ADHD Medication for 8 year old?

Question

My 8 year old daughter has ADHD. She is a wonderful happy child, but sturggles in school because she is unable to focus and retain information. I'm thinking of trying medication. I have always been against it, but I don't want her to fall behind in school anymore and I don't want her to have other social issues. Should I try it?

Answer 1

Many people will try to convince you that medicines are all negative.However if your daughter is not able to function at her best she may just need that meds to allow her to do her best at school and inevery aspect of her life. It is very unsettling to a child to not understand why his/her daily life is so chaotic.Sometimes meds are needed because wanting your thought processes to be more orderly requires more than wishing it were so. Every parent wants their child to reach their fullest potential and be happy in their life.This is about doing what is best for your child not public opinion.

Answer 2

I am a grade 1-2 reading specialist and work with many children that have been diagnosed with ADHD. I am also an adult with this diagnosis. I am also an expectant parent. So I will speak from all sides of the issue.

As a teacher I would say try the meds for a period of months, anything less, and you will not see the effects. So much of the day is filled with activities that require attention. You can always stop the meds if they don't work.

As a sufferer, try the meds. I lived unmedicated for my entire life until the age of 27. I am now 32 (living pregnant and unmedicated, my husband suffers, LOL) but my world premed was a scary, disorganized, out of touch place. My world now is SO different. More organized, less forgetful and more enjoyable to those around me.

As a parent, not sure how I feel. I guess that I would try anything to help my child find success in school and social situations. We treat physical ailments all the time. Why not attempt to treat this social ailment with meds that are proven effective.

One word of caution, as a parent, teacher, and ADHD person, if you choose meds, do not treat or tolerate any extreme side effects of the meds. ie, sleeplessness, nausea, weight loss, etc. switch meds and try again. too many good ones out there for this. i have been on ritalin, strattera, and now concerta.

good luck with whatever decision you make but remember that you are making a life changing decision for your child.

Answer 3

It may just be me, but it seems every child in America is labeled with ADHD or ADD or Depression or something or another. I went through this with my oldest boy. Can't you think of other alternatives than meds? I used to give my son coffee before school and it really helped. I know it sounds wierd but it does. Remember the meds are speed. Do you really want your child to take that? I have trouble focusing and staying on task too, but I'm not going to try speed. Coffee puts me to sleep. LOL I would talk to the school, there's got to be something else you can do. Look up ADHD online and see if there is some suggestions to help the child. Medication seems so extreme to me. Esp. at eight years old. My son is 8 too, I wouldn't put him on meds. But he does behave at school, when he gets home look out! LOL

Answer 4

You know what? It's absolutely your business what you do with your child, but if it were me, I'd say no no no! Are you sure she is adhd? has a doctor confirmed that, or do the school officials saying this to be true. Be careful please! My son was about the same age as your daughter when the school wanted him tested because it appeared as though he couldn't focus in class and was bothering all the kids etc. etc. I had him tested by a pediatrician, it was negative, and when I told the school, they called my doctor back and whatever they said to her, they informed me to have him tested again, saying they thought the doctor would have a different opinion now. I refused, and had them test his I.Q. level, and guess what!!! It was way up there higher than his age or grade level, so they finally sent him to another school where they had the "gifted program" for exceptionally intelligent kids, and I never had a problem with him in school again. This year, he started university, payed for by scholarships which he received enough for all 4 years of university, with a loan than only will cost him $500.00 for the entire 4 years. PLEASE be sure, because if I would have put him on Ritalin, like the school wanted me to, he would have been zombiefied, and never would have achieved this. Trust me I know what I'm saying. I've seen it happen before. Kids can been trying these days, but that does not mean that they are adhd. Just please please be sure, for the sake of your childs future.

Answer 5

My son has traits od ADD and ADHD and I fought off putting him on medication for a long time. He started using them in 1st grade. I can tell you now though that I'm glad I put him on the meds. He does so much better at school and I have very few complaints from his teacher. He started on Concerta but he outgrew it. He is now on Metadate and I haven't experienced any problems with either of the medications. As with any medications, discuss all the pros and cons with her doctor and together decide what will work best for her. You may have to try a couple to find the right one. Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

Answer 6

I also have ADHD I am currently on a ridilin patch called Daytrona (I think it is spelled differently) I was medicated when I was in 1st grade. The medication worked like a charm and got me under control so that I got straight A's all through elementary school. Trust me medication is the best way to go.

Answer 7

Talk to your pediatrician. Medication can't solve all her problems, but it can help a lot. She has to understand what behaviors are not acceptable and that it is important to do her assignments in a timely manner, etc, and if she does, the medication will help her reach her goals.

My daughter improved THE DAY she started medication. She stopped doodling all over her paper in class and was more still (hurray!). The medication just helps in the area of her brain that isn't functioning properly. Weigh the pros and cons (costs- financial, social; benefits: do the possible side effects outweigh them?), and decide.

Answer 8

My son is also ADHD. When he was first diagnosed I did a lot of research because I did not want to put him on medication. I came across a message board http://www.adhdnews.com/forum/default.asp which was extremely helpful. Every child is different but I would suggest reading through the message board and see what will fit with your child. I put my son on 03mega joy. It is 1000mg of EPA to 50mg of DHA which are both from Omega which is fish oil. It did not work at first but after 3 months I have seen a significant improvement in my sons concentration and behavior. He is getting A's in school now, before we could not get him to finish his work. I highly recommend the 03mega joy which you can buy at http://shop.genuinehealth.com/. They are capsules that she will need to swollow though. Good luck to you and know that the message board is full of other mothers in your same situation.

Answer 9

First off, do not be giving eight year olds that kind of medication. Did you know that no one really knows the long term affect of ADHD medication? Maybe she doesn't like her teacher or maybe she is a slow learner. I am studying to be an elementary school teacher and they told us what to look for in ADHD children, it is sad because basically it is hyper active activity...so maybe stop giving your baby girl so much sugar or something, but please don't put her on medication.

Answer 10

I think you should try it. I used to be against medication as well, but once I saw the positive effects it had in some of my students over the years, I started to warm up to it. It isn't for everyone, and children are easily misdiagnosed. Try it, and if it doesn't work, you can look to other solutions.