Alternative Treatments for ADHD
While Ritalin has certainly proven to be effective for the treatment of ADHD, its many short-term and possible long-term side effects, including addiction, can lead to concerns about the use of methylphenidate. There are other procedures and educational tools that can be used as alternatives that are worth exploring.
Behavior Modification Therapy
Rather than simply beginning with Ritalin to treat hyperactivity and a lack of social skills, behavior modification therapy can also bring about improvements in children’s behavior. Behavior modification involves teaching children methods for dealing with hyperactivity and sensitivity towards others.
In the case of moderate restlessness a treating physician or psychologist may suggest that a child uses an object such as a rubber ball to hold onto and squeeze throughout the day. The action helps release a need for activity while still maintaining a level of concentration and self-control during class time. It also reminds the child that a sense of focus is needed to remain on-task.
Behavior modification also teaches children about treating others with sensitivity and empathy, two qualities that appear to be lacking in the ADHD child. Specifically the therapist offers positive and negative reinforcement to various behaviors displayed by the child during counseling sessions. Sometimes the therapist will visit the child’s classroom before sessions begin, without the child’s knowledge that he or she is being observed. In this manner, the therapist can accumulate information on the difficult behaviors exhibited by the child and specifically work to modify them.
Results vary with behavior modification and depend upon both the effectiveness of the clinical process and the ability of the child to absorb and put the modification into action.
More information about behavior management and behavior treatment plans is available at ADHD and Parenting.
Alternative Schooling for Children
Some regions actually offer special behavioral schools for children with various social and academic challenges that encourage a child to attend school without the use of medication. During the school day, the itinerary may be divided into brief sessions that the ADHD child may find easier to focus within. Teachers counsel children one on one about their behaviors and their emotional reactions to various stimuli. Children have the option of choosing their own subject matter throughout the day at different times. However, they have to visit different academic centers before the day is over and cannot remain only at one (unlikely with the ADHD child!). Over time it is likely the child’s academic schedule will become more regulated, either through teacher counseling or the child’s own inclinations. There is no grading process. Rather, teachers assist children and parents in setting the child’s academic goals and learning techniques to reach them.
It comes as a surprise to many that often children do not regress in their academic progress using this alternative schooling. Clearly not all children will learn at the same pace, but this is also true of many children without ADHD in the mainstream public school system.
Home Schooling the ADHD Child
Sometimes home schooling is an effective alternative for the ADHD child. The child is in a familiar, caring environment. The child has time for play and breaks in between academic sessions. These can be impromptu, rather than determined by a structured school itinerary. Furthermore, a parent who chooses to do the tutoring knows their child’s own limitations and strengths and can be a very effective educator. There are a plethora of materials available through school boards and online to assist parents with home schooling their children. Many resources through school boards are free and curriculum guidelines in order to maintain state achievement levels are included as part of the program.
Multi-Sensory Handwriting
A technique known as Multi-Sensory Handwriting is used to retrain the ADHD brain without the use of drugs. The philosophy behind this unique approach is that until a child is able to gain control over the emotional lobe of the brain, rational programming is difficult and therefore controlling symptoms of ADHD is challenging. This technique uses calming influences as an alternative to discipline and the use of drugs.
During lessons, therapeutic soothing music is a means of empowering the child to exert self-control and focus on academics. Handwriting is key in assisting the child gain behavioral control. The “higher brain” in a human requires movement and increased learning to developing memory, emotion and learning. This theory states that a rhythmic, constant motion involved in handwriting provides the stimulation needed to enhance self-control and learning. The use of music provides another motivational tool and assists the child in remaining focused.
Non-Stimulant Medications (Strattera)
Several other medications have been used to treat symptoms of ADD (non-hyperactive ADHD) with varying levels of success. Such medicines include atypical antidepressants, certain blood pressure medicines, and Strattera. Strattera is the only non-stimulant approved for ADHD treatment. It works on the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which is believed to offer important input into the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS is responsible for the development and control of emotions, restlessness, control of attention, and blood pressure, among other functions. Strattera lasts over 24 hours making it a good option for some children. It is often used with children who are also suffering from depression or anxiety. The area where Strattera appears weakest is treating hyperactivity.
Side Effects of Non-Stimulants (Strattera)
As with all medications Strattera may also cause side effects in children and teens. These include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Increased irritability
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
In order to deal with these effects, it is possible to adjust the time of day a child is administered the medicine and also to take it only with food.
There are more serious risks associated with taking Strattera. Like Ritalin, Strattera has been known to cause suicidal thoughts in children (although this has been reported only rarely). If a child appears subdued, withdrawn or has feelings or hopelessness this is a sign to visit the doctor. Liver damage has occurred in a very small percentage of children although it self-corrected when the children were taken off Strattera.
It can take up to a full month to see an improvement in ADHD children. Unlike Ritalin, Strattera doesn’t exacerbate anxiety symptoms or disorders in children. Strattera doesn’t interrupt sleep or cause sleep disorders. Since it is not a stimulant and therefore not a controlled substance, patients can phone-in further orders between doctor visits.
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