Despite your child’s best efforts, their grades are mediocre to poor…or worse. Even though summer vacation provides some relief from the
day-to-day stress of helping your child stay on task with assignments, papers, and tests, the cycle of year after year may produce some anxiety for parents who realize that next year will be the same as last year unless something drastically changes.
If this scenario describes your life, you’re not alone. ADD/ADHD is the most common learning and behavior problem in children and it often can have a
debilitating impact on a person’s ability to do well in school. Even though ADD remains one of the most misunderstood and incorrectly treated illnesses of our day, there are many proven methods that can assist your struggling student.
Since success begins with careful planning, here are three practical strategies for optimizing the brain of your ADD child:
1. Get the Blood Flowing
Instead of letting your kids waste away watching TV or playing video games, take them outside and find safe exercises you can do together (no brain injuring sports, please, like football, hockey, or soccer). Try hiking or long walks, but remember to
walk fast. Exercise accelerates blood flow to all parts of the body, including the brain, which is particularly beneficial to those with ADD. Physical activity also increases the availability of serotonin in the brain, which has a tendency to calm hyperactivity. It’s recommended that children and teens with ADD get
30 to 45 minutes of exercise daily. The key is to establish consistent exercise habits in the summer that can carry over into the school year.
2. Make a Menu Change
A nutritional intervention can be especially helpful for those with ADD. Though not true of all types of ADD, most people with ADD do best with a higher protein, lower simple carbohydrate diet. This diet has a stabilizing effect on blood sugar levels and also boosts both energy and concentration. The best time to make changes to your family’s diet is during the summer. By testing a variety of menu options, you can discover which recipes appeal to the whole family and use those to create a list of go-to meals for the busy school year. If you need suggestions for brain-healthy recipes,
The Brain Warrior’s Way Cookbook can be an invaluable resource.
3. Take a Look
Identification of the disorder is just the first step. With more than 135,000 brain scans in our database, we have identified 7 types of ADD—and each requires a different treatment plan because of the diverse brain systems involved. What works for one person with ADD may not work for another—or could make the symptoms even worse! The only way to know for sure is to take a look. Our Full Evaluation of your biological/psychological/social/spiritual history, coupled with two brain SPECT scans, cognitive testing, and clinical assessment is designed to address your unique needs and offer targeted treatment options.
ADD, like many other conditions, is not just a
single and simple disorder; therefore, treatment is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Effective treatment gives patients the most personalized plan, allowing them to reach their true potential.
When properly diagnosed, kids and teenagers with ADD can live a happy life. Call us today at
888-288-9834 or visit us online to
schedule a visit. 
