How To Handle A Child's ADHD Symptoms Without Medication

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can impact a child's life in many ways, from academic performance to social skills and more. Proper treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can help people with ADHD live a full, healthy life - but treating ADHD doesn't look the same for everyone.

ADHD is usually addressed with a combination of medication and therapy in child and adolescent psychiatry. Common ADHD medications are safe, effective treatment options for most children with the condition, and using medication to treat ADHD can help prevent mental health challenges later on.

However, there are cases where parents opt to treat ADHD symptoms without medication, either out of necessity or for another reason. So, what can you do to help your child manage ADHD without medication?

In this article, we'll discuss tips for helping kids manage ADHD symptoms without medication, such as exercise, behavioral therapy, and good sleep. Then, we'll address how to talk with your child's doctor about finding the best treatment plan for your family.

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Tips For Helping A Child With ADHD Without Medication

Thankfully, there's a ton of research out there on what helps children with ADHD manage symptoms of the condition, and it’s not limited to medication alone. Part of how you approach helping a child with ADHD without medication requires an understanding of what you want to work on. Is it impulsive behavior, promoting sustained focus and cognitive function, or something else?

Keeping your goals in mind, try these tips to help children with ADHD find symptom reduction without ADHD medication.

Try Joon App

If you or someone you know is dealing with ADHD, Joon is a great non-medicative alternative to help manage symptoms and improve daily life. With features such as task tracking, and reminder alerts, Joon makes it easy to stay organized and on top of your responsibilities. Plus, it's a fun and engaging game that makes managing ADHD symptoms less of a chore. Give Joon a try today and see the difference it can make in your life!

Make dietary changes

Ensure your child is eating regular, balanced meals. A well-balanced diet is important for brain functioning, mood, and behavior. Include healthy fats, whole grains, protein, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, zinc, and iron. While processed foods don't cause ADHD, you might limit them for overall well-being.

Most children need 3 meals and 2-3 snacks per day. Sometimes, executive functioning issues get in the way of eating enough or eating regularly. A routine eating schedule, timers, and personal reminders from you can help kids with ADHD remember to eat.

Some children with ADHD and other conditions, like autism spectrum disorders, have sensory issues that affect food intake. Other children may have food sensitivities, a GI condition, or something else that affects their eating habits. Consult with a dietician if your child has trouble getting the nutrition they need.

Notice whether specific foods impact your child or not. Food sensitivities aren't the same as allergies, but they can still cause disruptive symptoms, including those that affect mood and attention. If you suspect a food sensitivity, talk with your child's doctor.

Have them get enough exercise

Physical education adds some movement to a child's day, but often, it's not enough.

Extensive research shows that exercise positively affects ADHD symptoms and concerns that co-occur with ADHD frequently, like sleep disorders. In fact, a meta-analysis on the impact of physical activity in kids with ADHD found that physical exercise can help with motor skills, attention, and executive functioning.

Adding breaks for movement during homework and other sedentary tasks and having active outlets or hobbies to turn to - whether that's dance, gymnastics, or casual activities such as taking walks with family members - can help with some of the challenges people with ADHD struggle with.

Note: Joon is a to-do app and game designed specifically for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and their parents. Known to promote self-esteem, independence, and motivation, Joon is a tool that can help kids independent of or alongside medications used to treat ADHD. 

How does it work? Parents sign up first and create a custom to-do list for their child with the Joon Parent App. When kids finish their tasks, they get rewards that allow them to take care of a virtual pet in the Joon Pet Game app. 

90% of kids who use Joon complete all of the tasks parents assign. With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, Joon is backed by child psychologists, occupational therapists, and teachers. 

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Try behavioral therapy

Behavior therapy is a recommended, evidence-based ADHD treatment method. Behavior therapy (sometimes referred to as behavioral therapy) is known to lead to symptom reduction for those with ADHD. While treatment protocols for ADHD generally recommend combined medication and behavior therapy, some use therapy independently.

Various modalities and therapies can help treat ADHD, and the type of therapy your child does best with may depend on factors like age group. Young kids with ADHD benefit from parent training (where a parent works with a therapist and uses the strategies they teach at home) or play therapy. Older children and teens with ADHD may benefit from interventions like cognitive behavior therapy and dialectical behavior therapy.

Look for a therapist who specializes in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and works with your child's age group. Mental health professionals working with children who have attention disorders will tailor treatment to their unique goals, such as improved self-esteem, problem-solving skills, or self-control and behavior.

A professional may address co-occurring mental health disorders in some instances if applicable.

Neurofeedback therapy

Neurofeedback therapy shows promising results for people with ADHD symptoms. Clinical EEG and brain mapping studies show us differences in the brains of those with ADHD vs. those without ADHD. The goal of neurofeedback training is to reinforce positive brain activity, allowing one to optimize brain function.

Usually, neurofeedback therapy requires four steps:

1. Setting goals
2. Measuring brain activity
3. Training the brain with positive feedback
4. Repeat training

Neurofeedback is also known as EEG biofeedback. Alongside ADHD, neurofeedback can be helpful for various mental health disorders and autism spectrum disorders.

School accommodations and resources

School accommodations can help your child learn and do well in class. Many families of children with ADHD pursue a 504 plan to get accommodations at school. Other resources, like tutoring, can be worthwhile for kids who struggle with specific subjects.

Regardless of whether you have accommodations in place yet or not, connect with your child's teacher and discuss anything that is relevant, such as classroom behavior or academic progress.

Implement routines and structure

While starting routines can be challenging for people with ADHD, it is also true that routines are notoriously helpful. In fact, routines and structure are crucial parts of managing ADHD. When something is a part of a child's routine on a continued basis, it can help them learn to engage in beneficial habits more easily.

Use rewards and consequences

When it comes to helping kids complete household chores, self-care tasks, homework, and similar acts, rewards and consequences are often favorable for a child with ADHD. Reliance on natural and logical consequences can be flawed. Clear, fast, external rewards are ideal. Consider using apps like Joon, chore charts, or another reward system to help your child get things done.

Introduce music

With ADHD, children often require more stimulation. You might introduce music to help calm your child, support focus in kids with ADHD, or for another reason. Research indicates that music does indeed have a range of advantageous effects. For example, studies show that music can help kids with ADHD improve reading comprehension.

Similarly, soothing background sounds like white noise can be helpful for children with ADHD. White noise, brown noise, and pink noise may all help kids with ADHD sleep and concentrate.

Prioritize good sleep

Adequate sleep is crucial for everyone. Unfortunately, sleep disorders and other problems with sleep are more prevalent in people with ADHD. Many children with ADHD experience lower sleep quality as well as sleep time. That said, getting enough sleep can improve mood and cognitive function, so it is important.

To help your child get the rest they need, try these tips:

• Removing electronics and blue light from your child's bedroom
• Put electronics away 60-90 minutes before bed
• Make sure that your child's room is comfortably cool and dark
• Wake your child up and put them to bed at around the same time daily

Some children with ADHD will continue to struggle with getting enough rest despite generally helpful routines and recommendations. Talk with your child's doctor about how to improve sleep if sleep-related challenges persist.

Try omega-3 fatty acids

Healthy fats are necessary for brain function. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can have a positive effect on ADHD symptoms. In fact, studies indicate that omega-3s can improve hyperactivity, attention, impulsivity, word reading, visual learning, working memory, and short-term memory.

Other supplements

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is a well-researched option for ADHD patients. Some research suggests that other supplements, such as magnesium supplements, vitamin D, and zinc, may benefit children with ADHD.

Note that nutrient deficiencies can affect brain functioning and worsen symptoms of ADHD, alongside physical and mental health effects. If your child has any nutrient deficiencies, address them with physician-recommended instructions.

Doctors can test for deficiencies with a blood test.

Talking To Their Doctor About the Best Treatment

Let's say that your current approach to ADHD treatment isn't working. What can you do now? First and foremost, don't give up. Children diagnosed with ADHD are all very different, and thankfully, options for care continue to grow as time goes on.

There are extensive alternative treatment protocols for those who don't respond well to medication. In addition to the options listed in this article, other methods, such as chiropractic medicine, occupational therapy, and equine therapy, can help kids with ADHD.

Your child's primary care provider (PCP) may have knowledge of professionals and specific opportunities for ADHD patients in your area. If you'd like to pursue a specific form of treatment, a PCP will usually be able to give your family a referral.

Medical providers can also answer questions you might have about natural remedies for ADHD, like supplements and chiropractic medicine.

For those considering ADHD medications:

If medication is an option, but you have concerns such as potential side effects, talk with your child's doctor to get the facts and weigh the pros and cons together. More than half (70-80%) of those with ADHD have success with central nervous system stimulants, and there are non-stimulant medication options out there for ADHD, too. Prescribers start with a small dose and monitor kids closely when they take ADHD medications, which offers peace of mind for many families.

Takeaway

The clinical practice guideline for ADHD patients generally includes combined medication and behavioral therapy, but these are not the only options for kids with ADHD and their family members. Extensive research has been dedicated to treating ADHD. Natural ADHD remedies like supplements, physical activity, behavior therapy, neurofeedback therapy, and other strategies can help manage or reduce ADHD symptoms. Families might try a range of strategies to treat ADHD before they find the right approach for their children. Talk with your child's doctor before you change their treatment plan.