ADHD 3year old boy just started taking meds

Check out the Feingold Society at www.feingold.org. This group believes that diet is responsible for ADHD. The Feingold Diet recommends that children eat foods without artificial flavorings and colorings, or preservatives. Some kids also react badly to wheat and dairy and to certain chemicals in fruits and vegetables Basically, you start the child on a very restrictive diet and then gradually add certain types of foods to the diet. If you notice a big improvement in behavior in the beginning with the restricted diet and that ADHD behaviors start up again after adding certain foods, then the child is probably allergic to these foods.

We followed this diet when our son was younger. Foods made a huge difference. Now that he is 11, the foods don’t seem to matter as much when it comes to behavior.

Our son’s psychiatrist and psychologist at the time pooh-poohed the Feingold diet. However, to me, seeing was believing. Just even cutting out hot dogs and Slurpees made a huge difference.

LJ

Kendra,

The latest NIH study suggested that dietary approaches for treating ADHD needed further study, but that there was some reason believe that a small portion of children with ADHD symptoms might be helped by diet changes or nutritional supplements. In some kids, the symptoms of ADHD are the result of allergies rather than actual ADHD and abate when the allergies are dealt with. There are also some studies (not double blind and therefore not the most reliable information) showing that essential fatty acid supplements may be helpful to some kids. There are parents who post on this board who have had success with that approach. My son saw no benefit from it however. As to the meds, it may take a while before you get the right dosage (or determine that the med is not working). Doctors usually start out with the lowest possible dose and gradually increase until an improvement is seen. Some kids don’t respond to stimulants at all, some respond to ritalin or concerta but not adderall, etc. Some kids respond but have intolerable side effects. It can be hard getting things just right, but don’t give up hope. Finally, meds can help, but the best approach to treating ADHD is to combine behavioral management and meds (so says NIH.) So, your doctor is not wrong about suggesting a mental health counselor, who should be able to assist you, your son and your family in dealing with the special challenges of ADHD.

Andrea

Hello, my son was three in July, and he too has been diagnosed with ADHD. We have tired Ritalin(in brand name and generic) and dexadrine. I find with him it works intitially then it stops working and we have serious behavior issues. I also find that I need to really keep sugar out of his diet becuase once he as sugar he is extra “wild”. I am currently waiting for a referral to a specialist to see if there is more going on with him, but they say as he is so young it is difficult. I understand what you are going through, and give you a bunch of hugs. Hang in there, it will get figured out. Lisa

…would likely help all involved. A 3 year-old may benefit from individual play therapy, but at his age I would concentrate on working with you, his parents. A therapist might work with the whole family to observe your interactions, then work with the parents alone on behavior management techniques, etc. Not sure if his father is in the picture, but kids with ADHD can cause a lot of discord between spouses, and a therapist can help you work this out and “get on the same page”. This sort of therapy is usually covered by insurance if the child has a diagnosis such as ADHD.

Hi,
When my eldest daughter was 8….and she had been on ritalin for 2 years we discovered the Feingold Diet. While Ben Feingold said that “diet when used with medication cannont work” he clearly had never met Debra. She has used “the diet” and ritalin ever since. She is now 32…still ADHD and severely LD….but also a college graduate intending to go on to grad school.

There is no one answer for our kids. What works for one may not work for the next. As parents I think we need to educate ourselves to all the options at our disposal, and pick the ones that work for our kids.

One place to learn about the options parents have is Http://www.net-haven.net. We meet on sundays,mondays,wednesdays and thursdays at 9 eastern.

Peace,
Marge Wetmore
Http://www.net-haven.net

I have never heard of a 3 year old being put on meds. I have always thought that the drs wouldnt even test them until 5-7 years old???? My son (9) now, has been doing alternative treatments ( Fiengold, Herbal, Calcium, magnesium, zinc (Which in my oppinion has help the most) ) Like the other write said, you need to educate yourself to make a decision that works for you and your child. One thing to remember….The alterantives take a while longer than meds to see a difference, but are successful, the trick is to find out what it is that your child actually needs. Your child may not need calcium, ect. My does.