As parents, it's our job to weigh the pros and cons of the therapeutic tools chosen for our children. Unfortunately, almost all medications have side-effects, and no medication could result in worse symptoms than those side-effects -- the question is what seems best for your child.
If you choose the non-medication route, it can be overwhelming to know what areas in your child’s life you can change to minimize your child’s ADHD symptoms. That said, if you do choose to go that route, consider focusing on these aspects of your child's health:
1. Energy levels — How much exercise is your child participating through the day?
2. Diet — What is your child eating? Are you trying to balance their diets with protein, fiber, and whole grains? Try to avoid processed food and hidden sugars in foods
3. Bed time routine — Evaluate what your child is doing about 1-2 hours before going to sleep. Make time and space for quiet non-stimulating activities.