Parents, physicians, and the Centers for Disease Control agree that when it comes to approaching attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in kids, medication should not be the first line of defense. The CDC recommends parent training in behavior management and behavioral classroom interventions as a starting point. While guidance to manage challenging behaviors is a start, all too often this falls short of addressing the whole-child impact of the disorder. The next line of defense is considered medication, however crucial areas of a child’s well-being are impacted minimally or to varying degrees with ADHD medication, learning, social interactions, growth, and self-confidence. While medication can be extremely helpful in many scenarios, some families hope to avoid the use of medication, while others find medication to fall short of addressing the problems they are experiencing. Parenting isn’t easy and parenting a child with ADHD can add additional stress as you help your child navigate school, friends, and home life. As parents we want our kids to be happy, healthy, and excel in what they do. We hope for our kids to have a great group of friends and to thrive in school and sports, but disruptions in their attention and behavior can derail success in each of these areas of life. When this happens, it can leave both the kids and parents feeling like failures. During these times of stress, parents start searching for ways to help their children. Phone calls to pediatricians, psychologists, and friends as well as late-night searches on the internet can provide an array of options that may feel overwhelming. This journey typically leads parents to the possibility of medication but few other alternatives. Google Trends data shows that over the past 5 years the number of searches for non-medication treatment for ADHD is on the rise (and this was prior to the current Adderall shortage). Parents are looking for help, but don’t know where to turn. Beyond medication and behavioral support, the path forward is simply not clear. According to the journal Health Psychology Research, ADHD is one of the most thoroughly researched disorders in medicine, yet we are still left with many unanswered questions. The array of studies has focused on the causes, symptoms, and complications as well as the impact of various medications. Where the research falls short is in non-drug alternatives to addressing the vast array of complications. In fact, the CDC has labeled ADHD “a serious public health problem,” based on “the large estimated prevalence of the disorder; and the limited effectiveness of current interventions to attend to all the impairments associated with ADHD.” Simply put, more information is needed on alternative interventions. A recent exploratory study conducted by Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital aimed to begin to address this void in researched ADHD alternatives. The study implemented an at-home version of the Brain Balance program®, training to determine which aspects of ADHD were impacted and to what degree. The kids in the study ranged from 8 to 14 years old and were diagnosed with ADHD. The fifteen-week integrated program consisted of sensory, physical, visual, and Interactive Metronome® timing exercises. The study found a marked reduction in symptoms as reported by parents in the ADHD total score as well as in the subcategories of hyperactivity and inattention. Scientifically that equates to a large effect size, which is described as change significant enough to be meaningful in the real world. Clinician ratings validated those findings with changes noted in the same categories. What is meaningful to note is that the changes documented were similar to those improvements seen in a low-dose stimulant medication. While this study is promising, more studies of this nature are needed to provide parents with additional evidence-based options to support their child’s needs. As a parent trying to determine the path forward that’s right for your child, start by asking yourself a few questions. First, define your goal. Are you hoping to avoid the use of medication? Or is your child currently medicated yet there are still areas of struggle? Then determine the areas of need so you can align the right support for your child. All too often parents and professionals focus on the most disruptive symptom, yet for many kids, the impact is far broader. The Mayo Clinic provides multiple lists that cover symptoms, complications, and coexisting conditions related to ADHD. These lists are long and go beyond inattention including things such as impulsiveness, poor self-image, mood swings, unstable relationships, poor work or school performance, difficulty with time management, multitasking, and following through on and completing tasks. Current medications address some, but not all of the symptoms involved, and can introduce additional side effects and challenges.