I have ADHD and have since I was a child. I have taken a couple of different prescriptions as an adult and can tell you that I do not take them anymore and would NEVER give them to my child. They made me feel horrible (everything from depressed to zombie-like).
What does help is diet and exercise. I steer clear from processed foods, sugar, and gluten and I make sure to start each day with physical activity.
My children (19 months & 4 years) have not been diagnosed with ADHD, but they do have extremely high energy levels. Just in case, I treat them as if they do. I watch their diet and make sure they have physical activity every day.
I also found for myself and for my children that learning with ADHD needs to be more of an active process. I learned in High School and College that if I worked out right before (or even during) studying, I could focus much better. I work on ABCs and counting, etc. with my kids while we're playing (counting jumping jacks, singing ABC'S while bike riding).
I am SO thankful that drugs weren't prescribed for me as a child. Although ADHD has presented some obstacles for me, it is definitely something that makes me, me. I have taken what most people would have considered a disability and used it to my advantage. I received my degrees in Exercise Physiology and now use my "high energy" to help moms and moms-to-be get and stay in shape!