When Vacation Bible School ends is when I tend to start thinking about the next school year. I’ve begun by researching ways I can help my 2nd grader, who was recently diagnosed with ADHD, have a chance at a successful school year. These 10 natural ways to help kids with ADHD that I’ve listed below are a good start.
10 Natural Ways to Help Kids with ADHD
My son, Brody, has been very busy this summer so far. He just completed a full month of swimming lessons in the mornings and summer school in the afternoons, followed by a week-long vacation bible school. Now he is off to Grandma’s for two weeks. We are so proud of him, and do you know, for the most part, he has stayed happy through it all. Brody rarely gets down and out, and we intend to keep it that way.
Brody was diagnosed with ADHD in the middle of this past school year. He wasn’t able to stay focused long enough to get his work done. We had a meeting with school officials and immediately put him on a 504 plan, which means he’ll have extra assistance in school every year that the program is available. He loves school, but he’s a little behind because he is unable to stay focused. We never want to put him on prescribed medications because of all the side-effects, so I’ve opted to treat his ADHD with these 10 natural ways.
Natural Ways to Help Kids with ADHD
Please note: I did my research on every category below, but most of the info comes directly from me because I live it every day.
Serve Up Omega-3’s Every Day
If your child doesn’t want to eat Omega-3 rich foods, such as salmon, sardines, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and nuts, then an excellent wholesome supplement is critical here. Nordic Naturals is my choice for my child’s Omega-3’s as well as my own.
Boost Vitamin B to help kids with ADHD
For boosting brain power, memory, focus, and attention, you’ll want to feed your child foods with high sources of Vit. B, such as eggs, poultry, bell peppers, and spinach. There are also great Vit B6 and Vit B12 supplements for children.
Magnesium
Magnesium is known for its calming effect and helps with sleep. It also helps with anxiety and irritability, which can exacerbate ADHD. According to Nutritionist, Sara V. of Rebalance Life, San Diego, CA, kids ages 4 to 8 start with 130 mg of magnesium in the morning. Give another dose at night if the child has trouble sleeping.
Consider Giving Up Gluten [or at least some]
It’s said over and over that gluten is a disruptor to our digestive tract. Gluten is a protein, but to some, it’s a tough protein to digest. Too much is too much for our littles to understand and can cause their system to get inflamed. While not all gluten-free foods on the market are healthy, you’ll want to look for foods that do not contain GMOs, especially foods with corn. I posted 10 SIGNS YOU ARE GLUTEN INTOLERANT in hopes it might help whoever reads it to know and perhaps understand more about this controversial subject.
Avoid Processed Foods
Try to choose whole, real foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables your kid’s lunches. Avoid high-fructose corn syrup and artificial colors like Yellow 5, Blue 1, and Red 40, as these are linked to increased hyperactivity in children.
Go to Bed Early, Get Up Early
We make sure our son is in bed AND ASLEEP by 8-8:15 pm. Sometimes that’s hard, especially when he has sports-related or cub scout activities, but for the most part, this is what we do. We also get him up early enough in the mornings to eat a healthy breakfast, and then he can watch TV if there’s time. We try to avoid rushes him.
Bedtime Massage
One night I was scratching my son’s back as I always do, then I thought I’d massage his back. Well, that was the beginning of something he loves. I also read where bedtime massages are very calming for children. You don’t have to use massage oils; I don’t, I just massage his muscles until he either falls asleep or you get tired.
Maintain Consistency
I’ll admit, being consistent is hard for us. If we all can maintain consistency in the rules we make, this will make our mornings, days; evenings run a lot smoother. Kids with ADHD do thrive on structure, consistency, and routines. Don’t give them the run of the house, set boundaries, and provide options.
Work with Teachers
Do understand that your child’s teacher may have other students with learning disabilities, let alone other kids they must teach. Our child is not the only one that needs his or her attention. Be sure to work with their teachers and let them know you intend to be their “partner” in this. If possible, help out in the classroom as much as you can.
And lastly, Electronic Timeout
I think, as parents, we know when our kids have had too much electronic time. They start to get edgy and well, downright mean. When my son puts down his IPad and goes outside to play, he is a much sweeter kid and is willing to obey the rules more.
This is the only kind of face I want to see!!
I hope these 10 natural ways to help kids with ADHD have helped you in some way.
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I wish more people would be open to treating things like ADHD and ADD , anxiety and more naturally. The medication they put you on is horrible and ends up doing so much damage in the long run. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk about something that is so important and very dear to my heart.
This could really help a lot of parents and their children deal with ADHD. It’s not simple but there’s definitely different solutions that work and it doesn’t have to mean taking meds. I think these are great!
These are some great tips! I don’t blame you for wanting to use natural ways to help. A really useful read for anyone wanting to help their child.
This is such a helpful post. I need to share it with my mom who is a teacher. She will totally be able to use this on her class’s. Thanks for sharing and giving these tips.
What an awesome post and this is so interesting I have a friend that has a son with ADHD and this post will help to her
That is so interesting that their diet has such an overall effect on the ADHD. My son is an aspie, so he hates being touched, so I am definitely going to try those diet changes on him to see if it helps him as well.
I loved seeing these tips. I am a retired school principal and I would be handing this out to all my parents!
All these tips are great for all kids I believe. I like that it can also help with ADHD and that I didn’t know. I applaud you for not going the medicine route and trying things like this instead!
These are great tips. Fidget spinners are supposed to be good too…or so i hear.
I love these natural approaches to ADHD. As someone in the field of holistic health, I love when parents get to try natural approaches with their children before relying completely on medication. There is lots of great information here. I’m going to keep this as a reference.
I have known quite a few moms that avoid gluten with their children that are affected with ADHD. They say it’s hard but definitely worth it in the long run.
Avoiding processed food is definitely a way to help treat ADHD naturally. My son has epilepsy and it is also something we have done to help with his seizures.
These are great tips. FYI about B12 vitamins. The best way to get that vitamin in your system is by taking the version which devolves under your tongue. If you have any kind of intestinal problem, that Vitamin doesn’t absorb naturally. Something I’ve been going through for several years now to keep my B12 up.
Hi Tammy – this is exactly what the customer service person told me at Wholefoods. This is the way I take my Vit. B.
Your blog is adorable! I used to work in a daycare and yes, consistancy is key with children that have ADHD. even the smallest change can disrupt them. Fantastic read!
It’s definitely about consistency with whatever routine works best! My brother was diagnosed with ADHD when he was younger and was given medication, but what really helped was the consistency in his routine. He stopped taking the medication years ago and has been fine ever since.
This is good to hear – that consistency is the key! Thank you for your comment.
Both my brothers have ADHD and really befinted from a routine. Both are grown now and doing great.
I think it’s great that you’ve chosen to go down the natural route, rather than using prescribed medication for Brody’s condition. Wishing you and him lots of luck for the new school year x
Thank you so much.
Hi Kim,
This was great information . I remember when I did my school nursing rotation in college, there was an hour in the morning when the nurse lined up what seemed like 50 bottles of Ritalin and this line of elementary kids came to the office for the daily dose. I was horrified! This is so much better than jumping right to medicating children. Thank you.
Oh no, so sad and scary. I think teachers would rather kids just take their meds and be quiet. YIKES.
I always thought my son when he was younger had ADHD. He didn’t. It is hard and you have to be so patient to deal with children who has this. Great idea’s you have to make it easier on both the child and caregiver.
OMG electronic time out is so huge for kids in general! I totally agree this helps them especially with their moods!!
You listed some great tips. I love trying out anything natural! I have 2 nieces that have ADHD. I’m sending this link over to my sister and brother, thanks!!
Thank you.