To be tested for ADHD or ADD, what do they have to have tested to be diagnosed.Is the meds they are put on for these conditions worth the potential side effects? I think my 2 kids may be AHDH but am afraid of the meds they put put kids on,I hate "drugging up" my kids but I don't know of any other options.
2006-08-01 03:50:55 · 11 answers · asked by sarah 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
I believe you do have an option. I think all children have ADD... it's their job! Thet have so much going on in their little brains that the more "decisions" you t ake away from them the better. What do you want for dinner, what do you want to wear to school today, where do you want to go on vacation or go today... these are decisions that children do not need to make. They should be deciding things like... what color crayon shall I use on the wall today, Shall I eat my soup or wear ir, lol!
Kids are kids and of course they're going to "wonder" all over the place in their heads and with their bodies... let them run and don't look at it as a bad thing... it's where imagination comes from and goes to! In regards to having too much energy and be "hyper active"... us old folks are just jealous and can't keep up with them. We don't have the energy so we say they have too much! BE A PARENT!
Everyone climbed onboard with Dr Spock and his spare the rod attitude in raising children and yet NO ONE researched the fact that his own kids couldn't stand him... why would any one take parenting advice from someone that couldn't even raise his own?
Do the right thing... raise your children like children, take unnecessary decisions out of their hands, let them run crazy and their imaginations go nuts... it's their job... and yours!
2006-08-01 04:00:53 · answer #1 · answered by MadMaxx 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
ADD and ADHD are often symptoms of other conditions. Here's a few things to play with before panicking.
Sleep - not getting enough sleep puts the body into an over-enegetic compensating mode. You know the feeling, you are too tired, and you get all antsy. Being like this all day is pretty much the same as being ADD. This takes some time to fix, sleep habits have to be rebuilt. Keep a log for a week of sleep times and see what you think. Also check with your pediatrician.
Diet - It should be balanced, fruit, veggies, meat, grains, and some treats. A balanced diet makes it easier for the body to do it's work, and for the brain to be a brain. This also means cooking at home much more than the average family.
Excersize - Promotes healthy sleep, and gives the brain some different work to do.
TELEVISION - the all time culprit. We (as a nation) GROSSLY overexpose our children to television. No child needs to watch any television at all, but the reality is that a couple of hours a week can give parents a break and probably be allright. That's right. 2 hours a week. Besides, who has time for tv if you are busy with everything else?
COMPUTERS and VIDEO GAMES - Perhaps even worse. Instant gratification in a box. 2 hours a week max.
Music - every child handles different types of music differently. As adults, we tend to be pretty blase about what we listen too, but the music which is just background noise to us might be very agitating to our children.
I agree with you that drugs are a LAST resort for ADD, in my 15 years of teaching I've asked parents to take their kids OFF the drugs, and have NEVER suggested putting them on, though it might give me relief in the classroom. The fact is, most of us live lives that are geared towards promoting unhealthy minds and bodies, and making changes can be the most rewarding move for any of us.
(BTW - between getting enough sleep, cooking meals, and keeping busy, we find we actually don't have time for tv, and very little for the computer. Our child gets to watch one, perhaps two 30-minute dvds a week, there is just NO time for anything else. He plauys with toys, "helps" in the yard, reads books with us, and plays with the dog. I'm not saying that he's a genius or guaranteed to never have ADD, but he's doing well, and can keep himself busy for quite a while.)
2006-08-01 12:07:24 · answer #2 · answered by Mutantmoose 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all I'd say no to meds unless absolutely necessary! I was 23 when I was diagnosed with ADD but I knew I suffered from it my entire life my doc put me on adderall which worked BUT the side effects where life altering and caused me several bad issues in my life. My daughter shows possible ADD behavior but I only notice it when she eats certain foods. I will never ever medicate her for this due to the effects the meds had on me at the age of 23 I can't Imagine what it would do to a 7 year old. I know it's hard but try and rule out everything and other ways to help b/f you start that kinda medication on a child
Good Luck
2006-08-01 11:00:49 · answer #3 · answered by momie_2bee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I felt the same way I spoke to my doctor and he recommended a specialist in the field. I took the girls and he answered all my questions he's been a huge help. My girls aren't on ritolin (sp?) and the pills they're supposed to take are 3 times a day. It was too much the doctor said that if I felt they were being "zombie's" to reduce the amount of medication. So now they're on only 1 pill a day and the difference is completelly noticeable. Don't think about it as drugging your kids think about it like you're giving your kids a chance to be able to focus and contribute at home and at school. Good luck
2006-08-01 10:56:53 · answer #4 · answered by christina s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter has ADHD,
there is no blood work or anything for it. The school goes by the child's actions over a coarse or a year. then the Dr will ask the parent about actions. and ask the child questions.
schools love for your kids to have meds. But some times they dope the child up.
my daughter was 8 when they told us she had this. they gave her meds and she acted dopey.
so I went back to the original method.
explain everything in detail, associate your school work with animals ( adhd kids focus on one thing they like) and kick her butt when needed
she is 17 now works for us
Penny Babson
http://www.impressionsbypenny.com
2006-08-01 11:01:46 · answer #5 · answered by officeofimpressions 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the school should have noticed if there was a problem. you need to take you child to the doctor and tell him what is going on and see if he will help you.
my grandkids are on meds for adhd. they had been for a couple of years before they moved near me. since then, my grandson is completely off his meds.
my grandaughter on the other hand, needs her meds along with a good spanking for once.
back before adhd became a popular excuse, they were taught to stay in their seats. they were taught to be polite and take the rap for what they did wrong.
society today is so ready to label a child adhd just so the parents can medicate the child and not have to deal with them.
2006-08-02 00:58:58 · answer #6 · answered by lodeemae 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should have them tested so that you can take advantage of all of the programs available for learning assistance, respit, behavioral programs etc.
My Aunt is a Child Phyciatrist and she recomended one shot in the AM and one in the PM of esspresso - yes strong coffee - to her nephew and he calmed right down. Apparently two wrongs can make a right - sometimes. IIt can't hurt to try!?
2006-08-02 01:12:41 · answer #7 · answered by snowy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The school dictrict will help with this. Not all kids require meds. A psychiatrist would be the one who would prescribe these though.
2006-08-01 10:53:53 · answer #8 · answered by Melissa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your children's school should be able to help you begin the process to find out if they have ADD or ADHA. Plus their doctor. Its a long process, but its worth finding out,
2006-08-01 10:55:16 · answer #9 · answered by Chris 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The chance that both your kids are is slim but if they are, you deserve a medal. :-D
Take them to the doctor (your GP) and he/she will send them for testing.
2006-08-01 10:54:38 · answer #10 · answered by Lex 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋