Drug Free ADHD Strategies

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, was recognized as far back as 1845 when German physician Heinrich Hoffman observed children who exhibited fidgety behavior; he even wrote a book to entertain them.
One of his anecdotes, "Der Struwwelpeter," was translated by American humorist Mark Twain into "The Story of Fidgety Philip," which gave a surprisingly accurate portrayal of what we now know today as a kid suffering from ADHD. 

"But fidgety Phil,
He won't sit still;
He wriggles,
And giggles,
And then, I declare,
Swings backwards and forwards,
And tilts up his chair..."

There are three types of ADHD: hyperactive-impulsive, inattentive and combined. Kids who just can't sit still have the first type, those who are easily distracted or can't focus have the second, and kids who have poor impulse control and are disorganized have the third kind. Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with the condition, three to one, than girls, and researchers are still investigating whether this is because boys are more active and physical than girls. This is noteworthy since most boys, when diagnosed, have the first type (hyperactive-impulsive) while girls with the condition have the inattentive variety. 

With increased class sizes and school budget cuts, some parents may suspect that handing their child a pill makes it easier for teachers to focus on education rather than disruptive behavior, and typically, the first mention of "ADHD" is in a parent-teacher conference. Prescription ADHD medications are stimulants, and the idea behind them is that they overload the kids' central nervous systems and tire them out. Most parents take their kids off the meds on the weekends, and it's not uncommon to see these kids doze off in the daytime on Saturday and Sunday as a natural response to their overstimulated systems. Parents who may want to avoid the prescription drug route should look into some drug-free alternatives to manage the behavior naturally. 

Consider Pure Encapsulations' Cognitive & Calming capsules with soothing lemon balm and L-theanine, used in tea, as well as tyrosine, an amino acid, known to enhance cognitive function.  Another drug-free ADHD nutritional alternative is available from Herb Pharm and its Children's Herbal Compound with soothing chamomile and lemon balm, along with invigorating catnip in a liquid elixir. And for yet another homeopathic ADHD remedy, check out BHI Heels' Calming tablets that can be taken sublingually by kids as young as six.

For more kid-friendly nutritional supplements
for your squirmy little ones, check out CAM Formula's complementary, health-conscious options.