Should I put my child on ADD medication?

Question

Teachers of my 6yr old say she cant focus or get from point A to B. She is in first grade. I do not see what they are seeing in the classroom. At home, she follows directions, listens, and accomplishes what is asked of her(most of the time). Are teachers, into just the 6th week of school observing that my child is so inattentive that she has ADD? Does she need medication? Thay say she cant get her thoughts together to write 7 sentences. Thanks for any responses. Distraught mom

Answer 1

Maybe, but your need to have a physician or psychiatrist's evaluation on that.

She's pointing out a potential problem.

You owe it to your child to see if she could be right.

Now, call your pediatrician tomorrow and make an appointment.


Don't even approach this other than that, or it'll be you versus the teacher and this question will be open for 3 weeks.

I'll bet your right now that you get at least 20 different opinions (4 before I finish this).

It's gonna be they said blah, blah, and my kid, blah, blah blah, but really blah, blah, blah.

OK. I was off - 10 opinions already.
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One last comment on the whole "DRUG" thing.

ADD (and ADHD) is a disorder, illness, a medical condition, and yes it it treated with drugs (along with lifestyle changes) like any other medical condition. This may be a short-term or life-time condition - but it's treatable - thankfully.

You should no more put a bugaboo on ADD drugs than if it were medicine for diabetes, a heart condition, or any other illness!
You can elect not to use them, but to do so is to lessen the quality of life. In this instance, at an age when that is very precious, vulnerable, and the loss irretrievable.

Answer 2

Seven sentences in the 2nd month of first grade??????????????? That's a bit much. What did her kindergarten teacher note about your daughter? It sounds like her work habits need to be developed and that's what first grade is supposed to teach her. Did you switch schools? If this is a new school did they develop their kindergarteners to the point of writing sentences last year? You can have your daughter screened for ADD...many health insurances cover it and the school should also provide a screening. Before jumping on the ADD band wagon remember, a school setting is a lot different than a home setting. If you are in New York, the educational law says that if you opt not to place your daughter on meds (or even if you do) you can apply for modifications concerning her Individualized Educational Plan....she will be classified as a 504 kid or a special ed kid....not so terrible. She will get the additional classroom supports provided to her by law that will increase her ability to be successful. Observe your daughter and note how well she attends. Watch her in groups (play or organized activities such as karate or soccer) and take notes. good luck...you can always read up on changing her diet to help her attend better (no artificial food additives and watch sugars)....it's not a death sentence but ADD is over diagnosed.

Answer 3

Please do not put her on medication.
Please do not discuss this in front of her, or let her know this is being discussed. She will feel as if something is wrong with her.
Not every teacher is going to like all children. Perhaps this teacher would like your child better if she were sedated - or better yet, not in the same room. You might pursue moving her to another classroom, especially if the teacher is criticizing your child in front of the other children. Do you feel this teacher is as loving to your child as she is to other children?
Allowing this teacher to influence you this way and cause this upset is criminal. The teacher is supposed to be the adult in this situation, she is the one that should be able to "cope".
Has anyone explained to you that children with ADD are NOT the dumb ones in the class? If your child has ADD/ADHD, she is bright enough to learn other ways to overcome an attention problem.
Take her to a child psychiatrist, you pay for the testing, and also have an intellegence test done. You may be surprised.
If your child doesn't have you on her side, then she has no one.
You have to do what you know is the best thing for her. You have to exhaust all avenues, educate yourself, and follow through with what you feel is best for your child.
If you have any testing done, I suggest you pay for it and have someone independent of the school administer it. (Child Psychiatrist). I do not believe "school specialists" are qualified to test children. The "tester" could be the best friend of your child's teacher. The "tester's" attitude toward your child can influence the outcome of the test.
You are doing the right thing by seeking advice. I raised my children saying, "nothing bad ever came from being too careful." It applies here. You are the one that makes the decision. Make it wisely. Don't put your child on drugs unless you can feel joyous about doing so.
The best of luck to you, and the best of all things to your child.

Answer 4

As a teacher with a degree in counseling, there are a whole host of situations that may cause this. Did your child attend full or half day or any kindergarten? Is your child in a new school? Yes to either question could cause your child to drift off and not pay attention in school, esp. if your child had only half day kindergarten. Next, you need to look at the work that is sent home that your child does in school, if you notice that any work is incomplete, find out why. Perhaps it is not presented well, or it is hard work to do. I would find out what is distracting your child, other kids, the playground, lunch, etc. Does your child act hyper in school? Finally I would consult the pediatrician. It seems that in today's society, we are quick to jump to ADHD whenever a kid is problematic in some way in school. Keep in mind there are two main types of ADHD: innattentive (where the child daydreams a lot) and hyperactive (where the child is acting wild and uncontrollable). I hope this helps or sheds some light on your situation.

Answer 5

Don't pay any attention to them, you know your child better than they do, and who are they putting her up against? the rest of the class? I imagine that (and she is only 6 after all) the attention span could be because (a train of thought here) when a child watches t.v., there is every 10 minutes or so, a 3-4 minute advertisement break, even now, at my age I can only sit still for 10 minutes when someone is lecturing.
A solution: Can you not get your daughter to wear bright yellow underwear. Yellow is great for concentration, clear thoughts and good for memory. I have a Diploma in Colour Therapy.
Is your daughter eating correctly i.e. lots of fresh organic (free from any chemicals and pesticides etc) fruit & vegetables.
Who cares if she does not want to write 7 sentences, she is obviously not going to grow up and be a writer.
Good luck, both of you.
Can I suggest staying away from the drugs (at such a young age) and try all the alternatives first. The fact that you wrote in suggests you would prefer alternatives over pharmaceuticals, good on you for caring about your childs health.

Answer 6

If your child has only had this teacher for 6, I really don't see how the teacher can know this about your child. If she acts like a normal 6 yr. old, then maybe the teacher is asking too much of her, and she is having a hard time following what the teacher is asking. What I would suggest is talking to your daughter and see if your daughter is having trouble in class and why. I really don't think she needs medicine for ADD. I just think that your daughter is being herself.

Answer 7

Ummm...in first grade she probably shouldnt be able to write seven sentences in by the first 6 weeks of school!! That should happen at the end of the year. Dont let them pressure you and its illegal for the school to suggest medication! Its your decision to medicate your child. I would maybe suggest some extra help from the teacher or a literacy support teacher. Is the teacher older or younger...older teachers tend to be less patient and try to medicate children faster. Its just their generation's opinion. Good luck!!

Answer 8

Don't put her on the meds for ADD, not worth the side affects that some of them cause, most pharmacist will tell you that it is a discipline problem in most cases, the drugs can make them like zombies. If you aren't seeing what the teacher is seeing I would question her or his opinion. Pay close attention to her at home and make sure she is focusing on what you are telling her, and work with her in that area and make sure she understands directions and what you are telling her. Work with her in areas where she needs work. She could be distracted by the other children.

Answer 9

My sister is going through this right now. She gets a call everyday about her 6 year old. How many 6 year olds can sit all day and not get bored, or let her mind wander.
Take her to your Pediatrician, and ask his opinion. If he is worth his merit, he will do diagnostic testing on your child, and that is what tells if she is or is not, not the teacher.
The tests are very indepth, and accurate. I had one years ago, and am adhd.
If you type adhd into a search engine, there is a website that has a huge checklist. I am talking over 20 things.
I would reccomend talking to my Dr. first though.

Good Luck

Answer 10

I just wanted to say that this is YOUR decision for medication. Schools can NOT suggest or even MENTION anything about these type of meds.
There is a federal law called 'child safety medication act of 2000' which was made because LOTS of schools try to make parents give meds to their kids.
Lots of kids got hurt by this, so it had to be made into a law.