Symptoms

• A physician makes a diagnosis of ADD after reviewing reports from teachers and parents and after receiving the results of psychological testing. A child with ADD may find it difficult to stay on task for longer than a few minutes and may be easily distracted. Children with ADD are often messy and unorganized and have trouble following explicit instructions. Behavioral problems include incessant chattering, interrupting, impatience, irritability and fidgeting. Children with ADD are often running and/or climbing.
  
  

Food

• Suggested diets for children with ADD include the elimination of foods generally thought to trigger hyperactivity. Included in this food list are stimulants such as caffeine, sugar and food color additives. Nutritionists may also recommend eliminating common allergy-triggering foods from the child's diet that include dairy, wheat and highly processed junk foods.
  
  

Alternative Medicine

• The use of herbs and vitamin supplements may be beneficial for some children with mild ADD. Scientific studies are lacking, but HealingWithNutrition.com suggests supplementing the child's diet with additional B vitamins, amino acids and glyconutrients. Ginseng, hypericum, ginkgo and other herbal remedies may calm anxiety in ADD children. Before starting your child on an herbal or alternative medicine regime, consult his pediatrician. (See Resources.)
  
  

Parenting Skills

• MayoClinic.com suggests that parents spend extra time with ADD children and make it a special point to show affection. Because children with attention deficiencies are often the target of peer teasing and disciplinary actions, they may benefit from extra affection and parental reassurance that they are loved and lovable. In addition, parents should implement stringent schedules for children with ADD to help them move from one activity to the next.
  
  

School

• While some schools have a strict policy of requiring parents to medicate a child once she is diagnosed with ADD, some counselors, administrators and teachers will work with a natural treatment plan if the parents request one and all parties are in agreement. In this case, the child may be classified as a "special needs" student under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). An Individual Education Plan (IEP) may outline the use of natural methods, utilizing a combination of rewards and disciplines, food monitoring and constant parent/teacher interaction.
  
  

Counseling

• Therapy may help older children express their feelings and learn to identify destructive emotional behaviors. Support groups consisting of children with ADD, their siblings and their parents may help the entire family learn how to encourage acceptable behavior.
  
  

Expert Insight

• According to MayoClinic.com, learning yoga may temper ADD symptoms in some children, and the use of biofeedback may be effective if the child undergoes regular sessions. Biofeedback involves the use of a device that monitors the child's vital signs. With regular use; the child may learn to control his thoughts and emotions.