In regard to diet, we all need a large number of minerals and trace elements to keep our bodies working properly. Many Australian soils are notoriously deficient in many essential minerals. If these essential minerals are not in the soil, then they're not in the plants which grow in the soil and they're not in the animals which graze on these plants.

These minerals need to be in a form which the body can assimilate. For instance, if a doctor tells you that you need iron, you know it's no good just going home and sucking on a nail. In many cases, the best form is colloidal.

It's great that you are limiting your son's intake of harmful and suspect food ingredients, but this does not, in itself, address possible deficiencies.

OK now I feel I have to say something which is not meant to be unkind to anyone... but I feel needs to be said.

From my experience people who have ADHD kids have usually tried nearly everything suggested. Whilst we are offering advice, the problems are still getting worse regarding these illnesses. Parents with these kids have dealt with the situation whilst the child was a baby, a toddler, an infant, a Primary School student and now whilst at High School. They probably have tried just about everything! Sure make suggestions but that isn't really the whole solution.

God, parents of ADHD kids would walk "backwards to Uluru naked" if they thought that would work.

What is needed is a whole of Government approach working together with the parents of these affected kids to find solutions that work. These kids are unwell. They are crying out for help!

Education departments and all areas of medical and non-medical expertise needs to get together and find ways to assist thes children & families. The kids are sick or disabled and you have a duty of care to help them.

I congratulate RObert for offering to help finance services for his child, HOWEVER, this to me as a tax payer is unfair and just not reasonable. RObert whilst there are Govt surpluses you should never have to finance assistance for your child within the school system. No doubt you have paid far more than the average parent with healthy children, without having the extra burden of financing a teachers aid. It is wonderful that you offered and I admire you for it - but it just isn't right that you felt you had to offer it.

Congratulations to all parents who have kids with these disabilities... I salute you ... and I appreciate and respect your efforts to work with an underfunded system for the benefits of your adored children.

Pollies get off your backsides and do something... lead, follow or get out of the way... You are paid to serve the public... and people like Kathee need your support! NOW!

Kathee..I fully agree with Rex..

Trace elements are dificient in soils fruit and veg and so onto our meat..

A lack of iron for example can have a terrible effect mentally on a child emotional development,.

Zinc, magnesium and on it goes..I firmly believe that consulting a highly qualified Naturopath and have all your sons blood levels crtitically evaluated would be a huge step to get his brains cognitive functions somewhere near normal.

As with any treatment it could take a few weeks but could at least give you a calmer less anxiuos child in not to long a time at all.

My sister had a goitre in her neck...quite large and she was so ill because of it..thyroid.
Conventional doctors wanted to irradiate it..cut it out etc..
She went to the local homeopath got the correct remedy and her goitre and her health problems dissappeared.

Conventional doctors dont refer to or even acknowledge alternative practitioners and this is because it would not be economically viable for them to do so.
They are however aware of the great treatments that are out there not provided by them, and yet the monetary bottom line wont allow them to do whats in the best interest of their patients..greed.

I have used refexology on myself and had some amazing results for a condition doctors wantd to hospitalize me for so they could get to the bottom of it..intensive care no less at one stage....I went home liftd my foot..did some therapy and cured myself thru massaging reflex points related to different bodily organs.

There is help Kathee..A naturopath specialist will be a great 1st step. Good luck:)

Everyone,

Thank you for your suggestions. We have tried everything short of electroshock therapy in our quest to bring some relief not only to ourselves but also our son.

Thankyou for never saying it is our poor parenting that has gotten us here. It is a fact that our son has ADHD. It is a fact that he has Bipolar Disorder. It is a fact our son has ICD and ODD. He was born with these conditions. We cannot change that, and in some ways if I could, he would not be him.

We have followed all directives to modify his diet, and yes, it does help a little. We have medicated him as directed and believe me, without it I would go totally insane. We have tried reflexology, kinesiology, tough love - anything we thought might help. I wish I could afford private school or pay an aide, but we're not wealthy people and Cal is not an only child (although I think he wishes he was sometimes!)

The point that I am trying to make by doing what I am doing is this -I don't blame the school, I don't blame us, I don't blame Cal. I see that there is a problem, I see what has worked for us here at home, and I want the chance to try the same process at school, to give my son the chance to get an education. He will learn to behave if he's put in the position where consequences are evident and enforced. He needs time to mature in his brain, not his personality.

The Education System fails to see that he is still a CHILD, and children need boundaries and consequences that they understand. All I want is the chance to try, without draining the system of precious resources, without expecting the staff to drive themselves into an early grave, without depriving other students and their parents of their rightful education.

Again, thankyou for your thoughts and suggestions. I am beginning to feel as if I am not alone.

Personally I think we all should be saying THANKYOU to you, Kathee.

Your explanation of giving your son time to pause and reflect before taking an action is a wonderful concept. We all take that skill for granted and yet we do it every day. ADHD kids don't appear to have that learned skill as early as other non-affected kids.

I just can't see any losers in what you are attempting to do. You are taking your responsibility as a loving parent in a very responsible way.

The teachers benefit because their time will be freed up so that they are not continually watching your son.

The other students benefit because the teachers get more time to assist them.

The Education Department benefits because it saves costs and knows that the best person for the job, YOU, has the job. And whats more it is FREE to the system, so the bean counters are happy.

But mostly your son sees that he is important and in time will absolutely respect that you gave of your time so that he may have an education and a career.

Finally the parents of the other kids benefit because they see a responsible person, taking their love and responsibilities honestly and openly for the benefit of not only your son, but for their children's benefit as well.

Whilst everyone is looking for a cure you have gone one step further.... you have found a solution.

Thankyou... you are an inspiration!

A very good overview of ADHD. What to use and what to avoid:

http://www.newstarget.com/ADHD.html

Lots of informative links.