9 year old ADD - Communication and behavior issues still a concern

My 9 year old son was diagnosed with ADD in the fall of 2003 and was placed on 10 mil adderol-xr.  Intially he was having trouble focusing on school work as well as home chores in putting together what needs to complete a task.  Other signs are not willing to communicate.  We have been fortunate that we have never encountered mood swings or anger.  His personality lends towards the shy introverted type.  He tends not to communicate in the school/home environment and communicates little in his social environment.  He tends not to socialize if not in control of a game.  He doesn't appear to be over medicated, but more like a blank check.  He spends alot of time of alone and enjoys one on one competion/games.
Sometimes at school as well as home, he tends to be in his own world and when ask to do a chore he begins the task and then forgets what was ask of him.

Being in small town, it is hard for our local doctors to come up with a diagnosis.  I am lost as to if it is a chemical issue or physcological issue.  I would appreciate any feedback.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

The characteristics you describe can occur with Inattentive-type ADHD in the context of a shy, reticent temperament. Has the inattentiveness responded to the medication; is your son more focused than before the medication was started? People tend to have a fairly consistent personality style, and if your son is more introverted than he is outgoing, such in interpersonal style will likely continue. As long as he is able to master the various challenges in front of him, and as long as he is happy, there's no need to worry about the personality.

[shrek]

I have had similar issues with behavior & attention disorders in my 9 & 7 year olds and have found that by altering their diet has produced excellent results without the side effects of medication.  Now I have no attention problems in school, they actually participate with class discussions rather than being the class discussion.  www.feingold.org  This is the web site of a not for profit organization that publishes lists of everyday foods that are free of artificial colors and flavors.

[redavaw1]

Can you give some examples of what foods have helped?

[cbinder62]

A related discussion, 9 yr old daughter was started.

[mom2361]

A related discussion, add was started.