He is 9 and has shown this behavior for a few years, and it is getting worse. He cannot focus on tasks, cannot follow through, does not listen, displays impulsive behavior, has very fidgety hands, etc. His mother has been diagnosed with ADHD but refuses to admit that there could be anything wrong with him - she says "he does not like structure". Where do we start if she refuses to accept this?
2006-09-06 08:25:40 · 11 answers · asked by Tangled Web 5 in Health ➔ Mental Health
None of the answers above are actually accurate. If you want to formly find out if he meets criteria of ADHD or any other type of behavior/psychological disorder you need to take him to see a psychologist who specializes in testing children for learning disabilities. I would start at his school and ask if they routinely refer children to any local psychologists. If not, then I would go to the website I've posted below and contact the psychologists listed in your area. There are several things you should know going into this type of testing. Frist, it typically requires several hours of different behavioral and cognitive testing and it should also include both his parents and teachers completing assessment tools. The idea is to collect information from multiple sources because if you have ADHD your behavior should not drastically change from one environment to the next.
2006-09-06 10:15:53 · answer #1 · answered by Ph_D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's important to have the diagnosis confirmed by his pediatrician, then ask him/her about treatment. Kids who are fidgety, unfocused, and do not listen are not necessarily ADHD/ADD, so it's good to rule out anything else it can be...including simply behavioral issues. I'd make sure the child's mom is involved in the whole process, as she is responsible for him as well. You can find resources that say how ADHD affects a child's chance for success in the future, and this may help the mom accept the child's need for assessment.
2006-09-06 08:38:27 · answer #2 · answered by dawn3g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Medication may be the best answer in the -short- term. He also really needs to start learning how to manage the problem, so eventually he can stop taking drugs and still function well. I had some friends when I was younger who were teens or young adults and STILL taking Ritalin or whatever, and would probably be on it indefinitely; most of them said, "I wish they'd taught me how to focus better, instead of just putting me on drugs and forgetting about it."
Letting it go with "he does not like structure" isn't going to do him any good, whether the problem is truly ADHD or something else.
2006-09-06 08:41:39 · answer #3 · answered by Red 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If mom was diagnosed, then it's very possible! Most studies show that ADHD is genetic and inheritated. Start with the pediatrician, they will most likely refer you to a child psychologist for an evaluation and go from there. Poor kid!! Good luck! :)
2006-09-06 09:47:45 · answer #4 · answered by nic_tammyscott 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many interventions and strategies for an ADHD child that don't require diagnosis - much less medication. You can help a child learn to focus, learn self-control, and learn to follow directions, but it does take time and a lot of patience. Expect a lot of set-backs.
An example of how to help him with follow through - Help your child learn to enjoy following directions by following the recipe for something he loves to eat. Help him to focus by asking him to look you in the eyes when you talk, and repeat what you said.
Check out http://www.goaskmom.com/that_works_adhd_inattentive/ for some really good hints on how to help your step-son.
2006-09-06 08:45:46 · answer #5 · answered by Science Mom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should start by addressing the issue to your husband. To help his conditions with out seeking help from a doctor you should try herbal remedies. A great product to help him focus is fish oils or there is a product called Attentive child. These will help him focus in school and on his work. He also needs a good multivitamin. I recommend one from GNC they are all natural and you will be able to choose one for his specific needs. There is also other possibilities, like he might be board in school.
2006-09-06 09:05:36 · answer #6 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is he on something like ritilan for ADD/ADHD? if he lives with you or spends quite a bit of time with you have the dad make an appt with his family dr or psychiatrist for him and thru an evaluation a dr will determine if he is ADD/ADHD and from my own experience of having ADHD he has all the classic symptoms as i did when i was diagnosed and got on medication. i am on strattera and on my very first dose i was calmed down beyond belief
2006-09-06 09:09:27 · answer #7 · answered by oceanlady580 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get him completey off of all those medications that could make him act crazy and put him on a good dose of healthy vitamins like take shaklee vitamins for example those might help him, if your interested in some good vitamins go to shaklee.com or shaklee.net
or email shaklee or team21.com
also get him off of ritalin
2006-09-06 08:30:16 · answer #8 · answered by laura g 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell her that he needs to put him on meds. just because he is on them doesn't mean that he has to remain on them for life. look at it as a temporary thing. my child is on it and his school work has improved and his focusing. he will not need it for life. he just needs it now to get through a little. if that's what's best for him tell her that he needs it.
2006-09-06 08:30:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like he is addicted/hypersensitive to sugar. How about you quit giving him sugar. I bet that would work.
2006-09-06 08:46:16 · answer #10 · answered by ignernt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋