[FourPeas]

Recently I've had to face my skepticism about ADD/ADHD. After visiting his physician reporting difficulty concentrating, my husband was written a prescription for adderall. He frequently studies for and takes technical tests for his job. His performance was suffering. At his physician's appointment, his doctor asked questions: do you have a number of unfinished projects at home? (he has many, many of them); had he recently changed his intake of caffein (he'd removed it completely several months before). Perhaps it's only a "placebo effect", but my husband now reports that he's again able to get his work done.

At our five year-old son's check-up several weeks ago, I barely got my concern about his behaviour out of my mouth before my doctor concurred. It was apparent he's noticed the difference. There's definitely something different about my son. I'm a stay-at-home mom, a strict discliplinarian; my husband holds a regular job; we homeschool, regularly attend church. Although *I* choose not to medicate our son, I can certainly understand why people would do it. I have always, ALWAYS, been almost violently opposed to it but am now finding myself reconsidering. Due to his impulsiveness, my five year-old is having difficulties making friends. For me, it's a nearly impossible call, and much to my dislike, it exists. Call it ADD/ADHD or whatever, there's something different about my son.

[luckystarmom]

My advice is that you only medicate if it is truly affecting a child's ability to learn. If a child cannot learn to read/write by second grade, I would first test them for a learning disability. After that, I would try different forms of teaching.

Medication would be the last resort.

[Dakotabound]

We medicated my now 13yo son when he was 6 or so. Improved his attention span, but also made him "zombie-like." Appetite decreased to nearly zero. He lost weight, and was skinny to begin with.

We took him off after several months, and since we homeschool, we were able to emphasis the behavioral aspects of his condition. Actions had consequences. He is long over his symptoms for the most part, but still has hyper-focusing. But he's still a "kid" and still has a lot to learn.

My point is that medication can work, but isn't always the answer. We had some *very* tough years there, but he's a terrific young man. We found that sugar had a remarkably negative effect on his behavior as well.

Oh, and both his dad and I have been diagnosed as well, and used medication for a time. It helped me focus, but made me very snippy when coming off the medication, so I decided to forgo it.

[Politicalmom]

You sound EXACTLY like me. I finally broke down after over five years of resisting medication. It was the best thing we ever did for our son.

It was hell before. My life is finally coming to resemble something "normal".

[cupcakes]

FourPeas,
Our stories sound similar. So much so. I had the same attitude as you and now I'm dealing with my autistic son and I plan to consult a doctor once I give birth to finally look into my situation as well. I have problems like your hubby does and have for years. It is something if I am to homeschool again next year I *MUST* address to be effective as a teacher to my children. It's hard to suck up your pride and admit you were wrong. You are a big person to do so.