Treatment for ADHD has multiple layers (like an onion!) These can look like: 

Considering the place of ADHD for you and your whānau

Simply having an ADHD diagnosis can provide comfort, with the understanding that not all past behaviours were within your control.

Be advantageous and learn to use the positive attributes of ADHD.​

Find support from organisations and support groups. Help everyone around you to understand ADHD, let them know their roles are, and what you want them to do that would help you.​

Educational assessment

Children with ADHD may have additional challenges, including learning disabilities and language disorders. In order to get a full picture of these, we advise whānau to get help from their school or go private if they can. Understanding co-occurring conditions can help with planning the best support around a child to maximise their chances of success at school. For some children this may include periods of one-to-one support with a remedial teacher.

Nutritional intake 

For some, dietary measures can make ADHD more manageable.​ It can be helpful to carefully look at your nutritional intake to ensure appropriate amounts for growth and consistent functioning throughout the day.​

We suggest that you:

• reduce the consumption of sugar or processed foods and add whole foods
• think about supporting the brain with supplements. If a healthy diet is hard to implement (i.e. picky eating) or if someone is at risk for nutrient deficiencies, then adding micronutrients such as zinc, magnesium or iron can be helpful. Essential fatty acids can be useful too, and specialist micronutrient formulations can be useful for some. 
  
• consider reducing or eliminating gluten, dairy, or eggs, which can cause brain fog in sensitive individuals.

There is now overwhelming evidence of the effects of food on children’s behaviour.

The easiest way to find out what foods your child may be intolerant to is to make a ‘food diary’ to try to notice any associations between consumption of certain foods and any effects on behaviour.

We suggest you consult a professional health practitioner i.e. naturopath, nutritionist or dietitian if you're not confident in managing it on your own.

Exercise

Exercise helps your cognitive function and hyperactive/restless symptoms while promoting healthy sleep and stress reduction.

Sleep

Improve sleep by exercising during the day, creating a regular sleep schedule, practicing good sleep hygiene and/or using melatonin.

Chemical sensitivity, toxicity, allergies

Be aware that exposure to a range of chemicals and toxic metals that can affect the brain and immune system i.e. chlorine, lead and mercury.

Counselling 

Family counselling can play an important part in whānau dynamics, providing the counsellor has good knowledge of ADHD. Counselling can also play an important role in developing your mindfulness skills, which may improve core ADHD symptoms and emotion regulation. You can find counsellors in our extensive list of healthcare providers around New Zealand.

Behaviour modification

Parenting courses play an important role in managing your child with ADHD. ​ Check out our events to see if there are any courses that you think can help.

ADHD NZ - Healthcare directory

Therapies 

Here are examples of just a few therapies available that can help you to manage ADHD:

Psychoeducation by an assessing specialist helps you understand what ADHD is and what it isn't, enabling you to identify when you need support and should be compassionate and understanding of yourself.

Behavioural therapy through a psychologist or coach helps identify ways you can change your behaviour to better support yourself and use your ADHD strengths to your advantage. Modifications and supports such as fidgets, weighted blankets, headphones and stand-up desks, can all help to reduce some of the challenges in certain tasks by better attending to sensory needs.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy used by psychologists to help you to change the way you think, feel, and behave, in respect to any mood or behavioural concerns e.g. anxiety, low mood and anger.

Executive functioning skills training with a coach, counsellor, or psychologist, can help work out how best to use your environment and tools as supports.

Occupational Therapy looks into the way your body functions and identifies ways to support you. This includes gross and fine motor control (from poor handwriting skills to riding a bike), hand-eye coordination (catching a ball), visual-spatial relationships, body image, self-concept and much more. They can also assess your sensory profile to better think about ways to cater to any sensory sensitivities.

Speech therapy can help children with ADHD who have either delayed speech or talk well before and beyond their years. The former may need early intervention at a speech therapy clinic. 

You can find a number of therapists throughout New Zealand in our healthcare directory.

Medication 

The use of medication can depend on a person’s age, the severity of ADHD symptoms, and the level of impact they have on day to day functioning. 

Medications may not work for all ADHD symptoms or affect everyone the same way. A combination of different approaches, which can include medication, therapy and skills training, as well as some of the other approaches explored above, may be most helpful. This is called multimodal treatment.

Your healthcare provider may suggest other medications or combinations for specific reasons.

​​​​​​​Many ADHD support organisations can support you and help your family to manage ADHD in your life.

For more information about ADHD medication, visit: ADHD NZ - ADHD and medication