ADD, Biofeedback, and Genova Testing

Nutritional stuff including IgG food allergies and even blatant nutritional issues turned out to be important in both my children's DSM diagnoses. So were hormones! Yes even at that age, and I feel a bit angry that the original pediatric endocrinologist for my younger daughter did not catch that! (see http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/02/psychiatrist-vs-...)

Genova Diagnostics are a good, reputable laboratory. We actually uncovered a lot via SpectraCell labs a few years later.

As for the biofeedback... I don't know, but I do know that people have had huge success in "brain retraining." In Canada they consider it medical - I've read about a home device - This woman wrote a book about it: Train Your Brain, Transform Your Life: Conquer Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In 60 Days, Without Ritalin (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615297943/ref=as_li_tf_...)

My daughter was diagnosed with ADD at age 9 and we tried Neurofeedback as well. I think she did it for about a year but it didn't seem to work for her. We did try diet at the time but my daughter was extremely picky and refused to eat what was put in front of her. We ended up having to go on meds but the side effects were really bad for her, so after trying 5 different meds, she went off those as well. We took her to a chiropractor who put her on a gluten and dairy free diet, and supplements for attention, which started working. We took her to a hemolologist and he looked at her blood under a microscope and noticed that she had a infection that the attention supplements were feeding, so we took her off those and went with a different set of supplements. Soooo, now, a year later, at age 16 she has found that she's ok with gluten, but that DAIRY is the culpript. If she sneaks dairy, she has a hard time focusing. So she's off dairy, we use coconut milk for everything, and she takes supplements every morning.

Good luck! It was a frustrating battle for us so hopefully you'll find the solution soon. Please feel free to message me if I can be of any help or support.
Stephanie

I am not familiar with Genova testing or biofeedback for ADD. However, My son was diagnosed with ADD a few years ago. While researching ways to help him, I frequently came across parents who swore by a gluten free diet. I was skeptical. ADD is a difference in brain anatomy and I felt that going on a gluten free diet for ADD was just another waste of time.

Then, my son was diagnosed with Celiac disease and we had to go on a gluten free diet. I could not believe the dramatic change in his attention and personality. I was not the only one to notice, teachers also noticed. His ADD symptoms are gone!!! Speaking from my own expience, he was misdiagnosed as having ADD, the accurate diagnosis is Celiac disease, which he had blood test and intestinal biopsy to confirm diagnosis.

So, I don't believe that diet (gluten free) can cure ADD. ADD is a brain difference that food intake will not change. However, I feel that food allergies, intolerances and Celiac disease should be ruled out as part of the diagnosis for ADD.

FYI: many kids with celiac disease are B12 deficiant.

Let us know how your daughter is doing.

Our son has extreme ADHD-combined type and has been doing neurofeedback for about 25 sessions now (just about half way). He's on medication but we couldn't up the dosage to where it needs to be (ends up with bad tics if we do), so we needed to explore other options. I definitely think it's helping. He had no problems at school at the end of the year and he's been more pleasant. The biggest change was with his appetite. This is a kid who's had major food anxiety (not just picky eating, but limited to just a few meal options) since he was two. He went from eating the same meal for lunch and dinner for about nine months to now eating a range of foods.

The neurofeedback we're doing involves having our son watch a regular DVD of his choice. If he focuses, the screen stays big and sound stays on; if he loses focus, it all gets smaller.

As far as the diagnosis, it shouldn't be that quick. Yes, questionnaires are involved, but there should also be detailed meetings with specialists, too. Make sure a specialist like a psychiatrist or neuropsychologist makes the diagnosis. If you have doubts about the diagnosis, get a second opinion. You need to be your child's biggest advocate.

Best of luck!

ETA: I don't have any feedback on Genova testing. I've never heard of it.