I Can Do That Now.
So I’ve been listening to Dr. Amen’s book, Healing ADD, on CD. It suggests some dietary changes for Dylan, to help combat ADHD and keep the blood flow moving in his brain.
Some of these things we already know – and I am making sure Dylan listens to the book, too, so that he can carry out this plan later in life. He is, so far, nicotine and alcohol free, and doesn’t appear to be doing any street drugs. So that’s a huge plus. Nearly 50% of untreated ADHD kids end up “self-medicating” with alcohol and street drugs. At 14, we are thrilled that Dylan is choosing to abstain.
Sugar is another issue. While it decreases the activity in the brain, it gives Dylan a little “boost” – which he recognizes – followed by a “crash” – which he doesn’t seem to recognize at all. He has enough sugar in his lunch without dessert (flavored milk and side items, as well as – sadly – his peanut butter). So he’s asked me to stop putting in desserts. Then he eats a huge bowl of ice cream after dinner.
We’re still working on the sugar thing.
The other thing it suggests is high – very high – protein. So I’ve been adding protein to his lunches and dinners. He’s been eating a high-protein breakfast since third grade (when I first heard Dr. Amen on PBS) – mostly scrambled eggs with cheese. Now, though, he is eating nearly twice the amount of protein in the morning. I’ve been making smoothies with spinach and Greek yogurt, which really adds to his intake. (I actually like them, too, and use them as my breakfast.)
In addition, he’s taking two supplements – an amino acid that’s supposed to help with production and reception of dopamine – and a multi-vitamin which, while called “Focus Power” (or some such) is really just a multi-vitamin. Lots of calcium and B-complex.
On Day 2 of this “diet” (2 vitamins and a bunch of extra protein), Dylan turned in all his missing work. To be fair, this was the day after he forgot absolutely everything. Then he came home from school and played the piano. He forgot about his promise to study for 43 minutes (yes, 43 minutes) a day and played video games for about ten minutes.
When I reminded him about his 43 minutes, he put down the electronic device and said, “Oh, I can do that now. I guess I’ll just study.” And he went and got his binder without so much as a whimper.
I don’t know if the diet and vitamins are working. I don’t have a clue if it’s going to continue.
But I loved Day 2 of this “diet.”
hope springs eternal
🙂