By: Mike Gonzales
In 2022, about 7 million children — aged 3-17 years old — were diagnosed with ADHD, or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This is roughly 1 million more than the national average in 2016. There’s no denying that this condition is now prevalent enough to warrant awareness and support for the child’s family.
This is something that Dr. Ma. Lourdes Porto Evangelista-Flores, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, ARNP advocates.
As a functional and integrative health medicine provider, she can provide both treatment and education. As the founder of Abba Blessed Health, PLLC, she pushes for a holistic approach to managing ADHD in children.
Dr. Lourdes Evangelista-Flores believes this is the premier way for the child and their parents to understand and thrive with the child’s condition. She has recently completed certification in Pediatric Functional Medicine through the Functional Medicine educational institute. She is presently on track to earn her Integrative Medicine certificate this year and her board certification in Family Health.
This guide will help parents recognize the signs of ADHD and explore how Abba Blessed Health offers holistic, functional, integrative wellness approaches to managing the condition.
Recognizing the Signs of ADHD in Children
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a condition that affects children’s ability to regulate impulses, focus attention, and manage behavior. It involves persistent patterns of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity. These episodes are severe enough that they may interfere with daily life.
Dr. Lourdes Evangelista-Flores explains that early detection is crucial to ensure children get the support they need. This is why she encourages parents to learn and look out for telltale signs of childhood ADHD.
Although the condition can manifest differently in every child, there are some key symptoms to look for across the three subtypes of ADHD.
1. Inattentive ADHD Symptoms
Children with predominantly inattentive ADHD may not be disruptive but struggle to focus and follow through on tasks. Key signs include:
- Frequently making careless mistakes in schoolwork
- Trouble staying focused on tasks or play
- Appearing not to listen when spoken to
- Difficulty organizing tasks and completing homework
- Easily distracted by minor stimuli
- Often losing essential items like school supplies
2. Hyperactive and Impulsive ADHD Symptoms
Children with hyperactive or impulsive ADHD tend to act quickly without thinking. This can lead to challenges in school and social settings. Look for the following behaviors:
- Constantly fidgeting or tapping hands and feet
- Difficulty remaining seated, often moving around at inappropriate times
- Talking excessively or blurting out answers in class
- Interrupting others or intruding on conversations or activities
3. Combined ADHD Symptoms
Some children display a mix of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive behaviors. This is the most common subtype of ADHD. As Dr. Lourdes Evangelista-Flores points out, this kind of ADHD presents a “broad spectrum of challenges across focus, behavior control, and social interactions.”
When to Seek an ADHD Assessment
Parents should consider professional assessment if their child’s inattentiveness, hyperactivity, or impulsiveness:
- Persists across multiple settings (e.g., home and school)
- Interferes with their ability to complete tasks or maintain friendships
- Causes frequent misunderstandings with teachers or peers
- Is noticeable for at least six months
“Yes, children may be inattentive or hyperactive sometimes,” Dr. Lourdes Evangelista-Flores says. “It’s in their nature. But the key indicator here is consistency. If these episodes happen all the time, to the point that they’re affecting your child’s everyday life, it may be time for an evaluation.”
The Benefits of Functional, Integrative, and Holistic Medicine for ADHD
Although medication is often prescribed for ADHD, it may not always be the best or only solution.
Functional medicine takes a whole-person approach. It addresses the root causes of behavioral challenges and improves overall well-being. Dr. Lourdes Evangelista-Flores explains that at Abba Blessed Health, ADHD management involves holistic interventions that go beyond symptom relief from medicinal drugs.
Abba Blessed Hope will work collaboratively with the child’s primary care provider in an “integrative” way to determine the root cause of the child’s condition. The company also works in wellness consulting telehealth partnership with Ian John Porto Evangelista – an international Singapore-based special child educator (SPED), child therapist, and occupational therapist. He provides more detailed consults for recommended child interactions and activities, including healthy behaviors with their parents or primary caregivers at the dinner table.
Though Dr. Lourdes Evangelista-Flores is also a primary care provider, she will not interrupt the traditional care being received by the child and will not be removing any of the Rx medications prescribed by the pediatrician. Abba Blessed Health will assist holistically for total healing in coordination with the traditional Western pediatrician or mental health child doctor unless the parent(s) completely opts out of conventional medicine after all the education and will be in a more vulnerable state if not helped by the health service in any way.
The goal of Dr. Lourdes Evangelista-Flores in Abba Blessed Health is longevity and improved quality of life in an integrative way through a ”functional and integrative wellness” approach. She also collaborates with a primary care physician to support total or whole patient care.
How Abba Blessed Health Helps Children with ADHD
- Individualized Care Plans. Abba Blessed Health creates personalized treatment strategies tailored to each child’s needs. Through detailed assessments, they identify environmental, dietary, and emotional factors contributing to ADHD symptoms. This approach ensures that treatment goes beyond simply managing behaviors—it aims to optimize the child’s mental, emotional, and physical health.
- Nutrition and Lifestyle Adjustments. Diet plays a critical role in managing ADHD. Certain foods, such as those high in sugar or artificial additives, can exacerbate hyperactive behavior. Abba Blessed Health provides nutritional guidance, helping parents identify foods that support brain function and minimize behavioral symptoms. Additionally, the practice emphasizes the importance of exercise, sleep, and stress management to foster healthier routines.
- Behavioral Therapy and Emotional Support. Abba Blessed Health offers resources for behavioral therapy, empowering children to learn coping skills and develop better impulse control. The clinic also provides emotional support when able, helping families implement consistent routines and communication strategies that improve relationships between parents, children, and teachers.
- Natural Remedies and Supplements
Functional medicine emphasizes the use of natural supplements—such as omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and herbal remedies—to support focus and emotional regulation. Dr. Lourdes Evangelista-Flores works closely with families to determine which natural interventions may complement their child’s treatment plan.
Why Early Intervention Matters
ADHD can persist into adulthood, impacting academic performance, self-esteem, and future opportunities. Early intervention allows children to learn essential skills, such as emotional regulation and time management, to serve them throughout their lives.
As Dr. Lourdes Evangelista-Flores puts it, a functional integrative medicine approach “ensures children receive comprehensive care that addresses the condition’s root cause — not just it’s symptoms.”
She goes on to explain that Abba Blessed Health offers treatment plans for childhood ADHD designed to foster healthy habits that will eventually achieve sustainable, long-term results.
ADHD in Children: How Abba Blessed Health Can Help
Detecting ADHD early and seeking professional assessment is essential for children who struggle with inattentiveness, hyperactivity, or impulsiveness. Functional medicine, as offered by Dr. Ma. Lourdes Porto Evangelista-Flores, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, ARNP, at Abba Blessed Health, PLLC, suggests a holistic, integrative wellness approach to managing ADHD.
This approach focuses on improving overall health through individualized care plans, lifestyle changes, and natural remedies until total healing is achieved. Although everyone from all spiritual or religious backgrounds is welcome at Abba Blessed Health, Dr. Lourdes Evangelista-Flores would like to quote that “with God (Abba Father), nothing is impossible; all things are possible if we believe”—and belief goes with action.
She also believes that 2025 is the year we must all start to ”redeem, restore, and revive” our children’s health. These 3 powerful words are the core pillars of Abba Blessed Health, PLLC.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, nor does it replace professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.
Published by Mark V.
