Conquering ADHD: Setting a Boy Free

My son had been behaving obnoxiously for years. At two I noticed a refusal to do things that were asked, loud screaming and fits, which appeared to be the terrible twos that everyone told me to expect. At three there were more terrible tantrums and I wondered when the terrible twos turned to terrible threes. At four the fits continued even more. At five he made it through kindergarten without anyone at school coming in contact with a fit. He excelled at math and could add double digits in his head. However, as he progressed from kindergarten to first grade and on through school the fits were seen by all. The outbursts of rage could not be hidden and many conferences were called. I did not want him labeled with an illness and I did not want to medicate him. So, I struggled silently not even having a name to go with the video of every day life. I am not saying that there are not plenty of times of fun and laugher because there are. I am not saying that our life has been or is bleak and miserable. I am saying that my child's behavior has been marked by rage and tantrums. I noticed very early in age that he was overly active but I didn't mind that so much. I have just kept him busy riding his bike, playing outside, and playing with imaginative toys. One benefit to his make up is that he is fascinated with the knowledge of how things work and how things fit together so he loves knowledge and as long as the teachers poured extra work on his agenda he has kept himself fascinated. I am thankful for the patient and catering teachers that have taught him each year.

His father and I have prayed, changed his diet, disciplined him, cried, and yes at times given up and had to start all over seemingly from scratch. He was gorgeous as a baby and small boy and he is even more so now that he is reaching his pre-teen years. I am often thankful for how attractive looking he is. It has helped others adults, and even me, to be more forgiving. Seeing those beautiful eyes and that messy long hair, and that sweet little boy face has helped. This was the first year that I got seriously concerned. Puberty hit and the little boy face changed, he grew very tall and he got loud and strong.

In light of the physical size of his body and the dangerous fits of anger I decided to get a name for the challenges and behavior issues. The name given was ADHD and ODD was mentioned as well. Once I got the name of what was effecting him, I began to search for knowledge and continued to pray that I would have the wisdom to apply the knowledge I was digging up. I found that there is strong link between food allergies and ADHD. He had many food allergies as a young child so that is the route that I have decided to focus on: foods. We are eliminating sodas, sugars, high fructose corn syrup and red, yellow and green food coloring. We are adding vitamins that I found on line through the Meier Clinic as well as grape seed extract and flax seed oil. We are adding fish and fish oils and lots of green vegetables. We are eliminating milk, preservatives and excess white flour. How did we get him to cooperate? The truth is he has had enough of his own behavior. He really wants out of the patterns that have held him back socially, emotionally, spiritually and in so many other countless ways. He is working to cooperate. His behavior has often been obedient and compliant and then disruptive and disrespectful. But, I am not going to give up this time. I am going to see this through. Changing his food intake will make a difference but it may take time. If you are in the same situation hang on and love your child through. Get all the support that you can and do not give up hope.