how do you handle a six year old add/adhd with no meds? in school and out? keep them ocupied?

Question

to all of those whom think i have not took my son to a doctor you are wrong we had him on meds he gained twenty five pounds in one year and started to have terrible reactions to ritalin and concerta and this is why we along with the doctor took him off meds!

Answer 1

Yes. I would keep them occupied with fun things to do from puzzles, to playing outside on gym equipment, something very active. Reading a book wouldn't help much because they wouldn't set for very long. You need to give then something that they would enjoy and can keep their attention for a certain length of time.

Answer 2

My son had reactions to rialin, as well (hives, sleeplessness), even on the lowest of doses, and concerta is a very different class of meds that my doctors are not impressed with, at least for the intensity of adhd my child experiences. It is very hard to go through "trying" differents prescriptions (working up from a tiny dose slowly until you figure out it isn't working can take weeks), but you may want to give it a shot before school starts up again. We did find a medication (adderallXR) that works for us, and it was upon recommendation of a friend that we tried it. Like others who have answered, public school would not be an option in our case, if not for the help my son gets through his medicatios.
Even if you don't want to go the drug route, DO look into support groups (most hospitals or clinics ofer free parent upport resources) where you can reach out to other families such as your own. It helps so much to have a touchstone and to know you are not alone nor crazy nor a bad parent to be going through this. Good luck, and it WILL get better.

Answer 3

Does it seem like all of you have something in common? Look at all these kids and the millions more that are on medication. Do you really believe that all these kids have this same disease called ADD or ADHD?? We have entire families afflicted with it. It's like an epidemic. WHY all of a sudden does this happen?

WHY??? Because there is no such thing. It's a cop out for the parents, the doctors and the teachers. Kids line up like cows coming in from the pastures for their meds in school. How can 8 out of 10 kids have this? It is not possible.

Let's look for the cause instead of the cure. Because meds are not the cure.

Answer 4

My six year old son also has adhd. He is currently on meds. I had the same problems you were having on meds but then we tried straterra. It was a miracle. My son has had huge improvements at home and at school. His first report card was fair and his last report card was straight a's. It is only a suggestion but straterra may be right for you and your family. I don't know if I could do it without it. Other then that all I can say is good luck and I understand what you are going through. Alot of parents out there think we are just bad parents and don't have the time and patience for our children but it's not the case at all. I feel for you sweety.

Answer 5

I have a 9 yr old son with ADD, he too had terrible migraines from Concerta, then we went to Strattera, and he had irregular heart rates.....finally I have found Dexadrine, and he only takes 5mg a day. So I share your concern with this problem. I only give him his meds only on school days when he needs to focus on his work. However on the days when he's out of school it is chaotic, and keeping him occupied is hard, I have to constantly keep on him with different activities, it is so exhausting. I have tried the drs, and even a Child Pshycologist. The only thing I have found that worked was the Dexadrine at the lowest dose possible, but my son has a problem gaining weight so during the summer I have to take him off his meds so that he can gain weight. So I just wish you the best of luck with your son and hope that you find something that works for him......

Answer 6

First, educate yourself as to the context of the child's problem. Is it aggravated by diet? Is there mild symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome? A parent can control many of the environmental stimulus issues pretty easily. This will give you a much easier time 'handling' the child. Second, be proactive in disseminating all the information to teachers, caregivers, and friends/family so that the child encounters less of the frustrating circumstances which tend to exacerbate behavior issues. Last, stick to it! Make schedules and notes, help yourself stay with any program you decide upon. Consistency is paramount in seeing progress. Realize that is is a lot of work, and will be hard, then make the choice. Eventually you will be rewarded. Good luck.

Answer 7

Honestly, if your six year old is out of control, it could be due to him being bored in school with the daily lesson and not having anything constructive to do around the house. Is he getting good grades in school? Is he exceptionally bright? Is his behavior the only thing that his teacher is holding conferences with you about? Well if so, then you should see about getting him tested. I thought my son was suffering from some sort of ADHD but he just wasn't challenged enough in school. As far as his behavior at home, he just needed some extra studies to do. I don't know where you are, but here in Southern California there's this store called LAKESHORE and they have all kinds of learning tools for youth! LOVE THE STORE! You can also find them on line and order as well. They will deliver to your door. You can purchase grade level materials for your six year old and possibly a grade higher to keep them occupied. try buying some educational hands-on themed toys to peak their interest. Hopefully this helps.

Answer 8

First off let me state that I don't believe in using medications unless the child is very severe. Secondly try eliminating all sugar from his or her diet. They do have diets for ADHD children that can help in some cases. Third change your doctor. Anyone that would diagnose a child at the age of 6 with ADHD is crazy. They might just be an average child that has gotten away with stuff because thier qwak of a doctor has given you a label. Try spanking him for a while and see if he dosn't settle down.

Answer 9

My son was just diagnosed with ADHD. They put him on Focalin XR and said that they have had a lot of success with it. It has only one component of the drug vs. Ritalin which has 2 parts and alot more side effects. According to the literature I received--the Focalin has fewer side effects than Ritalin. Focalin has only been around for about 2 years.

The only thing with Focalin is that it might slow the growth rate down but my pediatrician said that after a while it tapers off.

In handling your son, If you can keep him focused and on a schedule for both home and school and be consistent that might be a help. If he seems to get really excited may be you can calm him down. try to redirect his attention.

Answer 10

To keep them occupied, try getting them interested in something they might like, OR you could find out what they like and play with them doing that. (that's the obvious answer)

A more complicated thing to do would be to act at their level around them, slowly tone the level down (as slow as you can think). This has positive and negative effects. If they take this to their advantage they might not stop beinh hyper (but hyper is always better than depressed), the positive thing to this would be that they would start to follow along and start acting less hyper.

The attention thing... The thing I might do would be not pushing them into anything. Let them have some fun first, and burn off the energy, but still keep them aware they have to do their homework before bed (don't keep constantly reminding them, or they will keep their mind on the reminding instead of what is going to happen soon, eventually it might bother them). If they refuse to do their homework, and they have not run out of energy. Watch tv or a good movie for a little bit. This will calm them down, and keep them occupied. Then turn the TV off when it's time to do the homework. This also has good and bad effects. They could be tired in the morning with no homework done, or they would have their homework done, and remember how great the night/ day was. If they don't have their homework done for awhile, then teach them by example. If they don't even have homework then don't listen to what I just said.

If they are not paying attention to anything but TV, you could set times to watch tv, and have the cord in the back taken out when they are not supposed to watch it (to prevent them sneaking in tv time). Try to have them do outdoor activities during the day, and whatever else they like to do (and if they have homework read above) during the night.

If this doesn't work, like i've said, you can burn me at the stake =)

Answer 11

How do you know the child is ADD/ADHD. If he's been clinically diagnosed, ask the doctor. If not, he might just he high energy. And that does not necessarily mean ADD/ADHD. I could be a sign of giftedness. In such case, he get bored easily cause he learns quickly. That mean u have to offer more challenging and thought-provoking stuff for him to do. Get out some old tools (screws, nuts, bolts, screwdriver, wrench, ....) with some wood or piece of smooth edge metal and let him build something. Take him to the library and see what he want to read. Read it together and them let him draw a report about it. Get out bean and teach him how to add and subtract.