I'm still reading up on this aspect of using other methods than medication. I've been told that dietary changes can help immensly. Taking dairy, food colourings, sugars, etc out of my childs diet will improve his self-control. Any feedback on this would be great!

I never heard Dairy, my son is a milkaholic. (what is milkahol? :rolleyes: )
I'll have to check into that.

I heard red dyes and carbs in general should be removed.

my son is also what you could call a milkaholic, but just lately he has started to drink lots of water as well, i have never given it a second thought that milk might be bad for him, i even encouraged it as he is such a bad eater, i thought at least he would be getting some goodness out of the milk, and it was a better option than pop.

From what I understand, some kids are helped by special diets, but diet isn't to blame in most cases of ADHD. I know one little ADHD boy who improved when dairy was removed from his diet, but he still required meds. If you suspect diet might be partly to blame, it wouldn't hurt to try removing some suspect items from your child's diet and see whether it helps.

Since ADDers seem to be more vulnerable to blood sugar swings than most people, it wouldn't hurt to reduce simple carbs like sugar, either. A good balanced diet is the best.

The whole dairy thing comes from allergies...some children diagnosed with ADD are later to actually not be ADD but allergic to everyday household items such as milk, pollen, etc. Some allergic reaction symptoms immitate those of ADD.

I would never consider taking milk out of your child's diet as it's essential for healthy bone growth until you consult with your pediatrician and have your child tested for all allergies. If milk does need to be taken out of your child's diet make sure and contact your local dietician to make sure your child is getting the proper amount of calcium for proper growth thru other means...i.e. vegtables and vitimins.

Now, as for my children after a few discussion's with their pediatrician, therapist and a dietician were put on a strict diet of low preservatives, food coloring, sugar and almost NO chocolate or caffeine (chocolate and caffeine are in the stimulant family...the last thing you need to do is stimulate an overly stimulated child). There are other options for you though white chocolate is a much cherished prize in our house but hard at times for us to find luckily our local walmart will order in bulk for me as long as I give them my credit card.

Good luck and remember never mess with a child's diet without first consulting with their pediatrician and a dietician first it can everlasting effects.

my grandson is also a milkaholic. He is always asking for chocolate milk. I try to limit his milk and increase his water intake. He has filled out (put on a few pounds) which is a good due to the fact that he was so thin. I have another question- His doctor has prescribed to have him to be on his medication monday -friday & off on weekends and totally off during the summer months. Is this something that other parent know about?

Bailey,

We call those "Med Vacations" and there are probably as many people here at the forums that disagree with that practice, as there are folks who agree with it.

There are several other threads that discuss that topic, including:
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2171&highlight=med+vacation