Looking for advice from parents of children with ADHD / Autism

[greatness97]

Hi everyone,

My 9 year old son is currently going through the process of being diagnosed with ADHD and I'm hoping to hear from parents who have been through something similar.

One of the things we struggle with is helping him calm down when he's feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, overexcited or unable to switch off. I'm particularly interested in hearing about any natural approaches, coping strategies, routines or practical techniques that have helped your children regulate their emotions and feel calmer.

Some of the things I've been wondering about are:

• Fidget toys or sensory items
• Exercise and physical activity
• Diet or nutritional changes
• Sleep routines
• Mindfulness, breathing exercises or relaxation techniques
• Weighted blankets or sensory aids
• Anything else you've found helpful at home or school

I know every child is different and I'm not looking for medical advice or a miracle cure. I'd just really appreciate hearing from parents and carers who have been there and can share what worked, or didn't work, for their children.

What helped your child the most? Is there anything you wish you'd known when they were first diagnosed?

Thanks in advance for any advice or experiences you'd be willing to share.

[agate]

Welcome, greatness97,
I'm not a parent of a child with ADHD but am a grandparent of a boy of 8 who was diagnosed with it several years ago. I can't answer your questions but do know of a book that his parents found helpful, and I have a copy of the book. Just let me know if you'd like more information about the book, and I can send it to you by private message here.

[greatness97]

Welcome, greatness97,
I'm not a parent of a child with ADHD but am a grandparent of a boy of 8 who was diagnosed with it several years ago. I can't answer your questions but do know of a book that his parents found helpful, and I have a copy of the book. Just let me know if you'd like more information about the book, and I can send it to you by private message here.

Of course fire away :-)

[greatness97]

Welcome, greatness97,
I'm not a parent of a child with ADHD but am a grandparent of a boy of 8 who was diagnosed with it several years ago. I can't answer your questions but do know of a book that his parents found helpful, and I have a copy of the book. Just let me know if you'd like more information about the book, and I can send it to you by private message here.

While we're waiting for more responses, one thing we've found helpful with our son is using Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register.... Small sensory items such as stress balls, textured fidgets, or simple fidget cubes seem to help him regulate his emotions when he's feeling overwhelmed or struggling to switch off. They don't solve everything, but they can give him something to focus on and help redirect some of that excess energy in a calming way.

We're still learning what works best for him, which is why I'm keen to hear about other parents' experiences too. Any information about the book you mentioned would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again for reaching out.

[agate]

I was looking at the index in the book with a view toward your list. There are quite a few entries for mindfulness and some for nourishment and physical activity.