I would definitely get a second opinion on both the ADHD diagnosis as well as the drug the doctor wants to put him on.
Some of the far out therapies don't work. Be careful with most of the all natural therapies. Most of them are ripoffs.
Aderall has been very effective for many kids but it doesn't work for everyone. You will know if Aderall works within 4 days.
Get a highly recommended doctor to diagnose your child.
I was one of the first Ritalin victims, before they started handing it out like candy. I was put on it at age 5 and I took myself off at age 15. When I quit, my grades did NOT drop, my disciplinary record did NOT get worse....however, one thing did change: after years of being a weakling, pushed around, suddenly I became athletic and in short order I became strong -- strong enough to finally end the bullying. I'm totally convinced that the Ritalin hamperd my athletic development prior to that. Oh, yes, I also lagged way behind in social development, and although some of that may be genetic (the "nerd" syndrome"), part of it may very well be due to the Ritalin.
Heaven knows what the long term effects are. I'm 41 now, so perhaps I'll find out soon. Overstimulating and burning out the dopaminergenic system can't be good. Long term effects of Ritalin may resemble those of its chemical relative, methamphetamine. I fear early Parkinson's.
My son will NOT be put on Ritalin, even if I have to take him out of the country to prevent it.
Change his diet - NO SUGAR - NO CORNSYRUP - NO HIGH FRUCTOSE SWEETNERS - VERY LITTLE BREAD AND GRAINS
MEAT and EGGS for BREAKFAST -NO SUGAR NO SOFTDRINKS
Back in my day, we had Perigoric.
This ADHD is a new "illness" that was created by the drug industry. I would meet with a nutritionist, and maybe a doctor who would test for food allergies. Cut out refined and highly processed foods. Have you child on a regular schedule with a standard bed time, etc. Also sports and outdoor activities on a regular basis.
Best wishes to you and your wife and son as you explore ways to help him....but maybe he is just being a boy....somehow this in frowned on in our society.
The following is information that I found on the web...
ADHD is diagnosed by health professionals who form their opinion by observing a child's behavior. There are no brain scans, blood tests, or anything else definite that is used during diagnosis. The problem with this is there are many other problems that have the same symptoms of ADHD. Many parents, because of not knowing, settle for ADHD as a diagnosis before looking at everything.
For example, any problem dealing with the fuels of the body: water, food, blood and air can cause behavior problems. Water, food, blood and air to the body are just like gas and oil to a car. If you put bad gas or have old or the wrong oil in your car, it will act up just like a child acts up when eating foods they are allergic to, drinking or breathing contaminated water or air or having blood disorders.
Excerpted from "50 Conditions that Mimic ADHD"
Link to 50 Conditions that Mimic ADHD
Ritalin and Death created by Parents whose 14 year-old son died as a result of Ritalin
Try it for a week and see if you get any unsolicited feedback like "this was his best day ever at school" from the teachers. If no unsolicited comments, go for unsolicited feedback.
It's not an easy decision to make, and not one you take lightly. If you decide to stop giving it, it works its way out of the system pretty quickly.
If you do decide to go on the medicine, wait a couple of months after you start. At this point the school will know the child is on Ritalin. Don't give it one day on purpose (make sure its not a test day). See if anyone calls home to see if you forgot to give the medicine.
My $.02. Our DX is autism, so the improvement in attention was pretty dramatic. Your mileage may vary. Also, we've found our child does best on 25% of the allowable dosage for his body weight. Over that the side affects outweigh any additional benefit derived.
FWIW, the family & Doctors drug us kicking & screaming into the medication for our son. I don't like doing this stuff, but it does make a dramatic difference for us.
It does not take the place of old fashoined hard work though. We still have tutors and do a lot of one on work with our child.
Good luck.
There's a wealth of info on the internet. I'm personally against it because I believe it's government approved drug pushing.
Do NOT take the doctor's orders!
I had this same experience with my daughter who is growing up just like me. Kind of forgetful, not real interested in school, and the doctor my wife and I took her to (I was humoring her) said she had a "touch of ADD and ADHD."
Once your child is labeled as having these disorders the ramifications are substantial.
You are doing the right thing by asking FReepers about this. I did the same thing about 2 years ago and after we had seen the doctor, bought the pills and were ready to do it (the wife and kid) I excersized Head of Household Authority and said it AIN'T HAPPENING.
Best decision I ever made and my daughter has matured (like a regular kid, go figure) and is doing much better. I'll try to find the thread that I posted way back when.
Good luck Joe R.
Joe, most of the people on this board have no idea what they are talking about. Your child's situation is different than everyone out there.
Make sure you go to a well recommended doctor and seek God's wisdom during this time. God will give it to you. There are a lot of doctors that will not automatically prescribe drugs.
You need to talk to parents who have taken the natural route for success as well as parents who have there kids on Aderall or Ritalin.
NOOOOO!
i would suggest taking your son to a good child psychiatrist. there are newer and safer medicines than ritalin that would probably be tried before ritalin.
i take ritalin and it works pretty well for me, but an up-to-date child psychiatrist would probably first use one of the newer medicines. i would only discuss this issue with a competent child psychiatrist--they are the ones who are most familiar with these medicines. all the rest of us are amateurs, and most of the advice here is just people's personal opinions.
(I'm a psychologist but i'm not up to date on the newer drugs.)
No experience with it myself, but I hear Hannity and Boortz rail on about how dangerous it is all the time.
I say NO to ritilin.
I have been told by Dr.s that I am a sufferer of Adult ADD. I do believe it's a real disease (not sure if disease is the right word but can't come up with another..) It explains a lot about the types of problems I've had all my life, especially as a child.
But here's my take on ritilin. When my son was around the same age as yours, they decided that he too suffers from ADD and they wanted to give him ritilin. I was not happy with this but went along with it for a few months..
Here's what I discovered.. it does help people focus. But it does so because its basically speed.
I am an ex-drug user with lots of experience with various types of speed. One day I decided to take some of my son's ritilin because I wanted to see if it would help me.
Guess what? I had the exact same feelings that I used to get from speed, even meth, back in my druggie days. Speed is a funny drug.. It causes one to hyper-focus on pretty much anything that is in front of you. Thats why kids are able to stay more "on task" while on it. It seems to have a calming effect because it's low dose and because you're so focussed on whatever it is that you're doing - homework or video games, it doesn't matter - people think its working.
Look at his diet, limit his sugar. Teach him tricks to use on himself to stay on task. I've learned (the hard way) to do this and it works.
Most ADD people are actually very intelligent.. its just that they have a hard time thinking about just one thing for any length of time.
Imagine sitting in a room with 10 TV's on at full volume and tuned to different stations and try to absorb just one of them thats showing something you're really not much interested in in the first place and that's what ADD is like.
Oh heck, marajuana will do just a good and at a much lower cost.
My wife's best friend has a 9 yearold who is very very hyper. He is homeschooled by the way. He is extremely skinny yet very strong for his size. Neither his mouth nor his body ever stop and he will say rude and goofy things though he is very bright. His mom will smack him all the time and the poor kid can't control his behavior or his mouth. She finally decided to medicate him, as little as possible. The difference was amazing and he was able to sit and learn and interact. This is an extreme case, most cases don't need the drugs.
All of my boys needed a lot of exercise growing up. They were all pretty good athletes, and played a lot of ball outside. But when one of them would be laid up with an injury, my wife would absolutely be tearing her hair out. Their teachers would inevitably complain about them in the classroom.
Running won't hurt him and it just may help.
That site may also be of some help :)
For a second opinion you might check out an optometrist who specializes in vision therapy. They generally work with kids who are having problems in school. My son was greatly helped by such a doctor without the use of drugs.