| Over the years, the number of cases of ADHD has significantly risen. Every year, more children are diagnosed with this disorder. The number of individuals diagnosed with ADHD who are receiving pharmacological treatment, such as stimulants, has increased greatly in recent years, and stimulants are now considered the first line of treatment for many children with ADHD. However, stimulants may not be an effective treatment for all individuals with ADHD. Although this treatment may alleviate symptoms for some, it does present with certain risk factors. Side effects can be severe enough that many individuals discontinue use. Sleep problems, decreased appetite, delayed growth, headaches, stomachaches, tics, moodiness, and irritability are some of the most common side effects seen in children. The dangers of the available common treatments point to the need for alternative, safe, and effective treatment choices for children with ADHD. Therefore, this dissertation involves the development and evaluation of a treatment manual combining three components: nutrition, physical activity, and mindfulness meditation. The treatment manual is intended to be useful and informative for parents of children with ADHD, as well as clinicians who are planning on conducting future research and/or provide treatment for individuals with ADHD. The treatment manual was given to four evaluators. Results indicated that the treatment manual met the goal as a useful tool for parents and clinicians. However, these results were collected from a small panel of participants. To achieve empirical validation concerning the effectiveness of the manual, further development of the treatment manual as well as additional evaluations is necessary. |
