As a parent of two children with ADHD, I have struggled with these issues and understand the difficult decisions that we parents must face. No parent wants to medicate a child without an absolute necessity to do so, and the decision to medicate your ADHD child is a very personal one. I believe that wise parents should make this decision with the help of psychologists and physicians, as well as your own extensive research. I believe that parents must become informed, and then make decisions about treatment accordingly. For example, if you want to use herbs to treat your child, consult a naturopath who understands the effects of herbs, how they can interact and the safe dosages.
Some herbs can interact with medications to produce dangerous side effects.
If you choose to follow a diet such as Feingold, it is worth a visit to a registered dietitian, who can make sure that your child's dietary restrictions are not depriving him or her of essential nutrients. Avoiding whole categories of food could pose a risk of running short of key nutrients. A dietitian can show you how to avoid this problem. If you decide to try stimulant medication for your child's ADHD, be aware that stimulants often suppress appetite. Children taking stimulant medication need to eat frequently, with perhaps three meals and two planned nutritious snacks per day.