Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (A.D.H.D.) is a syndrome that is now reaching epidemic proportions in the United States, and the current conventional medical treatment and management of this disorder offers only limited success. Ritalin, a Class II narcotic, is by far the most common pharmaceutical used to treat this condition. However, Ritalin and the other amphetamine-like drugs do not always treat the disorder successfully, and these classes of drugs can have many unacceptable short- and long-term side effects.

Alternative medicine offers effective therapies for patients without the side effects of drugs.  Furthermore, in many cases, alternative treatments can actually correct this disorder. These alternatives include nutritional therapies, diet modification, non-invasive allergy desensitization, homeopathy, herbs, and natural support for the adrenal and thyroid glands.

Considering how effective the results are with this naturalistic or non-medical approach, it’s surprising that more parents do not strongly consider alternative medicine. Is it not more rational to examine what has gone awry in the metabolism and correct imbalances, weaknesses, allergies and deficiency states? Although there may occasionally be a place for prescription drugs in this disturbing disorder, they should be viewed as a last resort, not the first line of defense.

A child with A.D.H.D. may have a wide range of symptoms, including hyperactivity, short attention span, easy distractibility, difficulty with organizational skills, and an inability to focus on details. These children are restless, forgetful, and react impulsively. They may have mood swings and temper tantrums and are often unable to cope with stress. Research shows that males are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with A.D.H.D. than females. Some of the current research is examining the possibility that A.D.H.D. is inherited. Twins and adoption studies suggested that A.D.H.D. might have a relatively high degree of hereditability. To date, there is insufficient data linking A.D.H.D. to an inherited trait and overwhelming evidence linking it to hidden allergies and other factors that are correctable.

Research has found that A.D.H.D. children have a deficiency in dopamine, a chemical in the brain necessary for several vital brain functions. The dopamine system is involved in the reward-seek behavior, sexual behavior, control of movements, regulation of the pituitary-hormone secretion, and memory functions. Dopamine has been shown in young animals to exert a protective influence against hyperactivity. It is thought A.D.H.D. children have too many molecules that use up the dopamine before it can be used for its vital functions. Ritalin binds to these molecules, allowing the dopamine levels to increase in the brain and be used for the normal vital functions.

Even though Ritalin is the prescription drug of choice for children with A.D.H.D., it has many side effects and presents many risks for the children who use it. Children can experience appetite suppression, weight loss, retarded growth, emotional blunting, and detachment.  Many parents complain that their child acts like a “zombie” on Ritalin.  Children chronically taking high doses of Ritalin may develop paranoia and restlessness and experience paranoia.  Other serious side effects of methylphenidate drugs like RItalin are auditory and visual hallucinations, drug abuse, rebound depression, psychic dependence, increased euphoric and cocaine-like activity, insomnia and tachycardia.  Also, researchers reported that Ritalin caused liver cancer in mice. No drug that affects the dopamine system is free of long-term toxicity to the motor system.

Dr. Cushing prefers to utilize alternative methods when treating a child with A.D.H.D, including the use of specific amino acids to naturally increase dopamine levels in the brain–with no side effects. Also, Dr. Cushing utilizes Rhodiola Rosea (Roseroot), which has a 3,000 year old herbal history of use and has been shown to have a protective effect upon neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine.

Furthermore, food allergies and food chemistry are incredibly important factors in causing learning and behavior problems in children. Dr. Doris Rapp, M.D., a highly respected pediatric allergist, has demonstrated this beyond a shadow of a doubt (as detailed in her book, “The Impossible Child”). When children are allergic to or hypersensitive to foods and/or airborne chemicals, it can easily compromise their brain function. The concept of cerebral allergy is well established. The brain can swell and become inflamed, causing the cranial nerves can malfunction.  As a result, the optic and auditory nerves may not be able to process information accurately. We see this frequently not only in A.D.H.D. but also in autistic spectral syndromes. It is any wonder that these children have a “mysterious” impairment of learning and behavior, and that the most thoughtfully prescribed drugs don’t work?

Dr. Feingold’s research found that up to 50% of all hyperactive children were sensitive to food additives (i.e. artificial flavors, food colorings and preservatives) or salicylates, which occur naturally in some foods. It is equally true in many cases of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, postpartum depression, and autism. In many cases, A.D.H.D., O.C.D., and P.P.D. are rooted in major hidden allergies and hypersensitivity reactions that affect the central nervous system (CNS) and with varying degrees of severity.  Another common denominator in many of these syndromes is heavy metal toxicity, which many times has an affinity for the CNS and can disturb neuronal and synaptic connections. Dr. Cushing frequently addresses this issue in practice because of the prevalence of heavy metals (especially mercury) in the food chain and environment–and even in many vaccines!

Parents often find it very difficult to keep these children on highly restricted diets in order to limit their exposure to ‘allergic’ foods and other chemicals. It is usually an exercise in frustration. Restricting a child’s diet is not an efficient approach and requires constant vigilance. It makes much more sense to naturally and non-invasively desensitize or neutralize the offending foods and toxins once and for all (refer to Dr. Cushing’s explanation of his ”AllerCease™” procedure for details on this solution).

Furthermore, Dr. Cushing has discovered that many children suffering from A.D.H.D. are allergic to various chemicals in their body, their neurotransmitters, their amalgam fillings, some of their hormones, and a wide variety of environmental agents… including mold, dust, pollens, toxic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, and more. Dr. Cushing has even found some children to be very allergic to tap water.  The AllerCease™” procedure works equally well for curing these allergies.

Common Allergic Symptoms In Children:

• Physical symptoms may include hives, rashes, itching, watery eyes, or difficulty breathing.
• The child may jump quickly between emotions as they body reacts to the allergen.
• The child may have difficulty concentrating in school or fail to grasp certain educational concepts.
• A child may possess a high intelligent, but have difficulty taking exams or sitting still.
• The child may crave certain foods.
• The child may express exhaustion, irritability, or depression.  On the other hand, they may behave hyperactively or talk back.

Assessing a Child for an Allergy:

• Check the child for redden earlobes or cheeks; dark under-eye circles; puffy bags under the eyes; wrinkles around the eyes; glassy, glazed eyes; and/or an itchy, congested, or redden nose.
• To determine if environmental allergens may be the cause, ask if the child: if they feel better outside than inside? If they feel better or worse in certain school or home rooms? If they hate the smell of any indoor chemical odors? If they feel better or worse during certain times of the year? If they feel better or worse when it is raining or sunny?
• To determine if food allergens may be the cause, ask the child: if they craving or feel disgusted by a certain food? if they feel better when they are not eating? If they feel better or worse after eating a friend’s house or at a restaurant?

Of course, children that have been exposed to lead, arsenic, aluminum, mercury, nickel, or cadmium can have neurological damage, A.D.H.D., and other emotional and behavioral problems.  Fortunately, we now know of natural substances that can at least partially repair neurologically damaged tissues.

In addition, various nutritional deficiencies have been shown throughout scientific and medical literature to make a significant and adverse impact on the learning and behavior of children. Many studies have demonstrated that zinc, magnesium, B-complex (especially B6), and essential fatty acid deficiencies are widespread in A.D.H.D. and autistic spectral disordered children. A hair analysis can clearly show long-term mineral ratio imbalances in children; furthermore, hair analysis can be a very valuable, non-invasive method of examining these vital nutritional factors that are at the very foundation of human biochemistry.

In Dr. Cushing’s 35 years of practice, he has learned a great deal about what actually works with A.D.H.D. children. For example, Dr. Cushing has found that pre-school children respond best to selected liquid homeopathic remedies and non-invasive food allergy neutralization. In school-age children, there is often a need for dietary improvement, the use of natural proanthocyanidins, as well as natural, non-invasive desensitization to whatever foods, chemicals, or inhalants to which they are reacting.

Furthermore, Dr. Cushing is experienced in Chinese herbal therapies that have been used in numerous studies with A.D.H.D children and proved to be very effective. From a traditional Chinese medical viewpoint, A.D.H.D. is caused by a “kidney essence deficiency.”  In A.D.H.D children, it appears that the “yin” aspect of the kidney is deficient, resulting in an excessive expression of the “yang.” Certain natural Ayurdervic formulations like “Mentat” can be more effective in treating those disorders involving memory and attention. Dr. Cushing uses a kinesiological test to quickly and accurately determine the best and most appropriate remedies needed. Finally, Dr. Cushing evaluates each child’s thyroid and adrenal gland, which can cause many related metabolic and behavioral syndromes like O.C.D., P.P.D., and autism.

Do not hesitate to call The Trinity Healing Center at: 386-437-4778 to make an appointment or to discuss your child’s health issues with Dr. Cushing or register for an initial consult here. It is our pleasure and privilege to be of genuine service to you in these vital matters.