Conclusion

What is bottom line? Feingold’s hypothesis is still very controversial. However, based on current evidence, a good argument can be made that food additives may cause health and behavior problems in certain children. Does this mean that food additives are a cause of ADHD? More importantly, does avoiding these additives correct ADHD?

Feingold attributed 50% cases of ADHD to food additives. Probably number is closer to 5%. That means Feingold diet will help only one out of 20 children. That may not sound like much, but if my child were that one, it would be good enough for me. So what should do about all of this? For what I am about to say I will probably be permanently banded from Feingold Association. I have already been reprimanded for suggesting that other things besides food dyes also may cause ADHD.

My final opinion on Feingold program is that it is right direction, but it has certain flaws.

As I discuss in How to Help Child You Love, there are numerous things that can cause food sensitivities. However, each child probably has no more than four or five things that cause him serious problems. To recommend that every ADHD child permanently eliminate all of dozens of foods and additives that have been shown to cause problems in some children seems to me to be a bit of an overkill. It is analogous to saying that since there are children who are allergic to cats, no child should ever own any pet.

If there is one common theme that goes through everything that I write, it is this: ADHD children are individuals. No two children are alike. Therefore, each child has to have his own personal treatment program.

When it comes to treating ADHD, general protocols do not apply. That is why I started program, How to Help Child You Love (http://addadhdadvances.com/childyoulove.html). I wanted to give you as a parent a way to choose from all available treatment options to find which particular treatments will help your child. I also wanted to do this in such a way that you would have easy access to me no matter where in world you live, so that you could ask your questions. That is why I published it online.

The bottom line is that principals of Feingold should be incorporated into a more comprehensive food elimination diet. Which elimination diet? There are dozens of them out there. It doesn’t really matter which one you choose. I prefer three that I outline in How to Help Child You Love, for a number of reasons.

First, I feel these diets are quickest way to pinpoint which particular foods are causing problems for your child. Why should you struggle and restrict your child’s diet to only a few “safe” foods when only three or four things cause him problems.

The other advantage of diets I describe is that they will quickly pinpoint foods that could be causing problems in your other children, your spouse, or even yourself. When we used these diets in our own home, not only did it get my son off Ritalin in less than a week, but also it identified food sensitivities in our other children. These other children are normal. We never suspected that many of their outbursts were food related. This elimination diet literally changed our whole household in less than a week. You can read full story at About Us (http://addadhdadvances.com/aboutus.html).

I truly feel that you should try some food elimination diet for your child. If you wish to test items that Feingold targeted, you can easily modify most of these diets to include them. However, if your child has ADHD and you want to give him best chance to have a normal life, then some diet is a must try.

Anthony Kane, MD

ADD ADHD Advances

ADHD children have difficulty in modulating their behavior and changing their conduct as situation demands. They have apparent social-cognitive deficits that limit their ability to encode and recall rules of social cues. Children with ADHD pay less attention to others verbally in games and other activities.

Many ADHD children are aware that they are socially inept. Children who are anxious or fearful about peer relations are unlikely to behave in an effective manner. These children withdraw from peer interactions and, in this way, limit their ability to gain acceptance and friendship.

Children are rejected by peers when they appear to be different. Similarity fosters social acceptance. Because ADHD children do not learn social clues as well as other children, they tend to be viewed as strange.

Bad Behavior

One of keys to your child’s social success is proper behavior. If your ADHD or ODD child frequently misbehaves, it is your obligation as a parent to teach your child how to improve his behavior.

If your child is aggressive or defiant, if he does not accept authority of adults, or if he conducts himself in a such a way that children his age will view him as a behavior problem, then your child will have a difficult time making and maintaining friendships. The friends he will attract are other aggressive problem children, type of child with whom which you would rather your child not associate.

All children need friends. Behavior problem children have trouble making friends with others, so these children tend to congregate together. They reinforce each other’s bad behavior. If you are an aware parent and you have control of your child you can put a stop to friendships with these children. However, you must have control of your child’s behavior in order to help him to avoid trap of bad friends.

Conclusion

Helping children with ADHD build close peer relationships is an important goal to focus on, and is one that often may be over looked. You, as a parent, have ability to help your child accomplish this important social goal. You should make every effort to help your child in this area. His psychological health and his happiness, both now and in future, are very much dependent upon how successful he is at making and maintaining childhood friendships.

Anthony Kane, MD

ADD ADHD Advances

Anthony Kane, MD is a physician and international lecturer. Get ADD ADHD Child Behavior and Treatment Help for your ADHD child, including child behavior advice and information on latest ADHD treatment. Sign up for free ADD ADHD Advances online journal Add your insights to ADD ADHD Blog