ALTERNATIVES TO MEDICATION FOR ADD & ADHD?
If you have a young child or teen with ADHD, their attention, impulsivity, behavior problems and hyperactivity are difficult not only for the child but affect the entire family as well. More and more, professionals are working with the areas of executive dysfunction that manifest in ADD. Neurofeedback has been found to have a positive impact on areas of the brain involved in working memory, organization, self-regulation of affect and sustained attention.
There are alternatives to medication for ADD and ADHD, such as Ritalin, Adderall and other stimulants. Neurofeedback & ADHD coaching offer two alternatives.
Neurofeedback offers a way to train the brain into new patters which decrease the symptoms of ADHD Coaching for ADD help the new behaviors being entrained to be practiced and to stick in the world outside the therapy room.
Medications
It is not uncommon for parents of kids with ADD to have a well-meaning 504 Committee or Child Study team member to suggest a visit to your pediatrician to suggest behaviors in order to have that professional suggest or prescribe medications.
Many parents struggle with the decision about whether to medicate their child. They have read information like those described below.
According to the government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, persistent and negative side effects of these stimulants have been documented, including sleep disturbances, reduced appetite, and suppressed growth. Any of these might have important health implications for the millions of children who are currently taking medication for ADD or ADHD.
Hyperactive children in our country are regularly put on these medications, which often appear to work miracles on the disruptive and impulsive behaviors that are characteristic of ADD and ADHD. Many people believe that the benefits in terms of academic achievement and social behavior warrant the possible risks. However, there are also many concerns about the use of medications for ADHD, and as studies continue to monitor their effects, the controversy grows. Increasingly, parents, physicians, and educational professionals are seeking alternatives to medication for ADD and ADHD.
Even when parents have decided to medicate, oftentimes the medication doesn’t seem to work for their child.
Contact us to learn more about effective alternatives to medication for ADD and ADHD.
