Meds for ADD/ADHD

DD's teachers from last year and this year have suggested medication for her ADD. She's not hyperactive, she just can't concentrate long enough for 3rd grade. The neurologist who diagnosed her 2 years ago said her ADD is mild, and not to consider meds until she is at least 10. That up until then, we should be doing home and school modifications to help her. I really don't want to put her on meds, but I really hate the idea of her struggling all the time, and having the teachers constantly criticizing her. The neuro has since retired, and we're in the process of having her seen by a dev. ped.

So, if your DC takes meds, which one? Did you try others first? How old when they started? Did they make THAT much of a difference? What side effects have you seen?

Re: Meds for ADD/ADHD

These are one of those gut wrenching decisions a parent has to make for their child. You know your child and maybe be you can help her focus without meds but I feel like sometimes medication is needed. I am going to tell you what happened with my SS. Hopefully it will help!

He always had issues with focusing, acting out in class and at home from a young age. Even always getting into fights at school since kindergarten, he actually got left back in kindergarten. His parents ignored it or were in denial so that's why he was diagnosed late. Just to give you a background. He was diagnosed with ADHD combined with minor behavioral issues around 10. Parents and I went back and forth about medication, after all the years of struggling I sided with psychiatrist. At the time he was seeing a child psychologist weekly for the anxiety and behavior and the psychiatrist was once a month to monitor his medication and health.

His parents decided to follow the plan of the psychiatrist and he was put on Concerta. It wasn't easy because his mom looked up the medication and the effects were scary. The psychiatrist assured her that my SS didn't have a medical history of heart disease or a bad heart so he would be fine but we would make sure to monitor any changes moods and health.

My SS was put on a low dosage around 11, he was only taking 1 pill a day before school to help him focus. He never took it at night or on the weekends. The purpose was just to help him focus. It was such a major improvement, no acting up, he was able to focus and he wasn't getting I to trouble anymore. Teachers said he was a totally different kid. We felt bad because we probably should've did some thing sooner. This poor kid who couldn't control his impulses was getting in trouble from every which end and it wasn't his fault. When he was about 14 he has a growth spurt so we upped his dosage a little. Around 16 he was experiencing some side effect so the psychiatrist decided to take him off since he was older and more mature. He hasn't had to take any meds since and he is doing fine in school.

I would get an opinion from a doctor because although you think she seems calm, maybe it's different in school and it's really hard for her to focus. However, if it's only the school saying she needs medication and no one else then I wouldn't rush to put her on meds. My SS school also had a child study team and he was offered extra test time and class time to do his work. If you do decide to medicate, I would make sure it's closely monitored, and there is a plan for her to come off of it and it's only purpose is to focus in school. Since that's where the issue is. Best of luck, I know how hard this can be!

Message edited 9/17/2014 10:32:11 AM.

Meds for ADD/ADHD

Btw my SS is on no meds and doesn't need to see any psychohistory. He's very mature and has come a very long way. Now if only we can get a pill to help with the lazy, I don't like my mom teen phase we will be straight!

Message edited 9/17/2014 10:29:16 AM.

Re: Meds for ADD/ADHD

My teenage son (ADD an PDD) is on medicine, he has always been very inattentive from a young age. We tried diet changes, fish oil, etc., none of that worked for him, so we always resorted back to the medicine. He has been on the same medicine since he was about 6 or 7. At first he had issues with not eating/sleeping, but that has regulated over the years. He is on Adderall XR 15mg, only takes it once a day (it's extended release and gets him through homework). There is a huge noticeable different when he is not on it. He cannot focus at all. It's like night and day. If he were not on medicine, I have no doubt that he would not have come as far as he has throughout the years.

My theory was that if he had diabetes or some other illness, I wouldn't withhold medicine, this issue was no different for me.

Message edited 9/17/2014 11:46:40 AM.

Re: Meds for ADD/ADHD

Meds for ADD/ADHD

My son is 11 and unmedicated. We have tried numerous medications through his years since diagnosis. All have a drastic affect on his personality and well being. My normally funny, outgoing, creative, loving son becomes quiet, withdrawn, unwilling to participate in activities and (at times) talks about wanting to kill himself. For us, there was no question, no more medication. He has some modifications with the school and we are working on ways for us to cope at home. Positive reinforcement and incentives work wonders for him.

I stay in close contact with his teachers, and they are aware of everything. There are tough times, but I would rather see him happy and healthy and here on this earth than anything. Getting the best grades has become less important these day.

Meds for ADD/ADHD

Have you tried anything holistic? What about cutting out food dyes? Supplements? Essential oils? I would explore other methods first(if you haven't already). GL!!

Re: Meds for ADD/ADHD

Does she have a 504? Does she get program modifications? Testing accommodations? If no, I would try for this first.

Re: Meds for ADD/ADHD

Re: Meds for ADD/ADHD

Personally, I think you need to seek help from an advocate to get an IEP in place. It is not the place of the teacher to EVER suggest meds ! Being "above grade" level, doesn't mean anything. A child can be extremely gifted, and need an IEP. In fact, many people with ADD are 'ABOVE' grade level. Have you requested an IEE for a neuro psych evaluation ? (with a private neuro psych who is known to advocate for children..not one through boces). How about an auditory processing evaluation ?

Sounds like accommodations and most definitely not socio/emotional support are not being made, and there often can be little understanding about ADD from general ed and even special ed teachers.

In order for school district to change their "thinking", you are going to have to "prove" that support is needed. You need to have private professionals determine what type of support will help your daughter, which is where the IEE's can make a difference.

I would also look into nutrigenetics-methylation. Going to FM you :)

Re: Meds for ADD/ADHD

Re: Meds for ADD/ADHD

This is probably one of the toughest decisions a parent will ever need to make.

I know for me, I would never put my child on meds until I knew all other things were exhausted.

And if I did go that route, I would be working with the doctors and all the people In his life to make sure they were appropriate.

If that was his teacher, so be it.

I work with adults and I too can tell in an instant if they are not on their meds. I spend sometimes 5 days a week with these people so I know when something is off.

Re: Meds for ADD/ADHD

Re: Meds for ADD/ADHD

My son was classified with SPD for preschool services. His behaviors decreased with OT and PT. But overall, maturity helped the most. However, he was still struggling to sit still and focus on his assignments.

He was diagnosed with ADHD last year. I was fully prepared for this diagnosis since I have known since before he was two where it would lead. I tried the no med route and strictly holistic approach. We already have a mostly organic diet so that didn't need to change. We tried Feingold's diet, fish oil, grape oil and other supplements. You name it and we have probably tried it! My DS had a very difficult time with the diet and was losing weight. He was in the 10% percentile for his weight to begin with and is a very picky eater due to sensory issues. Getting him to take the supplements was torture.

In the end, my DS needed medication! Why should I make it more of a struggle for him? Enough was enough! We tried one med and it didn't work! Got it right with the second one. He is on the lowest dose and feeling great! Most people that meet him aren't aware that he has ADHD. He is doing amazing in school and no need for a BIP.

If you decide to go the medication route, make sure to work with a trusted professional. I'm in the mental health field which definitely helped but still did ton of research before accepting a prescription. FM me if you would like to know what meds we are using. Good luck with your decision.

Re: Meds for ADD/ADHD

Re: Meds for ADD/ADHD

Message edited 9/24/2014 11:23:09 AM.

Meds for ADD/ADHD

I had an extremely difficult time in my district getting approved for a 504 plan. Even though I had a medical diagnosis, he does qualify under the "Other Health Impaired" category. The problem is that Wrightslaw states that his impairment must adversely "affects a child’s educational performance". The school CAN claim that if she is passing she does not qualify based on that statement. I was trying to get the accomodations in place before my son started failing. I was denied, because he was doing okay. I appealed, and by the time that meeting took place, he was, in fact, failing a subject. So they HAD to approve me at that time.

Some districts are very easy with 504 plans, some are not. From what I understand, they get no additional funding for a 504 plan.

Re: Meds for ADD/ADHD

My kids are inattentive ADHD and we could not get a 504 plan until the end of 3rd grade. At that point there was enough proof that there was an issue. They tested high one on one but their report cards were horrible. There was such a big difference they had to do something. Keep pushing it and don't take no for an answer.