I found he could do most things in a different way, if I could just figure out the way to work with his strengths. ADHD kids have many strengths. They are often brilliant, logical thinkers, imaginative, creative and fun. I learned to focus on the positives and understand the differences as limitations to be worked around, rather than walls to knock my head against.

I didn’t want to give my son the medications many use, so we investigated alternatives. One alternative health practitioner recommended some things that worked very well for him, and his concentration grew and he began to have more control over his impulsivity and restlessness. I don’t remember the whole list of what he took for years until he could gradually taper off and didn’t need them anymore. So don’t go using this as a basis for self medication. Find a good health professional who knows how to deal with ADHD. But to give you an idea: Certain minerals really helped, especially magnesium, calcium and some trace minerals. The homeopathic mineral salts produced amazing results. Products for detoxifying and antioxidants had a good effect over time. Fish oils, L-glutamine and Gaba all helped. Niacin helped but he found the side effects on his digestive system meant he couldn’t take it very often. But I think it was finding the right combination of these and constantly adjusting them to his body needs that made it work for us. So don’t go it alone. This was a more expensive alternative to the drugs, but we felt happier giving him natural products that could produce a gradual but permanent improvement.

We found many teachers didn’t understand ADHD. I know it’s not easy for teachers trying to channel the energies of an exuberant bunch of lively young minds and bodies so they can help them learn the required information for the year. We decided to home school our son. This proved very successful, and he recently graduated from High School with very high marks, and is working with us in a family business. His many skills and strengths are a real boon to the business.

My advice to parents with ADHD kids: educate yourself so you understand your kid. Don’t expect him to fit into the regular mold. He will have some abilities that surpass those of most people. Don’t be blind to them just because he can’t sit still, prefers doing two things at once, or has a hard time keeping his room tidy. Discover his interests and encourage his strengths. He will learn the social skills, but you’ll need to teach them to him instead of expecting him to just absorb them from his surroundings. Take the time to do that, and you’ll be proud of him forever.