My son was recently tested and found to be gifted, which was good news, but also was diagnosed with ADD, which is not so good. He's in kindergarten at a private school and they also let him go into the first grade classroom sometimes to take a lesson or two. He can't really focus or concentrate on his work, often won't do it, and is sometimes a little disruptive in class. Nothing major, just likes to get attention and laughs from the other kids sometimes, would rather play than do his work. We don't really want to put him on medication. His behavior isn't that extreme or severe. The neuropsychologist who did our testing advised us to start him on biofeedback. She said that this will completely cure and get rid of the ADD in about a year or so. It should take about 40 half hour sessions to start seeing some noticeable results, so we'll have a rough road until then. What I was wondering was if anyone else had ever had experience with this type of treatment, or knew someone who had, and how it turned out. I'm really hopefull that it works. I guess it really consists of learning how to 'retrain' the brain and how it works, through some type of computer program that you control with brain waves. If anyone has any experience or insight into it, I'd love to hear what the results were!
Whatever you do, please do not put them on medication. Because they will come to rely on it, then it is a mess to try and get them off of it. Sometimes kids just need more sleep to help them concentrate. Maybe try having him go to bed a little earlier. I had a really hard time concentrating on school and homework for a long time, its normal and most kids grow out of it.
Biofeedback sounds like a good plan without side effects! I also hear diet effects ADD. These foods can exacerbate the condition: white wheat flour, refined sugars, dairy foods, food dyes, preservatives. Other things to try include homeopathy which does not have side effects, and craniosacral therapy, a very light touch massage technique that can take pressure off the brain and spine that may be causing the attention issues. Good luck.
I don't know about biofeedback. The nutritional products that i give my son are from Usana Health Sciences. My email is ____@____.com
I will send you a link to it.
A.
As I pre-teen I did biofeedback, but for headaches. It was amazing and helped me get through it. Now, all I have to do is start thinking about it when I get a headached and it goes away.
I'm not sure how they would use it for ADD, but it isn't really invasive and it isn't a drug, so I say go for it!
I wonder where you live because I can refer you to a place that will address his brain imbalance. Check out a book called Disconnected Kids and you will understand what's happening. Biofeedback is a waste of time because there are so many other issues it cannot address. Your son needs to be evaluated throughly to see where to start. Does he still have primitive reflexes? DOes he have auditory processing issues, is he compensating for balance, movement, social? His diet/allergies need to be addressed. Nothing in the body works in isolation. No drugs are needed. Next week is a free seminar for whoever wants to hear this invaluable information.
While there is some strong evidence for using neurofeedback (biofeedback) with older children, one of the most effective methods for treating ADHD in children of all ages is exercise. Dr. John Ratey at Harvard has done some pretty convincing research in this area.
The ADD label is unnecessary, it just describes behaviors that have a variety of causal factors. Children have personalities and temperaments and emotional issues that affect their behavior. Teaching children to balance their nervous system and release stress often resolves ADD/ADHD tendencies - no medications, and even a year of neurofeedback isn't needed. The neurofeedback is at least safe and beneficial but it's quicker to get to the root of things to resolve them. Read more here:
www.phinsights.com/adhd.html
MY son was treated for ADHD with biofeedback with great success. Additionally, structure is VERY important. I treat many children labled ADD and ADHD with "allergies" who breath thru their mouths. Changing breathing patterns to nasal breathing improves attention and digestion. B. Thompson orofacial myologist ###-###-####
M.,
My son is 7 and he has been in biofeedback therapy and it has been very successful. It has been addressing all the areas that we need to and as something else comes up that we need to address the doctor address it. I would tell you to follow through and do it. I have refused to put my son on medication because I do not want him to rely on it to solve his problems, I want him to figure out how to solve problems in the real world without the aide of medication.
I wish you the best of luck.
S.
36 y/o SAHM of 3 boys
15, 7 and 4
I have 7 year old twin boys who both have ADD as they are what I refer to as "spectrum" kids. Both very high functioning and I would never put them on meds. My hubby is a chiropractor and we have done some great things with alternative therapies and nutritional supplments. If you would like to talk I would be happy to share. My email is ____@____.com. Peace and Blessings :)
Change your son's diet. Get him off al processed foods, chemicals, dyes, cleaning products should all be chemical free too. Eliminate sugars too. Give him a balanced diet of fresh organic grains, greens, other veggies, and beans. You will see him flourish
