My 10yr old son has ADHD, is on medication, and is still having trouble in school, and making friends. Help!?

Answer 1

Please ignore the wankers above me who chose to insult you rather than help.
I had typed out a big long answer to try and help you, but it got lost somewhere in the system, dammit!
So, I'll cut it short and see what happens.
There are many natural methods that you can use to help ease your son's symptoms. You may know some of this, you may not, but I'll tell you what I know..
Food additives, food allergies and sensitivity to environmental chemicals, moulds, and fungi can play a major role in ADHD. In particular, may hyperactive children are sensitive to artificial colourings, flavours, preservatives, and sometimes salicylates.
Salicylates are found in tomatoes, beans, capsicums, olives, most fruits (except bananas and peeled pears), almonds, peanuts and some seasonings (except garlic, parsley and chives) If your child is allergic to aspirin (part of the same family) they may also be allergic to these foods. Keep this in mind when adjusting his diet.
From a natural point of view, symptoms can be dramatically reduced by cutting out food additives and colouring, minimising allergic reactions to food and surroundings, and introducing herbs and vitamins.
Some of these things you can do yourself, but consulting with a naturopath will lead to the right specific advice for your son, and better quality products.
Remove wheat, corn, milk, eggs, chocolate, oranges and citrus fruits from his diet. Include fresh fruits and veges (keeping in mind what I said before) rice and other non-wheat/corn grains daily, also include chemical-free proteins like fresh fish, chicken and red meat.
For fluid intake serve only fresh water, diluted fresh fruit juices, soups and herbal teas.
Keep him away from industrial chemicals such as PCBs, dioxins, chlorobenzenes, phenols and related chemicals, which have been found to increase the likelihood and severity of ADHD. These chemicals can be found in industrial areas or areas on main highways with petrol fumes.
Get rid of all sweets, flavoured drinks such as Coke, Fanta and cordial, packet cake mixes and any tinned food that contains food colourings.
Use legumes such as split peas, lima beans and adzuki beans which can be added to veges and soups.
Eggs are good, if he's not allergic. Tinned salmon and tuna (no additives), colouring-free bread that is based on rice or rye flour baked without yeast. Grains such as brown rice and buckwheat, and wheat-free pasta.
Herbs and supplements I know of that are great for ADHD kids are:
Schisandra (great antioxidant with an amazing ability to detox the liver and improve mental performance, as well as physical performance and endurance. Also good for chronic coughs and asthma).
Vitamin B complex is essential in treatment of ADHD.
Omegas 3 and 6 fatty acids are crucial for these kids, they're very low in them.
Bacopa Monniera is an Indian herb that helps nervous exhaustion and stress and can enhance mental performance. Great given with schisandra.
Liver supporting herbs like dandelion, St Mary's thistle and rosemary.
Have him checked by your doctor or naturopath for heavy metal contamination (I've just detoxed from copper toxicity - it wreaked havoc with my brain and body).
Garlic is brilliant.
Chamomile tea is very calming to the nervous system, especially before bed.
Plus, the minerals magnesium, calcium, manganese and zinc are essential, very calming to the nervous system.
I really do recommend consulting a naturopath if at all possible. It'll do wonders.
Best of luck, love, and do ingore the idiots :)

Answer 2

The medication your son is on is probably adderal, which is a synthetic form of cocaine. Would you give your child cocaine? For some reason, our medical society thinks it's ok, as long as it's in pill form.

It won't fix your child's problem though. That's because your child's problem is home based.

To understand what the problem is, check a few things out. What are his sleeping habits? He should be sleeping at least 8 hours or more each night. Adderal makes that almost impossible, thus making the problem worse.

Is he currently, or has he ever suffered any kind of mental or physical abuse from family members? I don't mean normal spankings when he needs them, I mean extreme physical abuse, or any kind of intentional mental anguish.

If so, remove the source of distress from your child's life, even if it means separating both of you from the source. Your child's livlihood as an adult depends on it.

The reason I say that is because ADHD will turn into Manic Bipolar Depression if left untreated. In fact, it is often the result of being around an adult with Manic Bipolar Depression.

There are two kinds of Manic Bipolar Depression. One in which is described as a euphoric mood, followed by a depressed state after reality sets in. The one I'm talking about is the most common type, which is extreme anger followed by a depressed state. People who suffer from that one pass it on to their children through their behavior.

Chris

Answer 3

I agree with helping in the classroom, if that is possible. But, it is difficult for a parent to see their child hurting, so you will need to try to communicate with him. Try using bedtime as a good time to talk. You don't need to be terribly specific, but just having a conversation can lead to a lot of understanding. Then, be upbeat and positive, with him. Encourage him in his abilities to make friends. Talk about the things that make him special or unique, that others might like and make sure he knows all the things that make him, who he is. You also might have a conversation about what happens when he is at school and the children only have a short interest. If he has an older sibling, you might get a bit of understanding from them. Maybe he is just a bit shy and doesn't know what to say - or over-bearing? Give him small steps to use for getting to know some of the kids, better. It really only takes one good friend to give a child the confidence they need. One thing you might consider is getting him into some sort of activity that involves an interest of his. Perhaps he might get to know some children, in this manner. Ask him who he likes the best, at school, and why. See if one of these children might like to spend time studying, going to a movie, riding bikes, coming over on the bus after school, going to a fun event. Don't make too much of the subject, and try to keep it a bit light-hearted. Too many questions and he may feel a bit sensitive. Just feel it out. Five, by the way, is a bit young and it takes time to make friends. Remind him of that. Oh, and trampolines seem to attract other children.

Answer 4

Jesus don't listen to all these people. If you've ever had, been around or worked with a child with ADHD you know it's a real condition which by the way can be seen in brain scans. Meds can only help so much he needs counseling, a support group and/or some social coaching.

Answer 5

There is compelling evidence that ADHD like many other popular disease is invented by pharmaceutical companies to sell their drugs.

However, this does not rule out that some children have problem with focusing at school.
There may be many reasons for this problem as well. The so called education system itself can deter individuals from paying attention.

In fact most kids labelled as ADHD are just full of energy and attention. All they need is some proper education system to tap their energy and let them fast track the tedious pace, rather than prescribing addictive drugs. What the pharmaceutical companies and their associated doctors are doing is a crime, soon to be trialled.

To help you, all I can suggest is to spend more time with your son, finding out what he is good at, and invest as much as you can in terms of time and tuition to help him achieve his best. You never know, there might be a noble scientist, or an Olympic athlete crying out to make a positive leap for mankind !

Answer 6

There is no such thing as ADHD. Ever consider that your kid might just be... stupid?

There is only one learning disorder, its called stupid, and no amount of drugs can fix that.

Answer 7

I dont believe in ADHD!

Answer 8

take him off medication ad dicaplin the kid if he gets out of hand. Use the belt. spank that boy.