An amazing number of American youngsters is considered to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In some states, CDC data show that more than 10 percent of school children carries this diagnosis. You will find a thorough discussion of the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and potential consequences of ADHD here.

The usual treatments for ADHD are stimulant drugs such as Adderall, Concerta and Ritalin. While they can be helpful in some cases, there is a suspicion that they are being overprescribed. Approximately two million children are currently taking them and are expected to continue on them for years.

Not surprisingly, parents are often reluctant to start down that path. They worry about side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, or effects on growth.

What are the alternatives? Integrative pediatrician Sanford Newmark has found that with treating the whole child by considering family situation, nutrition and behavior modification techniques, it is often possible to help kids manage their symptoms of ADHD and succeed even without taking medications.

Sanford Newmark, MD, is director of clinical programs at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, Medical Center. He is also the director of the pediatric integrative neurodevelopmental program at UCSF.

His book is ADHD Without Drugs: A Guide to the Natural Care of Children with ADHD.

The podcast of this program will be available the Monday after the broadcast date. The show can be streamed online from this site and podcasts can be downloaded for free.

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