Ways to help your child manage ADHD symptoms naturally during medication shortages

If you’re the parent of one of the six million kids diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, you’ve probably been feeling pretty frustrated lately with the recent shortage of Adderall. Meanwhile, Ritalin and Concerta, two alternative medicines, have been in short supply since May, exacerbating the problem. What PBS Newshour calls a The “perfect storm” of the factors driving supply and demand imbalances for these important medicines.

Let’s say you can’t get medication to control your ADHD symptoms. In that case, says Dr. Sandy Newmark, chair of the Pediatric Integrative Neurodevelopment Program at the Ussher Center for Integrative Medicine and author of ADHD without medication: A guide to natural care for children with ADHD, He recommends several ways to manage the disease without medication.

“Treating children with ADHD is about treating the whole person in all aspects of their lives: personal, family, community, school, etc,” he says. “When I see kids with ADHD, I look at all of these factors. A lot of the time, I don’t have to use medication if we handle these things well.

We’ll look at some of these remedies below, in case they help reduce the need for medication – however Always be sure to consult your child’s doctor before stopping any medication.

Consider their diet

there It was speculation Some food colorings and preservatives increase hyperactivity in some children. Newmark says that consuming less processed foods, sugar, and artificial colors and flavors can reduce symptoms, as can intake of iron, zinc, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids. He also makes another recommendation.

“Start with a good breakfast,” he says. “Research shows that children who eat good, non-processed breakfast food have better attention spans within two hours.”

Make sure they get a good night’s sleep

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend Children between the ages of 6 and 12 get about nine to 12 hours of sleep. Teens ages 13 to 18 should get about 8 to 10 hours. Newmark notes that lack of sleep and too much screen time can exacerbate ADHD symptoms, especially if kids are taking their gadgets to bed, so check the gadget before the lights go out.

Take them outside

Nature has a calming effect on just about everyone, and in one study, it was shown to treat symptoms of ADHD. during the experiment, 17 children between the ages of 7 and 12 who were diagnosed with ADHD went on a 20-minute guided tour through three settings – one of which was a park. Among the three areas, the park has raised the performance of people’s attention. To add, Newmark says regular exercise is “extremely important” for those diagnosed with ADHD.

Try meditation and yoga

It is hard for anyone to sit still for any length of time. However, with regular practice, meditation can train people, even those with ADHD, to focus. One needs only one minute to feel the positive effectsYou can meditate anytime, morning or evening There are a lot of applications to choose from. Newmark also noted Studies show Regular yoga training in children A diagnosis of moderate-to-severe ADHD improves symptoms.

Talk to someone

AAP states Behavioral therapy should be the first line of treatment for ADHD, especially in younger children. However, Newmark points out that even a change in your parenting style can be beneficial. A parent therapist can show you some tools and techniques to help your child cope with his symptoms.

Try electroencephalography (EEG) biofeedback.

There has been promising research showing that electroencephalography (EEG) biofeedback is a promising treatment. It measures brainwaves, and according to Newmark, children with ADHD have unusual patterns of brain activity. Children and clinicians use these guides to teach new ways to focus. For example, According to this Healthline article, The patient may play a video game where they are asked to keep the plane flying. If they get distracted, the plane will fall, so they must find a way to keep it flying.

And while studies show some hope, Reports status There is not much agreement about when a patient can see results. Since most insurance plans do not cover it, it is very expensive. It might be worth a try if your wallet and patience can hold out.

Get a 504 plan

The Rehabilitation and Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits unfair treatment against anyone with physical, mental, and learning disabilities, including those with ADHD. through a 504 planFor children diagnosed with ADHD, your child’s school can provide certain accommodations, such as extra homework times or a modified schedule, so that they can learn in a regular classroom. You can work with your school so they can assess eligibility.

“Everyone with ADHD is eligible for a 504 plan,” Newmark says. “Most classes have this feature, but what you find is that it just doesn’t work. People forget about it, and it gets lost.”