Post by misty on Jan 6, 2007 15:26:02 GMT -5
Thread Started on Aug 2, 2006, 3:10pm
This came in a newsletter I get. The main site DOES endorse "Attend"...just something to keep in mind, but the info is good so I figured I'd post it for those that are interested.
The Three Best Alternative Treatments for ADHD
by Dr. Douglas Cowan
There are a LOT of alternative treatments for sale
out there for people with Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder who would rather not have to
use a strong medication such as Ritalin. Some of
these are good, some are fair, and some are bad.
Anything that is on the market will help somebody
out there. There are upwards of 10,000,000 people
with ADHD in the US, including children, teens, and
adults. So a treatment that worked for as few as
01% of those who tried it could still line up
thousands of people for Donohue to say what a
remarkable treatment it was.
Just as a way of reference, consider that studies
show that a placebo is effective, when measured by
parent rating scales, with about 15% of children
with ADD/ADHD. As measured by way of
computerized tests such as the TOVA, placebos are
0% effective at bringing about statistically significant
improvements. So, when we rate the effectiveness
of any treatment, alternative or medical model, we
need to consider the effectiveness (measured by
parents subjective ratings or objective computer
ratings?) and the possible side effects. Choose wisely.
These are the three alternative interventions that I
think are the best. These decisions are based on
personal experience in my practice, and from both
published and unpublished research data. I'll only list
them briefly, as this could turn into a book if I write
too much detail.
1. EEG Biofeedback Training. About 70-75% effective
as measured by both computer assessment tools and
parent ratings. Important issues in treatment are:
Age of child, IQ of child, expertise of therapist,
quality of equipment, and financial resources of
family. There is an outstanding web site on this
intervention at www.eegspectrum.com . This
technology involves the acquiring of the EEG
brainwave activity from the subject, and through the
use of either animation, or sound, or tactile
feedback, the subject learns to change and control
his/her brainwave activity. Simply, the subject is
trained to produce less of the slow brainwave
activity that is related to "disregulation" or being
a "space cadet" and learns to make more of the mid-
range activity related to focused concentration and
self-control. Yes, it works. No, it is not just placebo.
This is a 25 year old technology that is recently
gained a lot of respect from clinicians and is used at
about 1,000 sites now nationwide. It is best for
children over 6 years old, with average or above IQ's.
The therapist must know what he's doing, so look for
experience and training. The equipment must be
good. Two computer monitors are best, one for
therapist and one for subject. The number of
sessions can range from 20 to 40. Cost ranges from
$50/session to $150/session. Shop around. Some
insurances cover these services, most do not.
Resources: EEG Spectrum has an association of
therapists around the nation and world. They now
have 300 Associate Offices in 25 countries. I'm not
associated with them, but I do consider Sigfried and
Susan Othmer as old friends.
2. VAXA International's newly revised "Attend"
product. It is effective for 70% of ADD ADHD
individuals, as measured by computer testing and
parent scales. See our clinical study data at
www.newideas.net/attend.htm.
Important issue: Can the child swallow capsules
(they are pretty large capsules). This is a
nutraceutical medicine that combines 75 ingredients,
including amino acids, homeopathic medicines,
phospholipids, essential fatty acids, Pycnogenol,
grape seed extract OPC's, DHEA, DMAE, and more. I
did the clinical research for the manufacturer, so I
have seen this work with my own eyes with dozens
of subjects. I am convinced that it is very helpful for
the majority of kids/teens/adults. It can be used with
medications, and as it begins to be effective the
medication levels can often be lowered. With temper
problems or hyperactivity/hyper-startle problems, it
is best combined with other VAXA products in
targeted treatment strategies for your specific type
of ADHD. Learn more about this at
www.newideas.net/types.htm.
"Attend" takes about 30-60 days to become
effective. Improvement continues for at least 120
days. We even measured improvements with college
athletes who were not ADD ADHD in reaction time
over a 90 day period! We have the data from our
clinical studies, and a comparison between the
effective of Ritalin, EEG Biofeedback, and "Attend" in
the "Attend" section of the ADHD Information
Library. Be sure to check that out and see for
yourself!
3. Elimination Diet. This is the 3rd best alternative
treatment that I know of. It only seems to work with
about 20-25% of the kids who try it, but when it does
work, it is great. Why does it work? I don't know.
Some kids seems very sensitive to food additives
or food colorings, or to sodas, or to cow's milk, or to
sugars paired with carbohydrates. Some kids seem to
have real ups and downs with their blood sugar
levels.
Why does it work for some, and not for others? I
have no idea, and I've had hundreds of kids on this
diet over the past five years or so. Here's a letter I
received last week via email...
Dear Doctor, I requested the info for the ADD diet for
a friend at church. It's working wonders for her 3 yr.
old son (after just a week!), but she's unable to
find the Rice milk, Almond milk or Better than Milk.
Can she substitute a lactose-free product or is there
something else besides lactose in the dairy to avoid?
If she can't, where can she get the other products
you recommend? (We live in Oklahoma City)
We'd both like to express our thanks for the
information. It's going to help a lot of other people
we know, too. We've had many requests for copies
of the info.
Once again, many thanks!
Love & Peace in Christ, Karen F
These are wonderful responses! But, don't get your
hopes up too high. If it works, great! If it doesn't
work, try something else. To get a copy of the diet
visit the ADHD Information Library at
www.newideas.net/adddiet.htm.
This came in a newsletter I get. The main site DOES endorse "Attend"...just something to keep in mind, but the info is good so I figured I'd post it for those that are interested.
The Three Best Alternative Treatments for ADHD
by Dr. Douglas Cowan
There are a LOT of alternative treatments for sale
out there for people with Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder who would rather not have to
use a strong medication such as Ritalin. Some of
these are good, some are fair, and some are bad.
Anything that is on the market will help somebody
out there. There are upwards of 10,000,000 people
with ADHD in the US, including children, teens, and
adults. So a treatment that worked for as few as
01% of those who tried it could still line up
thousands of people for Donohue to say what a
remarkable treatment it was.
Just as a way of reference, consider that studies
show that a placebo is effective, when measured by
parent rating scales, with about 15% of children
with ADD/ADHD. As measured by way of
computerized tests such as the TOVA, placebos are
0% effective at bringing about statistically significant
improvements. So, when we rate the effectiveness
of any treatment, alternative or medical model, we
need to consider the effectiveness (measured by
parents subjective ratings or objective computer
ratings?) and the possible side effects. Choose wisely.
These are the three alternative interventions that I
think are the best. These decisions are based on
personal experience in my practice, and from both
published and unpublished research data. I'll only list
them briefly, as this could turn into a book if I write
too much detail.
1. EEG Biofeedback Training. About 70-75% effective
as measured by both computer assessment tools and
parent ratings. Important issues in treatment are:
Age of child, IQ of child, expertise of therapist,
quality of equipment, and financial resources of
family. There is an outstanding web site on this
intervention at www.eegspectrum.com . This
technology involves the acquiring of the EEG
brainwave activity from the subject, and through the
use of either animation, or sound, or tactile
feedback, the subject learns to change and control
his/her brainwave activity. Simply, the subject is
trained to produce less of the slow brainwave
activity that is related to "disregulation" or being
a "space cadet" and learns to make more of the mid-
range activity related to focused concentration and
self-control. Yes, it works. No, it is not just placebo.
This is a 25 year old technology that is recently
gained a lot of respect from clinicians and is used at
about 1,000 sites now nationwide. It is best for
children over 6 years old, with average or above IQ's.
The therapist must know what he's doing, so look for
experience and training. The equipment must be
good. Two computer monitors are best, one for
therapist and one for subject. The number of
sessions can range from 20 to 40. Cost ranges from
$50/session to $150/session. Shop around. Some
insurances cover these services, most do not.
Resources: EEG Spectrum has an association of
therapists around the nation and world. They now
have 300 Associate Offices in 25 countries. I'm not
associated with them, but I do consider Sigfried and
Susan Othmer as old friends.
2. VAXA International's newly revised "Attend"
product. It is effective for 70% of ADD ADHD
individuals, as measured by computer testing and
parent scales. See our clinical study data at
www.newideas.net/attend.htm.
Important issue: Can the child swallow capsules
(they are pretty large capsules). This is a
nutraceutical medicine that combines 75 ingredients,
including amino acids, homeopathic medicines,
phospholipids, essential fatty acids, Pycnogenol,
grape seed extract OPC's, DHEA, DMAE, and more. I
did the clinical research for the manufacturer, so I
have seen this work with my own eyes with dozens
of subjects. I am convinced that it is very helpful for
the majority of kids/teens/adults. It can be used with
medications, and as it begins to be effective the
medication levels can often be lowered. With temper
problems or hyperactivity/hyper-startle problems, it
is best combined with other VAXA products in
targeted treatment strategies for your specific type
of ADHD. Learn more about this at
www.newideas.net/types.htm.
"Attend" takes about 30-60 days to become
effective. Improvement continues for at least 120
days. We even measured improvements with college
athletes who were not ADD ADHD in reaction time
over a 90 day period! We have the data from our
clinical studies, and a comparison between the
effective of Ritalin, EEG Biofeedback, and "Attend" in
the "Attend" section of the ADHD Information
Library. Be sure to check that out and see for
yourself!
3. Elimination Diet. This is the 3rd best alternative
treatment that I know of. It only seems to work with
about 20-25% of the kids who try it, but when it does
work, it is great. Why does it work? I don't know.
Some kids seems very sensitive to food additives
or food colorings, or to sodas, or to cow's milk, or to
sugars paired with carbohydrates. Some kids seem to
have real ups and downs with their blood sugar
levels.
Why does it work for some, and not for others? I
have no idea, and I've had hundreds of kids on this
diet over the past five years or so. Here's a letter I
received last week via email...
Dear Doctor, I requested the info for the ADD diet for
a friend at church. It's working wonders for her 3 yr.
old son (after just a week!), but she's unable to
find the Rice milk, Almond milk or Better than Milk.
Can she substitute a lactose-free product or is there
something else besides lactose in the dairy to avoid?
If she can't, where can she get the other products
you recommend? (We live in Oklahoma City)
We'd both like to express our thanks for the
information. It's going to help a lot of other people
we know, too. We've had many requests for copies
of the info.
Once again, many thanks!
Love & Peace in Christ, Karen F
These are wonderful responses! But, don't get your
hopes up too high. If it works, great! If it doesn't
work, try something else. To get a copy of the diet
visit the ADHD Information Library at
www.newideas.net/adddiet.htm.
with protien added to it. The movie Hoodwinked comes to mind with the squirrel that moves at the speed of light after being given Exspresso!!! That is kind of like giving my kid CRACK not happening. I'm still laughing it's histarical. The all natural diet with no dyes no preservatives,sounds kind of difficult because I am already scheduled to death with Jake's meds lotion 3 times a day, nebuliser twice, and pills at night. That doesn't include homework, bath time, clean up time, get dressed time. I would like to order a few more hours in the day to try this diet.