For children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the most popular method to treat the condition is typically one of the various ADHD medications. And for many children, medications can work successfully to diminish the symptoms of ADHD. But there are many instances when medication alone won’t work as well as parents had hoped. In these cases, there are a number of non-medicinal methods that parents can employ to help their child maintain concentration and prevent outbursts or other behavioral issues.
Some of the methods include using “sensory integration techniques” to help your ADHD child pay attention and diminish hyperactivity; getting your child out into “green play settings,” or outdoor settings such as the park or wilderness areas; or modifying your child’s environment to help them get organized and structured, and help control their impulsivity.
Perhaps one of the most important methods is through the diet of your ADHD child. The advice on diets is one you have probably heard for the general population, and also one that is recommended for autistic children as well – the Gluten Free Casein Free Diet (GFCF diet). The GFCF Diet is among the most well-studied and recommended to manage ADHD, and has been shown to reduce symptoms in a significant number of children.
The theory behind the GFCF diet is that wheat and dairy products contain gluten and casein, respectively, and these proteins form harmful amino acids called peptides when they are digested improperly. Peptides behave much like morphine on the human body, and trigger hyperactive and inattentive responses from children when they enter the bloodstream.
Parents who have tried the GFCF diet on their ADHD children have seen amazing results – increased attention span, improved social skills, and fewer incidents of tantrums, aggression and fidgeting. And unlike medications, the benefits received from the GFCF diet last a lifetime, and best of all have absolutely no side effects!
Many ADHD children, and children in general, may also suffer from various undiagnosed food allergies or intolerances. It makes perfect sense that if your child is not feeling emotionally or physically well due to food allergy issues that various behavioral problems could be the end result.
Putting your child on the GFCF diet does require many dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as some tough love. Many of the foods kids love most – things like ice cream, pizza, cake, spaghetti, cookies, – contain gluten and casein. But there are still many delicious and nutritious options to choose from! Check out the entire list of 562 (and growing) GFCF products here at the Allergy Free Shop.
If your child is under the age of four, you might have an easier time implementing the GFCF diet. At that age, children have not yet developed their food preferences, and you can help form these just by placing the right foods on your dinner table.
Even if your child is older, you can still get him or her to follow the diet, but expect at least some resistance at the start. Foods can be introduced cold turkey – by removing all gluten and casein-containing food at once, or removed the foods slowly and gradually. Start by introducing foods that have no gluten or casein in them. If you child loves pasta, you could place quinoa and whole rice on the table. Be sure to have a side dish of leafy vegetables for every meal, and offer fruit for dessert. Remove one food at a time so as not to shock your child. And pay close attention to your child’s behavior, especially when beginning the diet. Symptoms may actually get worse before they get better, because similar to morphine, gluten and casein are addictive substances; once they are removed the body will “crave” them.
Learn to read labels very carefully, as many products may contain ingredients with “hidden” gluten or casein. Be on the lookout for whey, malt or malt flavoring, vegetable protein, hydrolyzed plant protein, and artificial additives. And don’t forget that there are also studies that show certain supplements or food nutrients can improve the symptoms of ADHD in your child, including the addition of Omega-3 fatty acids to your child’s diet.
Beyond diet alone, exercise has also shown to be beneficial in numerous studies for general physical and mental health, and this is the case for all individuals, not just those with ADHD. Regular exercise can help decrease anxiety and depression, which are often conditions that lead to or are a component of ADHD. Also be sure that your child is getting good, restful sleep as well.
With the right diet, the other techniques mentioned, and with the assistance of new medications, you can help your ADHD child function at their highest levels, and reduce the effects of ADHD and its associated behavioral problems on their personal and academic development.
