Adults

“Neurodevelopmental Disorder” is an umbrella-term for conditions that affect the growth or development of the brain or central nervous system. A condition like this usually manifests early in a child’s development before the child enters primary school. The disorder is characterised by developmental deficits that produce impairments of personal, social, academic and/ or occupational functioning.

There is no simple “test” for ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is a clinical diagnosis made using well-tested diagnostic interview methods. Diagnosis is based on history, the description of symptoms, observable behaviours in at least two separate settings (school, work, and home), and the exclusion of other conditions that may resemble ADHD.

Diagnosis should include input from parents, teachers, and others who are interacting with the child or adult. The process will also consider conditions which can accompany ADHD, and the additional impacts this will have on the person. For example, depression, anxiety, trauma, learning difficulties, developmental status, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder.

Although a small body of research suggests some children may benefit from nutritional interventions, delaying the implementation of well-established, effective interventions to engage in unproven methods is likely to be harmful for children.

There are no well-established nutritional interventions proven to be effective for assisting the majority of children with ADHD, especially in the long-term. In other words, it is thought that diet does not play a role in the cause or management of ADHD.

There is no doubt that some foods affect behaviour, but food allergens or intolerances are not ADHD. ADHD and food chemical intolerance may co-exist as two separate conditions, just as ADHD and Asthma may co-exist, and ADHD symptoms may be worsened by the other condition and vice versa.