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I’ve read several books about celiac disease because a member of our household was recently diagnosed with it. One of the POSSIBLE benefits that all these books mentioned — these are mainstream books — is improved concentration/focussing (specifically kids, I think). I have a feeling that’s where some bloggers, etc. take that ball and run with it…. saying that no gluten can help ADHD. But what’s probably happening is that the celiac patient — who was previously not able to fully absorb the nutrients from his/her food due to the inflammation in the small intestine (in other words he/she was malnourished… and who can concentrate properly when they are vitamin and mineral deprived? — is now better-nourished and therefore their brain is being fed.
So what looked ADHD-ish in the untreated celiac could have just been the effects of nutrient malabsorption. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it. (PS Headaches can also be one of the celiac’s symptoms, and once they go gluten-free, this can improve. Who wouldn’t have headaches if they were malnourished, right?)
REPORT ABUSEPS. According to their receptionist The ADHD Clinic does accept people up to age 22.
REPORT ABUSE@ zsazsa — Important, though, to also identify any co-morbidities and to see whether it’s “just” those other conditions or only ADHD.
@ beebster — I just found out today that The ADHD Clinic recently stopped seeing adults. What a shame! I was seen this summer, so I must have been one of the last adults to be accepted. Sorry.
REPORT ABUSEWell, in Ontario at least, it’s not easy for an ADULT to get free testing. I’m employed, but like most of us with kids (in university $$$), don’t have a slush fund just waiting for me to use. But I decided to save up, not go out much, etc. The ADHD Clinic is one of the cheaper ones. And as I’ve said, they don’t seem to do any unnecessary tests. There are places that will charge $2500-$5000, but they do tons of other psycho-educational testing… probably not necessary. I coughed up the $1K (including tax), got the diagnosis (important, ’cause what if you have a co-morbidity, or it’s not ADHD?) and got rolling with the rest of my life.
For those of you who lack the money, perhaps the dr. would be open to a payment plan. Or … Xmas is coming up. Tell your inner circle that you’d really appreciate $ (no gift cards, unless H&M will test you!). And maybe a few friends will advance you the rest. What a great Xmas present to yourself–a calmed-down brain.
REPORT ABUSEPS, I just read lurknessmonster’s entry.
About conflict of interest: I felt The ADHD Clinic was straight, because the doctor only charged OHIP for his services. The $875 was for the psychometrist and psychologist (don’t forget, it’s not just the 4 or so hrs that I saw these people in total… they also had to spend some time scoring and writing reports). And they didn’t try to sell me any other services — such as coaching — when the diagnosis was delivered to me. The Dr. said he would suggest therapy and/or coaching to compliment the meds, but he suggested the CADDAC web site as a place to start my search. So, he wasn’t in cahoots with anyone, nor was he trying to get me to come back to his clinic and spend some more money.
REPORT ABUSEHi beebster:
The ADD Center (Mississauga) is NOT the place I went. This Mississauga place seems to be run by a psychologist (who, of course, cannot prescribe meds).
The place I went to: The ADHD Clinic (Toronto, Davisville subway neighbourhood — http://www.theadhdclinic.ca/
I also heard Dr. Bilkey is good…. but Barrie is not convenient for everyone.
I was pleased with the process and thoroughness at The ADHD Clinic. The price seems to be cheaper than some other places, too. When I described the assessment (2 long appts, many questionnaires, thorough interviews, etc.) to my GP, he seemed to trust it. If Dr. Turgay were alive, he would have referred me to him, and it was Dr. Turgay who used to run this clinic.
Hope this helps.
REPORT ABUSEI went to The ADHD Clinic in Toronto, near Davisville subway station. Cost: $875 + HST (=just under $1K). I felt they did a good assessment, looked for co-morbidities, etc. The process was about 4 or 5 hrs over 2 appts + a third appt to receive the diag. and treatment plan, which the fam. physician can deal with. Cost was for psychometrist and psychologist. OHIP paid for the psychiatrist.
REPORT ABUSEAround 2008, I purchased Brain Fitness (by Posit Science). It has both Mac and PC versions. It is meant for improving one’s auditory comprehension, processing and memory, which is what I thought my problem was. This was before I went down the path of ADHD assessment and now realize that it might not have been my auditory memory, but rather that I was zoning out and not hearing what people said in the first place!
Anyway, back in the day, I completed the whole Brain Fitness program (40 X 1 hr sessions, which should be done at the rate of at least 5 sessions per week). One day, about 4 weeks into the program, I noticed myself NOT procrastinating in my daily life — at least, not as much as usual! I now know that procrastination is one of the behaviours of ADHD.
So, my point to this long drawn-out story: You may find some benefit to using Brain Fitness. It can’t hurt, it is meant for home purchase/use, and is fairly affordable (I paid about $280 US back in 2008 for the newly minted Mac version. It’s now about $400. I inquired about CogMed this year, which is available in my city. It needs to be administered by someone + there’s a coach. Cost: about $1800, if I remember correctly. It has a different focus from Brain Fitness, but BF might fit the bill for you in some ways and isn’t such a financial risk. Also, for all that money, you never own CogMed. It’s only on your computer for the duration of the program.). Each one hr session consists of 4 fifteen-minute exercises. There are 6 different exercises in the program. The software chooses which 4 of the 6 you’ll do, and calibrates them to your ability, pushing your brain to be just challenged enough, and ratcheting back down when you seem to need a break. I found it made me sharper in general. (I was about 50 at the time of use.) Since it’s been a few years, I’ve just started re-doing the program, just to get “back into shape”.
Some people use this program to help with chemo brain, menopause fog, old geezer brain, etc. It’s kind of “large print”, so you know they’re expecting lots of seniors with their “moments” using this!
http://www.positscience.com/our-products/brain-fitness-program
http://www.positscience.com/our-products/brain-fitness-program/faq
Good luck.
REPORT ABUSE… and another thing: I also procrastinate on getting a drink of water. I can feel quite parched and uncomfortable, but just keep postponing getting up to fill my glass. Dumb, huh? ; )
REPORT ABUSEThis is just too funny… but also validating to see that these various behaviours (or lack of them!) could be something we ADDers do. I also sometimes put off going to pee. The back forty of my brain seems to sense it, but I’ll tell myself, “I’ll go soon. Just want to get a bit more work done.” Those of you who read the blog entry of July 20/11 (about not wanting to have bowel movements in childhood) will have nodded vigorously. It was an Aha! moment for me, because until about the age of 5 or 6 I would hold my bowels. I think my late mother probably had ADD. And one of the things she would do was rush into the house after a day at her office, saying “Just a minute! I just need to go to the bathroom (i.e. to pee)!” I would ask her, “Why didn’t you go all day at work?” and she’d reply that she didn’t have time. But of course, most people CAN find the time. It’s just us ADDers either hyper-focussing on something else, or don’t wanting to break away from a task once we’re on a roll.
On a different note: This is the very first time in my life that I’ve ever participated in a forum, and I have to say, it is such a kick! After starting this topic, I couldn’t wait until I could log in again and see whether anyone responded. Thanks, guys!
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