ADD/ADHD and sensory integration disorders

In the time that I was making my way through middle school and high school, I heard very little about ADD/ADHD or any other sensory integration disorder. Now that I am older and in touch with many teachers, it seems that these diagnoses have become common place among our nation's children and teens.

Along with the medication that often accompanies such a diagnosis also comes the propensity for abuse. On Aug. 24, 2009, the journal Pediatrics reported that abuse of stimulants prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - particularly amphetamines - is on the rise among teens. Lead researcher Jennifer Setlik, M.D., of the University of Cincinnati in Ohio said calls to poison centers about teen victims of prescription ADHD drugs jumped 76 percent between 1998 and 2005.

What may come as a surprise to many parents faced with the dilemma of medicating for ADD/ADHD or any other sensory integration disorder is the option not to medicate at all. Why face another worry when help for your child may be found at your local chiropractor's office?

This week, Spoelstra Family Chiropractic launched an extension program that will take a drugless approach to treating sensory integration disorders which often have the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD or have patterns of being impulsive, hyperactive, inattentive or exhibit an unexplained lack of productivity. We have expanded our office in the previous months and we are now ready to accept new patients.

One of the leading authorities on ADD/ADHD in the nation, Dr. Ed Hollowell (author of the best selling book Drive to Distraction), has partnered with some of the most well known chiropractors in the business to create a certification program called SHINE. Spoelstra Family Chiropractic is now a SHINE certified facility and will be one of the only offices in the country with an active program dealing with sensory integration disorders.

Free orientation meetings will be offered to those interested in learning more and will go into great detail about the design, purpose and goals of this program. We look forward to interacting with the community about the options available for treatment of sensory integration issues without the use of medication.

For more information or to schedule a time for your free orientation meeting, contact Spoelstra Family Chiropractic at (208) 667-7434 or go to www.CDAHealth.com. Orientation meetings are filling up fast and do have limited space, so please schedule early if you are interested in learning more.