My daughter was having a harder and harder time each year at school. Last year (4th grade) was the worst. She was getting Ds and Fs and developed anxiety, depression, rages and defiance. Homework was an aboslute battle. I had to sit with her and keep her on task (between losing the pencil, seeing what the dog was doing, losing the worksheet, etc). We went through the diagnosis; and started a behavior program and meds (concerta and guanfacine). This year she has As and Bs, is happy, cooperative and is doing better with friends. I am still in wonder at the changes.
The form of treatment chosen is a personal one. What ever route you go, there may take some work to find the right treatment for the individual needs of your son. You will find much help and support here, what ever path you take.
Hi
I am new here, one son 7 years old diagnosed last week with ADHD. Although my husband and I have both suspected this for years already we had our fears confirmed last week. He is in the 2nd grade and is not doing well. His grades are behind, and he will not respond to any of the traditional disciplines handed out at school. The teacher one day put a tray with heavy books on his lap, so that when he went to get up the books would remind him that he was to stay seated....of course this did not work because having a tray of books in your lap is an even bigger distraction !! He is not able to block any stimuli, if the class is all quiet and he is actually doing work and someone sneezes in the hallway, that sets him off, he cannot resist the urge to get up and go see. Teacher reports that if she lets him go without redirection he will get up 15 times in 10 minutes. He is by all accounts as sharp as a tack, he is pleasant, happy, and quick witted. He just struggles in school soooooo much because he cant slow down his thinking enough for long enough to sit still do the work. We are in the process of making the decision for medication or not......i have started him on a supplement called Effalex, just a few days though and nothing yet...but I know that is too soon to tell.. I am looking for feedback(as much as possible) from parents whom have tried it all or even some of it ..and what has and has not worked for you. We have a discipline system here at home which is working quite well, so my husband and I can handle his behavior at home, but I am not able to sit beside him at school all day and keep him reigned in. Although I think somedays this is what the school would like...Ha
Sorry to be so long winded, and thank you all for your posts, I have learned alot from the reading and am reassured that We are not alone!
Charlene
Hi, I too am a newbie. I have only been on here for I think 2 days maybe 3.
Anyway I just wanted to say that I too tried no meds for 2yrs, but when he told me that he could not control himself and that the things he did got on his nerves I felt sorry for him and took him to the Dr.
He now says that he loves his meds and he likes how they make him feel. In fact somedays he can feel when it is getting close to the time for him to take it and will come and ask me if it's time to take it or can he take it.
He has been on adderall xr, adderall and is now on strattera 25mg twice a day.
Along with Risperdahl(For Bipolar and Intermmiten Explosive Disorder(IED), Prozac for Depression and he has to take amoxicilin for 6 mons for PANDAS (Para Auto Immune Neurological Disorder Associated with Streptocaucos.
Welcome to the site I have already learned a lot here!