Parents: How do you deal with...?

Question

your young ADHD children? I need suggestion and help from personal experience, please. My son is 6.

He watches very little TV. He won't sit still long enough.Thus, the H part in ADHD.
He's very hyper but has not been diagnosed by a doctor because I don't want to put him on meds unless I have to. He also has a very controlling, aggressive personality. I see why most kids stay away from him. I try to teach him and I am very encouraging and loving with him.
I do know about the sugar, food coloring, diet thing. I have done a lot of research.
I am a single parent so it's twice as hard on me. Some days he drains the life out of me.

Answer 1

Before I answer, let me say this: You are going to get A LOT of different opinions on this! And not just from us, but everyone around you. I would encourage you to learn everything you can about ADHD and arm yourself with information. People make a lot of assumptions about this disorder, and most of them are dead wrong. It is not caused by diet, bad parenting, or too much TV or video games. If your doctor recommends medication, I would encourage you to at least try it. Teenagers with ADHD who go untreated have much higher incidence of pregnancy, car accidents, and drug and alcohol dependency. Most people who take medication for ADHD see very few (if any) negative side effects. There are people who have been on Ritalin for 40-50 years who are in perfect health. Those are FACTS.

OK ~ I'm done with my rant.

I have two sons with ADHD, ages 7 and 10. The younger one is hyperactive and the older one is inattentive, and they are very different. Both take Ritalin, and we have not seen any negative side effects ~ but we did have to go through some trial & error to find the right dosage for them. The most helpful thing for us has been to establish rules, routines, and rewards. Every "good day" at school is rewarded ~ they can choose between a "privilege chip" to be saved and "cashed in" later or 20-30 minutes of PlayStation or cartoons immediately. We established rules and wrote them down together and decided what the consequences would be for breaking rules. But the biggest thing that helps us daily is our routine of getting our materials ready every night before bedtime. We set out clothes, make lunches, and get backpacks ready to go. This streamlines our morning routine and cuts down on "Oh Mom, I forgot..." It's hard work, and it takes a lot of patience, but it's worth it. Please email me if you want more details or just need the ear of someone who totally understands! Good luck!

~~~ Just read your additional info. I swear, that sounds like my younger son!! Please have him tested, and be open to all suggestions. We tried everything, and the only thing that worked was the meds. 30 minutes after he took his first dose he sat down and watched an entire TV show. He had NEVER done that before! It was the first time I was happy to see him watching TV!

Answer 2

I'm not a parent, but my brother has ADHD!! My brother was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 3 yrs. old! He was also very destructive! My parents took him to the doctor and the doctor prescribed meds for him...now he is doing GREAT! He's 12 yrs. old now and he goes to the doctor every three months to get checked and if his meds need to be regulated, then they regulate them! He is SOOOO much better with his meds and you can always tell when he is off of them (although my parents rarely EVER forget)! I really don't know what to tell you except medications...that has really helped my brother with his ADHD! Other than that, my brother is a normal 12 yr. old! Just make sure that you don't treat your child any different than you would any other 6 yr. old...because he's not really different, he just has a hard time concentrating on stuff for a long period of time! It will get better as he gets older, though! Good luck...

Answer 3

Your son is really a little young to be diagnosed with adhd. You just need to do what you would with a normal 6 yr old but on aa biiger plane. Lots of praise and lots of attention. Healthy eating is also key. Your doctor can refer you to the many agencies that can help

Answer 4

my son is 8. when he was 6 he was diagnosed add. i had a few options to think about,
1. change in diet- no sugar, no red # 40 or yellow #5, no red meat after 6 pm.... the list goes on

2. we could wait a year and c if he improved

3. drugs. ritalin, adderal, concerta, srattera.

i went with ritalin. drugs dont hurt only help and if ur dr puts him on a very low dose and monitirs his progress then you should have no problems.

email me, id love to talkto you more in depth about this.

[e-mail]

Answer 5

When the time comes to wait that provider, without problems disappear till the church provider is over. I used to sit down on the donut keep around the road from my church and use my supplying cash to devour breakfast whilst I was once more youthful rather of attending Sunday tuition. My mum and dad had been none the wiser. If they wish to be inflexible approximately that form of factor, then refuse and placed your foot down. If they do not want to conform, stroll away and endure the penalties together with your mum and dad after the reality.

Answer 6

What ever you do don't Medicate. I find that when my child was medicated he changed. His personality was not the same and he was also very agressive when he came off the medication. Watch his diet, no red food coloring things such as that. Try other techniques for behavior problems.

Answer 7

We need to STOP medicating our children people! My sons are VERY hyper-one more than the other. I also have two daughters-there is a night and day difference between the girls and the boys...and that's all it is folks-BOYS and GIRLS are different! Although I'm sure there are many hyper girls, boys are naturally more physical....it nature-stop medicating it!

Answer 8

"I love You Rituals" by Becky A. Bailey buy this book read it and then DO IT!!! I have given this book to many people and it will make a difference. You son is just the right age to catch this "disorder" before it gets out of control.

Answer 9

Stop letting him watch TV. It's not good for his neurological development.