Ritalin has been shown through the years to be very effective in the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms. Although it has potential side-effects which many families would like to avoid, we have seen it help a lot of people. More recently, other interventions such as EEG biofeedback training have shown themselves to be very useful in treatment as well. A great deal of energy and money has also been invested into the development of non-prescription treatments for ADD ADHD.
Consumers must be aware that there are several alleged remedies for Attention Deficit Disorder which have never even attempted to clinically verify claims or quantify results. There are also many remedies which may be helpful to a small percentage of children or adults with Attention Deficit Disorder, but perhaps only 10% to 30% of those who try it.
For example, we have seen some children make remarkable changes by avoiding sodas, or certain foods, or certain chemicals. However, these cases are the exception, not the rule. It works for some, but not for most. The diet that we recommend is helpful in about 25% of the cases of those who try it. Again, the exception, not the rule, but good enough to give it a try. Compare this with the significant improvements from ATTEND at 70%, or EEG Biofeedback at 70% to 75%, or Stimulant Medication at 70% to 75%, and you will see the difference.
There are many products on the market today, many which are marketed with slick tapes or other emotional hype, making claims that are just not realistic. Remember, just because a product works for one child, or even some children, doesn't mean that it will work for all children, or even most children. The point is that nothing works for everyone. Attention Deficit Disorder is too broad of a spectrum of problems, behavior, and potential causes, to have any one treatment work for everyone. Any treatment that can top Ritalin's supposed 75% "response with improvement" rate can and will be "king of the hill" in treatment.
I predict that the new ATTEND product may come close to this rate, but it will take the continued use of the product for two to four months to get there. Ritalin's great advantage is that it works (or doesn't) within 20 minutes if the optimum dose is used.
The nutraceutical ATTEND is equal to, or better than, the use of pemoline (Cylert) in terms of performance of product and the length of time it takes before it really works well. In terms of being healthy, ATTEND is much healthier for a person than is pemoline. We recommend that you do not use Cylert as a treatment for ADHD. Physicians or parents interested in trying pemoline in the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder should consider a clinical trial of ATTEND first.
Also, for those who are presently taking Ritalin or other stimulants, but wish that they really didn't have to, it might be appropriate to try the ATTEND in addition to the other medication for three or four months. Ask you doctor about it. Then evaluate how the child does without medications, or with a smaller dose of the medication (always consult your physician). We have seen many ATTEND consumers cut their doses of Ritalin by half or more and still maintain high levels of performance. We believe that the greatest impact from the ATTEND is after two to four months of use, but benefit will be apparent within one to two months. You can learn more about ATTEND, and how it compares to Ritalin, or to EEG Biofeedback training, at the ADHD Information Library.
Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
Nature, An ADHD Natural Treatment
My mother's warning; "You are going to rot your brain out..
How To Diagnose ADHD In Children - ADHD Symptom Checklist For Child
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The What and Hows of ADD/ADHD in Children
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If your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder then at some point you will be asking the question, "Will my child ever outgrow it?"
Well, there is good news, and not so good news, when it comes to the answer. Studies indicate that about half of those with ADHD will outgrow many of the symptoms of the disorder by the time he or she is in their 20's.
What About ADHD Teens and Driving?
This is one of the most common questions asked of me by parents of teenagers who have ADHD.
"Should I let my teen drive when he turns 16? He seems so immature.
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ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a label given to children and adults who suffer from inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity and boredom. ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders among children.
ADHD: Dialogue with a Non-Believer, Part Four
Dear Sir,
It was with some interest that I read the article What You Should Know About Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward W. after having it handed to me by a member of our church.
How Effective is the Nutraceutical ATTEND with ADHD?
I really like all natural remedy for Attention Deficit Disorder called ATTEND, and the other Nutraceutical products made by VAXA International in Tampa, FL.
In fact, I spent nearly two years studying the effectiveness of ATTEND on children and adults with ADHD.
Teacher Tips: Using Worksheets with ADHD Students
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children! We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children, so here are your teacher tips for the week, brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchool.com.
A Sociolinguistic Analysis of In-Office Dialogue Reveals Psychiatrists and Parents Have Significantly Different Perceptions on ADHD and Psychiatric Co
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With bouts of inattentiveness, impulsive behavior, and hyperactivity, millions of children in the United States are plagued by attention deficit disorder. The chronic disorder, which is also commonly referred to as ADD or ADHD, has the potential to continue on into adulthood, where issues of self-esteem, strained interaction with others, and poor performance in school or work often takes place.
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Attention Deficit Disorder, also known as ADD, is thought be to genetic, based on information collected in various studies. This means that children inherit it from their parents, and it can show up in a child even if neither parent has ever been diagnosed with it. Studies continue to find out new things about this affliction, and therefore the diagnosis of it as well as proper and preferred treatment of it continue to change and evolve as doctors being to understand it better. ADD is not limited to children, and many people who have this affliction lead a normal life without even being aware that they have it.