ADHD, medicine...would you give it to your child?

Question

My child cuts up (bad behavior) at school and home all the time but makes excellent grades, and they think he has ADHD. They want me to take him to a Dr. to check and see if he has ADHD. I am going to take him, but I just don’t know about the medicines. I have heard that sometimes it doesn’t take the medicine to help, but it is an option. I just want to hear from other parents out there who is experiencing these same issues with there kids that has been diagnosed with ADHD, and how are you dealing with it, what methods work, and what doesn't. Also did the medicine work or not. Do you regret giving the medicine...and also how has it affected the child...please help.

Answer 1

I am going to share with you what I shared with another regarding the diagnostic of children with ADHD. Decide for yourself if your son displays any of the characteristics below, I hope this helps.

Also, if you are serious about getting your child tested, then take him to an accredited University and get him tested through the Human Development department. There are people who make it their jobs to Assess children and their needs, Doctors are a good first step, but when it comes to medicating your child, for life (as ADHD does not fade with age) then perhaps you will agree, a professional is best.

The criteria for ADHD are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition (DSM-IV) as a set of descriptions for children and adolescents who have significant difficulties with inattention, hyperactive behaviors and impulse control problems in two or more settings (American Psychiatric Association, 1994).

There are four types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, combined and not otherwise specified (NOS). (Criteria for each is listed below)

For a diagnosis of ADHD to be made, the symptoms must:
1)Be present for the past 6 months
2)be present before the age of 7
3)cause an impairment in two or more settings
4)be an impairment of academic, social or occupational function.

Criteria for ADHD - Inattentive (must have 6 of 9)
Fails to give close attention to details
Difficulty sustaining attention
Does not seem to listen
Fails to finish or to follow through
Has difficulty organizing
Dislikes tasks requiring sustained attention
Often loses things necessary for task
Easily distracted
Is often forgetful

Criteria for ADHD - Hyperactive/Impulsive (must have 6 of 9)
Often fidgets with hands, feet, or squirms
Often leaves seat when not supposed to
Often runs about or climbs
Difficulty playing quietly
Is often “on the go” or seems as if “driven by a motor”
Often talks excessively
Often blurts out answers
Has difficulty waiting turns
Interrupts/intrudes on others

Criteria for ADHD - Combined
A combination of 12 of the 18 symptoms from

Criteria for ADHD - Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)
Shows significant behaviors but does not meet all characteristics

Answer 2

My nephew is ADHD, and he wasn't able to sit still in class long enough to do his work! A kid with ADHD has a hard time concentrating on schoolwork, and typically does NOT do well in school. Personally, I just think you have a kid that likes to have some extra attention, and gets it by acting out in class. If the teachers do their job, they may not have much of a problem.

Take him to get tested. Go to a very reputable dr that deals with ADHD. If your kid is, the last thing a good dr will want to do is dope your kid up on meds to the point of being lethargic. Medications should help, not change the kid. A good dr will tell you if you see major changes in behavior, let them know, and they will change the med or dose of med. But cross that bridge when you get to it. Again I think this is a case of a kid being labled because he is naughty and the teachers don't want to deal with him. They are quick with the ADHD label when a kid is naughty instead of maybe finding out why the kid is naughty.

I think that your child may not be ADHD, but actually may be bored in class - he probably gets his work done, and has time to screw around. This is a sign of accelerated learning, and he may need to be additionally challenged in school. My older nephew they discovered was bored in class, and his school put him into the advanced classes. His behaviors disappeared!

As for the medications - they help my 9 year old nephew greatly! His dr is sure that his personality still comes through. I mean, he is a very active kid - and he still is, even with the meds! They just help him concentrate on something. He is able to focus now, which makes him very happy (he thought he was stupid, and that was why he didn't do well in school). Again, don't be afraid of the meds. If the doctor is a good one, and deals with ADHD regularly, they will give the right medication that doesn't make the kid like he is on medications. No one should be able to tell unless you tell them!

Good luck!!

Answer 3

I would take him to a doctor and then ask for a second opinion. It seems like today ADHD is a catch-all. If your son is getting good grades he might not have ADHD because it sounds like he isn't having any problems concentrating. He might just be really intelligent and get bored easily (lucky you) Get him and IQ test too.
ADD is very interesting when you understand it. They have done brain scans of patients that have ADD and they show that the brain actually shuts down the harder they try to concentrate. When given a math problem for example, instead of the brain showing more activity, it shows less. The medications are stimulants and for a person with ADD they help stimulate the brain when it is concentrating.

I have seen an amazing turnaround in a child that truly has ADD. He is on "concerta". and he actually likes school now, and is finally proud of his grades. So yes, I would give medication to my child if I was sure beyond a doubt that he really did have ADD or ADHD

Answer 4

I have a son who is ADHD. There is a lot of information about it out there.
I've included a few links to get you started on your search.
My son was on Strattera for a few years, but we found out possible side effects are: liver damage, and risk of suicide for children using it. We switched to natural alternative treatments.
Also, children with ADHD change when they go through puberty, so medications may stop working the way they used to & their behaviors may change as well.
Another fact is that ADHD and lots of other behavior disorders have the same or similiar symptoms, so it's difficult sometimes to accurately diagnose them.
It's very overwhelming, I know, I've been there.
If you'd like to attend a free online e-class, or would like more information, you can contact me here: http://kristicasey.ahealthcafe.com

Answer 5

I suspected my child had ADD from preschool age, and always said I wouldn't medicate unless I felt it was a really big problem. When it got to the point where she started feeling depressed and lost the desire to even try because she simply assumed she would fail, I knew it was time to try something medically. She is now in middle school , and has been on meds for a couple months. She was always a great student in elementary grades and loved to learn, but had serious organizational difficulties, and poor planning. Too many to list, but the real problems didn't show up until school got challenging in middle school and she was just too overwhelmed and could no longer handle it on her own. She went from straight "A"s to failing some classes due to the above mentioned problems. Like I said, she just started to give up and think she was stupid. After the meds, a low dose, she still needs to work hard but is able to handle it because she has better planning and organizational abiliy, etc. She is able to focus and concentrate better. Do lots of research on the subject from lots of different sources. It's your child, and only you know him enough to make the decision. Good luck.

Answer 6

Most behavioral problems in children stem from emotional issues and/or diet. Before you bring your child to a doctor, try the following for a few months and see if there is any improvement, especially considering that the diagnosis is somewhat qualitative and can impart a stigma on your child that could cause further problems.

1. Talk to your child regularly about their day, any issues they are facing, their likes and dislikes, and anything else that comes up. A child needs good attention from their parents (even though they may not ask for it), to feel as though they are somewhat understood and listened to, and to feel a bond.

2. Ensure you have an appropriate amount and type of discipline, not only when it comes to correcting behavior, but also when it comes to teaching responsibility. Kids desperately need to feel as though they are an integral part of the family and that their help/chores/etc. is necessary for the family to function. Though they may complain about helping sometimes, I find my kids feel a good sense of reward after helping to accomplish something, especially if they thought they couldn't do it. This also helps to teach focus and patience.

3. Ensure your child has a good, balanced diet that doesn't include many foods high in sodium, sugar, preservatives. etc. I find that my kids' behavior can become unbearable after they've had junk and scientific studies have shown that processed, pre-packaged, high-sugar, or even artificially colored food can have a negative impact on behavior and attention span. A colleague of mine recently started a diet for one of her children that eliminates foods with artificial coloring in an effort to eliminate the same sort of problems you are facing and it's been working.

Answer 7

Hell no!! I refuse to medicate him just to make it easier on everyone! They think my son has it, but I kinda refuse to test him for it. Not because of a label (cause that doesn't bother me) but because I don't want anyone telling me to dope up my kid. For my son, he needs exercise daily. He's in karate 2 times a week and plays any sport that is in season. All the physical activity helps balance him out so he's not as wiggly and pinging all the time. The physical therapist at school tried a few things with him (manipulatives, T chair, etc). Some worked, but it didn't take long before he's become disruptive. My father and husband were both like this as kids, so I figure he'll outgrow it in time. But for now, I try to keep him busy and give him extra coaching on good choices, personal boundaries, keeping his hands to himself, and listening to his teacher. It might not give the same results as meds, but I don't want a doped up kid and I'm trying my best to equip him for life instead of the next refill.

Answer 8

Children who have been diagnosed as having ADHD usually will find some benefit from taking meds.No responsible parent wants their child over medicated, just as no responsible parent would deny their child to be the best person they can be due to fears their child will be labeled.Whether you want to accept it or not your child will be labeled by his peers if he stands out for all the wrong reasons. Children are cruel and especially cruel to those who are "different".To those parents who refuse to have your child tested what are you more afraid of the truth or the "label?"You should be concerned about the emotional and educational needs of your child.Teachers cannot design a individual learning plan for your child if the "exceptionality" is not identified.The teacher is responsible for teaching 20-25 students, not just one.No one, especially the teacher, wants your child to fail. Do your part as a parent to allow your child to reach their highest potential , even if it means taking meds.

Answer 9

We had the same problem with my oldest. We found out he has a milk protein alergy. My youngest also had some of the same problems. No milk allergy with him, but he does have a slight adnoid/asthma problem that Loratadine (Claritin, Alavert....) takes care of. Both boys are settled down and and no ADHD testing was necessary. Allways check diets first! I think we are too quick to label our kids and treat symptoms, not the source.

Answer 10

Its amazing how 10-20 years ago ADHD was hardly ever heard of. Now it seems like there is a very high percentage of children on it...all it boils down to is the teachers and parents are too lazy to teach and control their children. Drugging the child up is a quick fix for them and makes life easier on the parents and the teachers. Its pathetic, teach the kid some manners and how to behave and you wouldnt have to drug them up. Most of the time its just a kid being a kid and nothing more. Teachers need to either like their job and be able to handle it and not suggest the children be drugged with mood altering drugs so they can get through the day.
Do yourself a favor, be a real parent and find a new school/teacher & dont drug your child when its not even needed