Naturopathic ADHD support for children and adults
Common concerns patients and parents bring in
Difficulty concentrating or sustaining attention
Hyperactivity or restlessness
Impulsivity
Emotional dysregulation
Difficulty starting or completing tasks
Procrastination
Forgetfulness
Poor time management
Feeling easily overwhelmed
Difficulty transitioning between activities
Sleep difficulties
Morning or bedtime struggles
Anxiety or irritability
Afternoon energy crashes
Picky or restrictive eating
Constipation or digestive concerns
Difficulty at school or work
Nutritional deficiencies
Appetite changes related to ADHD medication
Feeling mentally exhausted or "burnt out"
ADHD is not a discipline problem, a lack of intelligence, laziness, or a lack of motivation.
It's a neurodevelopmental condition — and it can look very different from one person to another and across different stages of life.
In children, ADHD may show up as hyperactivity, impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, difficulty at school, sleep problems or challenges with transitions. In adults, it may look more like difficulty focusing, procrastination, overwhelm, poor time management, forgetfulness, inconsistent energy, difficulty completing tasks or feeling mentally exhausted from trying to keep up.
Naturopathic care does not replace an ADHD assessment, behavioural or psychological support, school or workplace accommodations, or medication when medication is appropriate. My role is to work alongside your existing care while investigating modifiable health factors that can influence attention, regulation, sleep, energy, mood and overall functioning.
How Dr. Arrigo approaches ADHD support
The first visit looks at the whole person — not just the ADHD diagnosis.
For children, we'll discuss pregnancy and birth history, development, sleep, eating patterns, digestion, medications, supplements, school performance, sensory concerns, behaviour and any previous testing or assessments.
For adults, we'll look at sleep, nutrition, digestion, stress, energy, menstrual and hormonal health when relevant, medications, supplements, work demands, exercise, lifestyle and any existing medical or psychological assessments.
When clinically appropriate, I may recommend bloodwork or other testing to investigate nutritional, metabolic or medical factors that could be contributing to how you or your child feels.
For pediatric patients, I can work alongside your child's paediatrician, family doctor, psychologist, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist and school team where appropriate.
For adults, naturopathic care can similarly complement care from your family physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist or other healthcare providers.
What might influence symptoms?
Sleep. Sleep-disordered breathing, difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking and insufficient sleep can significantly affect attention, memory, mood and behaviour.
Iron and nutrient status. Iron, zinc, vitamin D, B vitamins, magnesium and omega-3 intake may be relevant depending on diet, symptoms and clinical presentation.
Blood-sugar regulation. Long periods without eating, inconsistent meals and highly refined diets can contribute to fluctuations in energy, mood and concentration.
Dietary adequacy. Children may have sensory food preferences or restricted diets, while both children and adults taking stimulant medication may experience appetite suppression that makes meeting nutritional needs more difficult.
Gut health. Constipation, bloating, abdominal discomfort and other gastrointestinal concerns can affect sleep, comfort and overall wellbeing and deserve to be addressed in their own right.
Stress and nervous-system regulation. School demands, work pressures, sensory overload, parenting responsibilities and chronic stress can make executive functioning and emotional regulation considerably harder.
ADHD in adults
Many adults reach adulthood without ever having been diagnosed with ADHD.
Some have spent years being told they're disorganized, forgetful, overly emotional, unmotivated or simply need to "try harder." Others function extremely well professionally but expend enormous amounts of energy keeping everything together behind the scenes.
Women in particular may present differently than the stereotypical image of a hyperactive child. Symptoms can become more noticeable as responsibilities increase or during periods of significant hormonal change, stress or sleep disruption.
Naturopathic care doesn't replace formal ADHD assessment or treatment. Instead, we look at the additional factors that may be making it harder for you to function at your best.
When to consider naturopathic ADHD support
Naturopathic care may be useful when ADHD occurs alongside:
Sleep difficulties
Digestive concerns
Restrictive eating or poor appetite
Nutritional deficiencies
Anxiety or high stress
Significant energy fluctuations
Menstrual or hormonal concerns
Difficulty maintaining consistent meals
Medication-related appetite or nutritional concerns
Persistent fatigue or brain fog
You do not have to choose between conventional ADHD treatment and naturopathic care. They can work alongside one another.
ADHD is more than attention
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition involving differences in attention, executive function and impulse regulation.
But the severity of someone's day-to-day symptoms can also be influenced by their physical health.
A child who is chronically sleep deprived, iron deficient, skipping breakfast or dealing with persistent gastrointestinal symptoms has additional physiological stress layered on top of their ADHD.
The same applies to adults. Poor sleep, chronic stress, inconsistent meals, nutrient deficiencies, blood-sugar fluctuations and digestive concerns can make concentration, energy and emotional regulation even more difficult.
Addressing these factors doesn't "cure ADHD."
It helps create a healthier physiological baseline from which the brain and body can function.
Frequently asked questions
-
No. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition. The goal is to support overall health and address modifiable factors that may make attention, executive functioning, energy and emotional regulation more difficult.
-
Yes. I work with both children and adults with ADHD. Adult care is individualized around nutrition, sleep, stress, energy, digestion, nutrient status, lifestyle and other health concerns occurring alongside ADHD.
-
Yes. I work alongside prescribed medication rather than asking patients to choose between conventional and naturopathic care. However, if the goal of my patient is to come of medication I also work alongside their family doctor for this.
-
Not automatically. Children need adequate calories, protein, micronutrients and dietary variety for growth. Dietary restriction should have a clear clinical rationale.
-
Yes. I see children, adults and families virtually throughout Ontario and also see patients in person in Toronto.
-
Most extended health insurance plans in Ontario cover naturopathic visits. I'll provide receipts you can submit directly.
Ready to figure out what's actually going on?
Book a free 15-minute discovery call to talk through your hormonal concerns and see if working together is the right fit.
This page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. If you have concerns about your mental or physical health, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.