If you have a child with ADD/ADHD, or any type of disability

My oldest has autism. We did a GFCF (gluten free, casein free) diet for a year and saw no changes so we discontinued it. I have chosen not to use any medications, although he sure could have used it when he was younger - talk about hell on wheels! As he aged (he's now almost 15), he has calmed considerably I think in part due to age and in part due to us being strict and consistent with his discipline when he was younger.

none of my kids have anything diagnosed, not for lack of trying on our part though. we have suspected add or adhd in our 10 year old for years. we did notice a link to red dye 40 and it helps to avoid it (we avoid all dyes if at all possible and have noticed that all our kids react, to varying degrees, to red), and have tried the cup of coffee in the morning (only about 1/4-1/2 cup of half-caff) - that helped when we did it regularly too.

I don't have a child with ADHD but I have SO with it. He was on meds in his early teens and stopped taking his meds by the time he was 16. He does ok w/o them, but I think that if he used them he would be a little more focused when he needs to be. The downside to meds for him is that they decrease appetite which is one of the reason she stopped taking them. You really should be looking/talking to a developmental/behavioral pediatrician. Good luck!!!!

Both of my sons have ADHD. We tried dietary/lifestyle changes first, but ultimately had to resort to medication because theirs was so severe. They both take Focalin XR, different dose sizes, and for both of them, it was the first and only med that we had to try. My oldest is now 11 and starting to show real signs of being more mellow, more focused, settled, etc., so his doctor and I are beginning to discuss the possibility of reducing his dose and eventually weaning him off it completely. My youngest (8) is still very hyper and without the meds, completely unable to focus, so he's staying where he is right now, but his dose is pretty low. His doctor offered to increase it, but I don't feel it's necessary. As long as he takes his meds every day, I can then work with him to get him focused.

Our son was born with spina bifida and a clubbed foot. He was also diagnosed with ADD/ADHD around the second grade. We tried him on the Ritalin but after a while we really didn't see a change in him so we stopped it. I did control his sugar and sodas but that was about it. That helped some, but not a lot. There were serious emotional issues that drugs and controlling what he ate was not going to help.

At the age of 17, he was diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (total kidney shut down) which meant a whole new regimen of medications including dialysis treatments at home at night.

I meant he not she, and his mom also watched and controlled his diet and didn't let him have any refined sugars and cut out dyes as well. None of these things helped him.

My DS has Aspergers with ADHD and ODD tendencies. WE have chosen at this time to try diet modifications (cut as much HFCS, dyes and processed foods as possible) We are also working with the school for good strategies to help him. At home we try to use the same techniques and language the school uses when giving reminders. He also is in Therapeutic horseback riding where they work not only on his core and arm muscle strength but also his focus. There are a lot of options I feel we can try before resorting to medication... but that day may come...

My 8 year old has ADHD. He's currently unmedicated. We have tried dietary changes with little difference, as well as homeopathic supplements without success. What has worked best has been having a very structured routine and being militant with rules. It's not enough for him when he does enroll back into regular school next year (he's currently homeschooled til 3rd grade) but its enough to get him through his day.

My 6yo DD has ADHD. She is currently on Adderall XR. We tried to get by without medications through therapy and things we could do at home, but it became very evident when she started Kindergarten that it wasn't going to be enough. We still held off until she turned 6 in February because we truly did not want to medicate her. She started taking them in March and...OMG...the difference in her was IMMEDIATE! She was doing so much better in school and her dance classes and homework almost instantly got easier for her. She was able to focus so much better and keep her activity levels more where they should be...while at the same time, she was the same happy-go-lucky little girl. She is on the lowest dose and toward the end of the school year it was pretty obvious that her body was starting to build a resistance to it, so we plan to up it to the next dose for when she starts 1st grade next month.

My 16 yr old son has ADHD and we did meds for 4 years and then he chose to stop. The meds helped a LOT. He went from failing to honor roll in a matter of weeks. His ability to concentrate helped his self esteem too. He was on Concerta and Vyvanse. We had issues with Vyvanse (he had depression from it) and went back to Concerta. He is no trying no meds and it's not easy but he is old enough to make that choice himself.