Claire Yorke (in JHB) and Anel Annandale (in CT) are both qualified to do these tests. Where are you based? Please feel free to contact Claire on 083 231 7547 or Anel on 021 762 6215 to arrange the assessment.

The Feingold diet (you should be able to google it) is the eating programme prescribed most often for children who suffer from ADHD, but there is very little scientific evidence that it actually works. Some people absolutely swear by it, whereas others claim that is has made no difference.

Omega -3 supplements are also very popular. Our brains and bodies cannot produce Omega-3 and so need to get it from an external source. I’m not entirely sure whether this makes a big difference either, but seem to think that there is no real harm in giving Omega-3 as a supplement.

All children need to eat regular, balanced meals and I would suggest that you concentrate mainly on getting your daughter to follow a low GI diet, full of healthy proteins & grains, vegetables and good fats in the appropriate portions and that you cut out sugar as far as possible. Look out for a book called the Low GL diet by Dr Patrick Holford, it has great tips and advice and lots of quick & easy recipes for busy moms.

Is your daughter currently being medicated for ADHD? Remember that certain medications prescribed for ADHD list loss of appetite as a side-effect. Some sources also recommend that children be given a drink containing caffeine, such as coke or 7-up at about 4pm, when they claim that the medication has worked out and children become cranky – but I’m not entirely comfortable with children the idea of giving children sugary soft-drinks on a daily basis.

Also make sure that you have had your daughter checked for allergies, as certain allergies may add to the symptoms of ADHD.

For most families, finding a diet that works requires a trial & error approach. Perhaps it might help to keep a diary and monitor your daughter’s behaviour and distractability when trying a new diet / food group. Remember to always consult your doctor or dietitian when cutting out food groups or making making major changes to your diet.

Best of luck!

We have a team of educational psychologists around the country who could possibly help you. Each psychologist has a special area of interest and charges independently. In which area do you live? Please feel free to send me an e-mail at anel@childpsych.co.za so that I may give you more information.

Claire Yorke would probably be able to do the assessment for you. You can contact her on 083 231 7547. I will also forward her your e-mail address and ask her to get in touch. Keep well!

Thanks for your response