ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in Children and Adults

Do you suspect that you or your child may have ADHD? Do you find it hard to stay focused? Are you impulsive, doing things you later regret? Are you frustrated at always forgetting what you need to get done? 

  • There are evidence-based, drug-free ways to help support those with ADHD or awaiting an ADHD diagnosis

  • The Key Clinic’s unique 360-degree approach to assessment will help pinpoint the root causes of symptoms.

  • By targeting the root causes, we can unlock the potential of children and adults with ADHD, for more successful, happier, calmer lives. 

Learn how to optimise functioning and provide the best support for someone with ADHD.

What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a ‘neurodevelopmental disorder’. It refers to a pattern of behaviour that can affect various life situations such as school, peer relationships, self-esteem, and family life.

The two core categories into which symptoms of ADHD fall are inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Inattentiveness means difficulty concentrating and focusing whereas hyperactivity or impulsivity refers to doing things without considering the consequences. Some people fall into one category or the other; however, some may fall into both categories.

Historically, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) was the diagnosis given when there were no symptoms of hyperactivity, however ADHD is now the term/diagnosis used whether there are symptoms of hyperactivity or not. 

ADHD is primarily determined by genetic factors, (70-80% of the probability), but environmental factors can also contribute. These include premature birth, low birth weight, and maternal substance abuse. ADHD affects the part of the brain called the Reticular Activating System (RAS), causing bodily stimulation not to be processed as stimulation and the brain feeling under-stimulated. This helps explain why those with ADHD are more likely to be physically hyperactive; to take risks; to become violent; to develop addictions to substances and to act impulsively. These actions are an attempt to help the brain feel adequately stimulated. 

It is important to understand that ADHD is beyond someone’s conscious control. Someone with ADHD is not just ‘acting up’ or ‘being naughty.’ There are biological differences that make it difficult to control, without the right support.

Signs and Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder

ADHD is usually evident from an early age and persists into adolescence and adulthood, but for some, it is not identified until later in life. Most are diagnosed when children are under 12 years old; however, late diagnosis in adults is soaring. ADHD often becomes apparent when a child starts school and teachers notice that a child finds it hard to sit still, struggles to pay attention, or blurts out answers in class. It can also include poor organisation skills, anxiety, mood swings and angry/violent outbursts. 

Signs of ADHD in adults may be more subtle than childhood symptoms. Obvious physical hyperactivity tends to decrease in adults while inattentiveness tends to remain or have a greater impact as the demands of adult life increase. Other coping mechanisms may also have developed, such as learning to make notes of what needs to be done; self-medicating with alcohol or recreational drugs, impulsivity potentially ruining relationships and risk-taking behaviours, such as gambling or extreme sports.

People with ADHD may also have additional problems/comorbidities, such as sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, autism, or other physical problems. 

It is also important however to be aware that ADHD isn't a weakness as those with ADHD also have many gifts. These can include the ability to see the bigger picture, creative thinking and a bias to action. All of these can be valuable in helping society progress, and coming up with new ideas, which are desirable traits for businesses.

Symptoms of ADHD in Children

    • Getting your child to sleep at night

    • Getting ready for school on time

    • Listening to and carrying out instructions

    • Being organised

    • Forgetfulness

    • Sitting still or constantly fidgeting

    • Concentrating on one task and constantly changing tasks

    • Excessive physical movement or talking

    • Interrupting conversations or not waiting their turn

    • Little/no sense of danger

    • Anger or violent outbursts

Symptoms of ADHD in Adults

    • Organisation and time management

    • Following instructions

    • Focusing and completing tasks

    • Coping with stress

    • Feeling restless or impatient

    • Impulsiveness and risk-taking

    • Addictions

    • Issues with relationships or social interaction

    • Continuously losing or misplacing things

    • Mood swings and quick temper

ADHD support & natural therapies

Traditional treatments include, either as a combination or individually: psychological therapies, social skills training, occupational therapy, family therapy, and most commonly medication. 

Since combining ADD and ADHD into one diagnostic category, many more people are being prescribed stimulant medications, and while these can work, they do not come risk-free. Some long-term effects of stimulant medications include stunted growth, sleep disruption, and increased risk of depression.

The Key Clinic’s approach is to take the time to assess the root cause of symptoms and then target these, to help rebalance the whole system. We investigate whether the root causes of the symptoms are neurodevelopmental, auditory, or biomedical based and, from there, offer a personalised approach to treatment. 

We have found that the causes of a primarily ‘inattentive’ ADHD presentation are quite different from those of a more ‘impulsive/hyperactive’ ADHD type.  Difficulties around attention span and focus tend to come from retained primitive reflexes and/or auditory processing issues, whereas hyperactivity and impulsivity tend to be rooted in biochemical imbalances.

We carry out physical tests (this may require a neurodevelopmental assessment, lab testing or even a hearing test) to discover the root cause of the symptoms. We then correct this from the ground up, giving the body what it needs to restore a healthy balance, so improving focus, mood swings and hyperactivity.

Do I need to have an official diagnosis of ADHD to receive support from The Key Clinic?

No. Because The Key Clinic aims to investigate the root causes of specific symptoms and work to remove those obstacles for each particular trait, you do not need a diagnosis of ADHD to partake in one of our therapies.

Auditory Integration Training For ADHD - BrightBeatz

Sometimes, it may be hard for a child to remain focussed in the classroom and to concentrate on what is being said due to how they are hearing. 

For example, if a child has hypersensitive hearing, they are easily distracted by background noises in the classroom, which may be easier for others to tune out. It is possible to reduce this hypersensitivity, using AIT to reeducate the ears to be able to better focus on what is being said.

There can be other issues with how a child hears, such as distortions across the hearing profile or dyslateral hearing, which can also make it difficult to tune in and listen to what is being said. This, in turn, affects their ability to learn to read, spell, focus and follow instructions. 

Studies have shown that after AIT, children with ADHD improve listening skills, pay attention to different words, and recognise speech.

BrightBeatz is The Key Clinic’s proprietary form of Auditory Integration Training (AIT), which allows you to listen at home, without having to visit one of our clinics. It consists of listening to customised, filtered music for 30 minutes, twice daily over a 10-day period. BrightBeatz works by re-educating the ears, encouraging the muscles and reflexes of the middle ear to work better together to reduce loud sounds to a more appropriate volume. Parents report improved emotional regulation, reduced hypersensitive hearing, and better language skills and processing. 

Child "I have been noticing changes in my hearing, how sounds aren't as sharp anymore like they used to be. I think doing the Auditory therapy has been helpful, two of the differences are: I am not getting as much headaches as well and when I am in noisy environments like at School, I don't feel as stressed and don't have to cover my ears very much either now."

Her mother "Since completing the auditory therapy, the difference in my 13 year old daughter has been incredible. Shortly after finishing with the 10 day course, she sat her Common Entrance exams and came out with an A* (she was predicted to fail). He was able to focus and not be distracted in exams and is overall less affected by sound and is happier." 

Advice to other parents: "Brace yourself for their behaviour declining half way through but this is only temporary and will be followed by an extraordinary improvement. You won't regret it."

– Parent, August 2024

NeuroDevelopmental Training For ADHD - NeuroMature

Another reason that a child (or adult) may find it difficult to sit still and concentrate, could be due to retained primitive reflexes.

Having retained primitive reflexes means that in the first year of life, the nervous system didn’t finish developing fully, which could result from various factors. These retained primitive reflexes make it difficult for your eyes to track smoothly across a page, make you fidgety, make it difficult to focus, and fuel anxiety, amongst other things. So in the school or work setting, you may have all the intellect you need, but these blockages are just getting in the way of you being able to perform at your best.

While we assess for all the primitive reflexes in our neurodevelopmental assessment at The Key Clinic, three reflexes have been found to have a strong link to ADHD;

  1. A retained ATNR reflex is linked to poorer reading, spelling and maths scores. This is because the ATNR interferes with smooth horizontal eye and hand-eye tracking, making the eyes ‘jump’ at the midline, so you lose your place. It’s hard to concentrate when this keeps happening!

2. A retained STNR reflex causes discomfort in the upright seated position, causing someone with this reflex to fidget or squirm in their chair constantly or just to get up. It also makes writing laborious and copying things from a board at the front of the classroom onto paper especially hard. The STNR causes difficulties with vertical eye and hand-eye tracking.

3. A retained Spinal Galant reflex also makes sitting still impossible, causing someone to wriggle and fidget continually, or, if asked to sit still, to make noise! Interestingly, this reflex is also a potential cause of ongoing bedwetting in some children.

The six-month NeuroMature program is designed to mature the nervous system by integrating primitive reflexes that may be interfering with your child’s development. We guide you through a daily exercise routine, requiring about 20 minutes of movements at home with your child, to help clear neurological blockages. The program includes video support and monthly reviews to track progress and adapt the pace to your needs.

For a more hands-on approach, we offer a ‘Fast-track’ NeuroMature program, where a practitioner works directly with your child for a more intensive experience.

Our NeuroMature programs can improve eye-tracking, focus, reading, writing, balance, coordination, and self-confidence, while also helping to reduce anxiety.

Studies show a clear link between retained primitive reflexes and ADD diagnosis.

2004 Taylor, Houghton and Chapman; University of Western Australia. Primitive reflexes and ADD: developmental origins of classroom dysfunction. International Journal of Special Education.

BioMedical Nutrient Therapy - BioTransform

For those with hyperactivity, high levels of anxiety and/or mood swings, it is important to investigate whether or not there are underlying, biochemical imbalances which are fuelling symptoms. Some individuals may be unable to retain certain nutrients, while others may have difficulty excreting them. Abnormal levels of key nutrients directly impact brain chemistry, behaviour and mental health. These biochemical predispositions often run in families.

The Walsh institute in the USA have collected and analysed biochemical data for 6000 individuals diagnosed with ADHD. They reported finding that 70-90% of those diagnosed had an imbalance in their zinc-to-copper ratio. This, in turn results in an overproduction of norepinephrine (making you hyper and/or anxious) and an under-production of dopamine (the neurotransmitter needed to focus/concentrate). The key clinic works to correct this underlying imbalance using high doses of nutrients, helping to restore a healthy balance.

The Walsh Institute also reported finding that 30% of those in their ADHD database had an underlying ‘Pyrrole disorder’. An increased level of pyrroles found in the urine can mean that not enough vitamin B6 and zinc remain in the body. It has also been associated with high levels of oxidative stress and toxic build up. Walsh links this biochemical profile to extreme mood swings, anxiety and violent behaviours. We work to help support the body to detoxify while also helping to boost B6 and zinc supplies, again, to help support healthy brain functioning.

Based on your bio-individuality, BioTransform is a 6-month, bespoke programme to optimise healthy brain and body functioning.

Our approach is based on:

1) Functional Medicine, to optimises overall health

2) Walsh Nutrient Therapy, to address any biochemical imbalances that may impact neurotransmitter levels in the brain.

  • This programme is drug-free, and involves dietary/lifestyle changes and targeted supplements. 

  • The process starts with assessment: An in-depth questionnaire, consultation and recommended lab tests. 

We then make specific recommendations and support you/your child through a six-month programme with monthly reviews to restore good health.

ADHD Testimonial

– Cameron’s Mum, 2023:

“We were at breaking point in March 2020. Years and years of extreme stress, supporting a child in huge emotional difficulty both in school and at home. Anger, violence, verbal abuse, hyperactivity, hypersensitivity, school exclusions were all part of our daily lives. As a mum, I took the brunt of the behaviour but my husband and other children were not safe from the stress of living in a pressure cooker. My son’s behaviour would explode without warning, anywhere. 

The only thing suggested to manage his symptoms was medication and we were at the point of reluctantly considering it. Then, thanks to DJ Chris Evans we heard about the Key Clinic.  By the time we were ready to start the different approaches, depression had kicked in for our son and he was expressing thoughts of suicide. 

Now the situation has completely changed. We now have a young man of 16 who is a happy and increasingly confident young man who attends mainstream classes and rarely needs extra emotional support from the specialist provision in school. He is engaged in life, has friends, is emotionally resilient, caring and well-mannered. He is expected to pass all his GCSEs with a number of A*s.

Going out on family visits, going to restaurants, going on a family holiday are no longer a no- go. He is even going skiing with school this April. Due to the risks his behaviour would pose to his own safety, I would never have imagined this would ever be possible.

People are shocked when we explain his past difficulties as they just can’t imagine him being anywhere near as challenging as he was. 

My son is evidence that a future can be altered through these professionally supported treatments. 

Thank you to the Key Clinic. You have truly changed our lives!”

The Key Clinic can help individuals with ADHD to thrive

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There are evidence-based, drug-free ways to help support those with ADHD or awaiting an ADHD diagnosis.

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The Key Clinic’s unique 360-degree approach to assessment will help pinpoint the root causes of symptoms.

✓

By targeting the root causes, we can unlock the potential of children and adults with ADHD, for more successful, happier, calmer lives.

Please call us on 020 7486 4462 or email welcome@thekeyclinic.co.uk to find out how we can support you or your child.