ADHD is a disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It is diagnosed when behaviors persist for over 6 months and interfere with daily life. While its exact causes are unknown, genetics and environmental factors like prenatal smoking likely play a role. Treatment involves a multimodal approach including medication, counseling, behavioral therapies, and lifestyle changes like exercise, sleep, and nutrition. Nutritional therapy focuses on regular meals with protein and complex carbs, as well as sources of omega-3, zinc, iron, and magnesium.

1. By Rebekah Adamson
April 7, 2013
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY
DISORDER (ADHD)

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• To learn about the following aspects of ADHD:
• Characteristics
• Diagnosis
• Causes
• Treatment
• Nutritional assessment
• To develop nutritional assessment skills for patients with ADHD
• To provide education for nutritional therapy for patients with ADHD

3. INTRODUCTION
• People with ADHD have differences in the parts of their
brain that control attention and activity
• Other conditions can mistaken for ADHD
• Undiagnosed hearing problem, vision problems or other
disabilities
• Life event, such as parents’ divorce, can cause behavior
• ADHD can be misunderstood by parents and educators
• Children accused of purposefully misbehaving

4. CHARACTERISTICS OF ADHD
Behaviors of children with ADHD typically fall into one of these
categories:
• Inattentive, but not hyperactive or impulsive
• Hyperactive and impulsive, but able to pay attention
• Inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive (the most
common form of ADD/ADHD)

5. DIAGNOSIS OF ADHD
Normal childhood behavior should not be confused with
ADHD. A proper diagnosis will determine if it is ADHD. A
thorough examination should include the following:
 Vision and hearing screenings, as well as other disabilities
 Analysis of home and/or school environments
 Exhibits one or all of the characteristics before age 7 and
for at least 6 months
 The behaviors must occur in at least two areas of a child’s
life (school, home, daycare, or friendships)

6. CAUSES OF ADHD
ADHD is most likely multi-causational, with the following
contributing factors as pssiblities:
• Genes
• Some genes have been identified as possibilities
• Children with close relatives having ADHD are more likely to
have ADHD
• Environmental factors
• Cigarette smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy
• Exposure to lead, often found in plumbing and paint

7. CAUSES OF ADHD
• Brain injury – Small percentage of ADHD children have had
brain injuries
• Food additives – Possible link between artificial coloring and
preservatives
• The great sugar debate
• Popular belief that sugar makes ADHD symptoms worse
• More research discounts that theory than supports it
• Mothers of children given placebo just though their
children acted worse

8. TREATMENT FOR ADHD
Multimodal approach is most effective and may incorporate the
following:
• Medication
• Stimulants are commonly used because they have a
calming effect on ADHD
• They don’t cure, only treat the symptoms
• May have many side affects, commonly anorexia
• May take several attempts to find a tolerable medication

9. TREATMENT FOR ADHD
• Counseling
• Family counseling may help family cope with ADHD, learn
positive reinforcement techniques, and other parenting skills
• Counseling for a child may help them cope with their feelings
and possible depression or anxiety about ADHD
• Behavioral therapies
• Teach children organization skills, self rewards for good
behavior, social skills, and creating chores lists

10. TREATMENT FOR ADHD
Lifestyle interventions
• Develop routines and structure for children with ADHD
• Getting plenty of exercise helps reduce symptoms of ADHD
• Boosts dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin naturally
• Getting adequate sleep helps reduce symptoms of ADHD
• Some medications may interfere, so change dosage timing
• Create a quiet family environment at bed time to facilitate
good sleep hygiene

11. TREATMENT FOR ADHD
Nutritional therapy
• Schedule regular meals with small portions and refills as
desired
• Incorporate structured snack time, without allowing grazing
throughout the day
• Include combination of protein and complex carbohydrates at
each meal and snack
• Include sources of Omega-3; such as salmon, tuna, sardines,
fortified eggs/dairy, and/or fish oil supplements

12. NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF ADHD
• Perform an assessment of child’s regular diet by asking
parents to keep a food journal for a week
• Track types of foods eaten, meal/snack times, and
portions consumed
• Check child’s levels of zinc, iron, and magnesium
• ADHD children are often low in these minerals
• Assess child’s growth using growth charts and BMI, watching
for anorexia

13. PATIENT EDUCATION FOR NUTRITIONAL
THERAPY
• Help family structure planned meal and snack times
• Provide guidelines for preparing meals and snacks that
have good sources of protein and complex carbohydrates
• Provide guidelines for foods that contain Omega-3’s, zinc,
iron, and magnesium
• If needed, provide information about WIC and SNAP
• Help family develop overall healthier eating habits and
reduce consumption of processed foods

14. CONCLUSION
• Proper diagnosis by a trained professional is imperative,
especially to rule out other conditions or problems
• Treatment is most effective when it’s multimodal and
involves the family
• Effective treatment does not always have to include
medication
• Although there is no cure for ADHD, a multimodal approach
can greatly improve the symptoms and outcomes for a child
with ADHD and lead to an increase in self-esteem and self-
efficacy

15. REFERENCES
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (2013, February 28). Retrieved April 5,
2013, from NIMH website: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/
attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml#pub1
Samour, P. Q., & King, K. (2012). Pediatric nutrition (fourth addition) (pp. 114,
234-235). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Smith, M. & Segal, R. (2012, December). ADD/ADHD in Children. Retrieved
April 5, 2013, from HelpGuide website: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/
adhd_add_signs_symptoms.htm#what
What is ADHD? (2012, January). Retrieved April 5, 2013, from KidsHealth
website: http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/learning/adhd.html#