Managing ADHD can be challenging, especially in childhood. Struggling to regulate one’s energy levels and focus can often be misinterpreted as unruly behavior, which can leads to kids getting into trouble for something out of their control.
Fortunately, the CDC reports that approximately three in four children with various types and forms of ADHD now receive treatment. While medication is given depending on the severity of cases, interest in medication-free interventions has also grown in recent years. Medication-free strategies focus on behavioral adjustments more than neurochemical or hormonal changes. These are worth considering for a more holistic view of ADHD treatment.
Positive Parenting
Positive parenting is an approach that some parents may implement for children with ADHD. It aims to be sensitive to a child’s individual needs while tackling the challenges that require empathy and respect from your child. One aspect of positive parenting is providing positive attention, which focuses on giving children healthy doses of quality time and attention. It results in fewer behavioral issues like whining, repeatedly asking questions, and bothering siblings. It also fosters a better relationship with your child, so positive consequences such as praise become much more effective. Furthermore, kids respond better to disciplinary measures such as time-outs when they receive consistent “time in.” This can be accomplished without medication, and when done right, it is an effective way to manage ADHD symptoms.
Organization
Organization is one skill that people with ADHD struggle with, which is why it is best to master it as early as childhood. In author John Ratey’s classic book Driven to Distraction, he and his co-author offer plenty of valuable first-person insight. The tools presented are useful for both children and adults, particularly when it comes to depending on someone to stay organized. Keeping a healthy and collaborative relationship with your child will reduce stress at school and at home.
Whether it’s keeping assignments in a notebook or keeping study areas at home free of clutter, getting organized is key to make the day a little easier for children. By instilling and reinforcing organizational skills (where your child may struggle), you are empowering them to reciprocate in their areas of strength, whether that’s pouring energy into a big project or finding creative solutions to problems.
Meditation
Meditation may seem like an unorthodox treatment, but it can be quite effective at training cognitive skills to improve attention and focus. Practices that involve meditating, breathwork, and yoga can all cultivate traits that can help develop awareness, neuroplasticity, and overall wellbeing.
If you’re not too convinced about the benefits of these practices, read Dr. Sue Morter’s The Energy Codes, which is a seven-step guide grounded in neurobiology and energy medicine to promote deep healing. With this in mind, try doing yoga as a family or teaching your child basic mindfulness techniques, particularly when he or she starts to feel stressed or overwhelmed. These are healthy coping mechanisms they can develop early on and use later in life.
Diet
Another medication-free intervention that is easy to do for your child is changing up their diet. Certain foods, additives, and preservatives may increase hyperactive behavior in some children. It is best to eat whole foods, particularly protein, complex carbohydrates, and omega-3 fatty acids instead. Avoiding carbonated beverages and sugary juices can also avoid an exacerbation of symptom. If you’re not sure what is causing triggers for your child, then an elimination diet may help you determine what is best for them.
Primitive Reflex Integration
Testing for and integrating the neonatal Primitive Reflexes has proven very beneficial, which our post discusses at length on Solving Learning Disabilities.
It’s important to understand that ADHD treatments are not limited to medication. How a child is encouraged to live their life can have serious consequences on how they manage their condition. Parents can help the most by considering both.
