Dealing with ADHD

My son was recently diagnosed with ADHD.

After month of being labeled the problem child... getting notes home about his disruptive behavior and how he can't sit still.... how he's always acting impulsive ~ calling out in class and getting up from his seat ... after the looks from people at parties when he would flip out because the party was over and he didn't want to leave... after my own family questioning "what's wrong with him and you should have him tested" we did.

First, I noticed that when most people say you should have him/her tested they have no idea what they are talking about. This said... for the most part people should mind their own business.

My Husband and I finally took Brian to talk to behavioral pediatrician. He was diagnosed with ADHD.

Of course, I freaked... being so uneducated I though the worst and just saw future of special ed, medicine and therapy. So, I calmed down... listened to the Dr. who assured me there was "nothing wrong" with my son and educated me. He suggested books and a change in diet. 

"ADHD is a common behavioral disorder that affects an estimated 8% to 10% of school-age children. Boys are about three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with it, though it's not yet understood why.

Kids with ADHD act without thinking, are hyperactive, and have trouble focusing. They may understand what's expected of them but have trouble following through because they can't sit still, pay attention, or attend to details.

Of course, all kids (especially younger ones) act this way at times, particularly when they're anxious or excited. But the difference with ADHD is that symptoms are present over a longer period of time and occur in different settings. They impair a child's ability to function socially, academically, and at home."

Brian is such a smart boy and I was most concerned with his performance at school and his grades. We were so against medicine at first so we tried behavioral techniques at home... after a while we realized we needed to go back to the Dr.

After a lot of consideration we opted to medicate Brian. His medicine is nothing like Ritalin or those drugs.. He is on a medication that wears off everyday about 6pm and only helps him focus at school. I couldn't believe the difference. He's taking pride in his work and getting 100's and is a lot more manageable at homework time. I feel like I have my little boy back.

The reason I just babbled all of that is because one thing that came out of this is we removed Red Dye #40 from Brian's diet.

After a suggestion from another parent who removed Red Dye from their child's diet we removed it from Brian's.

This is copied from another website but describes something similar to what I experienced with Brian..

After years of struggle with my children's behavior. I finally eliminated red dye 40 from their diet 2 years ago. What a change! My son, who was four years old during his worst time, had so much anger and uncontrollable frustrating episodes. I thought he could have some sort of conduct disorder and worried many nights about him growing into a man without regard for others. I knew that I needed to act right away and before he turned into a very strong teenager! I remember telling someone that we were eliminating sugar from his diet and she brought up eliminating red dye 40 and also other similar dyes.

His favorite drink, beginning when he was two, was strawberry milk- colored with red dye 40! After immediately eliminating that I noticed a significant change in his behavior and reactions to his brothers. It was then that I recalled a more peaceful son - when he was under two years old and dye-free at the time. Then I noticed every time he accidentally ate something with red-dye, he got this look on his face (a blank look- kind of angry or depressed look). It is a look that helps me to identify even to this day if he has had red-dye 40 or not accidentally. I need to feed them breakfast for now... so I will continue this later and also add suggestions for how you too can eliminate red dye 40 and other dyes.

It sounds crazy but it's true. Here are some interesting links... 

Dr. Feingold and ADHD Diet

This talks about the FDA being challenged to add warning labels on food with dyeshttp://www.feingold.org/enews/FDA-Vote.html