I have been studying a primitive reflex (the STNR which stands for Symetrical Tonic Neck Reflex) in our bodies that urges us to move forward when our arms and legs are bent and the same time. This reflex is supposed to go away, but doesn't in some people who did not crawl enough as babies.
The book Stopping ADHD explains it very well and gives exercises to mature the reflex. If this reflex is bothering him, then meds will help for a while, but then they seem to wear off. I actually believe that the meds help to overcome the reflex urge, but you still feel it, you just have more energy to overcome it. The reflex urges us to straighten our arms or straighten our legs when they are bent at the same time. It isn't something that you can feel. It is a reflex that is automatic, so you don't notice it bothering you, you just feel like moving to get more comforatble.
I have done these exercises and I can sit much more comfortably. I was diagnosed inattentive ADD. But I still did not like sitting in a chair and would slouch, or extend my feet.
It is worth checking into if your child is bothered by this reflex, which can be fixed through crawling exercises you do for 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 8 months. I have done a third of the exercises and my memory has improved, my sensory issues have lessened, my comfort level has increase when I sit, and I am more organized. It is an amazing book in my opinion.
There is a thread in the alternative section of this board that you can read about others who are trying it too. It is called "crawlers unite."
Good luck to you and your son.
Your child might be suffering from extreme anxiety and any benefits of medication might be counteracted. Stimulant medication is not a blood level medication like Straterra which is a non stimulant so it flushes right out of the system so the body doesn't build up a tolerance. Once the child is put through a trial of meds and the target dose is achieved and all of a sudden the medication stops working after a period of time, it's wise to contact the doctor and revisit the situation to find out why. If the child is approaching puberty the medication might have to be changed or adjusted due to hormonal changes but if that's not the case, there are many other contributing factors which might cause the medication to stop working. Good luck in your search for answers. Luvmykids0239068.7161458333There are other reflexes that may be retained that cause people to be uncomfortable in their skins. It is worth looking into but if this is new with your son I would check on some new meds. Also look at diet and maybe adding more water to his diet.This is our story regarding my son's sleep (or lack thereof):
Son would thrash around all night. He had HUGE tonsils/adenoids and his ENT asked us to do an informal sleep study. We would watch son stop breathing for short periods of time (sleep apnea).
After a lot of discussion/review with ENT, we decided to have his tonsils/adenoids removed. This helped him get a good night's rest (no more breathing trouble and no more thrashing). It also relieved his gasps of air taken in while eating/drinking.
It's me again...
I know exactly what you mean about the constant moving. My son too, does not stay still for even a second, all day long. He fidgets, squirms, runs around, spins, etc., etc., etc.
Also, he talks constantly. If he's not talking, he's singing or humming or whatever.
The physiologic (correct word?) aspect of it completely baffles me. I mean, how can a body do this for hours and hours straight?
I feel bad telling him to be quiet so much, because much of what he says is either very creative or building his intelligence. He asks many questions, which is enriching him. He has learned lots of songs and enjoys practicing them.
But mercy!! I can barely have a thought of my own! He can at least cut out the miscellaneous noises. When I tell him to be quiet so Mommy can think, he lasts for maybe 5 seconds and then off he goes again.
Ugh!