We had our older son on Ritalin from about 2nd 'til the middle of 6th grade. It DID help him focus and he did well on it. Until puberty hit and it didn't work anymore.
Dr. switched prescriptions a couple of times and there were side effects. I put my foot down and said "no more."
Read up on it. Some kids DO need Ritalin. But the vast majority of boys who are put on it are just...boys.
I wouldn't do it again and have already informed my wife that the doctor will NOT drug our younger son.
First...make sure of the diagnosis; try diet, etc.
My daughter was on Ritalin for her elementary school years but I decided to take off when she reached 6th grade...it did help her concentrate (Two weeks on Ritalin and she was out of remedial reading)
As she reached middle school, she "switched classes" every 45 minutes and could maintain her concentration. She is now 18, graduated as a honor student, doesn't do drugs or drink, and is generally a great kid. Though she still has symptoms (disorganized, etc) the medicine helped her to "make up" the gaps in her learning early on.
It's certainly not the FIRST choice;
I've heard that there are some foods that promote "dopamine" production which is what ADD kids lack..you might want to look into that.
Part of the problem is too much TV and what it does to attention spans (I'm cutting off my cable). The other major part of the problem is women teachers who can't deal with boys being boys
'Read up on it. Some kids DO need Ritalin. But the vast majority of boys who are put on it are just...boys.'
Absolutely!