adhd children?

Question

im an non-custodial mother and my son was diagnosed with ADHD. I really don't know exactly what it is. He recently stabbed a little boy with a pencil at school and he's only 6. Im very concerned about him. Could him not being in the home with me be a reason for his behavior? Are there any ways other than medication to deal with this disorder?

Answer 1

THERE IS MEDICATION TO TRY AND COMBAT THIS DISORDER, WHICH IS ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVE DISORDER. ITS WHEN A CHILD HAS HYPERACTIVITY ALONG WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT.

IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO PUT HIM IN SOME COUNSELING SERVICES, IT REALLY HELPED MY SON AND HE IS NOT ON ANY MEDS. MEDICATING YOUR CHILD AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE IS DISCOURAGED, BUT IF HE IS STABBING OTHER CHILDREN WITH PENCILS, HE DEFINITELY NEEDS SOME HELP AND THE POSSIBILITY OF MEDICATION SHOULD BE TALKED OVER WITH HIS COUNSELOR.

Answer 2

My son has ADHD. It is increasingly common but oftentimes does not exist alone. That is to say many children have multiple diagnosis. Having ADHD means that your child has a limited attention span, increased excitability, increased emtional outbursts, and a higher activity level than other children of the same age.

He could have some anxiety from being apart from his mother but that would not cause ADHD. There is a lot of debate about medication vs. behavior modification programs. My son responds very well to Adderall, a prescription medication. However I settled on this after lots of research and conversations with my pediatrician.

I am a social worker and have had lots of experience with non custodial parents. You still have an important part to play in the life of your son. Don't feel powerless because your son does not live with you.

As far as the stabbing goes. My son did lots of similiar things like that before I started him on Adderall. The medicine does not make him a zombie. He is the same child that a love, he is just toned down a bit. When my son was in kindergarten the teacher called me every day with a bad report. I cried all the time. I was angry all the time. I dreaded sending him to school. Starting him on Adderall opened up a whole new world for him. He does great in school now but it was a long road.

Good luck, you are not alone.

Answer 3

I have a son who will be turning 6 in March, he was diagnosed with ADHD over a year ago. When it all began I was convinced that I was doing something wrong as a parent. (I am a single mother, my sons father has been in lock up since before he was born) We tried to do the food log, and a few other things like being more strict with discipline etc. These things worked for a while until my son started school. Then the outburst at school got worse...he was not keeping up. I finally broke down and tried the medicine, much to my surprise it was not as bad as I had thought it would be. My son is doing great in school, hes happy, hes healthy and we are able to spend quality time together and enjoy it. There are still some outburst and behaviors now and again, but after all he is a 5 year old boy. He is on a low dose of Adderall extended release. I was very skeptical on trying the medicine, but it seems to be the only thing that works for my son. Each child is different, but I am here to tell you....hang in there it will get better. Its not your fault nor your child's. I am sure your a wonderful parent, and I am sure your doing all you can to make your child's life as great as possible

Answer 4

It just sounds to me that your son is a very angry child. People don't just stab another person without reasons. Your son seems to have an underlying issue of anger. Is or was he being emotionally, physically, or sexually abused that you don't know of? What your child needs is your love, attention, probably psychological help and not drugs. Doctors like to label a child as ADHD often. They don't want to have to spend more time to find out the reasons of the child's behavior. Do you know that more than half of the ADHD cases are misdiagnosed? It's just much easier to just drug the child and control the child.
There are many causes of hyperactivity. Have you considered changing the child's diet? There are alot of information on the internet regarding a non-drug approach which changes the child's behaviour. Maybe you can go on Amazon.com to buy a book about it too.
Anyway, if it's not the chemical imbalances in the child, then it's emotionally--your child is in much emotional pain, and carries much anger. He needs your help.
There is a similar question in Grade-Schooler section: "How to help my ADD child?" check it out. They have good answers.

Answer 5

Hi "concern", I also have a son that is ADHD, it means in medical terms Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder. And you know what I was just like you a couple years ago, I thought there is no way anyone is putting my kid on drugs for this, but I eventually changed my mind, and you know what.....best thing we could have done for him. When the children are on the medication it helps them to feel more settled and are more able to concentrate. You have to remember that inside his body it feels like utter kaos, so by putting him on medication it also helps the feelings he has. Don't push the medication card away so fast, because it really is a wonderful thing for them and you. You will notice such a difference that you'll be questioning why you hadn't done it sooner. Good Luck.

Answer 6

HI there. While often misdiagnosed, ADHD is a common problem with people of all ages. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. With out knowing the full extent of your situation, allow me to first mention that ADHD is commonly tied to impulsive behavior.(Like maybe stabbing his class mate with a pencil before he even thought about it?)

Other than medication, consistancy is a MAJOR part of therapy for a child with ADHD. If he recently went to live in some one else's care, that might have a direct relation to his current impulsive behavior. None of us like the confusing changes of moving, re-identifying with new environments, new schools, etc.

Good luck and just try to remember that we are all a little ADHD, and children are hyper and often irrational anyway. Thank goodness they are so damn cute......:)

Answer 7

ADHD is not caused by a parent not being around. Although - he could be lashing out if he's really having a hard time being separated from you. Medication supposedly is the way to go with ADHD but some people believe in other remedies. A good phsycologist is always a good thing also.

Answer 8

1st of all...is this a new situation that you are not at home with him? If it is, some of what is happening could be his way of lashing out because he doesnt know how to deal with the negative feelings.
Wheter you have taken him to the doc or not...it sounds like he needs some coaching with anger management. What can I do when someone is bothering me or doing something that I don
t like? 1. walk away 2. count to 10 in my head 3. get an adults help....this is going to take a lot of coaching, patience and practice...
when he did this, was he angry? did he feel badly after it happened? did he just keep going on and not understand what he did? These are all important answers for you to know.
Check out books fromthe library, get your son into counseling and discuss a behavior plan with his teacher. Most kids that truly have ADHD cannot control their behavior, and trying a behavior plan will help to rule that out (if it is something that he really wants and can control himself and his behavior to get it...then you are dealing with some managable things without using meds.)
While there may be some schools and parents out there that overdiagnose and push meds on kids....when you have been there with a child with true ADHD, you understand what a truly valuable impact meds can have for your child. My son has ADHD, and we tried all the above, and we unfortanetly had to go the med route...but the change in him and now he has friends, can sit down and do his work....it is amazing.
Good luck and please, get a true professional screening and exam for him.

Answer 9

I have a 12 year old ADHD child, with a touch of OCD and BiPolar...you need to do a ton of research on the net regarding this to get yourself familar with the ups and downs, medications and so on.
I highly suggest medication because it is a chemical inbalance in the brain.It is a disorder they will never outgrow but can become familar with themselves and learn better control.
I have my son on 3 medications- one is just for weight gain, he just at 12 got over 70 lbs...hyperactivity kept him at 60 for 6 years!

This is not an easy thing to deal with but every day is worth the struggle. I do not allow my son but did allow my daughter to live with her dad. Dad's are usually the carrier of ADHD, but don't get me wrong Mom's can carry it over as well. My ex is very abusive with my son because they are both ADHD.

I have topics of such as www.ladiesplace.net/community. I am always checking on new ways to help my son.
Not only medication but a private school where he can get MORE help with homework, education and counseling really helps. At home he is on a tight rope. I have a set bedtime, wake up time, chores and everything so he remains on task!

Best of luck with this, but no matter what you can not lay blame you need to focus on your son, get together with a GREAT doctor and find what works for him best!!! Without doping him into mummy state!

Answer 10

your son definately has issues if he is stabbing people but i think our society is to quick to label children with things such as ADHD. most of the children that are on meds and labeled ADHD are in fact not, they just need a firm hand. also alot of parents will dope their kids up just so they do not have to deal with the normal parenting challenges. however, i must say your child has something serious going on if he is that violent. medication and therapy may be what needs done in your case. and yes if you and he are real close he could be angry about the separation but that will not cause violent tendencies that are not already there at least not at the age of 6.

Answer 11

In the United States, children are regularly misdiagnosed with ADHD whenever they become a handful for parents or for teachers (particularly teachers). School systems push for children to go on medication, because it is easier for them. Psychiatrists, psychologists, general practicioners and the like ALL prescribe ADHD medication regularly WITHOUT having ordered neurological testing but rather just "assessing" the child. Why? Because it's easier and cheaper for everyone to put the children on drugs. Have a pediatric neurologist test your child to see if he ACTUALLY needs medication. The majority of children who go this route find out that they were misdiagnosed and medicated unnecessarily.

If you chose the medication route, be VERY careful from middle school on. Children at this age may horde their medications and resell them to their peers. Ritalin is VERY popular at teen parties as a recreational drug.