Very long questions about a kindergartener with ADHD?

Question

Okay, my five-year-old has started kindergarten and is having a REALLY REALLY REALLY hard time sitting and doing what he's supposed to be doing. His teacher is great, but he's going over to the beanbag chairs while he's supposed to be in circle time and talking out, going "Look at me, I'm in the beanbag chair!" He's not being argumentative, he's not mean to other people, he's not even purposely disrespectful, he just can't seem to stay at one thing for more than four seconds at a time.

After having a meeting with the teacher, the counselor and the principal, I'm okay with putting him on a trial run of ADHD medication, if he's even diagnosed (my friend, a psychologist, thinks he will be) to see if it helps.

I don't like the idea of giving my kid medicine that isn't for an actual medical ailment, but I also don't want him to hate school or fall behind because he can't focus on anything.

My husband is afraid we'd be "drugging him" and does not want him to be stuck walking around like a "zombie kid". Apparently, he thinks I'm wanting to give him Ambien or something, instead of an age-appropriate dose of recommended prescribed medication.


So, anyway, finally got him on board, and I called my son's doctor, and she won't treat ADHD -- along with about 80% of the pediatricians in the city we live in, and 100% of the pediatricians on our insurance plan. We'd have to get a referral to a child psychiatrist.


The doctor's office called me today to let me know that they were able to squeeze him in with the psychiatrist -- IN FEBRUARY 2008. Six months from now. More than 2/3 of the school year away.


Is that normal????

My questions:


1. Why would pediatricians not treat ADHD?

2. Are there age-appropriate medications for a five-year-old with ADHD?

3. Will the medication cause my son to act like he's drugged or zoned out?

4. Considering the wait, can a regular psychiatrist, not a pediatric psychiatrist, diagnose and treat his ADHD?

5. Is the six-month-to-get-in-to-see-a-doctor wait common?

6. What do we do in the meantime?


Thanks. I know I sound ignorant, and I'm really not trying to be, I just don't have anyone who actually KNOWS who can really answer my questions.


I appreciate any help or advice you kind folks could offer.

Answer 1

Don't freak out about the medication. Most likely your doctor will try some of the common stimulant medication. Read about it and you will find that these meds have a half-life of only hours. If you don't like that way a pill effects your son then just wait 4-6 hours and he withdrawals from it. That's it! Right down what you observed and then make a decision to do another pill the next day in a different situation or see the doctor again.

If you observe it changing your son for the worse then don't take another pill and everything will be fine again in a short while.

I have read it is hard to distinguish between 5yo behavior and ADHD. I think I read somewhere that this is the most earliest time when a doc will even consider evaluating them.

Anyway, you have all the good tips up there above you.

Answer 2

wow lots of questions, I wll do the best I can to help you.

Peditricians don't treat ADHD because the amount of time spent in the office is not adiquate to diagnose it, your child needs to spend time with a psycologist or psychiatrist to be properly diagnosed and medicated.

a 6 month wait is not normal, but is also not uncommon. Ask the school counseler or principal if there is an alternitive so your child can receive earlier treatment, the longer this goes unattended, the more "bad" habits set in....[the behavior he is exibiting now will become habit, as he see's it being accepted now why change later? it is not fair to him to change the rules in the middle of the 'game']

there are many different medications used to treat ADHD and are nothing to be afraid of. the minimum dose should be used and if your child is 'zoned out' or seems overmedicated, he probably is and you should immediatly discuss this with his DR.

IF you have the time and the school will allow it, you may try what I did when my son started kindergarden and was disruptive in the same way, I volunteered at the school in his class for a few hours a week. It helped a lot because he knew he had to do as asked when I was around and since he was the only one with mom looking over his shoulder, he tried harder to follow the rules

Answer 3

A diagnosis of ADHD is not easy. You need to rule out all sorts of other things that could be affecting the child's behavior. Most pediatricians are fine with the medical stuff but don't know a lot about child development. Your child needs a complete evaluation and the folks at his school had no business suggesting medication without one. Assuming you are in the US you are entitled to have the evaluation done for free through the school district. Insist that an exam by a pediatric neurologist be part of the evaluation. They are the most qualified to diagnose ADHD. You could also ask your pediatrician for a referral to a neurologist in your insurance plan.

Answer 4

Marissa, the best advice I can give you is that you and your husband, along with your son's doctor, decide what is best for your child and do not let anyone convince you otherwise. When my son was diagnosed, I got grief from all corners about what I chose to do, what I didn't choose to do. Ultimately, you and your husband as parents will know what route is best to take with your child. You will find out, as we did, that each child is different. Some children can adapt very nicely with behavior management. Others require medication, while still others have difficulties even with medication. Find what works with your son - - the most important thing is that his ADHD is controlled and he is able to do well in school, focus and function, and feel good with himself. If you do elect to go the medication route, be prepared to try different dosages and types of medication before you find one that suits your child. Also, even with medication and/or behavior modification, be prepared for the daily stresses that come with living with a child with ADHD. School can be much more stressful for a child with ADHD, along with the parents that have to deal with the sometimes-trauma of homework and projects and frustration over not understanding (but not feeling comfortable enough to speak up and let the teacher know). Make sure that you and your husband communicate and even if you don't agree about every decision, respect each other and each other's viewpoint. For the record, we tried behavior modification with our son at first, but it wasn't enough. We ended up with medication and it was the best thing we could do. Our son is like a different person (for the better) on medication. He has an easier time concentrating, understanding and completing his tasks. He also says he feels better on medication, versus off. He has been on it for 2 1/2 years, with no adverse reactions. The only side effect was a slight tummy ache the first few days he was on it. Talk to your doctor about your choices and best of luck to you and your family whatever you decide!

Answer 5

Sounds like you have good doctors that don't want to just label any kid. He is only 5 so don't be stressing too much about a 6 month wait. The medication would not turn him into a zombie. It will help him to be able to sit for longer lengths and concentrate. They are dosed on their weight and adjusted accordingly. Try limiting the processed foods and colours in his diet and see if this helps. Best for all your questions though would be a doctor.

Answer 6

Drs dont like treating it because it is so easily mis-diagnosed. The wait is normal because so may ppl do rush into throwing kids onto meds when they aren't needed. If that is the way do decide to go, every med will react differently to your child. If on type (brand) of med is making him a zommbie, you need to switch meds asap. Depression is a common side-affect to the meds. They take about 2 weeks to start working, so be ready for a long road if you go that route. I would stick to a pedeatric dr. because they will be able to talk to your child in a way your child will understand..its a tallent not all drs have. There are others ways to "treat" ADHD, if that is the prob. I would start be finding out your kids attention span. Plan a schedule at home and DON"T change it. At school, its really up to the teacher to "help" the kid. See if she can have him participate more, like reading, passing out papers, busy work so he can have small chores to focus on and not disrupt the class. If the wait till Feb is too long, request a meeting with the school psych. and talk about other options

Answer 7

For a proper diagnosis, there needs to be extensive testing - a brain scan interpreted by a neurologist; chemical, hormonal, blood tests, etc.; nutritional evaluation by a dietician or nutritionist; and serious psychological testing and academic testing by a psychiatrist/psychologist. You need to read the book on ADD/ADHD by Dr. Frank Lawliss.
There are plenty of side effects to ADD/ADHD meds - serious anxiety; total loss of appetite and serious weight loss; and some feel suicidal. As well as the slowness (zombie-like), etc.
If they won't allow the child back in school without being medicated, homeschool him.
It may be simply that he needs much more structure and guidance at home from mom and dad. Sorry, but you just may not have been clear with him about proper behaviour and expectations. He may be immature. You should be using serious discipline - positive reinforcements, not going for the negative. Your son needs serious guidance and structure.

Answer 8

first, i'd take some time and sit in on class. witness this for yourself. there are meds appropriate for his age and he will not be zoned out. a good doc will be good at medicating. i don't know why your pediatrician won't do this.many do. waiting that long is ridiculous. call your local hospital's physicians referral service. i'm sure they can help you find a good ped. psychiatrist. an adult doc usually won't take kids and you'r rather have a specialist anyway. they are just more knowledgable about it. if you choose to do this, i suggest starting the meds on a weekend so you can see how he reacts to it. don't be badgered by the school into putting your son on meds but do it b/c you think he can benefit from it. best of luck. i've been this route twice. if you'd like to talk, e-mail me.

Answer 9

I am not sure about the wait to get in to see the doc, that seems a little excessive to me, but I know that a lot of doctors won't prescribe the meds for ADHD, because now a days any child that does not sit still, the teachers wants them to be on meds for ADHD. This is especially true for boys. Boys have more energy and want to play more than they do want to sit still. Most boys who are energetic will be diagnosed with ADHD and it will be a misdiagnosis. Boys are more full of energy than girls are at that age and it is very hard for them to sit still. I know ADHD is a serious thing not to be taken lightly, but nowadays they are giving drugs to every active child so that they don't interupt class. You make sure before he is given meds that he is seen by a really good child psychiatrist because they will give you straight answers on ADHD. My doctor told me a young boy that is in to everything and is very active is a sign of high intelligence.

Answer 10

These are some tough questions. I personally thing that doctors have too often treated kids with ADHD and other disorders improperly by administering medications. If your son does not have a chemical imbalance there is no need for meds.

Your son has to learn to control himself. I understand that you are saying he's not being mean. I disagree when you say he's not purposely disrespectful. He IS disobeying on purpose. No one accidentally does what they are told not to do.

Too many kids today are not required to have self control and are permitted to do whatever they want. This has given us a generation of self serving people.

I encourage you to work with the teacher and the principal on appropriate discipline. Your child may be behind in his maturity and may need to try kindergarten next year.

I wonder if he has acted this way prior to kindergarten?

I strongly recommend that you pray for him and with him. Be sure to let him know what is good and right behavior. And that there are consequences for disobeying.

Be patient with him. Love him. Spend time with him. I believe in time he will grow and mature.

Many times these children are lacking quality time with Mom and Dad. They are seeking attention. Give him lots of love!

If you would feel better, keep his appointment and possibly persue an earlier one.

I am no expert just a mom. I hope for the best for you.