My hat's off to you, karl.walsh, for being a great father, a superior parent, and a model human being who knows how to follow your natural instincts. You know, being a medical doctor doesn't mean your doc is a superior form of being who knows more than you do - it simply means he/she chose to go to medical school instead of being a car mechanic or going to architectural school. karl.walsh, you are just as wise as your doctor when it comes to knowing what your child needs and doesn't need. Actually, you are more wise!

A big hint that you are spot-on and your doc was wrong about your son is the fact that your child wasn't hyperactive prior to being 11 years old. I believe that if a child is truly ADD/ADHD, it shows at birth. I do not believe in "adult" ADHD diagnoses or that a child can "develop" ADHD. If someone "develops" ADD/ADHD, they are actually just reacting to a toxin that doesn't belong in the environment (pollution) or in the food (aspartame) or in inoculations (mercury). You get my drift!!  We live in a toxic world, and a common reaction to chronic toxic exposure is hyperactivity.

So, you are right in focusing on the fact that your son had a nutrient imbalance and you researched until you identified that nutritonal imbalance. Good for you!! Maybe your doctor should try some melatonin, too!

amberose29 - you are right on track with your suspicions that you need to step in and take charge of your child's diet that's out of control. And as you wrote, it is not out of control because of anything you have or have not done. It is out of control because food manufacturers are marketing toxic foods and below-standard foods to your child. 

As a parent, you do not teach your child to eat and drink all he/she pleases, even if it is a fat-free or sugar-free product, do you? No. As parents, we must teach our children limits, and teach them what foods are real and which ones are fake; which foods cause headaches and irritability, and which foods make them feel calm, energized, and rested.

Anytime food chemicals are used by children, you can be assured that child will not be 100% healthy, happy, or satisfied. Food chemicals are toxins, and toxins breed disease. Toxins do not need to be anywhere near a growing child.

Thanks for your info. Below are some excellent resources regarding ADHD. I also recommend parents checking out Steve Plog's work:

Steve's Interview on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPqVUAw9AnI

Dr. Hull's Hair Analysis:
http://www.hairanalysisprogram.com/results-project.php

Best,

- Andy

Thank you! Thank you! for the article You Quick, Smart Kid. I'm so glad that I found this article and this web site. My 8 year old grandson's mother just recently had him diagnosed as ADD. She is a nurse and she seems to feel that he really needs this Concerta medicine to help him concentrate in school and help him in remembering what he reads and in his studies.Based on a questionnaire from her and his second grade teacher from last year and two visits to the doctor's office, they say he is ADD.  The mother says that this ADD is hereditiary and she herself has a problem concentrating on things and finishing tasks at home (but she's not on medicine that I know of). This week,four days ago, he began taking Concerta. He is such a healthy,very intelligent , loving,inquisitive,and active little boy who loves playing games and having fun with his friends. His grades in school are great, passes all school tests and school  state tests,a really good fluent reader and loves making you happy. A year ago his mother had another child but he loves having a brother. She was working 7 days a week so he spent most of his time with me and his dad until he began an after school program yet he was here on weekends.  Although the dad doesn't live with her, she did not discuss this decision to see the doctor with him or any of the concerns 'she ' noticed that we did't see. I have 5 adult children and one 15 year plus 9 other grands. One of the grands is hyperactive and his parents know that he is ADHD.  His mother  is a  public school teacher and works around ADD and ADH students at the elementary level.  She has said my grandson is not ADD nor ADHD. My son is upset that the mother has put their son on this drug without talking to him.  We disagree with her actions and have asked her to not do this to him (because he talks alot, can't find the answers to his homework everytime, and don't know the meanings to spelling words) but she disagrees. She says this medicine is not  that strong (it's 18 mg)and he will be monitored and it's not like Ritalin. It's just to help him concentrate not to slow him down like hyperactive disorder. She says that it's too early to see any effects of it.It's not that strong for side effects. Now he's sleepy as soon as he gets here. Who wants to see any side effects? This could be addictive when he doesn't need it! She worked all the time and her time with him was limited as far as quality. I asked her not to continue giving him Concerta but she insists. She came over and gave him the pill herself and he said Grandma you sure you talked to her because look like it didn't do any good. He doesn't want to take it either. He's told her. Several times  last year I told her to change his teacher maybe a different environment was needed but he was excelling academically. He has a stuttering impediment that seems to be increasingly aggressive-that's what needs to be dealt with. He's a typical 8 year old boy full of life and alot of questions and loves to be with his friends. We just can't stand by and see a child life be scarred when he does not need to be medicated and dependent on drugs to function.He's now thinking something is wrong with his head and it needs to be checked out "because he can't remember things". I'm 50 and I can't remember where my glasses are and sometime they are on top of my head.  One time I had on a pair and went got another pair to put on to look for the first pair. I forgot I was wearing them. I don't know how to talk to my grandson's mother because she's not listening and being a nurse and all.She is ignoring anything my son has to say and refusing to discuss it with him.  It's like she wants him to have some type of disability. If we keep pushing it I'm afraid she might stop allowing him to be with us because of how we feel.  It' still wrong. His home environment needs to change with her and she needs more patience with him. I love him so much. He's my first grandson and I'm hurting to see where this is leading and I can't do anything. I've read up on Concerta and he does not need any type of drug. He needs to keep being that quick smart kid that he is! Thanks

Last edited by Angie (08-16-2008 2:04 pm)

Thank You! Thank You! for that speedy reply.  It's added strenth for the journey. Without knowledge I believe you perish and I'm grateful for this website that offers wisdom to live by. On behalf of my grandson and myself thank you for making the difference. Looking forward to enjoying every article that helps to lead a healthier lifestyle and enjoying a life!

In response to my own diagnosis of ADHD I started  taking Neu-Becalm'd which contains 600 mg D-L Phenylalanine.  The recommended serving of this product is 2 capsules 30 minutes before each meal.  So I am cosuming 3600 mg of Phenylalanine per day.  How can I be tested for the presence of PKU?  What are the symptoms of over dose on Phenylalanine?