should you put a child on medication with ADHD?

Answer 1

That is the burning question..

My son is 13 and diagnosed with ADD (he does not have hyperactivity) about 5 years ago. We did some counseling and behavior modification. School was a struggle. He would forget things so easily, leave his homework at home, not bring home his book, etc. He really was putting me to the test. I felt like I was always disciplining.

When he was diagnosed his father refused to consider medication. Last year when he was in 7th grade I reached the end of my rope. After a joint meeting with the counselor (the first time in 5 years that his dad went-we are not married), we decided that we would try medication.

Our son with an IQ over 140 had an E on his report grade and his other grades were not so hot either. After two months of being on Adderal XR (10 mg/day) he had brought all of his grades up at least one grade and had no missing assignments.

This year he has 6 A's and one B. The tension is gone and we are grateful we finally put him on medication.

Answer 2

ADHD medication should be used with caution, and certainly not permanently. The goal is to retrain a child's mind to USE this situation, not hide behind it. ADHD is not a disability, just a different way of learning and responding to information. There are training books out there to help work with a child (or adult) with ADHD learn to adjust.

Some doctors, including Ron Dozoretz, say ADHD is a gift to be conquered, not a problem to be solved. He points to Thomas Edison, Beethoven, Einstein and others - all considered to be ADHD. In fact, there's a book about "The Edison Trait" you might read.

If you decide to medicate, it should be if training is not working. And be patient. This doesn't happen overnight.

But most ADHD medications are stimulants and controlled substances. They're not medications you can get with refills. You have to get a new prescription every 30 days in most cases. The idea is that these are like crutches - something to lean on while you put things back together. They're not life-long.

Oddly enough, most adult ADHD identees discover they've been self-medicating for years through the use (or abuse) of caffeine. Try a Coke...

Answer 3

I think it depends on the age of the child, the severity of the ADHD and the environmental factors that might contribute to the child's ADHD. I also think if a child has ADHD and is on medication, he or she should also be seeing a psychologist to work on the behaviors associated with ADHD. It's hard enough to control as an Adult, much less a child.

Answer 4

I agree that medicating should be a last resort, but if all else fails, have mercy on the child's teachers and give your child a chance to learn. Make sure the doctor is familiar with ADHD and use the absolute least amount to get the job done.

The idea of a regular schedule spot on as well. Kids really calm down when there is structure in their lives.

Answer 5

I myself have ADHA and was put on Ritalin immediatly when I was diagnosed with it. I think that was the worst thing to do. Any child with ADD or ADHD should first be taught to cope with it without meds using any resources availible and use meds as a last resort. Also there's another factor to think about; side effects. I (and many other paople I've talked to) have a horrible time tollerating the medicin in their system. The side effects I personally had were being unable to sleep, nausea, it bothered my stomach, high blood pressure and it killed my motivation and immagination!
I've been on Ritalin and 2 other medications and had these reactions to all of them. And also as I got older my doctor kept having to up the dosage to the point I was taking the max they could have me at just to give me the minimum results. I eventually stoped taking them compleatly as suffered even worse because I had to teach myself to control my ADHD.
I advise getting help to teach the child self control firs and use meds only if that dosen't work adequetly.

Answer 6

Has the child been diagnosed with ADHD? Has medication been prescribed?

Answer 7

I just answered another question like this and I really think that medication should be a last resort. My cousin is on that stuff and she hates it. Try natural ways like limiting sugar and carboydrates such as potatos and white bread and pasta. Feed them lots of green veggies and fruits (not juice). Limit TV and video games to like an hour a day for children. Get them into activities and inforce regular bedtimes. Children feel way better this way. Also try and eat organic where possible. There is a lot of evidence that this is effecting us more then we think.

Answer 8

yes my son has adhd theres always natural methods but medicines really help to speed up the brain to help ur child concentrate always watch 4 side effects though

Answer 9

My 8 year old ADHD kids is on a cocktail of 3 different medicines that work WONDERS for him. Every kid and case is different and we did have a bad experience with Ritalin but his current meds are WONDERFUL.

Answer 10

Only if dietary and environmental issues have been extensively tested and ruled out. I am amazed at how many people's first choice is drugs.