Re-diagnosed and getting Focalin XR | ADHD Information

He has trouble transitioning, when his class is finished out on the playground or in the gym he usually hits someone while waiting on line. His teachers have learned to avoid it by keeping him to the side, holding his hand. When they change from activity to activity in class, he has the same problem plus running around the class like a lunatic. At home he always fight with his lil brother(3). They have always been physical. He occasionally hit me or his father, he likes to throw things at people too. I see much much more violent kids then him. He honestly has alot of trouble with transition. Theres a kid in his class that as soon as he walks in the door he starts hitting people or pushes them off a chair so he can go on the computer. I feel bad saying this but he has some serious problems and the worse thing is his family is in denial. I know my kid as issues and ive been addressing them since he was 2.5. His tee-ball coach just called and his first practice is thursday night...im really nervous. I can already see him breaking down. He doesnt like to wear the glove but I keep trying to tell him thats part of the game too. We will just have to see I guess and just pray for the best...hopefully he wont be too tired or crabby that nightHas he ever seen a NeuroPsych? I know what you mean that some kids are worse, but, heck, we can only help OUR kids. Wish we could help parents in denial, but we can't :< My son has serious transition, sensory, and social problems and he's on the autistic spectrum. We thought he had ADHD because he was so hyper, however he never ran around a classroom or hit anyone. The Neuropsych isnt covered by our insurance, I dont have the money to lay out for it either. According to a ns that I called they said our insurance wont cover something that could be covered by the schools. He does have some undiagnosed learning disabilities, his father has some too, hes undiagnosed as well. My son did excellent in a low ratio class last year, 8:1, so much so that they fazed him out. It was a special preschool that was paid for by the district. They saw no problems and didnt even think he was hyper. Very frustrating. All his behavior just keeps getting worse. I have always thought that he could be high funtioning autistic. He does make eye contact and is very social with people, too social at times. Maby its just a mothers worries but im concerned about him I guess.I am not a fan of focalin...it made my son crabby but the only way you will know is to try...my son does great on Adderall so you see it is all depends on the kid

You said your son was rediagnosed. What was his first diagnosis?

Crazymama, What was the problem you had with Adderall? We have tried Concerta and Adderall and seem to effect him the same,grouchy, zombie like, too quiet, no appetite. I am looking for something new.

And a question to anyone: When your child is on the right med and dose is he/she the same kid only not so hyper? Or VERY different?

Thanks, Tiffany

His first diagnosis was ADHD also but the guy was a quack...his office was from 1971 and so was he. He was very mean to my son and very abrupt with me. I didnt care for him what so ever. I honestly didnt think his receptionist liked him either... The new doc we saw, I had made the appt with a month befor we even saw the first one, he was just my back up and Im glad I did it. I obviously always knew my ds was ADHD but I just needed it reconfirmed officially for school. The new doc also didnt push CHADD down my throat like the other guy, he also told me I should have left their father along time ago...I already knew that too but thats none of his damn business. By the time he starts the meds, there will only be 1 1/2 months of school left and theres all summer, so if its not the right one...maby we could find a better one, or atleast have enough time for a different one. Starting next week will be intime for tee-ball, maby he will actually play. The kid can hit the ball from the back yard over our 2 story house and into the front, maby he wont cry when its his turn or hit someone with the bat and run away...who knows

Is he violent?

Remember that what works for one, doesn't always work for another and vice versa. You will never know what works if you do not try. My son does better on Focalin xr than adderall xr. Adderall xr was awful for him, but for others it is very helpful.

Well, my son saw a second dev. ped. and she said Severe ADHD. I go without him there next week to discuss the med and get it started. The last pd we saw was making us wait 2 months to come back to him, his school will probably kick him out by then(not really but I know they would love for him not to be there sometimes) She wants to start him on Focalin XR so it will help school and home issues. The revues of that med on here doesnt appear to great though...im alittle worried now. Any comments on this med?my daughter is on 5mg of focalin xr in the am it works great for her during the day for school and what not, but she crashes hard at night im trying to have her meds changed for my own sanity at night. her first report card since the focalin was amazing she can sit and and do school work and even go to day care after school, its about 5-530 that she just melts EVERY DAY...