| Current estimates put between 4 and 12 % of | | | | that truly make a difference to a child with |
| school children, as having ADHD and treatment | | | | ADHD, teaching them to recognize their |
| plans for this chronic condition will | | | | behaviors and learning ways to adjust them. |
| generally include the use of medication to | | | | They try to accommodate the child and make it |
| modify behavior. However, these do come with | | | | easier for them to conform to accepted |
| side effects are not all children will | | | | behaviors without using drugs to mask |
| respond to them, which is why some parents | | | | behaviors or personality. |
| prefer to adopt an alternative method to | | | | |
| replace or work alongside medications to | | | | And unlike medications, these modes of |
| minimize the dose. | | | | treatment require patience on behalf of the |
| | | | people administering the therapy and |
| Most parents would like to see their child | | | | additional assistance from people who are |
| drug-free if possible, as some of the side | | | | likely to come in contact with the child on a |
| effects of ADHD stimulant medication are | | | | constant basis. |
| decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, | | | | |
| withdrawal from social activities and friends | | | | Consistency is key when adopting behavioral |
| and jitteriness. | | | | therapy otherwise confusion can set in. Once |
| | | | the ground rules have been set and the |
| The treatment options that can be adopted | | | | rewards and punishments are clearly defined |
| that don't rely on medication include | | | | they should be followed by all parties with |
| behavior therapy, neurofeedback therapy, and | | | | no exceptions. |
| education intervention. The ultimate goal of | | | | |
| all these three approaches is to encourage | | | | Continue reading for more tips on alternative |
| the frequency of positive behaviors, while | | | | treatments and to sign up for the free |
| minimizing the symptoms of ADHD - | | | | recognizing and treating ADHD newsletter. |
| inattentiveness, hyperactivity and | | | | |
| impulsiveness. | | | | Don't forget to offer emotional support to |
| | | | your child. Children with ADHD get used to |
| However unlike medications, these treatments | | | | hearing how they are always doing things they |
| don't come out of a bottle, but require work | | | | shouldn't and being reprimanded for their |
| on behalf of parents, teachers, professionals | | | | behavior. They can also struggle to make |
| and the child. For example, these ADHD | | | | friends as a result of their behaviors. This |
| treatments require an experienced educator or | | | | can lead to a low self-esteem and in some |
| therapist to devise an individual program for | | | | cases, depression. So it's important to give |
| the child and the techniques will be taught | | | | praise where you can and encourage them to |
| to family members and the child to ensure | | | | use any skills they have whether it's in |
| they follow through at home. | | | | sports or another creative outlet. |
| | | | |
| These forms of treatments for ADHD are | | | | As you have probably realized, ADHD and |
| devised to improve symptoms while increasing | | | | treatments that don't rely on medications are |
| the chance of preventing further problems | | | | not a quick fix alternative. These are |
| associated with the disorder in the future. | | | | long-term treatments that you will have to |
| | | | continue to work with. You should discuss |
| These methods are not like drugs, they are | | | | these alternatives with your child's doctor |
| not a 'quick fixes' and results won't be seen | | | | and teachers. Never stop medication unless it |
| overnight. They aim to be long-term solutions | | | | has been discussed with your doctor. |