ADHD in my life

I so agree with you about the meds and believe that our society is quick to medicate our kids with prescription drugs.  My daughter 9 ADHD, ODD, eczema, allergies, son 8 ADD, coping problems, are both medicated with stimulants.  Through a friends referral, I have found a great nutritionist/naturopath.  She will send a test kit in the mail for urine and saliva and tests 400 foods and 300 chemicals, anybody can use her.  From the results she devises a nutrition program with vitamins, and homeopathic medicine to resolve the underlying issues of the person and resolve the ADHD/ADD, autism etc.  My kids are showing improvment-my daughters anger outbursts are less and my son concentrates better in school. They both have dark circles under their eyes and they are fading.  I am doing the program with the hope of getting them off the meds.  I tried vitamins (not the right combinations), behavior therapy, psychiatrists and nothing worked.  This is working!  I would be happy to give you more info if you are interested. 

You are right drugs have side effects which are not good for the kids.  This is a safer more effective option.      

I feel your pain. My son started to stutter in Kindergarten. It happened over the weekend. All of the sudden he couldn't say a word. He also had some mania episodes, anxiety, tics etc. But I want to share what works for us. After tons of trial and research we created a combination what addresses his health without any medications: 1. Diet (I am with a lady who posted a comment about nutrition system) 2. Exercises. Better sports what help with sensory issues (swimming, shiatsu - water relaxation therapy) Karate is excellent for self balance and discipline. Your son probably isn't ready for regular classes yet, but you can find a way to start slow. It took us a year and a half to get Philippe to a swimming class and a karate class. we started with us doing it together and private lessons before he could join other kids. 3. Raiki (actually I would list it #1). We live in NYC, our therapist is Mica Ichihara. She practice eastern holistic approach to the health issues. It might be reiki, children's acupuncture, herbs, nutritionist, all together. She is our savior. When we started with her last year, my son's IEP recommended Special Ed class 12:1. We didn't go, he stayed at his school regular classroom and now he is doing really great. His new teacher (this year) didn't even know he had such problems before. 4. Our kids mirrors us. If we are anxieties, depressed, and afraid, they will be too. Whenever I went with him to seek help, I was receiving the same advice: get yourself together first. I started with meditation class, when took reiki (I am a practitioner myself now. I did it to help Philippe first, but ended up doing it to myself and my husband too) and yoga. Philippe now does yoga with me and he is learning about his condition and how to help himself. His condition doesn't go away, but it can be controlled without medications. Children can be educated about it and be empowered with practical knowledge on how to treat it without medications. It takes time. It is not easy. Your son is still a child, he can become happy and healthy again. Just don't give up. Unfortunately western medicine doesn't offer much help. We went through tons of tests and doctors. Not a single advice we could use, ever. Good luck! Dasha