2007-03-25 07:24:27 · 7 answers · asked by Jerene V 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Five year old boys are supposed to be active and have a lot of energy. That's normal. If he's still way outside of normal range, then talk to his doctor about changing his meds.
ADHD is not made up. It's a very real disorder, with distinct organic neurological causes. Although the underlying causes are not yet fully understood, there is very clear and reliable scientific evidence supporting the association with certain measurable neurological features with ADHD.
However, it's definitely overdiagnosed, and even when it's accurately diagnosed, parents of ADHD children sometimes expect the medication to make their child calmer and more attentive than can reasonably be expected from any child that age, ADHD or not. While jumping of playground equipment and hanging from ceiling fans are not normal, active, energetic play is very normal for young boys, and you can't expect the meds to turn him into a miniature adult.
I don't know if the hyperactivity that you're still noticing is within normal range or not. You can talk to your doctor about it, but unless he's still seriously out of control (running in front of traffic, climbing bookcases, and otherwise putting himself or others in serious danger), and you really have tried to discipline him and to modify his daily routine and nothing works, then try to keep an open mind about it, and don't assume that it's not normal. It may be that he does need a higher dose of medication, which is why it's worth talking to his doctor about, but try to go in with the intent of figuring out whether or not he does need more or different meds, rather than with the intent of figuring out how much more medication he needs.
If you and your son's doctor decide not to change his medication, then try to change his daily routine to allow him more time of physical activity. Consider putting him on a sports team. Even just getting him up earlier and giving him some time to play outside before school might help (or it may make things worse, if he's then in the mind-set of run around and play rather than sit down quietly, but it's certainly worth a try).
Also try to avoid letting him have too much processed sugars (or white bread) as, while (contrary to popular belief) sugar generally doesn't actually make people hyper appart from their expectation that it will do so, refined sugar, as well as other processed carbohyrates (like in white bread) do tend to be absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly and can potentially give people a more immediate burst of energy rather than being absorbed more slowly. That may or may not help with the hyperactivity, but even if it doesn't, it's still healthier for him anyway.
2007-03-25 08:14:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take him off the drugs. Watch his diet, as much fresh foods and fish. Red food colorants take out of his diet. Play with him start him in judo or karate classes. Let him run and then run some more. These children need positive input. Let him draw and paint if its too cold outside.
2007-03-25 07:43:01 · answer #2 · answered by chersgaz 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Take him to a large park, and let him run and run as far as he can....let him burn it off...nowadays, kids have to live in apartments, etc,...and don't have anyway to burn off that natural energy that they all have, and they call it hyperactive...find something he loves to do, does he like to fish? play baseball?...They used to give kids coffee when they were hyper, with cream and (now you can use splenda) and for whatever reason, it has a calming effect...you have your hands full!
2007-03-25 07:29:22 · answer #3 · answered by MotherKittyKat 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For God's sake women, get the kid off the drugs. Try parenting instead of relying on drugs to calm your kid down. What do you want, a zombie instead of a active little boy?
2007-03-25 07:29:42 · answer #4 · answered by WILLIAM R T 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sign him up for some sports orsomethingthat will vent the energy.
2007-03-25 07:33:21 · answer #5 · answered by fun for life 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stop giving him ritalin. Stop thinking that he has ADD. It is just a made up illness. Your kid is just hyper and he will grow out of it.
Don't stigmatize him for the rest of his life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy79C0v8elE&mode=related&search=
http://www.adhdfraud.org/index.htm
2007-03-25 07:31:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Get him into a strenuous exercise program
2007-03-25 07:27:50 · answer #7 · answered by jonnyraven 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋