In today’s pediatric population, ADHD diagnoses hover around 10 – 20%. This is an exponential increase from the 1970s when only about 150,000 children were diagnosed with ADHD.

1. Natural Strategies for
Kids With ADHD
Dr. Matt Hand, DO

2. A B O U T T H E A U T H O R
Dr. Matt Hand, DO currently
specializes in Pediatric Integrative
Medicine at Elliot Health System
and Children's Hospital at
Dartmouth (CHAD), and as one of
the most highly regarded pediatric
nephrologists in the industry, his
expertise has been sought out by
national news programs, as well as
previously been seen on Oprah.

3. In today’s pediatric population, ADHD
diagnoses hover around 10 – 20%. This is
an exponential increase from the 1970s
when only about 150,000 children were
diagnosed with ADHD.
Integrative health practitioners now know a little more
about the condition. First, a person with ADHD is
genetically predisposed for the condition, but the
environment he or she is in has the greatest impact. In
addition, ADHD is often accompanied by comorbidities,
such as anxiety or OCD.
I N T R O

4. What accounts for the increase in diagnoses? One
of the biggest changes since the 1970s is the
environment kids live in today. They eat more
processed foods, engage in more activities
involving electronics, and experience more rigorous
academic standards and structures in school. This
means there’s less free play outdoors, fewer fruits
and vegetables in their diets, and more pressure to
sit still for extended periods of time.
Managing ADHD from a natural perspective goes
beyond adding supplements to your child’s diet.
Natural supplements are a good start, but there are
also several lifestyle adjustments that support wellness
and brain focus.
I N T R O

5. PA R T O N E
Minimizing
the Use of
Rx Stimulants

6. M I N I M I Z I N G T H E U S E O F R X S T I M U L A N T S
The vast majority of parents want to minimize putting their kids on
medications like Adderall and Ritalin. When faced with the
decision to begin medication, parents will often turn to integrative
health practitioners because they want to find additional ways to
support the body’s natural processes.
An integrative health practitioner can help guide you toward the
best combination of supplements and dosages for your child.
Supplements that can help improve focus and
support calm behavior include:
• Zinc
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Fish oil
• Vitamin D
• Omega 3s
• Ginseng and Gingko combinations
• Valerian root and lemon balm combinations

7. M I N I M I Z I N G T H E U S E O F R X S T I M U L A N T S
Keep in mind that while these options may
work for some children, others may need
medication, at least temporarily. But even in
these cases, it’s not ideal to put a kid on a
medication at a young age and let them stay
on it without a long term plan.
Bridge therapies, or temporary medication
stints, can be useful as long as they transition
off the medication later on.

8. PA R T T W O
Encourage Free
Play Outdoors

9. Many schools no longer offer physical education on a regular
basis, and lunch periods are sometimes as short as 15 to 20
minutes. Kids are also expected to focus at a desk for longer
periods of time than in the past. Even sports are more
structured as leagues, club teams, or classes instead of
casual play.
A child that has challenges with focusing may struggle against
these constraints because their mind doesn’t want to sit still; it
wants to go off and spontaneously do things.
Parents of kids with these issues can help by scheduling regular,
unstructured outdoor play. Stress-reducing exercises that involve
repeated movement, such as yoga, walking, and jumping on a
trampoline are great as well. Even a ten-minute walk around the
block can help settle the brain and promote focus.
E N C O U R A G E F R E E P L AY O U T D O O R S

10. PA R T T H R E E
Minimize
Electronics

11. This is one area where most authorities agree:
electronics make challenges with focus worse.
Multiple studies show neuro-psychiatric
issues—including ADHD, anxiety, and
depression—are exacerbated by the use
of electronics.
To curb the effect electronics have, cut back
on the amount of daily screen time allowed.
This includes video games, television, and
using phones to chat with friends or engage
on social media.
M I N I M I Z E E L E C T R O N I C S

12. PA R T F O U R
Address
Sleep Issues

13. Insomnia is common among kids with ADHD.
When your child’s sleep patterns are off, their
circadian rhythm is off. They’ll wake later in the day
and feel more fatigued during daytime hours. Lack of
sleep can affect not only their performance in school,
but can also impact other body systems over time.
To help encourage healthy sleep patterns, ensure
your child gets daily physical exercise. You can also
try melatonin dosed for children. It occurs naturally
in the body and helps encourage sleep during
evening hours.
A D D R E S S S L E E P I S S U E S

14. PA R T F I V E
Change
Their Diet

15. There are two primary approaches to a diet that helps manage ADHD.
The first is to eliminate foods that some researchers believe trigger the
conditions, including gluten and dairy, though there isn’t substantial
data that says this works. I refer to the second one as the “anti-
inflammatory” diet, which is more holistic and similar to the
Mediterranean Diet.
It’s becoming clearer that an ideal diet consists of more fruits,
vegetables, phytonutrients, and foods that contain high-quality fats and
Omega 3s (like olive oil and fish), and fewer foods that contain starches
and sugars. This kind of diet is better for regulating inflammation,
boosting brain function, and overall bodily wellness.
To encourage kids to eat healthier, you can help shift their perspective
by looking at food as a source of healing. If they know that good foods
help them focus and feel better, they may be more inclined to make
better food choices.
C H A N G E T H E I R D I E T

16. ADHD diagnoses are far more common
today than they were 20 and 30 years ago.
Integrative health offers a lot of natural
interventions for kids with these
challenges. Exercise, sleep, reduced
exposure to electronics, and a good diet
can help minimize the effects kids
experience. A functional medicine
practitioner can help you develop a holistic
plan for your child.
FA C T O R I N G I T A L L T O G E T H E R

17. L E A R N M O R E A B O U T S U P P O R T I N G O P T I M A L H E A LT H I N C H I L D R E N
SEE THE GUIDE
We all know good health depends on a nutritious diet
and plenty of exercise, but sometimes growing bodies
need extra support for key metabolic processes.
In partnership with top pediatric specialists, our researchers have
been busy developing supports for proper focus and brain
development, a good night's sleep, immune health, and improving
challenges with behavior and focus.
In our guide, "Health Alternatives For Your Children," Drs. Adam
Killpartrick and Matthew Hand will explain how these protocols work,
and what parents need to know about nutrients that will offer kids
the support they need.