Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is the fastest growing childhood disorder in the United States, affecting more than 3 million children.

NewsChannel5 reports the most common treatment is medications like Ritalin. But a growing number of parents and doctors are rejecting the idea of using drugs to treat ADHD. They say it may be caused by what their children eat.

Last year as a second-grader, Joel Leonard was considered a problem child that constantly disrupted the classroom. His mother Cheryl says Joel was always getting into trouble.

Joel's behavior, according to Dr. Timothy Wilens, is typical of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. To help children cope, doctors usually prescribe stimulant drugs like Ritalin.

"Ritalin, and the whole class of medications called the stimulant medications are very safe and effective medications for ADHD," Wilens from the Harvard Medical School explains.

Still, Cheryl refused to even consider putting Joel on Ritalin. Instead, she began to look for what caused Joel's outbursts and tantrums.

"There was an incident where I gave Joel some lunch meat and it triggered some behavior," Cheryl tells WEWS.

Convinced that the preservatives and artificial flavors and colors in his food triggered Joel's behavior, Cheryl started to buy only additive free products.

Dr. Mary Block is a nationally recognized allergy specialist. She says many children with ADHD symptoms are found to be sensitive to certain foods and environmental inhalants. She believes it's often the allergies that are causing the bad behavior.

"By testing the allergens one at a time we can not only see that skin reaction, but we can see changes in behavior, changes in focusing and concentration," Block explains.

Parents then know to keep those foods out of the child's diet. Allergy shots can also help neutralize the reaction.

As for Cheryl, she says it's been easy to remove colors and preservatives from Joel's diet.

There is booklet that the Feingold Association puts out that is like a bible," Cheryl says. Using the booklet as a guide, she says she is able to identify which products are free of artificial colors and preservatives. The results were dramatic.

"Joel is like a totally different little boy. He's able to sit and concentrate. He has friends calling him now and that's a nice thing to see," Cheryl says.

Some of the most common food allergens known to trigger behavior outbursts are:

• Dairy products with cow's milk
• Wheat
• Corn
• Foods with artificial colors and preservatives.

But it's important to remember that every child is different, so parents should consult their child's pediatrician to determine which treatment is best for them.

For More Information:

• Contact The Feingold Association at 1-800-321-FAUS. Or, go to the Web site at www.feingold.org
• Contact Dr. Mary Ann Block, director of The Block Center in Hurst, Texas at (817) 280-9933