Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

AN ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE RESOURCE GUIDE

Contents:

  Introduction
   Books and Articles
  Journals and Newsletters
  Professional Organizations
  Self-help, Research and Referral Organizations
   Treatment Centers and Lab Tests
  Government Resources
   Web Resources

INTRODUCTION

An estimated 3-5% of children are affected by attentional disorders, and about 67% of these (2-4% of all children) will carry symptoms into adulthood, according to the National Institutes of Health and CHADD. There is no rapid test for the disorder, which is diagnosed on the basis of a thorough evaluation including interviews with the individual, and key persons with whom he/she has contact, such as caregivers, family members, and/or teachers. A thorough physical exam is also necessary to rule out medical conditions with symptoms that mimic those of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). In 1994, the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual began listing three sub-types of ADD. For simplicity, the three variants of ADD--Inattentive type, Hyperactive/impulsive type and Combined type--are referred to as AD/HD.

Is AD/HD Overdiagnosed?

With any disorder that is diagnosed largely on behavior and performance without biological markers, there is an element of subjectivity and a risk of over-interpretation, self-diagnosis, and persuasion that a problem exists when the issue might really be a sub-clinical one. Some believe that the current environment in schools, whether overcrowded classrooms and the pressures they exert on teachers, standardized testing, or other stresses, places a narrow definition of and path to success on students, many of whom may not have a learning style that fits within these confines. Further, new ads for pharmaceuticals that reach wide audiences, and this applies also to complementary and alternative medicine practitioners and producers of supplements, may wittingly or unwittingly contibute to "disease marketing". Persons having trouble adjusting to the increasing necessity of multi-tasking in modern life may want to put a name on their challenges and find help.

For this reason, web sites such as the National Resource Center on AD/HD stress that the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual requires that six out of nine criteria for AD/HD must be met, that the person must experience significant impairment in at least two settings (work, school, home, social functions), and for at least six months. Educators are not qualified to make this diagnosis or recommend medication, though they can be helpful in pointing out problems in the school setting.

Among the groups of persons who seek CAM treatments for symptoms of AD/HD are those who don't believe the diagnosis to begin with - that allergies, food intolerances or other environmental factors may be the cause of their/their child's challenges, or that "learning difficulties" are not necessarily indicative of a clinical disorder - see All Kinds of Minds web site.

Why CAM (complementary/alternative medicine) for AD/HD

Lack of a cure and Accompanying Disorders
AD/HD is a chronic condition with a potentially severe impact on a person's functioning, for which conventional medicines may relieve symptoms, but offer no cure. Some find that improved nutrition with elimination of junk foods alone is beneficial, and seek CAM treatments such as special diets, supplements, neurofeedback, or homeopathic remedies. The Healing Center web site covers them all. These therapies do not replace behavioral, pharmaceutical, and educational treatments but enhance them by addressing any underlying biological issues that may contribute to impaired functioning. For others, the available medications are not effective, or stop working when hormones and brain chemistry shift with maturation. Still others seek alternatives, temporary or otherwise, because they experience strong and undesirable side effects from the standard prescribed medications. For example, 60% of children with Tourette's Syndrome have AD/HD, and the standard psychostimulant medications worsen their tics. See the discussion on the help4adhd web site.

Some health professionals refer to a _sensory integration spectrum_ with AD/HD at one end and Autism at the other extreme. Complementary therapies aimed at addressing sensory processing disorders that may aggravate AD/HD symptoms include:

			hippotherapy
			auditory integration therapy
			sensory integration therapy
			varying movement therapies - Brain Gym and Interactive Metronome
			behavioral optometry or vision therapy

Parents are often uncomfortable with the fact that Ritalin (methylphenidate), for years the main drug for this disorder, is classified as a controlled substance and has been black-marketed as a type of speed - see United Nations warning.

Additionally, Canadian officials recently pulled the major AD/HD drug Adderall XR from the market after 12 children on the drug died suddenly - see MedicineNet. Abbott Labs pulled Cylert from the market a few years ago - see Health Canada article; the company cited poor sales (a generic form is still available), but there was speculation that its withdrawal was due to pressure on the FDA from a consumer group claiming the drug caused liver failure. Though these drugs are still available in the US, many parents, alarmed and suspicious of their safety, may seek non-drug alternatives until the controversy is settled.

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NOTE:  The following resource listings are not intended to be comprehensive, nor to be used as a guide for treatment. They are provided for information only. The resources are selected and categorized to help you with your own research:

BOOKS AND ARTICLES

AUTHORITATIVE RESEARCH RESOURCES

	Charles Gant, MD, & Mark Briggs ADD & ADHD Complementary Medicine Solutions Essential Research Solutions, Inc. Reprint ed. 1999 A science-based, natural approach without dangerous addictive drugs.
	Carla Hannaford, PhD. Smart Moves: Why Learning is Not All in Your Head Great River Books, 2nd Rev. & Ex. Edition, 2005 A neurophysiologist and educator explains the neurological mechanisms behind movement, why we need to move, and how movement fulfills learning potential; for parents and professionals.
	Marcia Zimmerman The A.D.D. Nutrition Solution Owl Books, 1999 Nutritional biochemist discusses the link between diet and brain function and offers a drug-free 30 day plan with emphasis on need for "good" fats.

CASE STUDIES/OBSERVATIONAL DATA

	Edward M. Hallowell, MD & John Ratey, MD Delivered from Distraction Ballantine / Random House, 2005 The follow-up to best-seller "Driven to Distraction", psychiatrists who have ADD themselves outline strategies mainly for adults with AD/HD to function their best at home, work, raising kids, in relationships, etc. The tone is up-beat, emphasizing aspects of ADD that can be uniquely valuable. Contains a chapter on Nutrition and ADD, and a Q & A summary of major points designed for ADDer's who have trouble getting through an entire book.
	Robert Hill & Eduardo Castro Getting Rid of Ritalin Hampton Roads, 2002 Illustrates how neurofeedback can treat AD/HD without drugs
	Carol Kranowitz The Out-of-Sync Child Perigee Trade, 1998 The "bible" for understanding sensory integration dysfunction.
	Doris J. Rapp, MD Is This Your Child? Perrenial Currents, 1st Quill Edition, 1992 A pediatric allergist and environmental medicine specialist detailing how one can detect and treat food, chemical and allergen sensitivities. Although the P/N method described involving pinprick tests can now be bypassed with a blood sample sent to a lab, this text is still relevant for parents of the sickly, hyperactive, irritable, learning and/or behaviorally impaired child.
	Doris J. Rapp, MD, (Ed.) Allergies and the Hyperactive Child Simon & Schuster, 1980 An early source on identifying allergies and intolerances affecting behavior.
	Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman, ND, M.S.W., and Robert Ullman, ND Ritalin-Free Kids: Safe and Effective Homeopathic Medicine for ADHD and Other Behavioral and Learning Problems Three Rivers Press, 2nd Rev. Ed., 2000 Covers the pros and cons of conventional treatment of AD/HD, describes homeopathy and how it works for AD/HD and other behavior, mood, and learning disorders, and includes a section of FAQ's. With a preface by Edward Chapman, MD, D.Ht. of Harvard Medical School.
	Skye Weintraub, MD Natural Treatments for ADD & Hyperactivity Woodland Publishing, 1997 Causes of ADHD including nutritional, environmental and physiological factors. Treatments include diet, nutrition, biofeedback and homeopathy.

JOURNALS AND NEWSLETTERS

AUTHORITATIVE RESEARCH RESOURCES

Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
Springer Science, formerly Kluwer Academic Publishers

Journal of Attention Disorders
SAGE Publications

The following alternative and complementary medicine journals contain occasional relevant articles:

Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine
http://www.alternative-therapies.com
A bimonthly clinical research journal with particular emphasis on mind/body approaches to wellness.

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
http://www.liebertpub.com/publication.aspx?pub_id=26
This peer-reviewed journal includes clinical trials, observational and analytical reports on treatments outside the realm of allopathic medicine.

CASE STUDIES/OBSERVATIONAL DATA

Helping Kids With ADD: Alternative Approaches to Optimum Health
Alternative Health Care Research, Inc.

Latitudes
A publication of the Association for Comprehensive Neurotherapy (ACN)
Explores advanced and alternative treatments for ADHD, autism, Tourette's Syndrome and learning disabilities.

The following alternative and complementary medicine journal contains occasional relevant articles:

Alternative & Complementary Therapies
http://www.liebertpub.com/publication.aspx?pub_id=3
Provides the latest information on evaluating alternative therapies and integrating them into clinical practice.

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PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

American Academy of Environmental Medicine
http://www.aaem.com/
7701 East Kellogg, Suite 625
Wichita, Kansas 67207
Tel: (316) 684-5500
Fax: (316) 684-5709
Email: administrator@aaem.com
Clinicians from various specialties dedicated to the evaluation, management, and prevention of the adverse consequences resulting from environmentally triggered illnesses. Click on "Referable Physicians" to search for member practitioners in your area.

American Hippotherapy Association (AHA Inc.)
http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/
136 Bush Road
Demascus, PA. 18415
Toll free: (888) 851-4592
Email: info@americanhippotherapyassociation.org
An affiliate of NARHA (below), members of AHA are physical, occupational or speech therapists who are interested in the utilization of equine movement as a treatment strategy.

Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
http://www.aapb.org
10200 West 44th Avenue, Suite 304
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Toll-free: (800) 477-8892
Tel: (303) 422-8436
Email: aapb@resourcenter.com
Professionals trained in neurofeedback and biofeedback.

Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)
http://www.cspinet.org/
1875 Connecticut Ave. N.W.
Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20009
Tel: (202) 332-9110
Fax: (202) 265-4954
E-mail: cspi@cspinet.org
A consumer advocacy organization that conducts innovative research and advocacy programs in health and nutrition, food safety, and sound science and provides consumers with information about their health and well-being. Offers an award-winning newsletter, Nutrition Action Healthletter.

North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc. (NARHA)
http://www.narha.org/
PO Box 33150
Denver, Colorado 80233
Toll-Free: (800) 369-RIDE (7433)
Fax: (303) 252-4610
Fax on Demand: (303) 457-8496
Email: NARHA@NARHA.org
Find therapeutic horse ridings centers at this web site.

Optometrists Network
http://www.optometrists.org/
AD/HD pages: http://www.add-adhd.org/
ATTN: Rachel Cooper
93 Bedford Street, Suite 5D
New York, NY 10014
Tel. and Emails: see http://www.optometrists.org/contact_us.html
Site contains much information on vision therapy and other resources for AD/HD and an optometrist directory at: http://www.optometrists.org/eye_doctors.html

The following professional associations provide alternative and complementary medical approaches to a range of health issues:

American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
http://naturopathic.org
4435 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20016
Toll free: (866) 538-2267
Tel: (202) 237-8150
Fax: (202) 237-8152
Email: member.services@naturopathic.org
This organization represents the naturopathic physicians from recognized schools of naturopathy and provides referrals to licensed naturopathic physicians.

Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians (HANP)
http://www.hanp.net/
A specialty society within the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (above).

American Board of Holistic Medicine (ABHM)
http://holisticboard.org
1135 Makawao Avenue, #230
Makawao, HI 96768
Toll free: (800) 769-0638
Tel: (808) 572-4616
Fax: (202) 237-8152
Email: directorabhm@aol.com
Provides referrals to physicians board certified in holistic medicine.

American College for Advancement in Medicine
http://www.acam.org
24411 Ridge Route, Suite 115
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Fax: (949) 309-3538
Email: info@acam.org
Provides listings of physicians who practice integrative medicine.

American Holistic Medical Association
http://www.holisticmedicine.org
PO Box 2016
Edmonds, WA 98020
Tel: (425) 967-0737
Fax: (425) 771-9588
Email: info@holisticmedicine.org
This organization includes allopathic and osteopathic physicians who practice medicine that acknowledges the interrelationship of body, mind, and spirit. AHMA provides listings of physicians who practice integrative medicine.

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SELF-HELP, RESEARCH AND REFERRAL ORGANIZATIONS

Many parents of children with AD/HD, and adults with the disorder, find comfort and a more pro-active, positive attitude by meeting with other parents and peers for networking, information, and support.

Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)
http://www.add.org/
P.O. Box 543
Pottstown, PA 19464
Tel: (484) 945-2101
Fax: (610) 970-7520
Email: Submit message from "Contact us" page on the site.
Provides information, resources and networking to adults with AD/HD and to the professionals who work with them. Offers the quarterly publication, Focus, and an e-newsletter.

Association for Comprehensive Neurotherapy (ACN)
http://www.latitudes.org
P.O. Box 210848
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33421-0848
Tel: (561)798-0472
Fax: (561)798-9820
Email: acn@latitudes.org
Explores advanced and alternative treatments for autism, ADHD, Tourette's Syndrome and tics, and learning disabilities. Offers e-newsletter and publishes Latitudes magazine.

CHADD - Children & Adults with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder
http://www.chadd.org/

Developmental Delay Resources (DDR)
http://www.devdelay.org/
5801 Beacon St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Tel: (800) 497-0944
Fax: (412) 422-1374
Email: devdelay@mindspring.com
Disseminates information about causes and whole-child interventions for ADD, learning disabilities and developmental delays through the quarterly newsletter New Developments, workshops, conferences, library and website. Also offers an extensive listing of books and tapes available to order.

Feingold Association of the United States
http://www.feingold.org/
554 East Main Street Suite 301
Riverhead, NY 11901
Toll free: 800-321-3287 (U.S. only)
Tel: 631-369-9340
Fax: 631-369-2988
Email: Help@feingold.org
An organization of families and professionals, this non-profit is dedicated to helping children and adults apply proven dietary techniques for better behavior, learning and health.

KID Foundation and SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) Network
http://www.kidfoundation.org/
http://www.spdnetwork.org/
1901 West Littleton Blvd.
Littleton, CO 80120
Tel: 303-794-1182
Fax: 303-798-2526
Email: SPDNational@KIDFoundation.org
Provides information on sensory processing disorder. Site includes directories of health professionals and local support groups. Conducts research, when funding is available, through The STAR (Sensory Processing Treatment & Research) Center at Children's Hospital of Denver.

National Center for Gender Issues and AD/HD
http://www.ncgiadd.org/
3268 Arcadia Pl NW
Washington, DC 20015
Tel: 888-238-8588
Fax: 202-966-1561
Email: contact@ncgiadd.org
Founded by Patricia Quinn, MD and Kathleen Nadeau, PhD, to promote awareness, advocacy, and research on AD/HD in women and girls. Primarily conventional medical information, also offers resources on coping strategies for situations particular to women--workplace, home with kids, etc.

National Resource Center on AD/HD
http://www.help4adhd.org/
8181 Professional Place, Suite 150,
Landover, MD 20785
Toll Free: (800) 233-4050
Fax: (301) 306-7090
National organization with regional chapters; a source for local support. Publishes Attention! Magazine, available to members only.

Society for Auditory Intervention Techniques
http://www.autismwebsite.com/saitwebsite/index.html
P.O. Box 4538
Salem, OR 97302
Non-profit org which distributes information about auditory integration training (AIT) and other auditory-based interventions to professionals and parents.

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TREATMENT CENTERS AND LAB TESTS

This list focuses on clinics and centers that use non-standard tests and treatment protocols.

Great Plains Laboratory
http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/
11813 West 77th
Lenexa, KS 66214
Tel: (913) 341-8949
Fax: (913) 341-6207
Email: gpl4u@aol.com
Directed by Dr. William Shaw, offers organic acid testing , IgE and IgG allergy tests, and other varieties of metabolic tests. See information pages on ADD/ADHD at http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/adhd.html.

Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory
http://www.gsdl.com/home/
63 Zillicoa Street
Asheville, NC 28801
Tel: (800)522-4762
Fax: (828)252-9303
Email: on-line contact form from the site
Offers "Innovative laboratory testing and services for integrative medicine". Click on Assessments by Condition to see laboratory tests for underlying conditions of AD/HD.

HANDLE Institute
http://www.handle.org/
1300 Dexter Avenue North
110 The Casey Family Building
Seattle, WA 98109
Tel: (206) 204-6000
Fax: (206) 860-3505
Offers non-drug alternative for diagnosing and treating most neuro-developmental disorders; clinical services, community information, and professional training programs. With regard to AD/HD, "HANDLE has renamed the difficulties many people demonstrate as Attentional Priority Disorder (APD) ... APD is not hereditary or irreversible."

Meridian Valley Laboratory
http://www.meridianvalleylab.com/
801 SW 16th Suite 126
Renton, WA. 98055
Tel: 425-271-8689
Fax: 425-271-8674
Email: meridian@meridianvalleylab.com
Available lab tests include those for gluten sensitivity, food allergies, and hair mineral analyses (lead, mercury, etc.)

MetaMetrix Clinical Laboratory
http://www.metametrix.com/
4855 Peachtree Industrial Blvd
Suite 201
Norcross GA, 30092
Toll-free: 800-221-4640
Tel: 770-446-5483
Fax: 770-441-2237
Email: inquiries@metametrix.com
Available tests include organic acids, membrane fatty acids, food allergies, and hair mineral analysis.

Pfeiffer Treatment Center and Health Research Institute
http://www.hriptc.org/
4575 Weaver Parkway
Warrenville, IL 60555-4039
Tel: (630) 505-0300
Fax: (630) 836-0667
Email: info@HRIPTC.org
Focuses on research, education, and nutritional treatment of biochemical imbalances. The Health Research Institute has a compounding pharmacy.

STAR Center - Sensory Processing Treatment And Research
http://www.spdnetwork.org/research/star.html
(See KID Foundation/SPD Network in Self-help, & Referral organizations above).


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GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

WEB RESOURCES

Promotional and commercial sites are not included in this listing unless they provide significant impartial information resources.

ADDvance
http://www.addvance.com/
Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D. and Patricia Quinn, M.D. provide answers to questions about ADD (ADHD) for families and individuals at every stage of life from preschool through retirement years.

All Kinds Of Minds
http://www.allkindsofminds.org
Primarily an educational model, this sight was started by Dr. Mel Levine, pediatrician and professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, to demonstrate a new way of seeing and working with "quirky" (he avoids diagnostic labels) kids with learning differences.

Bérard Auditory Integration Training (AIT)
http://www.auditoryintegration.net/
Information on training method devised by otolaryngologist, Dr. Guy Bérard, to enhance auditory processing, learning, and behavior.

Brain Gym ^®
http://www.braingym.org/
A program of the Educational Kinesiology Foundation to enhance learning through the science of movement.

CHADD - Fact sheet on CAM treatments
http://www.chadd.org/fs/fs6.htm
From the national organization's web site (see Self-help, Research & Referral, above ), with references to research.

Feingold Association
http://www.feingold.org/
Dietary intervention programs for numerous disorders.

Healing Center Online - Forum on Alternative and Innovative Therapies
http://www.healing-arts.org/children/index.htm
Written and overseen by Lewis Mehl-Madrona, M.D., Ph.D., in affiliation with the University of Arizona College of Medicine's Program in Integrative Medicine. Click on "ADHD Section".

Interactive Metronome
http://www.interactivemetronome.com/im/par_add.asp?mn=1
Treatment based on rhythmic exercises to special music to develop better focus. Endorsed by noted child psychiatrist Dr. Stanley Greenspan of the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental Learning Disorders (ICDLD).

Latitudes
http://www.latitudes.org
Explores advanced and alternative treatments for autism, ADHD, Tourette's Syndrome and tics, and learning disabilities, also offers e-newsletter.

National Resource Center on AD/HD
http://www.help4adhd.org/
A program of CHADD (see above and Self-help and Referral Organizations).

Optometrists Network - AD/HD pages
http://www.add-adhd.org/
Information resources and links go beyond the field of optometry.

Remedyfind AD(H)D pages
http://remedyfind.com/hc-ADD-ADHD.asp
Visitors can "rate a remedy", see ratings for various complementary and conventional treatments, and find links to further resources.

Tomatis Method auditory integration therapy
http://www.tomatis.com/English/
Developed by French ear-nose-throat specialist Dr. Alfred Tomatis; site has information pages for each disorder this method treats, including AD/HD.


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