OK, I just came home from the doctor for my 6 year olds check up. Here is his story, last year in pre k he had a really strict teacher. She told me to call her with in 2 days of school starting. I did and she was telling me how he would knock over his bin with his pencils and crayons in it, and how he was always falling out of his chair. So I called the doctor right away. We had know for a while that he was very active and had trouble with focus. So we decided to finally try some med's. He started on Foclin XR 5mg. That seemed to work for a little bit, so went back to the doctor and increased the dose. Needless to say he is now up to 20mg, just increased the dose today. Now I am really curious about Red die 40? Has anyone out there removed red 40 out of there child's diet and has it helped? Has anyone used Sea Buddies multi vita?? I am really just looking for a better way, and maybe the med's are, but maybe it isn't.....???
I observed the effects of red food dye on children before I had any experience with my own child. I worked in a daycare classroom (4 yr. olds)- on the days when they served fruit punch for snack we knew to expect chaos- it can make even typical children hyper.
I recall reading a few years back that they actually proved that link, between red dye and hyperactivity, in a study.
Militaristic discipline and ADHD are a lousy match. I'd find a new preschool. Yes, some believe that dyes affect behavior. There's more info on the alternatives board.ref: red dye.
My son was reactive to yellow #5. We took him to Kelsey-Seybold in Houston and they reported similar experience with both yellow and red dyes. Now understand this was about 30 years ago and information on adhd at that time was limited.
My son's reaction to the yellow dye was quick and quite extreme. It was tough to keep him away from cold drinks and candy and as a way of helping him I went quite a way up at coke and was told the coke was all natural (coloring burnt caramel (sugar). I wanted something for him to drink at gatherings with his friends.
A few years back, I had a conversation with Russell Barkley on this and he reported that about 5% of the adhd kids had this reaction and it usually went away around middle to late childhood. A new study has just come out showing some children being reactive to artificial colors. Might be of interest.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09 /06/AR2007090601263.html
(watch the wrap)
In any case, the reaction to artificial colors seems to be somewhat rare but very real. If your child is reactive then it does not matter how rare, your child is reactive and you have to deal with it.
It worked well. My son began to watch for this and did much better but is still hooked on diet coke. Small trade off.
Good luck
Dizfriz