sugarplum Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 I've seen a few posts that mention children with this condition - my own 2 kids included....Anyone out there trying something untradtional (not just meds) in diet, environment or discipline that has worked wonders to share?
kimba Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 I'm a special education teacher and the new thing here is fish oil. It was in a school news letter last week. Give your kids fish oil supplements. Have a look on the internet at australian sites to get the exact amounts. Also look at how much preservative additives are in their diet.
kimba Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 I've also noticed that kids with add go beserk when they don't have enough structure in activities or lifestyle. Also they are better when they are doing something with their hands- making things/ fixing things and they can stand rather than sit down all the time.
a4a Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 I just got done dealing with about 30 kids with various diagnosis attached to them. OCD ADHD ADD even one with severe emotional disabilities......kids in foster care, juvenile justice system, eating disorders, bi polar .............. sheesh no wonder I am wiped out now! I saw a vast improvement in all of them in just a short time in our training program. I have been doing this for four years now and it does make a difference if you can remain patient with them but it also helps to: Focus with them on and the situation...... instead of ON THEM and their problem. Friggin exercise make a huge difference. This is a huge factor! Sturcture and consistancy. Firm limits, boundaries, and rules for them to adhere to and to be held liable for. I had one child tell me all about his ADHD and how he was so messed up but it was ok because that is just the way he is. This came from a 11 year old. At the end of the program he had changed from the I cannot do it, because I know I am messed up into the star student. IMHO I see so much more damage done to these kids by people who think they are doing them a favor by being too understanding with them, allowing them free rein to become unruly, disrespectful, and actually more unstable because they do not instill a structured life. Focusing on the "disease" instead of looking at it as a part of the personality and how to work with that and make it an advantage of sorts for them. I did not have control of these childrens diets.... but of course it does make a huge difference. We know it does even with adults. We know it does with animals..... very much so in horses.... Hot Horse caused by feed ingredients. I have now quit allowing parents or others to tell me the label thrust on the kids I work with. It does not matter to me what label they have as each one is an individual and I have to find a way to connect with them and figure out what they need to get focused and feel like they are doing a great job to further encourage them to do more. I just finished one session using this "no label" approach..... come to find out one of the best students I had participated in the special olympics..... she did not talk for the first week..... by the second week she was telling us stories about her family and life. Meeting her Father for the first time I learned about her "disability"and that she rarely speaks at all. I met her Father for the first time on the last day of our program. I will be happy to privately chat about this program, I do not wish to chat in public about it. I do like to keep work life private.
Outcast Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 it also helps to: Focus with them on and the situation...... instead of ON THEM and their problem. Friggin exercise make a huge difference. This is a huge factor! Sturcture and consistancy. Firm limits, boundaries, and rules for them to adhere to and to be held liable for. Absolutely! - although some understanding of the memory issues is necessary. Folks with AD/HD can be very successful if they learn ways of dealing with their particular deficits - from having datebooks and journals to having special places to keep things they usually 'lose'. Some people with AD/HD have described it as like having four TV shows all running simultaneously in your head and you can't shut them off or choose one in particular. And yes, Omega 3s are great. Actually doesn't have to be fish oil though fish oil is an excellent source but there are several foods that contain Omega 3 and some foods are being supplemented with it. Studies (so far anyway) also indicate that Omega 3 is good for everyone, not just kids with AD/HD.
seven Posted July 3, 2006 Posted July 3, 2006 Hi sugarplum. I'm currently taking a Children's Issues course and while researching child stress, I came across meditation for kids and how it can help with adhd, among other things. Here is the link to one article I found: There are many more books and articles with actual meditation exercises to try. I'll look through my papers for one book in particular that was good. I tried it out with my son, who is 8, though he doesn't have adhd. I was surprised how open he was to doing it (a visualization meditation), and he liked it. Even teaching them about deep breathing can help them feel centered. I know it helps me.
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