School is finally out and your child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has made it through another year! At this stage all you may want to do is rest for the summer. However my experience with these children is that the sooner you start making one change to better his or her health, the sooner you will notice improvement. This situation is usually a very difficult one to tackle and because there may be many causes for this disorder, its treatment may be confusing. There is never one cut and dry answer. Unfortunately many parents who come to me with these children are at their ropes end and have very little patience left. My recommendation is to take the information that I am about to share with you and start with one change. Keep that change if it works and then add another change that works. The trick is to start as soon as possible. It is easier to change children’s habits when they are younger, rather than waiting until they are teenagers. This is a life long problem for these children. Taking the drug ritalin will not prevent the child from becoming an adult with ADHD. At best you can only hope to educate your child on how to compensate for the disorder so they may cope better with day to day life as they reach adulthood.

ADHD is a psychiatric diagnosis that is a very subjective one. Choose an evaluator carefully as the diagnosis has life long implications. Attention deficit disorder may be with or without hyperactivity but this is usually not stated in the diagnosis. According to Dr. Mary Ann Block who wrote No More Ritalin, Treating ADHD Without Drugs these children should not be labeled "learning disabled" but as having a "learning difference". Dr. Block calls Ritalin pediatric cocaine. It is slightly less addictive than cocaine but has the same receptor sites in the brain.

Dr. Ben Feingold in his book Why Your Child Is Hyperactive states that children with ADHD are often allergic to food additives, natural salicylates or aspirin. Salicylates are found in common foods such as almonds, apples, corn syrup, apricots and all berries; in perfumes natural or synthetic; and in additives such as MSG, HPV, BHA/BHT, sulfites, nitrates and nitrites. Other common allergies found in these children include wheat, dairy, eggs, corn, citrus, chocolate and peanuts. The Elisa IGg allergy blood test is a good test to get you started. Skin testing is not accurate for determining food allergies.

Another easy thing with which to start s regulating blood sugars with dietary changes. The symptoms of low blood sugar mimic food allergies and can include irritability, cravings for sweets, restlessness, and poor concentration. Protein in the diet is closely evaluated and snacks of appropriate protein sources are recommended.

Basic deficiencies include calcium, magnesium, omega 3 essential fatty acids, and B vitamins. The long chain omega 3 essential fatty acids such as DHA and EPA (Efalex or ProDHA) are more effective than flaxoil. These are critical for optimal brain function and are a must for any ADHD supplement program.

Other considerations include heavy metal toxicity such as lead, and aluminum (determined by hair analysis); thyroid dysfunction; environmental overstimulation i.e. electromagnetic stress and fluorescent lighting; and yeast over growth.

Consider making one of these changes over the summer and your child will have a head start when September rolls around. Then continue with a few changes over the next 6 to 12 months and you will notice improvement, but you must be patient with natural medicine. Remember a trip of 1000 miles begins with a single step. Have a happy summer and here is some more good reading: Dr. Hoffer's Guide to Natural Nutrition for Children:Eating Well for Pure Health by Dr. Abram Hoffer; and Ritalin Free Kids by Judith Reichenberg-Ullman, Robert Ullman.

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