As a parent with a child who has ADHD, the biggest immediate concern is typically symptom alleviation. You want your child to stop struggling with behavioral problems that interfere with schoolwork and their education, their ability to socialize and have fun, and that cause stress and strain in her home life. Managing symptoms is an important goal, and the standard medical care system typically tackles problem behaviors with what seems a likely solution—medication.
Drug therapy does seem to help many children struggling with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and difficulty maintaining focus. Unfortunately, the medications commonly used to support ADHD children may also have unwanted side effects and involve health risks. Sooner or later, the question arises as to whether the child will need to rely on medication long term. Parents wonder if their child will outgrow ADHD, or if they will continue to struggle with symptoms into their teens and beyond if they are not medicated.
Unfortunately, children do not tend to grow out of ADHD. According to a large population-based study conducted by Boston Children’s Hospital and the Mayo Clinic and published in Pediatricsmagazine (2013), one third of children with ADHD still had symptoms as adults, and of these, most also struggled with another psychiatric disorder.
Children do not outgrow ADHD, and when therapy stops, symptoms are very likely to return. This is one of the biggest drawbacks of drug therapy. Medications are necessary for lifelong management of a condition that can drastically impact and interfere with quality of life. Yet at the same time, the child struggles with unwanted side effects and is at risk for health problems with long-term use.
Fortunately, there is an alternative option to drug therapy for effective symptom management and relief for ADHD at any age. As a parent, you can seek the support of a functional neurologistwho is trained and experienced at helping children with ADHD through safe, natural therapeutic support. The goal is to help the child by identifying and addressing the root causes of her ADHD symptoms. By improving and even restoring function within the brain and body through customized care, your child can be helped without the risk of potential health problems or side effects due to reliance on medication.
Functional neurologytakes a comprehensive approach to ADHD. Care begins with in-depth testing and a comprehensive evaluation that reveals an overall, big picture of the child’s health. Once it’s clear what is behind the symptoms, or why they are occurring, a functional neurologist can develop a very specific, personalized program of therapeutic care and support. This may involve targeted nutritional support, specific supplements, lifestyle interventions, and most likely, brain-based therapies that are proven to be highly effective in addressing ADHD symptoms. The goal will be improvements that are brought about naturally and safely, and to achieve lasting gains and improvements that become long-term solutions.