically been deficient for a while. You can google On Task Vitamins and order them. The website explains everything.

I had my 11 year old son on adderall for six solid months and I regret it big time. He began to rage, lost weight, started having tics, talking to himself etc. Unfortunately, our school systems push for the children to be on the prescription medications for a quick fix. Its not in your child's best interest and should be a very last resort.

Next you can check into neurotherapy to help with his concentration or go to your local natural supplement store and buy Attend for children and Memorin. I have a friend that uses those for her daughter and she started to do much better.

If he is having trouble sleeping at night that will also cause attention deficit problems. You can buy Calm Natural at the natural supplement store and give to him right before bed time.

Many local cities will have testing for all matters: a.d.h.d. learning disabilities etc. The Wiat test seems to give great results. Additionally he may have a sensory issue. That can be tested as well. Flourescent lights cause many problems for children to try and concentrate yet flourescent lighting is everywhere.

If you have a Brain Balance center near you, they can test the sensory issues and the Wiat academic assessments. Do all of the above right away. Waste no time - and then decide if you really need prescription meds with very serious side effects.

I wish you luck. Our journey started with my son since he was 4, but especially intense in school since 3rd grade. He's now in 6th grade. Save yourself the misery that we've had following the lousy self-serving schools pushing meds and the pediatricians who mean well, but are becoming out of date with their prescription meds.

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I forgot to mention. I also started my son on Omega 3 liquid form and a really good children's probiotic.

Most EVERYTHING is a nutritional deficiency and or an allergy whether nickel allergy like my son or food allergy or air quality allergy. Find the health condition first then take the next steps for other methods of correcting the attention deficit.

Your child is normal and healthy and wanting to be a good child too, but can't because something is irritating his system. The Brain Balance centers with their books Disconnected Kids and Reconnected kids would another resort. Do the allergy and nutritional deficiencies first.

Thanks Faithfully77, I will discuss this with my wife and see what we can do, I appreaciate it very much.

I love what the Brain Balance center has to offer. I don't know that it is financially feasible for everyone. That's my only draw back to the Brain Balance Center. I'm hoping they will work with me financially on this, but I'm not so sure they will. In the meantime, I am seeing a holistic doctor that checks all bloodwork for nutritional deficiencies, helps with diet and checks all allergies. It's a great start. AND of course we are waiting on the results of my son's testing from the Brain Balance center. I'm thoroughly happy with the extent of testing that they had to offer. We will get those results soon.

Wow I didn't know so much tied into ADHD it helps so much to know that there are possibly simple fixes. My sons Dr di mention checking his thyroid and as sad as it sounds I have been praying that it is a throid problem causing his symptoms because at least then we would have an answer for why and what we could do to help. I understand the whole school thing too. My son's teacher acted so helpful at first (come to find out the school he goes to gets funding for students with ADHD) It seems like she has been less helpful since we took him to the Dr. I understand some of the things my son does is distracting licking things, getting angry with himself not being able to sit still during meals or for subject matter but to me he is perfect I just wish I could tone it down a notch. They just don't seem to have sympathy or understanding it makes me wonder why they became teachers in the first place.


I also was wondering how do you guys discipline I have tried everything you can imagine nothing seems to work. It either has no effect on him at all or it sends him into a uncontrolable rage where he starts hitting himself and throwing things sometimes i worry he is going to hurt himself. Sometimes I let more thngs slide than I should because I am afraid of his rages and I know that probably only makes his behavior worse. I am sorry I am so new at this I feel so ignorant.

addi1, the On Task Vitamins help a LOT with the anger. You can learn a lot about the two minerals magnesium and zinc in them by googling. Also the Omega 3s. Get him started on both to get the full effect. I use a liquid Omega 3.

It also helped when I realized why my son had the frustration that he had. ADD and ADHD children have what is called a brain fog if they are not stimulated. They will look for ANY kind of stimulation whether it be negative attention or positive attention. I've learned to pick my battles with my son when I realize that his all out silliness is much better stimulation for his brain rather than arguing with him. He will argue to get the stimulation. Don't feed that by arguing back. Ignore, ignore so he will find other ways.

The other thing is their anger is at a 10 when being told no. For other children, they don't like being told no either, but it is usually at a 5. I drew on a chalkboard a scale from one to ten and explained this to my son that most people don't understand a 10 meltdown. He's 11 and is starting to get the bigger picture. He tries to aim for a 5 especially when in school. I've told him that although his brain likes the stimulation at a 10 that it is causing him bigger problems than it is worth. He's not always able to practice self control in this way, but he sure tries a lot more now. You might try this with your son.

Something else you might look into since they are Many strategies that we as parents and the children are not aware of with ADD or ADHD. You can go to CHADD on-line and find an ADHD coach to counsel your child and you.There are many counselors affiliated to CHADD all over the nation and are endorsed by CHADD to help. It will help TREMENDOUSLY for them and you to learn how best to handle their social skills. I have found one and will work with them as soon as I can get an appointment.

ADD and ADHD almost Always have an underlying cause that's why so many argue about actually calling it ADD or ADHD, but until the cause is found - that is what it is called. I'm looking forward to meeting with an allergest and finding what the underlying cause is.

With Brain Balance, they can help your child make the brain connections that the ADD and ADHD kept from happening. Its a great program, but it is expensive. Try the other avenues first, but don't hesitate to call Brain Balance for guidance and help. They have a lot of great information and testing.

I hope this helps. Hang in there. It will get better.

Awesome Chrissme! I will take our Brain Balance test results and match it to the book exercises. I have not bought the book yet, but I will make a point of it very soon.

I really like what we learned through the centers testing. We are getting more testing done through a clinical psychologist and diagnostician for any learning disabilities. The tests are two different tests. So we will have the full scope of my son's abilities and different abilities. :)