Posted on 02/01/2010 9:04:31 AM PST by wyowolf
I have debated over this issue for quite some time. My 7 year old son likely has some kind of ADD/ADHD. He is very hyper most of the time, very hard for him to pay attention and he gets easily distracted. I also think its affecting his relationships with fellow children. This issue was first brought up last year and i dismissed it right away, but the more i started to watch him the more i started to realise there IS something going on with him. He cant seem to control himself and gets over stimulated very easily. I have tried to disipline him but it doesnt seem to help much, and i hate to strike him just because everyone says to do it.
I really dont know what to do or believe. He is in a private Catholic school, rarely eats any candy or soda. I have tried to modify his diet and can detect zero change one way or the other in his behavior. So i guess what I am asking is if fellow freepers have delt with this issue, especially drugs, and if it has helped the child. thank you all in advance for your replies.
Frank
On drugs: I suppose that for some extreme cases, drugs may be the only solution. I believe these cases are extremely rare and that these medicines are over-prescribed. I think parents should exhaust all possible avenues before considering the use of ritalin or similar medication.
Diet is important. You are wise to look at that.
Also limit his TV and video gaming. Make sure he gets to bed early.
And exercise. Get plenty of it.
I am a father of 2, neither of which are ADHD that I am aware.
But, for what its worth, I’d only consider medicating as an absolute last resort. It is preferable for a child to learn to conform to society without drugs, even given his/her specific tendencies. It is preferable for a child to learn to deny his urges. However, if conformity is absolutely not possible absent medication, medication would an option.
I think the severe over-diagnosis of ADHD (particularly in boys) has made those cases where diagnosis is proper, and medication is necessary, more difficult to navigate.
SnakeDoc
A few questions.......
* How do you discipline him?
* In his room at school, is it overloaded with stuff on the walls, things on shelves, decorations, things crammed in every corner, nook, and cranny?
* Does he have an after-hours activity? Not one every afternoon, that amounts to 7 all week, but rather one activity that he really likes that requires concentration, creativity, and discipline?
I agree that diet plays a part, particularly if there are allergies. My daughter attended a school with ADHD kids and they were not allowed anything with sweeteners (includes aspartame in soda and corn syrup in much of the processed foods on the market). Believe ADHD is a neurological issue and sugars throw the system into chaos.
Good advise, lots of exercise, no caffine, no sugar. Video gaming is linked to changes in brain activity. I would add, plenty of positive reinforcement for activities that require concentration, jig saw puzzles, reading, Lincon Logs.
Thanks for your reply, well we have changed his diet quite a bit, but honestly it seems to make no difference one way or the other, it slike his brain is going warp 9 all the time. He gets LOTS of exercise, in fact he does Tae Kwon Do which does seem to help a little but not much. he is very good in sports much better then most of the other kids, very good coordination etc. I just worry about the long term effects of drugs, but i guess that depends on what kind and how many...
yes he is good at jig saw puzzles and such, likes to build with blocks and such. I have spanked him serveral times but i dont think its helping, yes there are a few times where he does stuff he knows he shoulndt do but most of the time i honestly dont think he is aware of how he is acting. I feel cruel to spank him for stuff he cant really control...
This is just an off-the-wall idea: Maybe try some yoga for him?
Sugars are not the whole story.
Ditto that.
One of the best ways to manage hyperactivity is lots of exercise, particularly of the sustained cardio variety--like running or swimming.
Sometimes, hyperactive kids turn out to be good athletes because of their excess energy. Accordingly, if your kid develops a good capacity for aerobic exercise (and if they are hyperactive, they will), find a good coach to help them develop.
A commitment to an exercise program not only uses up the excess energy, but it can give a kid a tremendous sense of accomplishment to offset the general frustration of hyperactivity.
As said, rest and diet are also of great importance.
Had the same problem with my son. He was so hyper and so easily distracted, during a tornado drill at his school in which they are supposed to sit quietly in the hall against the wall with their heads down, they were not able to keep him there and he kept getting up and running around. They actually called me at work to come to the school over it. Anyway, he was diagnosed ADD/ADHD. Once we started the medication, it was like flipping a switch on a whole other person. It solved all hi concentration problems and hyperactivity. So much so, that we could easily tell when he had missed his dose.
We had a family friend with a daughter with problems and they asked our advice. After we related our experience, they saw a doctor and started the medication with her and had the same results.
1. Exercise OUTSIDE. Not so much jogging, but sprints or heavy yard work sports, that sort of thing
2. Omega-3 fatty acids -— fish oil pills and almonds.
3. vitamin D -— 2000 iu
4. Get up early, go to bed early
5. Limit TV/computer/video
How do I know? I have ADHD.
Look at the amount of stimulants. In food especially caffeine and sugar. Also TV and video games stimulate adrenaline production in the body.
How much time is spent consuming these stimulants?
How much time did our grandparents spend consuming stimulants when they were growing up?
Suggestions? Move towards more reading, less TV, more outside time, less TV.
More live food fruits, grains and root vegetables. Less carbohydrates, less sugar, less pre-packaged processed food.
Attention spans and will power are like muscles that atrophy if not used. TV and video games are horribly spastic. Life doesn’t change scenes every other second.
Instead of consulting anonymous Freepers, why not talk to a doctor? Your local childrens hospital can put you into touch with people who can answer your questions and provide alternatives.
Karate is good, but OUTSIDE is key. No idea why, but there are studies to this effect.
I used to do my homework on the porch, even in freezing weather.
Also, not only sugar, but simple carbs — anything that says “enriched wheat flour” is a no-no. Whole grains, in limited amounts.
Limit potatoes, starches, etc.
Samuel Blumenfeld has a book on the subject, but I can't remember the title - I trust his opinion, so FYI.
Check out feingold.org - some children have petroleum allergies, which make them act out; quite a few folks I've heard about can't believe the difference in their children - and petroleum products are in a LOT of foods. Scary, no? Seems like NO ONE should be eating petroleum products if you can help it, but that's just an aside.
Magnesium deficiency - another possibility. There's a product called Kid Clam (and adult versions of the same) that I've heard great things about. Ionic Fizz is another brand of similar product, but I don't know if they have a kids' version.
These are just a few of the things I've heard of.
Anyhow, hope this helps. A good naturopath (I'm not into homeopathy, so I'm differentiating between a naturopathic doctor vs. homeopathy) might do wonders - they are more interesting in the preventative/nutritional side of things, versus jumping to pharmaceuticals.
All the best to you!
Wyo-
My little one has ADHD. We did all we could do with him.....and medication was an absolute LAST resort. You can ask your pediatrician for a referral to a psychologist where he can be tested. ADHD children are VERY bright!
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