My son was on Ritalin (methylphenidate) high dose for 5 yrs.
One year on Tofranil (antidepressant)
and just over one year on Clonidine.

The side effects became unbearable and we chose another path.

This choice boils down to each family.

It would be nice if the drugs we had today were less problematic.
But the truth is that they aren't.

I think parents should consider if using a drug that causes diabetes is worth what they are using it for. (atypical antipsychotics). SSRIs have a black box warning for suicide now for children.

No one here has ALL the answers, but some of us have been thru quite a bit with heavy duty RX medications for children.
I know from experience AND training what they can do, and what they can't do.

There is one medical alternative and that is Dr. Amen.
At least he does scans to show what is happening in the brain, and gives the drugs based on that:
http://www.amenclinics.com/
He has an excellent book out on ADHD... And one called Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. Our library has both.
Dr. Amen has over the years accepted Fish oil and essential fats and Bcomplex as part of his treatment regimen!
If you want medical verification... check his books out of the library or make an appointment.
He appears on PBS pledge weeks frequently with abbreviated versions of this treatments. Watch your local PBS channel and perhaps you can catch him. (I've seen him 3 times this year alone). He is a wonderful compassionate speaker.

Best wishes.