Natural Treatment Options for Pediatric ADHD: Part 1

by Dr. Emily Lesnak

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobiological disorder.  The estimated prevalence of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD in the United States in 2022 was 10.4%.  Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or being overly active.  These symptoms can cause issues at school, at home, or with friends.  

While this is an incredibly common condition, I often find parents lacking resources on how to naturally and holistically support their children. So, my hope in this two-part blog series (stay tuned for part 2 next week), is to offer you some additional insights and ways to support your child or families you know who may have children with ADHD. 

Today, let’s cover some behavioral tips that may support your child!

There are 3 different presentation types of ADHD

  1. Inattentive - difficult time following directions, staying on task, paying attention to details

  2. Hyperactive-impulsive - hard time sitting still for longer periods of time, restlessness, impulsive, hard time waiting for their turn or listening to directions

  3. Combined presentation - two above types are equally present in a person

Diagnosis of ADHD

There is no single test that is used to diagnose ADHD.  ADHD is diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth edition (DSM-5) that includes certain criteria that need to be met.  Oftentimes, a child will be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist to do a full assessment that takes into account the possibility of other disorders, like anxiety, depression, or learning disabilities that often have similar symptoms as ADHD and should be ruled out prior to diagnosing a child with ADHD.  

Treatments

ADHD is typically treated with a combination of behavioral therapy and medications.  For younger children under the age of 6, behavior therapy is the first line treatment.  Medications, such as stimulant and nonstimulant medications, can be used for older children to treat ADHD.  It can take time to find a medication that is effective because each child is different in how they respond and sometimes it can take a few trials of different medications and dosages to find what works best for each individual.  Common side effects of these medications can include low appetite and difficulty sleeping.  

So, what can you do to help support your child before going to medication or while they are on medication?


Behavior tips for parents (adapted from the CDC):

  • Limit choices - offering a couple of choices decreases overstimulation and overwhelm

  • Manage distractions - turn off the TV, minimize visual clutter.  Some children do better with background music/noise and if they are moving while working (fidgets can be helpful here)

  • Help plan - offer step by step instructions or help break down complicated tasks into smaller tasks, instead of saying “clean your room”, have them first put all the trash into a pile, then put the laundry in the hamper, etc…

  • Create a routine - having a consistent routine helps your child stay on task

  • Get organized  - create a designated space for your child’s important items, like shoes, jackets, and backpacks, so they know where to place them and where to find them.  Follow the hyperlink for a great helpful website.  

  • Discipline effectively - use effective directions and removal of privileges for inappropriate behavior

  • Create positive opportunities - find out and encourage your child in what they do well, positive reinforcement goes a long way.

I hope these tips help you as you navigate and support your child!


Stay tuned for next week’s blog (Part 2) where I will go over some additional important naturopathic approaches to supporting children with ADHD including healthy lifestyle habits that can have a big impact, additional testing options to screen for nutrient deficiencies and metabolic disorders, and a few specific herbal therapies that can be helpful for attention and focus!

If you’ve been looking for additional natural and holistic ways to support your child with ADHD, I invite you to schedule a visit with myself or one of the other Neighborhood Naturopathic & Primary Care providers. 

Hope to see you soon!
Dr. Lesnak

References:

American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition. Arlington, VA., American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

Li Y, Yan X, Li Q, Li Q, Xu G, Lu J, Yang W. Prevalence and Trends in Diagnosed ADHD Among US Children and Adolescents, 2017-2022. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Oct 2;6(10):e2336872. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.36872. PMID: 37792379; PMCID: PMC10551769.

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html#:~:text=ADHD%20is%20one%20of%20the,)%2C%20or%20be%20overly%20active.

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Natural Treatment Options for Pediatric ADHD: Part 2 - Food & Nutrient Support

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