Medicate or not | ADHD Information

For the rewards, I would just make it easier to him to succeed. For example my son(who is much younger than yours, granted) needed to switch from one rating a day down to three. If one of those ratings was a happy face, he was rewarded. THEN he became motivated and really bought in to the whole thing. I would try setting your son up to succeed at first, and then slowly raise the bar. You probably just need to keep tweaking your reward system until it works.

I'm thinking that since he has chosen not to take meds, you should explore alternatives together. Do some research, discuss the options, and make him an active participant in establishing his own treatment plan since he is adamantly refusing traditional treatment. Maybe you could let him know what's at the end of the road for ADHD that goes untreated (you can find some pretty sad stories online).

The great thing about being 13 is that he can tell you exactly which supplements are working and which are not. There are many clinical trials showing that the Omega-3 works (meaning provides some degree of improvement)--but that does take up to 4 months. You could also try some of the other supplements, and he can just tell you it's working, or it's not pretty quickly.

Since you mentioned a zero attention span, you might also look into SmartBrain Games or Play Attention or the Interactive Metronome. Just run a search on the Alternatives board.

NoTellin39008.4034027778[QUOTE=vickie]

Sorry for all the questions but... Why was he switched from Adderall (As and Bs) to concerta which did not work? Why did he want off meds? Were the side effects bad or was it more of a stigma issue? Does he have a psycologist to talk to for counselling? Puberty is tough without ADHD and meds (for everyone in the family). I really feel for you.

Omegas are fatty acids found in fish and early studies have shown them to help with some ADHD issues. Here is a link to the omega thread in the alternative section: http://www.adhdnews.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17175& PN=1

Alternatives can take some time to work, but if your son finds them more acceptable, they may be your best shot.

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Ok I do understand the need for questions. My son has always been small...he's almost as small as my 10 yr. The doctor said he couldn't continue to take adderall due to his height/weight and his age. Concerta was what he recommended at the time and we upped the dosage and it still never had the same affect as the adderall. We did go to a psycologist for the first three years. We only have one for children in our area and it was really hard to get in to see him. I now go through my son's pediatrician. If I need to I can even call him at home and I don't have to wait weeks to get a appointment.

I am really stressed out about this b/c after talking to my son yesterday, I really do believe he did the best he could. I have heard recently about a program within the school system to help with school issues and adhd. I'm going to look into that next week. We have agreed that for the time being that medication is the best thing right now. I have tried all the thingd that the doctors recommended as far as structuring home life and all my children eat healthy....limited sugar and no caffine. I just am at an empass. I don't even know if he should be punished for his grades.....

[QUOTE=NoTellin]

Since you mentioned a zero attention span, you might also look into SmartBrain Games or Play Attention or the Interactive Metronome. Just run a search on the Alternatives board.

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I'm going to look for the omega supplements. Are they available in most stores?

I have been including my son on trying to work through being without meds and we've had weekly meetings with his teachers annd they are all aware of what's going on. He's a very smart kid but right now his grages are not reflecting that. There is a tast they take to map their progress in school every semester and he's actually drop 40% in reading and 3% in math. We do home work together and he's very active outdoors.....hunting, fishing, etc. I have become a little hesitant about taking things away from him lately b/c I feel alittle to blame for allowing him to stop his meds.

Positive reenforcement and alot of time out to think about things and consequences for bad behavior ( no tv, etc.). Mostly I'm at wits end b/c punishment has no effect at all and he could care less for rewards. He isn't mean but busier goofing off....continuously...nothing is serious. Add to that a zero attention span.

My son has to "buy in" to reward programs. He practically runs them himself. He comes up with the list of rewards, and even tries to establish the rules. Have you tried giving him control over a rewards program?

Have you thought about--cognitive behavior therapy, the Alert Program for Self-Regulation, a therapuetic dosage of high-EPA omega-3, or supplements that provide a calming effect?

Actually that's a good idea but no I haven't tried that but all of the things that my son wants we have agrred to provided the grades and behavior improves that was 4 weeks ago. No improvement no rewards but now my son has flunked math and passed english with a 70. My husband think my son should be punished but my son saiys he did the best he could. My son is very adamant about not taking meds. I made my son an appt. for Friday. I feel like it is a never ending battle and I'm tired. [QUOTE=goincrazy] <FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" size=4>Actually that's a good idea but no I haven't tried that but all of the things that my son wants we have agrred to provided the grades and behavior improves that was 4 weeks ago. No improvement no rewards but now my son has flunked math and passed english with a 70. My husband think my son should be punished but my son saiys he did the best he could. My son is very adamant about not taking meds. I made my son an appt. for Friday. I feel like it is a never ending battle and I'm tired. [/QUOTE] please read my post here, you'll know why

: http://www.adhdnews.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23105&PN=1 I wish you all the best of luck

Ok I will check the site out but what exactly are these omegas?

Alternatives can take some time to work, but if your son finds them more acceptable, they may be your best shot.

I come from Norway where Omega 3 was "invented", research show that it may have a good effect on many "brain disorders" but it won't take it all away! So don't get your hopes up too much! I've tried them, and for a week or so I felt calmer, and maybe a little bit more focused! But after a while they didn't do anything.... Ginseng had the same effect (though I don't know if it should have affect on ADHD)! They can in any way not be compared to what Ritalin has done for me!!!

Anteros39009.0558564815

Hi, I need a little help trying to figure out what to do next with my son. He's 13 and was diagnosed in the 3rd grade after years of the school suggesting he be evaluated. I was one of those parents that said those "kids" just need discipline. it took four years for me to wake up. Now my issue that we have been trying to get my son off meds and to take control of his behavior. My son hates to take meds and the last one didn't work. Well reports cards came out today and it was aweful. He was on the A/B honor roll when he was on adderal and then the doctor switched him to concerta. He hasn't had anything since the last of May. I really don't know if he can really do better if he tried harder as has been suggested by others or if he really does need the meds.

What have you tried to control the behavior since taking him off meds?We use Magnesium in addition to Omegas..... there is a lot of info on these in the Alternatives to Meds section of this board. It's a lot to read but so worth it. We successfully do not medicate (by using supplements and diet modifications).The Omega-3 needs to be taken at a therapuetic dosage for 3-4 months. Just to add to what NoTellin writes.... you also have to have the right ratio of EPA to DHA.....