<p>My son is a bright 10th grader. We just realized the extent of his distractibility. He gets very good grades, but spends enormous amounts of time to finish simple assignments. Because of the good grades, I doubt that the school district will pay for testing. We took him to a child psychiatrist who diagnosed ADHD- inattentive type, and prescribed meds after an interview- no testing. The medication- Adderal XR- helps a little, but he doesn't like the side effects or the way it makes him feel. He doesn't really want to try other meds, he wants to "do it on my own" though he has no idea how to accomplish that. He agreed to try neurofeedback as a way to learn a new way of thinking. Anybody care to share their experience with it?</p>
<p>No experience, but I am interested in learning more about it. S2 was diagnosed with ADD, and we’re looking for a non-drug treatment. I have just started reading a book that you may be interested in:</p>
<p>Overcoming ADHD: Helping Your Child Become Calm, Engaged, and Focused – Without a Pill, by Stanley Greenspan</p>
<p>I haven’t gotten very far into it, but I like it so far. Greenspan deals with the various features/symptoms/issues separately, and recommends exercises and treatments for each. He is not against medication entirely, but considers it a last resort. I like the approach, it’s quite thoughtful and analytical. It seems to be aimed at young children, but I saw that there is a chapter on adult ADHD, so I assume that some of the treatments might be useful for teenagers.</p>
<p>Biofeedback can work. But I asked a specialist about it and he says that reading will accomplish the same thing. My son also has good grades with ADHD-primarily inattentive diagnosed since 1st grade and now in college. I suspect reading a lot has helped. He treats in now through exercise. A good exercise program helps him manage and he gets worse if he stops running. There is some research out to support that. Also, some herbals that may be helpful: omega 3 and grape seed extract and/or pyncnogenol.</p>
<p>My high school son has not been doing well with medication for the last couple of years. He still feels it helps him at school with his attention, but doesn’t like the way the medication makes him feel. We are already on the second new medication this school year. I would love to find an alternative for him. Something he can control for himself. When he was younger we tried some alternative methods (food, sleep, schedule) before we decided on medication. </p>
<p>GT- I’m not sure what you mean by reading. Can you explain? Did he read informational books to help him decide how he needed to help himself?</p>
<p>S2 tried it in high school, and it didn’t work for him. What did work was his becoming motivated on his own to stay in the college that he was helping to pay for and loved. He overloaded his schedule with work, ECs related to his major, and classes, and has remained on Dean’s List throughout college. </p>
<p>Amazing how ADD/ADHD people can focus and organize themselves when they are highly motivated and don’t have much time. I’m ADD and am the same way. I do my best when I have a full schedule.</p>
<p>A few years back, I tried to find some empirical studies to see if it works (easy access to Medline etc. as I work in a university). I don’t remember the specifics but I do remember not paying to send my kid for it because it did not have the evidence to back up its supposed benefits (nor identify its potential downsides). </p>
<p>Getting lots of sleep makes a big difference. Most teens do not get the 9-10 hrs they need each night.</p>