My six year old has adhd , school is saying medication. I dont want to. Any alternatives??

Answer 1

your 6 year old! How was this determined. Many of the symptoms of adhd are common traits of a 6 year old.
Here are some alternate methods of treatment: (follow link)
http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-other-treatment
I don't think you should give your child medicine except as a last resort, I think ADHD is over diagnosed these days. But follow your heart and only you should know.

how to decide (follow this link)
http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/should-my-child-take-stimulant-medications-for-adhd#aa69633-Intro

Answer 2

I agree that it is best to try other things to control ADHD before medication. There are lots of things in the diet that affect a child with ADHD such as anything with red food color ( the list is huge on that one) and glutten (which is also a huge list). It is hard in todays times to control with diet, but can be done. And please be aware that a lot of "unruly" children are diagnosed with ADHD by teachers just so they will be easier to control and handle.

But let me tell you (from a person that has ADHD) that the medication has made a world of difference in my life. I actually cried the first time that I set through a whole movie and really watched it without getting up repeatedly because it was just to hard to sit there. I was always thinking of something else that I could be doing. And it was great to be able to complete chores and tasks instead of having 10 different ones going at the same time and never getting any of them completely done. The world seemed a lot clearer and not so overwhelming.

Like I said before, changing your six year old's diet might be all that it takes, but if not do your child a favor and help him to have a "more focused" and successful life even if it does mean medication.

Answer 3

You don't need meds. The meds are very dangerous. It is a good thing that you are looking to go in this direction for your child.

There are ways to help your child but I have to tell you, it is a lot of work. It also isn't cheap. These days everyone wants everything cheap. That is why we are suffering.

Cheap foods = bad nutrition.

What kinds of things can you do. Diet change. Give your son only fresh foods. That means no frozen, boxed, bagged, processed foods. Give him fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, and fish. Try to get organic to avoid any hormone or antibiotics in the meats. Also avoid the chemicals in the vegetables and fruits.

Dairy is not good for people with ADHD. Give him plenty of water. You don't want to give him much other than that to drink. Stay away from foods and drinks with artificial colors, and ingredients like dyes that (blue #....Red#....). Avoid high fructose corn syrup, sugar, MSG, gluten, casein.

Cut out or down on the bread.

He probably is mineral deficient, so you will want a good liquid vitamin and mineral supplement. I will tell you know, good ones are hard to come by.

Read the page below about the side effects of adderall. They aren't good.

Answer 4

I hate the term ADHD. I think that some children are indeed more boisterous than others, but I think teachers just want your child on meds so they don't have to deal with it. I think that ADHD has ben used to describe some pretty darned normal children to me, but since there is a med for everything now, they have to sell them to someone. I am not saying ADHD doesn't exist, I just wonder if they are just labeling children ADHD and not really making sur that is what they have. I have read about some awesome studies done on children's diets, and how diet can affect a childs delicate system. I have read about allergens that also can create ADHD -like symptoms in a child. Talk to your doctor and ask him if he could refer you to a specialist and see if you can't find a way to alleviate the issue without meds. Blessings...and sorry for ranting, it just pisses me off !

Answer 5

It's absolutely your decision. THere are alternatives to drugs. There are several books about dietary control. One of the easiest things you can do is cut out fast food altogether and absolutely no refined sugar. Your child should not have candy, white bread, jellies, corn, potatoes. A child with ADHD can have fresh fruits and vegetables, unprocessed meats and most dairy. Try to avoid anything prepackaged.

A strict schedule is imperative. Plan your child's day as close to the minute as possible. YOu can post a schedule in his room. Starting with waking up put on the schedule the following:

1. Wake up.
2. Eat Breakfast - 15 minutes
3. Get dresses - 10 minutes
4. Brush teeth - 5 minutes
5. Pack book bag - 5 minutes
6. Get in car - 5 minutes
7. Go to school - 30 minutes

Talk to the teacher about his daily schedule for the week including chapters studied, lunch times, physical education. As long as you can put everything about your child's day on a schedule, he/she can be well prepared for the day. For days you know there's a test the next day, you can plan ample study time for your child.

Don't let teachers tell you what to do. I do think ADHD is extremely overdiagnosed.

Answer 6

i have 13 yr old that has been diagnosed adhd since he was 5; he had a child dev ctr teacher that was observing him for about 5 months when he was 3 yrs old, we noticed signs right away. i did nothing as far as treatment then because he was so young. whne he started school kinder, it was easy to hanlde at home w/scheduling, rewards, etc, but add 2 more children to the picture and the time 2 devote 2 one, diminishes. it is very challenging, however i have been trying meds on/off lately 1 yr on, 6 mos off, seems to work initially, but like all meds after a while they level on them. i dont know what exactly to suggest bcause every1 is diff, i however, have never heard of this diet thing. sounds very interesting! i am willing to try that route, where can i find info? in your situation, its a touch n go, u just have to #1 be able to devote the needed time to the child, and follow-up, stay with the child every step of the way, i would try the meds if i were u.

Answer 7

Speaking as a former substitute teacher, the school is saying medication simply because it makes their job much easier.

Only you and your dr know what is best for your child. Do what your gut tells you to do. Search, search, search the internet; if I were in your position, the web would be my biggest resource for information, other than my dr.

I've read that nutrition, especially Omega 3's, can possibly play a big part in the treatment of ADHD. Also, Jenny McCarthy recently wrote a book about her experience with her son's ADHD.

Above all, dont make a decision to medicate your child JUST because his school is suggesting it. Educate yourself as much as possible about it, see what other options you have. Then, if you do decide to use medication, you will feel secure in your decision.

Best of luck to you and your son.

Answer 8

Go and see a doctor about them. If the doctor's feel that medication is the best idea for your child, then have a long think about how you then feel about them taking it.

The school may be suggesting it because many ADHD children are disruptive in class and hard to deal with. Teachers are not employed to look after one child alone when they're having difficulty, yes, they're required to help individual children, but they have to think about the rest of the class. ADHD children are a huge handful, and they shouldn't have to deal with that because you're not up to giving her the medication she may require to live a better life.

Answer 9

First of all, GOOD FOR YOU for not drugging your baby!

There are a lot of good options out there-a lot of people use special diets to control what doctors consider to be "adhd" because a lot of times it is truely an allergy or combination allergy to food. The Fiengold Diet (sorry about spelling) is a common diet that people use. Others just cut out all food dyes and white sugar and white flour.

There are also homeopathic supplements that you can use. The best advice I could give would be to see a homeopathic doctor in your area-they will help you find the right diets, vitamins, and supplements to help your son.

Answer 10

Don't listen to the teachers. A kid does NOT need to be drugged. Too many kids are conveniently "Diagnosed" with this disorder that it makes people think that it is not real at all. My cousin truly has ADHD, and when he was a child he was put on Ritalin and he almost died from liver failure. Have you looked into the Feingold Diet? Sometimes cutting out dairy, gluten, and cassian can greatly improve a child's behavior. It also work wonders for kids that are autistic.