Dumpling did such an amazing job at his neuropsychology evaluation last month!  He worked incredibly hard! He kept up with the doctor and stuck with all of the tests, even when they were difficult. I think we got a really accurate picture of his strengths and struggles. I agreed wholeheartedly with the diagnoses he received. None were a surprise to me because they’ve been challenges since Dumpling came home 3.5 years ago – ADHD, learning disability, and language disorder. What was a bit of a surprise to me, however, was the doctor’s suggestions for treatment of immediate medication and enrolling him in school. I’m extremely thankful for her thorough evaluation, but I simply don’t agree with the first course of action being enrolling in school and prescribing drugs. With him being only 6 years old and just finishing up Kindergarten, I want to try other options first.

I do believe there can be a place for medication and certainly do not judge parents who decide it’s the best course of action for their children. I know there are situations where it truly is the best choice. Heck, it may ultimately be the best choice for my son, too. However, I do also strongly believe that I need to exhaust all of the natural options first. There is so much modern research suggesting that ADHD can be environmentally triggered or be potentially health-related via nutritional deficiencies or food allergies/sensitivities. I need to at least try to chase the ‘why,’ as we talk about over and over when using connecting parenting methods. There are so many potential causes for ADHD symptoms – is it possible that my son simply needs natural support to restore the balance in his body? Medication, for me personally, is a last resort. Yes, there may be a place for it. But there are too many potential side effects to not at least try other options first.

Likewise, I believe that homeschooling truly is the best education option for my son. I’m thankful I am able to stay home to do this.  I want him to learn and grow in a nurturing environment where his needs are understood and he is taught at his pace, in a way that makes sense to him. This means I may need to seek out some other resources as I navigate his learning disabilities, but I’m committed to doing whatever it takes for my sweet boy. I’ve also sought out a private speech-language pathologist who will meet us at home. In addition, I may search for a Naturopathic Doctor to support him if we decide that’s needed. They aren’t widely available in our area, but I’ll seek one out if necessary.

Over the summer and into next school year, we’ll be making several nutritional/environmental changes based on the research I’ve been doing.  (I’ve reviewed one of the books on the blog, but I still have a few more reviews to post.)  I’m also intending on making the same changes for Sunshine. Even though she doesn’t have a formal ADHD diagnosis, I truly believe they’ll both benefit from these positive changes. In fact, I think the dietary changes will be a positive change for the entire family. I’m optimistically hopeful all around!

1. A Feingold-inspired approach to diet that will eliminate food dyes, chemicals, and preservatives like TBQH, BHA, BHT, sodium sulfate, and sulfur dioxide. We have already removed many other additives over the past two years, but good grief, it’s hard! I will be attempting to also remove high fructose corn syrup, MSG, and nitrites/nitrates from our diet. Basically my goal is to eventually remove all additives that aren’t actually food, but this is incredibly difficult with all of the stuff in our food today. Many additives are known carcinogens and are so, so bad for everyone’s bodies, with many people experiencing a wide range of terrible side effects. Even though these additives are approved in small doses for our food, they are chemically created, some from petroleum, bugs, and even plastic. Say what?! Research is showing that many ADHD behaviors can be brought about because of an intolerance/sensitivity to all of the additives in food nowadays. Obviously this isn’t true for all people, but it’s a big enough factor that I want to try an elimination of these additives. I think everyone in the family will benefit because of this change.  I’ll also focus more on limiting sugar to combat inflammation, while upping the protein and healthy fats to supply proper nutrients, but I don’t plan on eliminating casein and gluten at this point. I realize this is a hefty goal and I will remain flexible when necessary, but I’m so curious to find out what the long term outcome will be.
2. Supplement with magnesium via a transdermal spray in the evening to help with many of the challenges associated with ADHD, as well as support good sleep. Not only is magnesium necessary for many biological processes, blood sugar regulation, and immune system function, a deficiency in magnesium has actually been associated with many of the ADHD symptoms. Poor concentration, hyperactivity, impulsivity, irritability, anxiety, mood swings, fatigue, and insomnia are all potentially related to a lack of magnesium. Research shows that many Americans are deficient in magnesium because the food we eat just isn’t rich enough in the nutrient. Interestingly, ADHD medication may be a cause for leaching magnesium from the body too.
3. Supplement with a B6 vitamin to aid with the magnesium absorption and make it more effective. Also, Vitamin B6 is a neurotransmitter precursor, helping to balance dopamine neurotransmitter levels and allowing proper brain function.
4. Supplement with an Omega 3 vitamin every morning. I supplement my diet with them, I don’t know why I’m not doing it for the kids! Omega 3s are essential fatty acids that are needed at the cellular level to regulate inflammation, mood, behavior, and also for proper function and protection of the brain. They’re also needed for cardiovascular health, skin, joints, and immune systems. Basically, our bodies need them for proper function. Low levels make the outer covering of the brain degenerate, unbalance neurotransmitter levels (like serotonin, which can lead to ADHD symptoms and executive functioning inabilities when unbalanced), and lessen dendrite branches and synapses, making the brain function less than optimally. This can potentially lead to less attention, less focus, more hyperactivity, more disobedience, and even more hostility in some children. Supplementation of Omega 3s has been seen to combat those symptoms, as well as increase memory, learning, reading, and sleeping routines. With the average American diet being particularly low in Omega 3s, this is an obvious addition to our plan.
5. Supplement with Young Living’s Probiotics in the evening to support healthy gut flora. All of the kids currently eat homemade yogurt every morning, so a probiotics supplement seem like a good fit in the evening to keep a continuous level of good bacteria supplied. I’ve slowly become more aware of just how much gut health affects everything! More and more research is showing the intimate connection of the gut to the brain, helping the entire body to stay in homeostatis, including balancing neurotransmitters in the brain. An unhealthy gut means unbalanced hormones and stress responses, unbalanced immune systems leading to inflammation, and an unbalanced level of toxic bacteria byproducts that can end up in the bloodstream through a leaky gut! This last issue leads to a whole host of issues in the body, including impacting the brain in negative ways, creating impulse control issues, nutrient deficiencies, unbalanced levels of dopamine (inhibitory neurotransmitter needed for feelings of satisfaction and regulation, but too much leads to overstimulation, agitation, anxiety, less self-control and focus, etc.) and norepinephrine (excitatory neurotransmitters needed for attentiveness, learning, emotions, sleep, and regular body functions). Likewise, unbalanced gut flora can lead to an overgrowth of candida yeast, which has been linked to ADHD symptoms in recent research. Yikes!
6. Supplement with Young Living’s MindWise every morning to support brain function, memory, and overall cognitive function. One of the main ingredients, the inchi nut, is a super food noted for omega 3, 6, and 9. It is also a good source of tryptophan, a precursor for the serotonin neurotransmitter (the hormone that helps us deal with stress and feel happy).  Likewise, the essential oils included in the blend promote focus, grounding, and energy, while also supporting cardiovascular health. The supplement is rich in antioxidants, choline, CoQ10, and the neurotransmitter precursor, Acetyl-L-carnitine, needed at the cellular level. I should note that this isn’t suggested by any of the professionals I’ve been gathering information from, but I love Young Living’s supplements and have heard excellent feedback about this one from other mamas.
7. Supplement with Young Living’s NingXia Red antioxidant super juice to support overall health and the fight against free radicals.  Just 2 ounces daily includes 19 amino acids, 22 trace minerals, 5 unsaturated fatty acids, polysaccharides, 7mg beta carotene, Vitamins B1, B6, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Selenium, and Zinc!  It also packs so much antioxidant power that this supplement is used by everyone in our whole family.
8. Support focus, cognition, and overall brain function with essential oils. Although essential oils are still gaining popularity, I believe in their benefits.  They are traditional actually quite traditional, backed by thousands of years of use.  I’ll be using a combination to see what works, but I plan to start with the Chillax blend of Lavender, Vetiver, and Cedarwood in a roller with V-6 oil.  It smells amazing and has a very calming, grounding, and focusing effect.  I seriously want to wear it as perfume everywhere!  I may also add in the Young Living blends of Brain Power, Common Sense, Highest Potential, and Clarity.  I’ve heard from plenty of other mamas anectdotally that these blends support their kiddos, so we’ll see what works best. Since we already use them at home, this is an easy addition to our routines.
9. Supplement with enzymes daily. I have enzymes for the kids, but I typically only offer them if they have a really big meal or they aren’t feeling well. My plan is to provide them daily to support overall digestive health and combat the negative effects of enzyme depletion. Our bodies need enzymes for literally everything, and our American not-very-raw diet makes it difficult to get enough through food. This supplement includes enzymes that digest protein, carbohydrates, and and fats. This is another supplement that wasn’t suggested in any of the research I’ve been doing, but I believe in their use and believe that all extra gut health support is good.

If you stuck with me through this very long post, I’d love to hear about any other natural interventions or resources that have worked for you or your children to support ADHD symptoms.  I know this will be an ongoing process, so I’m very open to other ideas as we change our environment.  I know these supports may not be a “fix-all,” but I’m committed to trying!  I’ll update in 6 months, or so, after I’ve successfully implemented this plan.  I’m hopeful!

Statements regarding essential oils have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and suggestions on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care provider before using these products.