Posted on 08/27/2004 11:41:39 AM PDT by Joe Republc
My pedetrician has just recommended that my 10 year old boy use Ritalin.
The issue of Attention Deficit Disorder has come up every so often throughout most of his life, but this is the first time our pediatrician says it's time to try medication.
What questions should I be asking?
What do I need to find out?
Any good resources?
Thanks,
-- Joe
P.S. My wife is in a hurry to do this, now that the doctor says so. I'm not.... my wife and I had some strong disagreement about this last night ;) When I ask around, it seems like men are less inclined to go for this than women.
This is scary to me that you don't know what your own child is on. CONCERTA IS TIME RELEASE RITALIN.
What's insulting is the idiots who with categorically withhold what may be a necessary medication for their kids. That was my point, and there is nothing racist in my comment, just using an analogy for ignorant fools.
I know for a fact this is an issue in our school district. Perhaps you might try a Catholic school. It seems counterintuitive since they have much stricter codes of conduct, but I know our area parishes' schools take some of these boys in.
Catholic schools (in my area anyway) have different expectations of the boys and girls. Political correctness, not God, has definitely given some boys in public schools the label ADD.
I would not trust a pediatrician on this matter and see a neurologist.
Here is my sons doc. www.dyslexiaonline.com
He was a lifesaver. And do not trust anyone recommended by the school district nor trust the school shrink by allowing her to bypass you and talk to your childrens doc.
It takes a village... Or just two loving parents.
Are you saying that this disorder is selective?
So only people who are in Iraq can comment on Iraq?
Only people who smoke pot can comment on pot?
Only people who murder someone can comment on it?
Get real!
First off, there are very few kids who are actually ADD/ADHD. It's been proven to be overdiagnosed. Many were kids who were given the popular "time outs" if not totally ignored by their parents when they got out of line.
Just because your kid has been labelled ADD/ADHD doesn't mean they actually are.
And yes, the wisdom of those who have not doped their kids has valid weight in this discussion.
It's easy to discount use of drugs if you haven't had the experience of living with an add/adhd child. Just like I'm not going to tell a veteran to "Get over it" when dealing with post traumatic stress.
Did you need Ritalin??
Bullshit! My friends son was on Ritalin with great success. He is now a Marine, also with great success.
Personally I think the drug is way over used.
Benadryl makes my ADHD kid flat out hyper. Some meds affect people differently. For most kids ritalin is useless and can be dangerous, as it is a strong stimulant, but when used properly is a godsend.
Your effort to dismiss any other opinion or experience because of your own is unfair. You attempt to label those who disagree with you as quacks and weirdos is just wrong.
Selective in who it affects? Well, yes.
Selective in how it affects? Maybe.
I just know from personal experience with my son that 1) yes he IS ADHD and 2) yes he could play Playstation for hours on end.
Saving her life or screwing up her life, the jury is still out. Sorry to sound harsh, but how old is she? What obstacle has this drug put in her path for future endeavors? Did you try every single other option?
I am a woman, former teacher and the mother of 2 sons (ages 3,1). I would never put my kids on ritalin, and most of the kids I had that were on it, didn't need it in my opinion.
First, change the diet he is on if you can. Go to more natural things, no soda, junk food, etc if he is eating those things. Second, get him a good hobby for after school. This helps with focus. Something that he loves that can also be used as incentive for good behavior or taken away for bad.
Is it because of behavior or grades? Behavior can be modified through having consistent actions and consequences ALL of the time. 80% of the time is not enough. You also have to balance that with knowing which battles to choose. Sit down with your wife and decide which are the imperative behaviors, and go from there. Write down consequences that you both agree on and you will both reinforce all of the time.
Lastly, is he being challenged enough? Many kids act out because they are bored. Look to bump him up in the curriculum, or talk to his teacher about extra projects that he could do for bonus in subjects he enjoys. This is also where the after school activity helps. I would strongly recommend karate because it works on discipline, body control, following directions, and a tough work out. Hope this helps. :)
Don't blame your son's weight on your wife. 1)He may be getting the prepubescent chubbies and will be having a growth spurt soon. And 2)If he were running off the excess calories it wouldn't matter how much junk food he ate.
We also discovered that he's farsighted and large print books go over well. The library has a whole section with only large print books.
The marines did not know about your son being on ritalin then.
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