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Hi H.,

My son was originally diagnosed in k-5 ADHD, but later as the years went by, I had him rediagnosed and he was actually ADD. Later on in the 3rd Grade, he was then rediagnosed again and found out that he is ADD + MOOD Swings. For that reason with the additional disorder is because he was put on different medications (Concerta, Ritalin, etc) I hated every moment giving them to him. But doctors, teachers, physicians that referred me to psychologist/Psychiatrist...etc, told me this is the best thing to do. In my heart I knew there was more than just medication.

My son is now in 4th Grade. He had to repeat 3rd grade because of the deficit disorder. Academically he was failing and teachers, again, said this would be the best thing. He is in his 3rd week of school and he is already falling behind on home/classwork. He hasn't been on medication since last school year and I refuse to put him on them. I have learned through research that diet, and alternative medicine works even better than giving child a chemical stimulant that only temperizes the situation or can even make it worse (i.e. Mood swings, suicidal thoughts and acts, loss of appetite, depression).....GO BY YOUR INSTINCT. Teachers referrals are fine and dandy, but be cautious in what they are looking for in your child. If they want convenience and the easy way for them and not for your child, then you need to disregard their advice completely.

Once a child is referred, they go through a variety of tests, usually a school psychologist does a test that the school system can allow to find out the strengthes of the child as well as weaknesses (if they need to be in special classes). Also you can have a child psychologist of your choice to evaluated her as well. To get a second opinion. CHECK INTO THESE ALTERNATIVES!!!....biofeedback, chiropractic, dieting, (ADHD.ORG), natural dietary supplements (ie. powder form medicine that they drink you can find in health stores), acupuncture -- just to name a few.

Good Luck

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H.,
We have walked the same paths here. My son, now 11, was dignosed in Kindergarten, from a referal from his teacher. It was a shock to my system, something I had suspected since the age of three. But for the teacher to actually tell me that he needs medication, it was a heartache. I had to wake up and face it, and then accept it and deal with it. We first went to the Dr and a social worker from the school attended with me and they also talked with my son. He also had little attention span, was disruptive in class, and easily distracted. My son gets annoyed with the buzzing of the classroom lights, even the turn signal on cars...
I really disagreed with the whole medication, but when it was not only effecting his education but the students in his class as well, then I knew I had to put my own feelings aside and at least try it.
We have had to change dosages over the years, but he was put on Adderoll and it has helped him get threw the school day. I have seen no negitive effects.
The most that I have taken away from this experice and what I would like to share with you is, it is not your fault. It is not your child's fault. It is a disorder, beyound your child's control. They are not misbehaving and it has nothing to do with your parenting. Education is the best advice!
Hang in there-
M.

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My cousin went through this for years with her daughters. It turned out being diet related. They got rid of "convenience" foods (ie hot dogs, packaged deli meats) and anything with Sodium Nitrate. This not only got rid of the attention issues, it cleared up their migranes, too. Suddenly the girls were enjoying school again and things took a major turn-around.

She had also taken her oldest to one of the leading neurologists in Chicago (they live in Illinois) and he said 85% of ADHD cases can be treated/milder if you get rid of sodium nitrates from your diet. Somehow, sodium nitrate reacts badly with the brain causing inattentiveness and headaches (hence their migranes). I'm not sure how acurate that is, but as another mom suggested, changing the diet and adding vitamins helped.

I wish you luck through this. I know how frustrating it is to see your little one hurting and not being able to do anything about it. Keep your chin up, and let us know how it goes.

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Hi H.
I am a mother of 3 children, two of which have ADHD. My oldest who is now 13 was diagnosed in 2nd grade and my daughter was diagnosed in kindergarten. The symptoms they have are very very different from each other. I started with an appointment with their pediatrician. Yes, I too filled out a very lengthy packet of information. This is important because it helps them to rule out other possible causes for the behavior as well as to define what behaviors are an issue and how disruptive those behaviors are for the child and those around them. Of note, some other causes of innattentiveness, hyperactivity, and oppositional behavior can be childhood depression, stress, reactions to other medications, etc..
I had a doctor explain ADHD to me in a very interesting way. He said that people with ADHD are not broken, or bad. People with ADHD think different then the way schools teach. They tend to be physical learners (tactile learners). Those with ADHD also tend to be intelligent and highly creative thinkers. Schools teach in a linear way (ie. do this , then this, and you get this answer). Those with ADHD tend to not think in a linear way, they learn things a little more mixed up then that. Because they don't neccessarily follow a thread from here to there, they tend to be able to come up with creative combinations that those of us who think in a linear fashion would miss completely. The medicine helps them reorganize their thoughts to make it easier for them to learn in the environment available to them.
Here are some very creative and famous people with ADHD: Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Walt Disney,Leonardo Davinci, Jim Carey (okay this one is obvious),Alexander Graham Bell, Beethoven, Ansel Adams, Dwight Eisenhower, Winston Churchhill, etc, etc, etc...
Just something to think about......

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You could try contacting Fraser, their website address is www.fraser.org I haven't dealt with ADD but know that fraser has services for children with special needs, I would suspect that ADD is one of them.

Good luck!
Sincerely,
A.

My son also had issues in kindergarden. I was told that "true" diagnosis could not occur until at least 1/2 way through 1st grade. Documentation starts in k-5. They test and interview the child and see if progress is achieved. Public schools seem to have more experience and willingness to work with you than private schools. Some "causes" of ADD can be food related. Pay attention to the foods she eats and see if there is a relation. With no attention span at this age - I would consult a doctor for more advice and testing for a medical issue. Good Luck to you and your daughter.

Hi H.!!

I have a friend whose son was diagnosed with ADHD and was prescribed Ritalin. Instead of that, the parents switched his vitamins and added an antioxidant to his morning routine. The teacher called two weeks later to ask what medicine he was on because the school needs to be informed and they told her what they did. The teacher said he was 100 times better. And the added benefit is what they were giving him was 100% natural and helps build up the immune system instead of the ADHD meds, which can have a lot of bad side effects.

If you want more info, please let me know. Good luck!

You mentioned that she's hyperactive, has no attention span and gets distracted easily. So did most of my daughters kindergarten class. Does she act this way at home or just at school? If it's just at school, she just be bored. A friend of ours has a little boy who was very disruptive and no attention span in kindergarten. He was tested academically at the school and they found out that he doesn't have ADHD he's just smarter than they thought. He's in first grade this year and he is reading and doing math with 4th graders. He was acting out because he was bored with what they were doing. I'd be bored too if I was being taught something for a month that I had figured out in the first day.

Remember... I've never had any contact with non-adult ADHD so this may very well have nothing to do with you, but it's always a possibility.

Hi H.,

I am a mother of a six year old boy. We went through the process of him getting tested by the Pediatric Physician, fill out a long along with his teacher and it wasdetermine that he has ADD so I started a regimen of decreased milk products, a daily powder supplement with antixidants, B12 and also OMega 3(fish oils) This has helped tremendiously. He showed an improvement in school within 3 weeks. He is able to work through his lessons etc. I have more information on exactly what regimen I used just email with ADD in the subject line and I can forward this to you. This has really help my son with only a few lifestyle changes including his diet.

Thanks,
____@____.com

Your child can be tested for ADHD at school by the school psycholodgist or in clinic that provides testing by a psychologist. A good clinic is Fraser Child and Family Center. Your primary physican can diagnose it, but they will not do the testing that really pins down where your daughter is struggling. After she has been diagnosed, she will need an IEP at her school and the psychologist will have recommendations and strategies from the evaluation. At school and home it will be important to provide similar behavior modifications. She may need a medication to help her slow down enought to take in what is going on around her. But, they will start with the behavior changes and then move to meds. Try to get a child psychiatrist to prescribe the med. You will also want them to follow her closely when and if she starts a med. Good luck.

Symptoms
The principal characteristics of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms appear early in a child's life. Because many normal children may have these symptoms, but at a low level, or the symptoms may be caused by another disorder, it is important that the child receive a thorough examination and appropriate diagnosis by a well-qualified professional.

Symptoms of ADHD will appear over the course of many months, often with the symptoms of impulsiveness and hyperactivity preceding those of inattention, which may not emerge for a year or more. Different symptoms may appear in different settings, depending on the demands the situation may pose for the child's self-control. A child who "can't sit still" or is otherwise disruptive will be noticeable in school, but the inattentive daydreamer may be overlooked. The impulsive child who acts before thinking may be considered just a "discipline problem," while the child who is passive or sluggish may be viewed as merely unmotivated. Yet both may have different types of ADHD. All children are sometimes restless, sometimes act without thinking, sometimes daydream the time away. When the child's hyperactivity, distractibility, poor concentration, or impulsivity begin to affect performance in school, social relationships with other children, or behavior at home, ADHD may be suspected. But because the symptoms vary so much across settings, ADHD is not easy to diagnose. This is especially true when inattentiveness is the primary symptom.

Hi H.. We just moved to Wiscosin in December & Caleb had his 1st Dr's appointment just last week. We used the new ped. in town Dr. Martin. I know one of his specialties is ADD. He is very good at explaining everything. He will tell you straight up how it is. I don't have any experience with this yet, so I don't have any wise words, but if you don't like what you get from the dr. the teacher referred you to...you can give Dr. Martin a try. He's in the Pro Health care center in Mukwonago across from Wal-Mart.

Hope this helps,
J.

my daughter was in k when we went to the doctors and it took 3 years to figure out what she had.. odd optional defiant disorder.. i had her put in a school that was able to deal with her actions. i say go with what you think is right.. i know i went insane and almost gave up on my daughter cuz i couldnt handle it anymore.. and i have a son 4 and im thinking he might have add.. but wont have him tested till next year.. what i had to do with that is you go to the doctor and at least my doctor gave me papers for teachers to fill out.. they fill them out and she looked thru that.. the doctor then reads what they had to say and compare it to what you say.. good luck if you need message me i ill listen and wont cut you down.. alot of people can get mean over this issue.. i know.. some of my family quit talking to me cuz i put my daughter on meds.. and a few of my friends.. you know what they dont have to deal with her you do.. what ever makes you feel better and what ever helps your daughter is the most imporant!!!!

Hey There H.! I agree w/Michelle K. My sister has had ADD for as long as I can remember - undiagnosed though until, in junior high, my mother pressed that my sister WAS smart & that the SCHOOL needed separate learning programs & teachers who were willing to be patient and work with her one on one - this helped immensely. My sister though was put on a plethera of drugs - we've been through it all Ritalin, Adderall and some others that I can't even remember. But, take note, the physicians really do NOT have a clue as to the long term side effects of giving all these meds to young children & how it affects them throughout the course of their life (my mother is an RN for 30 years - I get the lowdown from her). I would try to go the holistic route first & also, consider if they have special learning programs in the school to enroll your son...they are not for "mentally handicapped" children only -they have teachers who can work closely with your son. Usually these kids are brilliant...my sister would score the highest in her class on tests, but when she was in class, her mind was elsewhere & she was distracted - as she put it, she was just "bored". Take heart, and try to do as natural of a rememedy as possible. Your son hasn't hit puberty, and there is no telling what the drugs will do in the long run to his young body.

I was a kindergarten teacher this is how all of the kids are in the beginning. Please give your daughter some time to adjust to school before you label her with ADD. Sometimes, a little adjustment time is all the kids need; sometimes they need more than this. But, I would wait it out a bit longer - didn't school just start 2 weeks ago???

Depending on where you live, the best place to start is the child wilder guidence center. Thats where I got my daughter tested for ADHD. A great website to go to that has given me alot of support is www.adhdnews.com All the parents there are very helpful and so supportive.

H. -- I know how hard it can be to start the process when you want to get help for your child -- just a few thoughts (and maybe directions to try going in)... a school counselor can be a great help, observing your child in the school setting in a variety of activities and working with them on what is appropriate bevavoir (we have done this with my daughter and it gave us a lot of really good insight). Since your daughter is five -- you might be best to start off with a developmental pediatrician. There are a number of really good ones in the area -- we've seen one in Minneapolis and now there is a new one in Woodbury -- both are part of Childrens, which is SO great, because should you need overlapping services they have all the disciplines in the network. (However, be prepared to fill out a monster packet on your daughter before going -- they like to have information ahead of time!) Also, I know for our little girl, her issues may also be slightly more complecated -- sheis extreamly farsighted and very light sensitive. One Mom mentioned her son being distracted by lights, turn signals etc -- this is actually Sensory Integration Dysfunction (I know because both my kids have it) -- and there are a lot of things you can do to help minimize the 'assult' on their nervous system so they can ignore those things and function better. One more thing -- diet can be key. We are very moderate in terms of what we do, but seriously, since removing milk from my daughters diet the changes are beyond amazing (and trust me, I was raised on milk, love it and have a family history of osteoperosis so we didn't remove it lightly!) and there are other diet modifications you can try too -- with out having to completely re-stock the pantry. Sometimes, making these changes before trying medication can deliver awesome results....
My husband and I have been dealing with our childrens ADD, Autism and Sensory Integration problems (not to mention Apraxia and GI issues!) for almost eight years now -- and while I would never wish these troubles for my children (or myself either!) it is a good time to be able to get help. Please feel free to email me privatly if you want and I'll give you specific numbers and such.
L.

HI,
My husband and his brother were diagnosed with ADD as 5 yr olds as well. Two suggestions that their mom swears made the difference between sanity and insanity! 1) Restrict all ARTIFICIAL Flavoring/coloring in all her foods-read every label! 2) Perservatives and MSG have also been huge helps out of their diets. Diet is key, otherwise she will need medication, and the side effects are not always worth the benefits. If you want to read a book on special diets-its called the Feingold diet. My husband is 26 yrs old now, and to this day, if he has artificial or perservatives, he is IMPOSSIBLE. Question-has your daughter always beeen this way? Or has school really "brought it out"? As a experienced kindergarten Para- i would also suggest if possible to let her stay back another year, if she is on the younger side.

H.,
Typically she will be refered to several different people in the school system, usually called a team. They will observe your child in her classroom and make thier assestments, then they all get together and write out a plan for your child! I highly recommend that you stay very involved in this process, don't just trust them, you should be involved in the whole process! Make a meeting with the principle and teacher so that you have all the information! And weigh out everything, medication isn't always the answer however most schools push it! I have seen it do more harm than good! Just stay completly involved in the process, that is the best advise I can give you! And remember you know your child best!
Good luck
T.

Sounds odd but we have been dealing with issues like this and we found a great chiropractor that has really helped alot. No medication needed here.
There are some in the city that will work with children and do a great job.