A Holistic Approach to ADD and ADHD in Children

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are common neurodevelopmental disorders in children. While conventional treatments often focus on medications, a holistic approach offers a comprehensive alternative that addresses underlying causes and supports overall well-being. This method incorporates functional medicine evaluations and diverse treatments to create a personalized care plan for each child. 

Functional Medicine Evaluations 

Allergy Testing: Allergies can significantly impact behavior and cognitive function. Identifying and addressing food sensitivities and environmental allergens through testing can reduce inflammation and improve symptoms. Techniques like NAET (Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques) and Qi5 can help desensitize the body to allergens, reducing adverse reactions and supporting neurological health. 

Toxin Testing: Children today are exposed to a multitude of environmental toxins, including heavy metals and chemicals, which can affect brain function. Toxin testing identifies these harmful substances, allowing for targeted detoxification strategies to be implemented. By reducing the body’s toxic burden, neurological function can improve, alleviating symptoms of ADD and ADHD. 

Organic Acid Testing: This test evaluates metabolic byproducts in urine, offering insights into biochemical imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, and mitochondrial function. It helps in identifying issues such as yeast overgrowth, bacterial imbalances, and neurotransmitter metabolism irregularities, which can contribute to ADHD symptoms. 

Digestive Analysis: Gut health plays a crucial role in brain function due to the gut-brain axis. Digestive analysis helps identify dysbiosis, leaky gut syndrome, and other gastrointestinal issues. By optimizing gut health through diet, probiotics, and other interventions, neurological function can be significantly improved. 

Treatments 

Functional Neurology: This approach focuses on enhancing the brain's function through specific exercises and activities that stimulate neuroplasticity. Functional neurologists design individualized programs that may include balance training, eye movement exercises, and sensory stimulation, all aimed at improving cognitive and behavioral outcomes. 

Chiropractic Care: Chiropractic adjustments can help optimize nervous system function by correcting spinal misalignments. This can enhance brain-body communication, reduce stress, and improve overall neurological function, which can be beneficial for children with ADD and ADHD. 

Allergy Elimination: Techniques such as Qi5 and ASERT (Advanced Sensitivity Elimination and Reprogramming Technique) aim to identify and eliminate allergies and sensitivities. These methods help the body to reprogram its response to allergens, reducing inflammation and improving brain function. 

Detoxification: Effective detoxification strategies, including dietary changes, supplementation, and lifestyle modifications, can help remove harmful toxins from the body. Supporting the body's natural detox pathways ensures a healthier environment for the brain to function optimally. 

A holistic approach to ADD and ADHD in children involves a multifaceted strategy that addresses underlying causes and promotes overall well-being. By utilizing functional medicine evaluations and integrating treatments such as functional neurology, chiropractic care, allergy elimination, and detoxification, we can create a personalized plan that supports the unique needs of each child. This comprehensive approach not only aims to reduce symptoms but also fosters long-term health and development.