Seeking Advice on ADD

My 6 year old son was diagnosed with ADHD and i took him to therapy and a physiciatrist and they prescribed him, ritalin, which i did not care for, so they prescribed him Concerta, which is working really well. He can focus better at school, and he's not as hyper. And he does'nt have his tantrums as much anymore. It's working wonders.

The problem with ADD/ADHD diagnosies is they are one of the most commonly misdiagnosed issues. Sensory Integration Disorder, food allergies and being gifted are the three top things that are missed. My suggestions:

1) Request, in writing, that your school do a complete assessment of your son - speech/language, occupational therapy, cognitive and psychological (this will measure his IQ so you can find out if he is gifted). Make sure you put in the letter you want the occupational therapy assessment done by an OT that is certified to test for sensory integration disorder. If he is homeschooled, find an occuptional therapist and have a private evaluation done (it will be worth the $).

2) Have your pediatrician run the bloodtest for childhood food allergies.

3) Have the therapist that "thinks" it might be what it is give you all the list of factors that he would have to meet to be diagnosed with ADD (there are quite a few). Make sure he actually meets all the qualifying factors. If your therapist does not have a list, then ask your pediatrician to give you a list - something compromised from DSM-IV not just some half way done thing from the internet or from a pharmaceutical company. If he doesn't have access to it, go to county mental health or contact your county health department and ask to talk with a Publich Health Nurse. One of them should be able to get you the info.

I hope this helps. I have 6 kids, two of which are truly ADHD and have had to be medicated but only as a last resort.

I know how you feel i had 3 with a d h d.
I was born with it. then year later we found out i a bypole axioties pant attacts Menicdeprsent but i finaly found the right med .
Now im doing grate no more anger proulem or out brake.
get like three and the come par what coun be done

DO NOT LET THEM PUT HIM RITLEN THAT MENICATION IN A NATURE SPEED. HES TESTING YOU!

I REALLY THIN YOU NEED TO SEE 2OR3 DOCOTOR. gIVE YOUR SON A CHANCE TO BE NORMAL. THIS AGE IS RAL HARD. THEY FEAL LIKE THEY DON'T NEED US ANY MORE. HESR A 2 OF MY EMAILS CUASE I WONT TO KNOW HOW THING WENT OK.

____@____.com Main one

____@____.com

secerly you V.

No No do not put your son on drugs, most kids have a lot of energy its NORMAL take a look at diet, look at the amount of artificial additives such as Flavours,Colouring, and Preservatives.

Keep away from Junk food ANY KIND.

We went through this with our Son its hard believe me, but drugs should only be a last choice not the first.

Also take a look at the Fiengold diet at fiengold.org

John

C.

Did the doctor say he thinks it is ADD or ADHD? They are different. Both conditions can make it hard to concenrate and focus, but children with the ADHD have the hyperactivitity part. Make sure that he has a full evaulation. Sensory issues can cause some of the same symptoms. My daughter has sensory issues and she has had numerous teachers the have tried to say that she has ADHD. Good Luck.

Hi C.,

My son was the SAME way. Boy do I remember... We started him on Ridallin (sp?) and that worked, but not as well as we hoped. We switched to Adderall XR and that was GREAT, but he was losing weight. Being that he is a bean pole anyway and in football, it was not a good option, so we switched him again to Stratera. That is a good, non-narcotic medication. It does take some 'playing' to get the dosing right, but once you get there, you will be suprised.

No matter what option you and your doctor decide on, make sure you stay with it. One mistake I made was asking my son - in front of friends at times - if he has taken his medicine. That was embarassing to him, but I didn't notice it until it was too late.

Good luck!!

T.
www.beautipage.com/sonomaspa

Has your child's teacher mentioned anything about this being a possibility? As a teacher myself, I would think that someone at school would have mentioned this to you by now, and if not, I wouldn't be too quick to jump on meds. I'm pretty sure my own 4 year old daughter will be going down this path, and I am beginning with food modifications first, and limiting tv time. Talk with his teachers and see if they've noticed any indicative behaviors. Good Luck!

What are the precise reasons he is suggesting ADHD?

As his mom, do you notice certain triggers that make him more "hyper" or exhibit any of the other characteristics the therapist is concened about? Loud noises, crowds, certain foods?

Just to provide some perspective -- they have proven definitively that certain common food additives (artificial dyes and flavoring I believe) cause hyperactivity in many children.

As a mother of three, who has been involved in schools and with a program called Handle ( http://www.handle.org ), that helps many kids (and adults) with assorted issues, I have seen many children whose parents discovered sensory issues were involved, and advocated strongly for their children. (Read "The Out of Sync Child" for info.) I feel passionately about this because I have seen so many kids put on drugs as a first resort, although school was the only place they exhibited symptoms; and I have seen many avoid these strong medications, as well as harsh disciplinary actions, because modifications were made in their environment to meet their needs. Many doctors, therapists, and schools are still unaware of the role these irregularities can play. When you understand how the body's vestibular, auditory, and other systems work (and how they can be impaired), some of the so-called ADHD behaviors make perfect sense.

As with autism, there are many theories about why sensory "disorders" are on the rise--partly they are now recognized.. I personally feel that there are more offenders in the environment, from toxins to loud noises to an onslaught of electronici media. Also, there is more pressure at school with increased testing and standards, and less tolerance for the squirmy or active or disruptive child who may just be trying to cope.

Good luck, and follow you gut, you are the one who knows your child best. He will probably show you what may be going on.

PS - I would also look at http://www.hoagiesgifted.com and read the characteristics of "gifted" kids, e.g. heightened reactions, sensitivity, etc -- hm, sure sounds a lot like ADHD.

I have a five year old with ADHD. It's a long journey and I'm glad to hear you have an appt. with a psychiatrist. An expert is the best place to start for advice, because they're familiar with all of the treatment options if ADHD is the ultimate diagnosis. I urge you to visit the ADHD board on BabyCenter ... some really great parents there who can give you some BTDT advice that goes beyond the "don't medicate" general info. you'll get from people who don't have medical degrees or experience with ADHD. BTW, no one will throw medications at you or force the issue when you visit the experts. In our experience, we tried many other avenues with Kaiser before medications were even discussed (medication has made life-changing improvements for our son, for what it's worth).

Best of luck to you,

Don't be too quick to label your boy. He may just be energetic. Allow him to be a little different. It's not always wrong. Don't put him on meds!