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Hundreds of thousands of children are diagnosed with ADHD every year. ADHD is short for Attention Deficit Hyperactive disorder. These children have difficulty concentrating, can be very aggressive, and have problems completing tasks. They also are very excitable and can be described as "hyper". These kids tend to be disruptive in their classroom and at home. Generally because of this disorder they don't do well in school.

Until recently the first line of treatment was a prescription drug called Ritalin (methylphenidate). Ritalin is a stimulant which like other stimulants works as a calming agent in children. It helps children to focus and calm down.

While Ritalin is very effective for 70-90 percent of kids with ADHD there is a deep growing concern about the potential long term side effects this drug may have on children. There is still no reliable research that can rule out potential side effects and harms caused by long term Ritalin and other stimulant use to control kids with ADHD.

In view of these contrasting views, concerns, and questions about the dangers of Ritalin the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nutrition advocacy group, has taken a new serious look.  They are reevaluating the studies which explored and found various dietary factors helped kids with ADHD.

A new report reviews 23 of the best studies conducted since the middle of the 1970s and public statements from the Food and Drug Administration, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the International Food Information Council, and the American Council on Science and Health.  This reports concludes that the evidence strongly points out that for some children behavioral disorders like ADHD are caused by or exacerbated by food additives, artificial food colors, the food themselves, or a combination.  For these children Ritalin would not have to be taken.

In 17 of the 23 studies behavioral improvements were seen when dietary changes were made.

These findings have led the Center for Science in the Public Interest and a group of physicians who share this conclusion to strongly urge the Department of Health and Human Services  to advise parents and health care professionals to try changing their child's diet FIRST before giving any prescription stimulant medications like Ritalin or any other amphetamines. Many children find that stimulants like Ritalin can suppress their appetites and cause weight loss, insomnia, stomach aches and in rare cases, tics.

Trying to control, a child with ADHD behavior involves identifying and removing foods and chemicals that seem to cause the hyperactive and disruptive behavior.  This requires patience and time.  Keeping a food journal of what the child eats is very useful.  One suggestion is to start with a daily diet that contains very basic foods - which are not full of artificial additives and preservatives.  This includes colorings too- like the ones found in the boxed fruit juices.  Then one at a time, add possible "bad" foods for a few days and carefully watch the results using the food journal.

This approach may work to save thousands of children from taking needless and potentially damaging medications like Ritalin.

For more information about this latest treatment for children with ADHD you can read the entire study at:
http://www.cspinet.org/diet.html

Meet the author
Judith Allee as she discusses ADD
Parents often look into homeschooling because their kids don't quite "fit" at school. About 2 to 3% of kids have ADD, according to estimates we've read....However, about half of the parents who contact us to explore homeschooling have a child diagnosed with either ADD, a learning disability, or both. That's a m-u-c-h larger proportion than we expected!....(see more)

"Homeschooling is the Best Way!"
by Vicki A. Van Camp, M.A., Child Development Specialist
As a Child Development Specialist, I have spent many years working with special needs children, including those diagnosed as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I would like to share some of what I have learned and how I came to realize that homeschooling is the best possible situation for children experiencing these difficulties.    Find out more.

The Out-Of-Sync Child:
by Carol Stock Kranowitz, Larry B. Silver

also
FAQ: Sensory Integration Dysfunction
"Difficult." "Picky." "Oversensitive." "Clumsy." "Unpredictable." "Inattentive." Children who have been labeled with words like these may actually be suffering from Sensory Integration Disorder-a very common, but frequently misdiagnosed, condition that can manifest itself in excessively high or low activity levels, problems with motor coordination, oversensitivity or undersensitivity to sensations and movements, and other symptoms.

The Explosive Child
Interview with author Ross Greene
FREE ADD & special kids support
more ADD & ADHD books
more special needs books
more homeschooling books

The Add Nutrition Solution:
A Drug-Free Thirty-Day Plan
by Marcia Zimmerman

The first scientifically proven, effective, all-natural nutritional alternative to the much-prescribed drug Ritalin Attention deficit disorder is a nutritional deficiency, not a psychological condition. This is the revolutionary discovery Marcia Zimmerman made during her ten years of research as a nutritional biochemist. That conclusion led her to develop a diet that addresses the specific needs of the 17 million adults and children suffering from ADD. Her easy-to-follow thirty-day plan has been proven just as effective as Ritalin in relieving the symptoms of ADD.

The Myth of the A.D.D Child:
50 Ways to Improve Your Child's Behavior and Attention Span Without Drugs, Labels, or Coercion
by Thomas Armstrong

From the author, Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D. who says, "Book does NOT say there are no hyper kids  I would like the readers to know that my book does NOT say that there are no distractible, hyperactive, or impulsive kids out there. Rather, it argues that the ADD/ADHD concept is not helpful in understanding these behaviors, and gets in the way of our appreciating the wholeness of each child. I also am not against medication of kids in certain situations, but believe that parents have a right to know the full range of non-drug options that are available for helping their "attention-different" kids achieve success in life."

Think Fast!:
The ADD Experience

also see Janie's essay,
The Gifts of Homeschooling
Expert information on treatment plus the real-life everyday experiences of people with Attention Deficit Disorder presented in a format that can be read cover to cover or scanned for specific topics. This unique book is the first collection of expert opinions on ADD presented along with the experiences of ADD people from around the world.

Taking Charge of Adhd:
The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents
by Russell A. Barkley


Featuring step-by-step methods for managing a child with ADHD in a variety of everyday situations, this authoritative book includes the latest information on available medications, numerous techniques for enhancing a child's school performance, and a special section devoted to the needs of the parents.