ADHD Thoughts from a Naturopathic Doctor

With ADHD seemingly ever more prevalent, here is some helpful insight from a naturopathic doctor on how to support kids who have ADHD symptoms

DR. FEATHERMANPEDIATRICSMENTAL HEALTH

Dr. Kendra Featherman, ND

9/20/20241 min read

boy in blue shirt screaming near boy in green crew-neck shirt

ADHD is very common is school aged kids…and frustratingly growing like wildfire. From my perspective a huge part of it is the exposure to screens, constant overstimulation and never having space to become bored…yes, being bored is good for your brain. Adults pay money for this, it’s called a meditation retreat.

Mediation is actually very effective for cultivating concentration in kids, to try at home I like: Headspace App, Calm App or just listening to sounds in nature.

In treatment for kids with ADHD I will also use biofeedback, which is using the body’s signals to help us understand how the nervous system (brain) is communicating with the body that the person may not even notice. My favorite at home device for this is called Mightier—> yes this is a video game but it’s the healthiest kind!

I’ve also seen ADHD get so much better when we prioritize sleep. A brain that is well rested is going to operate at full capacity. I actually learned this from a school counselor, she said “So many kids have what looks like ADHD until they start sleeping the full amount their body needs. Then miraculously they start performing much better.” Check out our other article on sleep for support!

Supplements: there are many different supplements that I will use for ADHD but zinc, magnesium and omegas are in my top 3 but there are so many more depending what else we need to address.

For nearly every kid I see for ADHD, I refer them for a full neuropsychological evaluation. This information is gold! It helps us understand the strengths and hurdles that child has in how they learn, process and communicate. This helps me, parents and teachers better understand the inner workings and how to support the kiddo.