Home
>
Parenting
>
Old Wives Tales and Other Things That Just Might Help with ADHD

Old Wives Tales and Other Things That Just Might Help with ADHD

Here are some tips that I have picked up from parents that I have met over my 15 years working with ADHD kids and their families. These are not clinically tested. They are researched. These aren't remedies that I'd say are reliable or valid treatment approaches to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, but I wanted to pass them on to you as they do seem to help some kids, and I wouldn't want to be the judge as to whether they might help your child or not. So you might want to try these from time to time and see what happens.

Some of your kids are very sensitive to certain foods, whether they be sugars, sugars paired with carbohydrates, certain food colorings, sodas, or even certain fruits. I have personally seen some children have nearly psychotic reactions to red grapes, for example. And many of my patient's parents report that their child has significant reactions to different foods or drinks. So, here are some things that some of these parents have reported working for them when their child goes "off" on foods:

1) Peanut Butter. Yes, several parents have told me that when their child gets really wound up after eating something that they shouldn't have, a spoon full of peanut butter will level their child out in about 10 minutes. Why? I have no idea. Perhaps the fat or the protein, but I really don't know.

2) Alka-Seltzer, especially Alka-Seltzer Gold. In the same situation as above, other parents report giving their child Alka-Seltzer. In fact, with the kid who went "crazy" after eating red grapes (and did so several times before red grapes were found to be the problem) the Alka-Seltzer did work every time to stop the problem within about 10-15 minutes. I have several parents who carry Alka-Seltzer around in their purses just in case their kids might need it when they go out together.

NOTE: Alka-Seltzer contains aspirin. NEVER give a child aspirin if he/she has a fever, as it may cause bad things to happen. This would probably be OK for teens and certainly for adults. Consult your doctor.

Why would this work? Well, I think it probably has something to do with blood sugar levels, blood pH levels, and the pancreas. Sugars, I am told, make the pH levels more acidic, which sends a message to the pancreas to make more insulin, which then quickly raises and then soon plummets. Through the roller coaster of insulin levels, the child may experience hyperactivity and then significant temper problems. Now, this is way beyond my level of expertise, since I am not an expert in blood sugar, etc. But I will say that we have had good success with a simple intervention.

When I am presented with a child who is ADHD and has a terrible temper in the morning when he first wakes up I recommend two things. First, no sugars after 7 PM, and second, as soon as he wakes up, drink a small cup of orange juice. This, so far, has helped the situation every time with every kid who has had this problem.

Now, I would never want you to believe that blood sugar problems cause ADD. It does not. However, a small percentage of ADD kids are very sensitive to problems like food and environmental allergies, blood sugar problems, and the like. Just because ALL ADD kids don't have these problems doesn't mean that NO ADD kids have these problems. Some do, and the above suggestions, strange as they are, might help some of you reading this newsletter. Let me know if they do help you. Oh, yes, as always consult your physician before doing something like this. This is not "medical advice" but merely old wives' tales. . .

To learn more about ADHD in children please visit us at the ADHD Information Library.

Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.

recurring maid service Wilmette ..

In The News:

OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.

Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.

New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.

DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.

Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.

Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.

Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.

A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.

South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.

Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALL·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.

Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.

Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.

Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.

Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.

New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.

Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.

The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.

Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.

Old Wives Tales and Other Things That Just Might Help with ADHD

Parenting