noted / A S K
THE EXPERTS
SOUND ADVICE Your parenting questions and dilemmas, solved
ADHD ALTERNATIVES
THE EXPERT: Alina Olteanu, M.D., Ph.D. Integrative Pediatrician at Whole Child Texas in Frisco DFWChild Mom-Approved Doctor
MAKING A A NEW EXHIBIT AT THE DENTON COUNT Y COURTHOUSEON-THE-SQUARE MUSEUM
110 W. HICKORY ST. DENTON, TX
A LOOK INTO THE LEGENDARY MUSIC SCENE
d e n t o n c o u n t y.g ov/C H O S
12
august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD
Q: “What’s a parent to do when school recommends assessing your child for ADHD, and you’d like to explore treatments besides medication?”—Jessica, Fort Worth A: What is labeled as ADHD many times is a symptom of something else, like early childhood trauma, family stressors, poor sleep, anxiety, screen addiction, visual processing disorder and even poor nutrition, anemia, thyroid problems, or enlarged tonsils, to name a few. A pediatrician can evaluate a child and rule out any medical issues that can mimic focus and attention problems. With a neuropsychological evaluation and a diagnosis, parents can partner with a pediatrician to develop a treatment plan. That may include therapy with a psychologist; special school accommodations; and daily exercise for at least 1–2 hours per day. Try to spend time outdoors with your child—disconnection from nature can affect mood and behavior. In addition, develop a sleep hygiene plan. Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep, keeps their bedroom cool, and has a consistent bedtime. No screentime for the 2 hours before bed. I advise against processed foods with added artificial dyes, preservatives or sweeteners. Kids should be getting at least
five servings of vegetables per day and plenty of healthy fats and protein. Improving a child’s nutrition with a multivitamin or mineral has been shown in many studies to improve attention, but don’t start supplements without consulting a pediatrician experienced in nutrition and supplements. Many supplements do not undergo the same rigorous evaluations as prescription medications, so it’s easy to buy supplements that are ineffective or expensive. You could also do more harm than good. Neurofeedback—which measures brainwaves and helps the brain function more optimally—has good data for ADHD treatment, but it is not covered by insurance and is time-consuming. One of my top recommendations for children with behavior problems is stress management for the entire family. When the family as a whole is in a better place, children benefit. My favorite strategy for stress management is daily meditation. That rewires the brain to be less reactive to stress and to support the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for focus and attention. Children who are chronically stressed can’t learn, can’t pay attention and can even present with physical symptoms ranging from headaches to abdominal pain. A complete ADHD treatment plan includes lifestyle and nutritional counseling as well as behavioral therapy, but it does not rule out prescription medications. Some children really benefit from additional help, at least in the short term. I have many patients who start with a more “natural” approach, and when they are not improving enough, go on medication. I would encourage parents to keep an open mind to all options. Have a parenting question you’d like our experts to answer? Message us on Instagram @dfwchildmag or email us at editorial@dfwchild.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALINA OLTEANU; ISTOCK
COMPILED BY ALEXIS PATTERSON
