ADHD some info and direction

ADHD can be scary, complex, and overly simplified all in one. I believe we are still learning a lot about this condition.

Non-medications treatments

1. Brain Balance Centers , Dr. Melillo (Chiropractor, makes the biggest claims, treatments are the most individualized, somewhat unusual, focus on cerebellar balance)

2. Hallowell ADHD centers (Psychiatrist, personally has ADHD, most center opinions and a leader on ADHD in traditional medicine).

3. Zing Method (focus on cerebellar balance, founded by Wynford Dore, a British businessman whose daughter had severe dyslexia and crafted out of his efforts to find help for her. )

Books:

1. ADHD 2.0 by doctors Hallowell and Ratey

2. Disconnected kids by Dr. Rober Melillo

When people think of ADHD, their mind often goes straight thinking about medications, and in fact, many children who can have benefited from help never got help because medications were the only things being offered. Today there are more and more non-medication resources to help treat ADHD. And medications still play a role in treatment for many people as well. Many people spend a lot of time focusing on medications, and so I want to provide this resource as to some non-medication resources.

Here are some of the basic ideas that are covered in more detail in the above resources.

Cerebellar functioning and ADHD:

There is evidence of a connection between cerebellar functioning and ADHD symptoms. Very specific exercises (Dr. Melillo) or more general (Dr. Hallowell) have been shown to reduce ADHD symptoms. The cerebellum is the part of the brain associated with balance, and many of these exercises include balance exercises.

Connection:

There are so many things that can be done to help with ADHD, but this pulls at my heartstrings. Telling and showing your children that they are loved, that they are safe, and that giving them a stable home with stable meals goes a long way. Going even further, having a pet like a dog that can be cuddled and held is also helpful. Connecting every morning and every evening provides an emotional bedrock.

Environment:

There are big, small, and micro distractions. These can be sounds, images, smells, and things. Being thoughtful in limiting distractions in a study environment is wise. We often don't even realize how things are affecting us until we are aware of their absence. Environments are rarely so easy to modify as there are social factors and physical limitations so this can be a bigger topic.

Exercise:

There has been great work done in this area. Having kids who would normally act out have an opportunity to spend 10-30 minutes on an exercise bike, treadmill, or mini-tramp has been shown to increase focus and reduce classroom disruptions greatly. Get the exercise in first thing in the morning.

Knowing yourself:

This can be finding your strengths and weaknesses.

Kolbe Instinctive Strengths Index cost money

Knowing your personality:

Myers Briggs type, free

This can be finding out if you have allergies or food sensitivities you were unaware of. For this, there are blood tests, skin tests, and elimination diets to help better understand food sensitivities.

Enneagram: This is a different type of personality test.

Diet:

What we eat or don't eat can greatly affect us. They are both brain-super foods and brain stupid foods. Some foods will provide a quick upper and a fog. There are mind-gut connections that carry the additional responsibility of cultivating a healthy gut microbiome. For many of us, diets are so bad the way forward seems obvious. For others of us, diet is an area in which we have sought to excel in, and so additional progress is not so clear. I will be talking about diet more in-depth in an additional blog.

Other resources:

This webpage by the CDC also has some good resources, summaries, and ideas.

This webpage by the FDA also has some good general information about ADHD.

This is a PDF by APA about ADHD and in addition to other good resources has a good summary of medications.