Editorial
Sandra Grace | Editor Brad McEwen | Member Editorial Board
This special issue of the Australasian Journal of Natural Medicine( AJNM), the official journal of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society( ATMS), brings together a collection of articles to enhance and deepen our understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder( ADHD). This focus is timely, with increasing diagnosis of the condition, especially in females and adults, who were previously overlooked because of different symptom presentations.
Our articles bring together research on prevalence, causes, risk factors, and treatment strategies for ADHD. Gerry Leisman and Robert Melillo’ s article focuses on the effect of retained primitive reflexes in children, adolescents, and adults and their relationship to autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental conditions, thereby examining a basis for future treatment alternatives. Retained primitive reflexes throughout early development and adulthood are linked to brain injury and neurobehavioural disorders. The authors posit that cortical maturational delay within specific networks may lead to enhanced growth and maturation in other networks, resulting in asynchronous development and inconsistency in functional skills. They also report the overconnectivity of short-range, more immature connections and underconnectivity of long-range, more mature connectivities and review the relationship between motor and cognitive impairments and retained primitive reflexes. The authors propose inhibiting retained primitive reflexes as a treatment alternative.
A comprehensive overview of the prevalence, symptoms, and risk factors of ADHD is presented by Brad McEwen. These risk factors include genetics, thyroid dysfunction, physical trauma, asthma, the microbiome, gutbrain axis, lead exposure, tobacco smoke, alcohol, preterm birth, family adversity, and exposure to organochlorines, polychlorinated biphenyls, mercury, and organophosphate pesticides. Gabriella Campbell’ s article focuses on gender differences in diagnoses of ADHD and ASD. The author discusses the different symptom presentations, with females often exhibiting less obvious symptoms, and how females with ADHD and ASD often mask their symptoms, leading to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis. The author raises the awareness of the need for more nuanced diagnostic criteria that account for gender differences in symptom presentation.
This special issue includes three articles that focus on treatment approaches. Fin McKenzie and Jessica Bayes’ article discusses the rising diagnoses in children and adolescents and highlights concerns about reliance on stimulant medication, including potential side effects, stigma, financial strain, and the broader impact on families. The authors draw our attention to the support in the literature for non-pharmacological, multidisciplinary, and holistic care. They argue that naturopathic and complementary medicine approaches may offer cost-effective, safe, patient-centred strategies that could support children and adolescents with ADHD. Airdre Grant also reminds us of the holistic nature of natural medicine practice and the importance of understanding the client’ s illness narrative when treating clients with ADHD. Not only do we need to use all the tools available for physical symptoms, such as nervines, exercise recommendations, and bodywork, but also for the emotional support of clients, including a strong referral network to ensure clients receive the best available care. Rebecca Lang’ s article presents clinical tips for practitioners who are treating clients with ADHD. She highlights the potential metabolic and nutritional implications of psychostimulant medication, including suboptimal levels of iron, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D, and the emerging research on stimulantinduced appetite suppression, altered gut microbiota, and inflammation along the gut – brain axis and its potential influence on nutrient absorption and utilisation.
Also included in this issue, although not related to its special theme, is a comprehensive review by Robert Medhurst of the functioning, benefits and risks to practitioners and their clients of telehealth as they apply both in general across the health system and specifically to natural medicine practitioners.
The Recent Research section summarises articles involving traditional, integrative, and complementary medicine in the treatment of ADHD that have been published in 2025. We hope you enjoy this special issue of the Australasian Journal of Natural Medicine and welcome any comments and feedback on the included articles.
Sandra Grace, Editor
Brad McEwen, Member Editorial Board
196 | vol31 | no4 | AJNM