ADHD Tips

The problem with diagnosing Aspergers Syndrome is that the symptoms very often overlap with those of ADHD and misdiagnosis is quite common. Aspergers is a type of autism as some of the symptoms fit that disorder but it is reassuring to know that it is a mild form of autism caused by fundamental changes in the child’s brain structure. Aspergers and ADHD have very similar symptoms but as they are two distinct conditions, Aspergers and ADHD medication will be different.

Both conditions share the symptoms of hyperactivity or lethargy, impulsive actions, temper tantrums, difficulties in socializing and forming friendships and not appearing to listen when spoken to.

The child with Aspergers stands out in that he or she will have real problems in distinguishing between good and bad behaviour. There are problems too in communicating and very little eye contact. Play is often repetitive and limited to a few actions which are repeated again and again. There will never be creative play which you will notice in other children. A distinctive feature of an Aspergers child is the droning monotone voice and you frequently get the impression that they are talking at you rather than talking to you. They will rarely take delight in pointing out things to you like other children. Clumsiness is often noticed too in the child.

Aspergers and ADHD medication cannot be regarded as being part of the same equation. Because of misdiagnosis Asergers and ADHD children often end up being given the same sort of medication. The Aspergers child is put on ADHD medication like Ritalin or another type of amphetamine and there is no improvement. By contrast ADHD kids on Ritalin tend to show improvement of some of their symptoms.

Any treatment for the Aspergers child will be aimed at trying to improve social skills, reduce clumsiness and try to get the child off the repetitive routines. Sometimes psychsotimulants are used for the hyperactivity and Risperidone has been found to be useful for the repetitive actions. For the anxiety, Prozac or Zoloft is sometimes prescribed with some success. All these drugs which are typical of Aspergers and ADHD medication being prescribed today may carry a risk or have undesirable side effects.

In treating Aspergers Syndrome, many parents want to try herbal and homeopathic remedies which are free of risks and nasty side effects unlike the range of Aspergers and ADHD medication mentioned above. If a herbal remedy is part of a holistic treatment plan which includes diet, behaviour therapy and ‘green time’ then there is an excellent chance of improving the quality of life both for the parents and the child.

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While most are aware that the stimulant medications prescribed for ADHD can cause side effects such as decreased appetite, weight loss, dry mouth, constipation, insomnia and nervousness.  Many are not aware that there is some evidence to suggest these may stunt your child’s growth.  As a Doctor who treats children with ADHD, I am always dealing with children on these medications and feel parents should be informed. Let’s look at information from Drugs.com.

Concerta Side Effects:

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing;  of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking Concerta and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

·         fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;

·         feeling like you might pass out;

·         fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

·         aggression, restlessness, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches);

·         easy bruising, purple spots on your skin; or

·         dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Less serious Concerta side effects may include:

·         stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;

·         vision problems;

·         sweating, mild skin rash;

·         dizziness;

·         nervous feeling, sleep problems (insomnia); or

·         weight loss.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

Also, most people are not aware that the American Heart Association recommends a heart check before putting a child on methylphenidate and there were some reports of sudden death and heart problems in Canada. Most are not aware of some research suggesting these medications can stunt your child’s growth.  Granted more studies are needed and this is not conclusive but the studies are out there and parents should be aware.

                 Slowing of growth in height and weight on stimulants: a characteristic pattern.

Poulton A, Cowell CT.

Department of Pediatrics, Nepean Hospital, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia. tbraj@bigpond.net.au

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the present study were to describe the growth pattern of children starting stimulant medication and to analyze the changes over time in height, weight and height velocity in a cohort of treated patients. METHODS: Retrospective review of growth data from files of all newly treated patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in one pediatric practice. Forty-four boys and seven girls were treated for 6-42 months with either dexam-phetamine (n = 32) or methylphenidate (n = 19). RESULTS: During the first 6 months on stimulant medication 44 children (86%) had a height velocity below the age-corrected mean and there was weight loss in 39 (76%). The height and weight standard deviation score (SDS) showed a progressive decline that was statistically significant after 6 and 18 months (P < 0.001, paired t-test). The height velocity was significantly attenuated for the first 30 months (P < 0.01), being lowest during the first 6 months. The mean height deficit during the first 2 years was approximately 1 cm/year. The change in weight SDS was 2.4 times the change in height SDS after 30 months on treatment with a significant correlation (Pearson’s correlation coefficient r = 0.88, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Stimulant medication is associated with a decrease in height and weight SDS during the first 6-30 months with a characteristic pattern on the growth chart.

Growth on stimulant medication; clarifying the confusion: a review.

Poulton A.

Western Clinical School, Nepean Campus, The University of Sydney, Australia. sally_poulton@iinet.net.au

AIMS: To get an overview of the studies of growth in height in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treated with stimulant medication, to establish the consistencies and to try to resolve the discrepancies. METHODS: Twenty nine studies were reviewed following a Medline search: 22 related to children, six to late adolescents or adults, and one to children and adults. RESULTS: Children: Eleven studies gave results consistent with height attenuation on stimulant medication: eight were longitudinal, one was cross-sectional, and two showed growth rebound on ceasing medication. Studies with negative findings were inadequately powered (n = 3), lacked controls or statistical analysis (n = 3), measured height velocity without reference to treatment duration (n = 2), or used inappropriate growth parameters (n = 1), controls (n = 1), or normative data (n = 1). Late adolescents/adults treated with stimulant medication in childhood: Two studies associated childhood gastrointestinal side effects with attenuated late adolescent or adult height; all six cross-sectional studies had negative findings. The methodologies varied widely but there was some consistency in the degree of attenuation shown in studies with positive findings. The most sensitive methods analyzed the changes in z-scores (standard deviation scores) or calculated the height deficits from paired measurements taken before and after an initial period of treatment with stimulant medication. The height deficit amounted to approximately 1 cm/year during the first 1-3 years of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed into the causal mechanisms, the rate of physical maturation, and the long term implications for final stature.

We use a sensory motor hemispheric approach that is drug free and we strive to make improvements in your child so his pediatrician can reduce this medication when appropriate.  These articles were hard for me to find but they are out there and I thought parents should be informed.

Dr. Mane offers one on one consultations as well as Group Seminars for parents and children who suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorders.  If you are interested in scheduling a consultation or to attend a seminar please call 813-935-4744. 

For more information about Dr. Nelson Mane, D.C. and his treatment approach for ASD go to http://www.manecenter.com/ADHD.htm. 

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It is heartbreaking to read the blogs about ADHD meds. The more I read the more convinced I become that ADHD meds are just too risky and that more and more parents should be turning to safer homeopathic remedies for ADHD. The latest in the horror stories is Risperdal and ADHD.

I read about a girl with ADHD who had been on Risperdal who died of a heart attack. She was only twelve years old and had been prescribed that drug together with Zoloft. Risperdal and ADHD do not seem to mix as the instructions on the drug specifically state that it is for use with certain autistic symptoms such as aggression, self-injury, and changing moods. But also temper tantrums. Maybe because parents are at their wits end with outbursts that the doctor recommends Risperdal. Risperdal and ADHD may seem a good solution for some doctors who are probably receiving generous kickbacks from the pharmaceutical companies for prescribing this drug.

The list of side effects of Risperdal which is an antipsychotic drug is long and frightening. It is certainly NOT recommended for elderly patients with dementia as it hastens their death. I know a child of six years who is on Risperdal and she cannot stop blinking all the time and has started having tics. Other side effects range from weight gain, dizziness, constipation, dry mouth, sore throat, lack of coordination, aggression and anxiety. That is only a partial list for ADHD and Risperdal!

There has been a lot of controversy that such a powerful drug such as Risperdal is being prescribed for children with a disorder ! The most alarming thing in my view is that the side effects could last forever. Very often doctors are not fully aware of the side effects and hope that some medication or other will actually keep the child and the parent quiet. That is why intelligent parents are steering clear of these ADHD meds. They seem to just create other symptoms and do not really help with the ADHD symptoms such as hyperactivity and restlessness which is what they are supposed to do. Now with ADHD homeopathic remedies, there is no risk at all of side effects and they are a great aid in managing symptoms and there are no side effects.

Risperdal and ADHD do not make a winning team. Why create other health problems for your child when a safer, gentler medicine is at hand which will not transform your child into a zombie. There is a world of difference between ADHD natural cures and ADHD and Risperdal. With the help of parenting skills, school support, diet and nutrition combined with natural remedies, your child will be able to cope with ADHD and will not carry it into adulthood.

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Welcome to the ADHD Psychostimulants supermarket! Our latest drug on offer is Tenex which is a high blood pressure drug. The substance used is an alpha blocker. Look at any website for medications and Tenex and ADHD is up there with all the rest of them and of course as it is a non-stimulant drug, it is quite an attractive option. Let’s be serious for a moment. Tenex is not approved by the FDA as an ADHD drug so I do not think that Tenex and ADHD will be a winning team.

Apart from the usual side effects which, by the way, are non existent in an ADHD homeopathic cure, there are other things that parents should be aware of before accepting Tenex . Tenex used for ADHD may cause the following problems.

I read all the time on the blogs about children as young as five years of age being prescribed this drug. The FDA have not approved it for children who are under the age of twelve. As 30% of children cannot tolerate the side effects of ADHD psychostimulants, Tenex and ADHD seems to be the answer. But there are other things to watch out for. When you opt for an ADHD natural cure or homeopathic remedy, these worries about side effects and risks just do not exist!

An overdose of Tenex can have severe side effects. The heartbeat may become so slow that severe weakness, confusion and drowsiness may be present. On the other hand if your child stops taking Tenex in a cold turkey way, then this can be very dangerous as well. Make sure that any withdrawal of medication is done under the supervision of your doctor.

While Tenex helps some children with hyperactivity and impulsiveness, it is not so effective in the case of inattention and distractability. Most children seem to have problems with insomnia although some parents reported that it seemed to ease these problems. Just like any other drug, Tenex and ADHD seem to cause more problems than they solve.

Why should a child be given a blood pressure drug at such a tender age? Tenex used for ADHD is controlling nerve impulses which in turn helps to distend the blood vessels. Nobody is quite sure about what else is going on or indeed of the long term effects of Tenex on the chiild’s developing brain. Why not consider an ADHD natural cure which is manufactured in a FDA approved facility ? It is just as effective , if not more so, than any psychostimulant or non-stimulant. Tenex and ADHD is a two edged sword but it seems that the risks outweigh the benefits. Why put your child through all that when a safer more effective treatment is available and guaranteed for a whole year!

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Nothing new under the sun! The drug companies may come up with appealing names or rehash some of the older ones but it is the same old story. New ADHD medication is at a pharmacy near you but the side effects are bigger and better than before. Take the latest one which is called Clonicel which is a cousin of Clonidine. Yes, you have guessed correctly – it is not a psychostimulant but a blood pressure drug and brings with it a whole new scenario of side effects and warnings therefore perfectly fitting the classical label as one of the new meds for ADHD.

This drug has had positive effects on ADHD symptoms such as temper outbursts and mood swings its manufacturers claim. You then have to wade through the side effects which, as usual, are many and varied. I will not bore you with the details except to say that the drug manufacturers do warn the patients that if they have blood pressure problems, then it may be best to avoid this drug. In addition, if it is taken with cold medicine or medicine for allergies, then more drowsiness may be added to that already present. Now you know why children on so-called new ADHD medication sometimes have a zombie like appearance.

Strattera, which uses atometexine as its main compound, hit the headlines recently and it seemed to be the answer to everyone’s prayers. It was announced with a fanfare that it would be excellent in helping children focus and it does just that. Pity that it causes drowsiness and other nasty effects. I know a 10 year old boy who was on Strattera and it not only made him listless but at other times, he was attacking his sister and became an angry and aggressive boy which he had never been. The long term effects are not known at all. So much so that the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center has warned that as the drug is new, its safety for more than a year cannot be guaranteed. Even more alarming is the fact that as heart rate increases the long term effects of this are simply unknown. Another alarming side effect is that there was a definite slowing down in growth and nobody seems to know whether this would affect height and growth into adulthood.

New ADHD medication seems to be in the doldrums and really there is nothing new at all. What a pity that ADHD natural/homeopathic cures do not get the same attention as the new meds for ADHD do with all the risks that are involved.

Homeopathy ADHD is gaining ground and there are thousands of parents who are delighted that they have not taken their children down the long and torturous new ADHD medication road because, quite frankly, it is a dead end.

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In Britain, 6,350 prescriptions for ADHD drugs for hyperactive and ADD children are written every week. That is an enormous number and as parents begin to question what IS the best medication for ADHD, more and more conflicting views come to the surface. However we can ask ourselves three basic questions before deciding which road to go down. ADHD new medication has not changed much, in spite of many advances.

First question is what side effects are going to upset my child? Impossible question to answer as every child is different. I know one girl who was on ADHD meds from the age of 6 to 19 and ended up almost anorexic. Many children have decreased appetite and sometimes indulge in binge eating to compensate. Some children are troubled by sleeping problems. I know one 9 year old child who just sat and banged his head against the wall after he had been put on Concerta. Now there will be thousands of children who did NOT have these side effects. Certainly, in general, the side effects when they kick in, are no picnic. One wonders sometimes how this can be the best medication for ADHD ! The parent has to decide if she wants to risk it or go for alternative ADHD treatment. If she chooses the latter, there are no side effects and the levels of stress in the family drop noticeably.

Second question is why are alternative ADHD remedies not given more prominence? Fortunately the situation is changing. The Daily Mail, a prominent British newspaper has reported back on experiments where a daily dose of fish oil was found to be more effective than Ritalin in helping kids cope with hyperactivity. In that report Ritalin was referred to as a ‘chemical cosh’ and also revealed that Ritalin has been linked to deaths in children. Nine deaths have been reported in the UK and there have been many more in America. Hardly the best medication for ADHD ! This study will be published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics (CORR). This goes to show how important it is to explore alternative therapies for ADHD.. Unfortunately the reason why these alternative remedies for ADHD are not given more publicity is simply because they do not have the financial backing that Big Pharm has. As regards ADHD new medication the picture is still gloomily static and there are no new drugs which can be regarded as safe or effective.

Third question is how do I know if homeopathic ADHD medicines are really safe for my child? As homeopathy takes a holistic approach and treats the whole person, these treatments are perfectly safe and there are no side effects at all. There are other things you can check though. Before buying from a homeopathic company you will want to know who and how the remedies are prepared. You may be curious to know where the ingredients come from and how they are processed so that the purity of the elements is preserved. You will have to decide for yourself what indeed is the
best medication for ADHD. Click on the link below for the answers to all your questions.

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Methylin ?!?!?! Methylin??! Really? LINK: bit. ly “Generation RX” Have you been told you NEED Methylin Ritalin Adderall?! ADHD to add www. Amazon. com

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New meds for ADHD are always being developed.  One of the newer drugs is in patch form.  The patch is water resistant, and can be used by people who can not swallow a pill, such as children.  It is also convenient for parents who need an extended release form for the kids at school.  With the patch the school would not have to administer any medications.

Methylphenidate (amphetamine), a controlled substance is the medication used for the patch.  This new ADHD medication is the same stimulant that is used in Ritalin, Concerta and Focalin.  The drug is time released and delivered more slowly than pills.  The medication in the patch passes through the skin and into the bloodstream instead of the digestive system.  The patch does have the same side effects such as no appetite, trouble falling asleep, headaches, stomachache and tics, skin irritation or rash where the patch is placed on the body.

Some drugs marketed for other causes are trying to be passed off as a new drug for ADHD when in reality they have been on the market for years and for treating a completely different condition.  The question is “Do we really need another new ADHD medication”?  Especially since the thought now among ADHD experts is that ADHD does not get better as the patient gets older.  ADHD in adults is growing and they experience a higher rate of unemployment, divorce, drug abuse.

With all the controversy relating to new meds for ADHD why not try something that has been just as effective and without all the problems associated with pharmacy medications. Why are we so quick to jump on the prescription route? Alternatives medicines might be your answer if you are looking for something else besides a prescription drug that can cause dependancy.

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Current estimates put between 4 and 12 % of school children, as having ADHD and treatment plans for this chronic condition will generally include the use of medication to modify behavior. However, these do come with side effects are not all children will respond to them, which is why some parents prefer to adopt an alternative method to replace or work alongside medications to minimize the dose.

Most parents would like to see their child drug-free if possible, as some of the side effects of ADHD stimulant medication are decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, withdrawal from social activities and friends and jitteriness.

The treatment options that can be adopted that don’t rely on medication include behavior therapy, neurofeedback therapy, and education intervention. The ultimate goal of all these three approaches is to encourage the frequency of positive behaviors, while minimizing the symptoms of ADHD – inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

However unlike medications, these treatments don’t come out of a bottle, but require work on behalf of parents, teachers, professionals and the child. For example, these ADHD treatments require an experienced educator or therapist to devise an individual program for the child and the techniques will be taught to family members and the child to ensure they follow through at home.

These forms of treatments for ADHD are devised to improve symptoms while increasing the chance of preventing further problems associated with the disorder in the future.

These methods are not like drugs, they are not a ‘quick fixes’ and results won’t be seen overnight. They aim to be long-term solutions that truly make a difference to a child with ADHD, teaching them to recognize their behaviors and learning ways to adjust them. They try to accommodate the child and make it easier for them to conform to accepted behaviors without using drugs to mask behaviors or personality.

And unlike medications, these modes of treatment require patience on behalf of the people administering the therapy and additional assistance from people who are likely to come in contact with the child on a constant basis.
Consistency is key when adopting behavioral therapy otherwise confusion can set in. Once the ground rules have been set and the rewards and punishments are clearly defined they should be followed by all parties with no exceptions.

Continue reading for more tips on alternative treatments and to sign up for the free recognizing and treating ADHD newsletter.

Don’t forget to offer emotional support to your child. Children with ADHD get used to hearing how they are always doing things they shouldn’t and being reprimanded for their behavior. They can also struggle to make friends as a result of their behaviors. This can lead to a low self-esteem and in some cases, depression. So it’s important to give praise where you can and encourage them to use any skills they have whether it’s in sports or another creative outlet.

As you have probably realized, ADHD and treatments that don’t rely on medications are not a quick fix alternative. These are long-term treatments that you will have to continue to work with. You should discuss these alternatives with your child’s doctor and teachers. Never stop medication unless it has been discussed with your doctor.

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When you read about a new ADHD drug which is about to hit the market and which the company describes as ‘an important addition to our ADHD portfolio’, don’t get too excited! Yes, it is another stimulant but the company assures us that this particular compound will make it less abusable! So, nothing has changed. That is why more and more parents will not take these risks and are looking for ways of treating ADHD without medication.

While controlling ADHD without meds may be an arduous task, there are ways in which symptoms can be alleviated making life bearable again for harassed parents. ADHD drugs are so full of unknowns that thousands of parents have discovered ADHD homeopathic treatments which are effective and safe and there is no risk of addiction. Controlling ADHD without meds by using exercise, diet, cognitive and behaviour therapy plus parenting skills can help your child so much that he will be much less dependable on ADHD medication itself.

Look at the latest experiment as regards exercise for kids which was carried out by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This program was called ABC for Fitness. The schools that took part in this program found that there was a reduction by up to a third of children having to take ADHD medication. That compared very favourably with the other schools who had not taken part in the program. Their reduction amounted to only 7%.

Organising sports activities is now seen as another way of treating ADHD without medication or at least drastically reducing its impact. Green time activities and contact with nature have all been shown to be effective in reducing some of the ADHD symptoms such as restlessness, hyperactivity and fidgeting. The University of Illinois did a study which established that green time really did help children to be more attentive in class afterwards. Setting up a playground or adapting another space to make sure that trees, grassy areas and gardens are included is essential. Sports activities can be as varied as the child’s interests and skills. Some sports like soccer require a team effort , some require very tight focus. Track sports and swimming may be suitable for more hyperactive kids. Just think how much more healthy these are in comparison to spending time indoors on the consoles with a violent video game such as God of War where sex and violence seem to increase their aggressiveness, anger and hyperactivity. They have no way of letting off steam in a healthy safe environment.

Other research in the UK at the Durham County Schools has shown that use of Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids in the form of supplements really did have a beneficial effect on kids’ behaviour and definite improvements in attention and concentration were noted in the kids who took part in the experiment.

These are just a few ways parents are learning how to cope with treating ADHD without medication or at least using a homeopathic treatment which will calm the child and soothe his nerves and the parents can become normal and happy again. If you think this is wishful thinking, just visit the site below to learn a few surprising facts about controlling ADHD without meds.

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