tdbates78 Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 (edited) Has anyone tried essential oils, in a diffuser, for your chid with success? One of my twins has focus issues. I'm not sure if it's ADD (she is not hyper) or not because our regular pediatrician was able to treat her with medication without a specific diagnosis. However, I dislike the side effects, which are quite noticeable. And she is tiny as is (-5 percentile) and stops eating on her meds (generic adderall). Homeschool worked great for her for awhile but it's like the honeymoon period wore off (it's been less than 3 months) and she's back to not paying attention. She chews, she fidgets, she plays around and loses focus easily. On a whim I purchased an aromatherapy diffuser and an EO called A+ Focus for kids. I'm going to put it in our homeschool room and hope for the best. Just curious if others have tried this approach? Edited March 26, 2017 by tdbates78 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 (edited) Sounds like she needs an OT eval for SPD. Make sure the OT is really good with retained reflexes. If they're not, find a different OT or PT until you find someone who is. My ds was crunchy like that, and his scores went from inattentive (19th percentile on the TOVA) to stellar (98th percentile on the Quotient) when we got several of his primitive reflexes integrated. Seriously, like a totally different child. That chewing is sensory, so you have every reason to think good OT and working on reflexes could get you somewhere. And no, I'm not crazy on the oils. I know people who do them, but I figure why not just fix the root problem. ;) And no, I'm not anti-meds! I'm just pro finding the root problem. :) SaveSave Edited March 26, 2017 by OhElizabeth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Tried it. It did not work. I tried all of the things--various oils, herbs, vitamins, etc. Intense OT/PT after evaluations + Rx meds have helped. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdbates78 Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 Thank you both. Guess I will find out since its being delivered tomorrow. I do think she shows some signs of SPD, which have come to my attention now that we homeschool. Her twin has high functioning autism and spd so I'm aware of the signs. I'm ok with OT. I would really like to avoid the meds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geodob Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 While their would be no research to support its use. Their is something called the 'Placebo effect', which is real. If it is a quite pleasant odor? Then you could a test with her, and tell her that it should help her to focus? If she believes that it might help her? You might find, that it actually does? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Not to point out the obvious, but it's sensory input for someone with SPD. So like geodob is saying, although it's a chemical and getting processed by the liver, etc., it also has other levels to function on. One OT had suggested we keep lavender oils or items in a box of sensory items for a calming box. I have lavender oil mixed into a cream that I will rub on when dc is agitated. It's very calming, but I think it's just literally that it's a nice sensory input. We also do lavender bubble bath, but same gig, where we're layering the sensory input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 (edited) nt Edited March 27, 2017 by OhElizabeth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender's green Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 I usually keep a small bottle of rosemary or lavender oil in my purse. This can save us from a public meltdown. I don't think it's the properties of the oils (though they may help!) so much as a new, strong, pleasant sensation to focus on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 Keep in mind that some people react strongly to oils also--I am intolerant of a lot of scents, most diffusers use a cold mist that triggers my asthma, and in general, I overreact to a lot of chemicals, including oils. I remember some well-meaning gifts of oils for migraines--they made my temples feel cold and tingly. No help for the migraine, and I hated the cold, tingly feeling. :-) I really wanted a diffuser to work--I can't really use any kind of fragrances, candles, etc. in my house, so I am conscious of it not smelling nice like other people's houses do. The best I can do is to keep odors at bay or hope I'm cooking something nice smelling. I think it's worth a try, but I would not expect miracles or long-lasting results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 (edited) nm Edited August 16, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 (edited) nm Edited August 16, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zarabellesmom Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 It broke my daughter out in hives and that was worse than the inattention. Essential oils are not at all essential for kids with plant based allergies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nansk Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 My dd has always been very restless and fidgety. When she was younger, I used to give her a bedtime massage with jojoba mixed with a few drops of lavendar, vetiver, and cedarwood EOs. It used to calm her down enough for her to go to sleep. It may have been the massage more than the oils, and if there are no allergies, it is worth a try. It'll give you some mother-child quiet time, too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 (edited) nm Edited August 16, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nansk Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 Coming back to post the name of a book that I found very helpful: Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies. It gives good medical and non-medical strategies to alleviate symptoms of these increasingly common issues with kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 Coming back to post the name of a book that I found very helpful: Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies. It gives good medical and non-medical strategies to alleviate symptoms of these increasingly common issues with kids. Dr. Bock's book was one of the first books I read. I found it very helpful as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapbookbuzz Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 (edited) my ds12 has sensory issues, as well, and diffusing EOs really bothers him. That being said, I put lavender or Frankincense on the bottoms of his feet at night and that helps him sleep. ETA: putting EOs on his feet does not bother him like diffusing them does. My son is a big kid, though, stocky and as tall as me at 5'3". Plus, keep in mind the amount of EOs, or any herbal remedy for that matter, is different for kids than it is for adults. By about half or more. Also, not all EOs are equal. Many that are bought in the store, and some even online, are not pure essential oils, but contain synthetic fillers. Is that what you want to be inhaling? PLEASE do your research before purchasing any brand of EOs. I hope you find the help you need for your kiddo! Edited April 9, 2017 by scrapbookbuzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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