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I'm back to ask for y'all's wisdom. I believe my daughter may have ADD. She's not hyperactive but the innattentive kind. She has great difficulty staying present in the moment and processing spoken information. I'm not able to get an official diagnosis because there are no reputable facilities in my area that do that. When she was a baby we thought she had Sensory Integration Dysfunction because she was so completely overwhelmed by even moderate sensory input.
Let me first say that drugs are not an option.
I'm weaning her off of the yucky foods that kids love in pursuit of a cleaner diet. I've also started her on Flaxseed Oil.
Any suggestions for herbal support to either cleanse her system or help with the ADD? She's 14.
Let me first say that drugs are not an option.
I'm weaning her off of the yucky foods that kids love in pursuit of a cleaner diet. I've also started her on Flaxseed Oil.
Any suggestions for herbal support to either cleanse her system or help with the ADD? She's 14.
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SF Bay Area
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Re: ADD
Wed, June 17, 2009 - 9:01 AMgo to a website from the Handle Institute
read their info
there are ways to relieve distractedness with out labels and without medications which are nto always helpful
You hav eot begin to study health, biology and understand many aspects of physiology. It is worth it. -
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Re: ADD
Wed, June 17, 2009 - 10:12 AMI've never processed spoken info. very well myself. Had to learn to stop and say, "did I hear that?" Often, the answer is still no, but I manage to accept and work with it. I've always preferred written communication and silence to talking at any length, since it's so hard for me.
I think we all have disabilities, and it sounds like you've pinned her challenge down so precisely that maybe it doesn't deserve to be lumped under ADD. It also sounds like it could be incredibly frustrating for you, trying to communicate and help your daughter.
You sound like you're really educated on this, so I'm guessing you thought about these things long ago, but if not....
How much time does she spend outside, in nature, with no programmed activities?
Are TV and computer activities part of her routine? If so, how much?
Does she feel her inattention is a problem? Do you feel it's a problem outside school? What situations make it problematic? Could the environment be changed so she doesn't have to change who she is too dramatically?
I work in schools, and see so many brilliant children bored stiff with a disconnected, meaningless curriculum, and are not given time and space to plunge deeply into their passions for any significant length of time. You didn't mention school, but I'm wondering if there's pressure there on you and her to do something about it. -
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Re: ADD
Wed, June 17, 2009 - 10:34 AMWhen she was a baby I was at my wits end. A sewing student of mine worked for LA Unified School District assessing special needs kids. When Elly was 4 she spent some time with this student of mine. The student suggested SI Dysfunction as the problem and recommended "The Out of Sync Child". We used that book to provide therapy for her that was very effective in helping her nervous system development. I recommend it highly.
In 6th grade it was clear that she was overwhelmed with the environment and was going to fail most of her classes. I pulled her out and began homeschooling.
I learned that texture is a big issue. Scratchy clothes, tags and seams on socks can all send her over the edge. Texture in foods are very important too. Noise, activity, any excess sensory input is also trouble.
I really wanted to send her to Parocial School, hoping the regimented environment would work for her. Homeschooling is very isolating. The only other homeschoolers her are fundamentalist Christians and I'm not up for dealing with that.
I don't have to decide today but if I can spend this summer helping her to get on a more even keel then she can go back to school. -
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Re: ADD
Wed, June 17, 2009 - 10:57 AMagain I say go to info fromthe Handle Institute
they have very sophisticate dinfo onthis line
it is an international known and highly regarded group which helps kids liek this when most other systems have failed.l
YOU have ot do it.. or no one else will.
I am a Learning Specialist. -
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Re: ADD
Wed, June 17, 2009 - 11:06 AMI've been looking over the site, there's such a wealth of information I've saved it to my favorites so I can go back and study it more. I've also saved the link on Healthy Living. It'll take me awhile to digest it all. Its going to take some time to get her totally weaned off soda and junky foods. Saturday is Farmer's Market day so I'll go see what I can find to supplement what I'm growing here in the garden.
Thanks for the site, it confirms a lot of what I've observed and gives me some strategies for improving Elly's life. -
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Re: ADD
Sat, June 20, 2009 - 10:52 PMI took my son to a natropath college for 20 bucks to talk about this very issue. He hasnt' been diagnosed, I hate labels. But some say that it is good to get a lable so the schools know how to work with your child.
They told me magnesium helps calm a child down and focus. Also zinc. he has beengluten free for about a month, though his grandma feeds him gluten so it has not been complete. The dr advocated for this and also being dairy free. Gluten free is pretty easy since I am gluten free, but dairy free will be really hard. Also eat lots of fruit and vegis and drink lots of water. 1 tbs a day of flaxseed meal.
Avoid things with corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, preservitives, and dyes. -
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Re: ADD
Sun, June 21, 2009 - 6:09 AMyou are definitely correct about diet management.. soem people (children also0 have more pronounced issues with flour an d dairy and removing these from their diet can make a large difference.
However, thi sis not a cure-all for all kids.Brain gym, Handle Inst info; Brain exercises. EDGU, Qi Gong and yoga and being in a school with movement and artistic expression ar eimportant. As are thoughtful behavior management programs and special needs categories if needed. -
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Re: ADD
Sun, June 21, 2009 - 8:56 AMI had planned to take this in increments. First get rid of the junk food, then evaluate the difference in her behavior. Then eliminate gluten and evaluate again. Then eliminate dairy if neccessary.
She's 14 so I need to change her diet gradually. She doesn't do new things well.
We live in the middle of nowhere so there is no place to go for a diagnosis. I also don't like labels.
I understand that we all have abilities and challenges and the goal is to find lifestyle changes and coping strategies that give us the lives we want. Now that I've done more research I think we may have to homeschool for another year. There are no special needs services in the schools here. We are planning to move to a larger and more progressive town next year so perhaps we'll wait to put her back in a traditional school.
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Re: ADD
Mon, June 22, 2009 - 11:35 AMGreat suggestions so far. And how lucky your daughter is to have such an insightul parent. The gradual approach will probably offer a lot of information and be more sustainable in the long run. I am surprised that are not services in your area as these are federally madated, so while you may not choose to, you could probably challenge the school district to provide services for you.
Also, oats are super nourished to the nervous system. Drinking infusions of whole dried oats, an ouce of herb to a quart of water, I have seen this support alot of people who have trouble focusing. This can drunk cold, room temp, warm and/or diluted in something else (so in essence can be disquised...smile).
Just a note on dairy, many times people react to pasteurized/homogonized dairy, not raw. So if you have access to farm fresh raw milk, this actually might be helpful and add nutrients to the diet that may not currently be there, or are difficult for her to absorb.
Blessings
Linda
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Re: ADD
Tue, June 23, 2009 - 9:01 PMit sounds like she definately gets distracted very easily and is very sensitive to any kind of stimuli for some reason. the site that was suggested that u look at seems really good. i am more versed in herbal medicines myself and i feel along with other strategies that perhaps some herbal support for her nervous system could be of some help.
scullcap tincure is a wonderfull support for the nervous system and is also very gentle
oats are very nourishing for the nervous system. as well as oatstraw tea.
wild lettuce tincture or tea is a gentle calming and relaxing medince... it could help her relax if she suffers from anxiety from excess stimulation. this is a common weed and is usually easy to find. lemon balm is also relxing and is very easy to grow in the garden
stinging nettle tea is also very high in nutrients and could be good as general support for her whole body.
regular exercise like hiking or some kind of cardio helps more oxygen get to the brain which is very helpul and improves mental clarity.
yoga or something that requires controlled breathing excersises with mindful practice could be of help too...
it is important that the herbs that u buy or use are of good quality. some stores keep them too long... and they would not be effective.
:^)
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Re: ADD
Tue, June 23, 2009 - 9:34 PMThanks for the info. I have lemon balm out in the garden. I rub it on my skin to keep the mosquitos off. I sometimes crush a leaf or two and add them to my teapot.
I'll look into the others. Does it matter how I use the oats? If I cook with it will she still get the benefits? Sorry if my questions are ignorant. -
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Re: ADD
Wed, June 24, 2009 - 11:33 AMyour questions r never ignorant! ;^)
oatstraw which r the husks of oats r known as the medicinally used part of the plant , however there is still some benefit from eating the oats like porridge. it's just not as strong
tinctures and extracts were made from the green flowering unripe wild oats back in the day
they r a brain tonic, nerve restorative, antidepressant and a great source of minerals!
cheers.. -
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Re: ADD
Wed, June 24, 2009 - 7:24 PMGreetings. I like to prepare oats by taking one ounce of herb (a large handful) and placing it in quart size tea pot or canning jar. I pour boiling water over the herb and let this sit, off of hear for 4-8 hours. Strain and drink. This can be iced, warmed or diluted and will last in the refriferator for approximately 3 days. This type of preparation will offer the most benefit.
Blessings
Linda -
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Re: ADD
Thu, June 25, 2009 - 8:28 AMI just watched Super Size Me , finally. There was an example of a school fo rhigh school age kids which chaned diets completely to fresh natural, non-processed food sand had a huge success in getting kids focused, less trouble.. etc. I was glad to see this in the media.
I worked at an alternative school as the Learnign Specialist.. most of our 800 students ahd faile din other schools.. we never dealt with the food issues. I did, however, teach Brain Gym, and yoga and also took classes from Handle Institute.
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Re: ADD
Sat, June 27, 2009 - 2:47 PMthat sounds absolutely wonderful! i'm going to try that ;^)
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