I just wanted to jump in here and say thanks for this topic. I was wondering if behavior wise its just in the discipline rather then meds.
I posted elsewhere on this site about my situation. But my teachers son says that academically he's right on track. Behavior wise he's not at the same level as the other kids.
When not on meds he can't sit still/can't stop talking. The teacher has tried talking louder and my son talks louder as well(this I already knew we do opposite here...lol) He's been known to get in other kids' faces AFTER a situation has calmed down and the others move on. He likes to scream I hate you and I won't play with you anymore(used to do this at home but we haven't had much of any of this one from last may pretty much.)
Do you think its possible that a med would help him. He's on Adderall XR now 10mgs I personally don't think any has worked when I see him b4 and after school he's the same kid i've always had(course in the am he would be since its not like it works the minute it hits his throat....lol) At school he seemed to be able to control these things but this last week we forgot the meds part of me was curious to see if it would make a difference. Well it did oops. His teacher is worried about his self esteem with the blow ups because he doesn't back down. He's VERY stubborn but my dh and I are as well so thats not helpful......lol.
How old is he and what med does he use? The doc suggested Adderall and the psychologist suggested Concerta. I was told not to tell the teachers even if I use meds so they don't assume anything. I keep hoping he'll learn to control himself but so far it hasn't happened.
KH
My DS, 6, is the same way. He was doing fine academically, right on track. He definately does not have any learning disabilities either, except that we found out if they can focus better, their grades can soar. Within a month after trying the Concerta, not only did his behavior improve immensely, his grades did too. He went from grade level (which is absolutely fine with us) to one to two grades ahead on every subject within a few months. He's also happier because he doesn't get in trouble for talking or moving anymore. Concerta has been wonderful for him. HTH Lisa
I posted this elsewhere but perhaps this is the best place for my post. I have a 9 year and can't seem to decide if we want to try meds. He has ADHD but no LD. He does well academically but is disruptive in class and gets in trouble. I would put him on meds in a second if he was doing poorly academically but having a hard time doing it just for his acting up. Any thoughts?
KH
I did this for behaviour only. My son is very smart but stubborn, distractable, defiant with teachers - specially female ones.
It works - if I forget a pill - the teacher will call up and ask me if I forget his pill today and if I could come down and give it to him.
She knows when he is medicated and when he is not because of his behaviour changes.
Hummous
You are making the same mistake that many doctors do in that they assume that ADHD is primarily attention deficit. In reality, ADHD is actually categorized into three types....Attention Deficit, Hyperactive, and Low Impulse Control. I'm sure that depending upon the child, age and development there maybe some overlap.
In my son's case he is hyperactive with low impulse control but has no attention deficit challenges. Infact he is top of his class academically. He is on Strattera which slows him down enough to think before he reacts. Seems that his mouth and his body moves faster than his mind. The strattera has enabled him to interact more easily with kids at school who would have alienated him before.
p.k.
Hummous I am in Australia and here we use Dexamphetamine - It has worked a treat, no apparent side affects.You know what PAUL - I believe the type of ADD your son has is what I have and it is a long, lonely road. Constantly being socially inept and foot in mouth is so isolating. My thoughts are with your son and I pray that society is kinder to him and more understanding than they have been to myself.
We must educate the public - it is too hard being ADD without any understanding!
RAE70,
I know exactly what ya mean especially since ADHD maybe heraditary meaning that if my guy got it from anywhere it was from me. Interestingly enough, I was not diagnosed as a child only receive large amounts of paddling, yelling and general abuse. Fortunately, I survived and am a reasonably productive, caring parent and loving husband.
With this in mind, I think that my son is very fortunate to have a parent who is intimately aware of his condition and can relate to those many moments of 'spaciness' where he defocuses on task and needs to be centered. Who understands (though not necessarily always tolerates) those episodes of mischievous that are brought on by the lack of impulse control. And is willing to console him when he is plagued with sadness brought on by the lack of friends that his condition tends to drive away. We are the lucky ones who can climb inside of our child's heads and have the insight that most parents can only imagine. (Now was that heavy or was that heavy!)
Paul
Next week we develop a 504 plan and I will see how much that helps with the behavior. There's always a risk vs benefits with any medicine. I'm not sure if we passed the medicine threshold. Unfortunately, there are teachers that know what do do with students like my son and ones who don't. We had minimal problems in 2nd & 3rd grade. 1st grade was awful and this year in 4th grade it doesn't look good so far. But I have to ask myself do I let a 4th grade teacher force my hand and use meds when I'm sure a better approach would work? I'm hoping we can get through to her, if not I hate say it but I'd almost prefer demanding they change his teacher, but I know that's traumatic as well.
I have a friend whose son is similar. He got suspended 4 times in 1st grade by the same teacher my son had. Now he's in 2nd grade and doing wonderfully. Teachers can make a huge difference. When you see how well they do with a good teacher it makes you resent having to medicate them to appease the bad ones.
KH