child just diagnoised and put on meds | ADHD Information
My son(Aaron- TAZ) already has an IEP due to his learning issues.. They labeled him Specific Learning Disability. I find that its only the learning enviroment that makes him learning disabled because when he is home with headphones on he is at a 4th grade levelbut when he is at school they say he is at a first grade level... What a major difference???
I was asked what I did wrong in my life to have children like I have! I told the person I didn't do nything wrong in my life, that my kids are special and that they are special for reasons that we don't understand yet but that will become clear someday..
Happy Holidays to you and yours, we aren't having much of a Christmas because our finances are covering things that insurance doesn't. Happy New Year too!!!
My son takes 5mg twice a day for the next seven days, then their increasing it to 10mg in am and 5 mg in afternoon for seven and then going to 10mg in am and 10mg afternoon. He doesn't sleep much, he is violent and can very abusive
He doesn't concentrate well in school and he has been suspended from school to violent behavior. He throws thinds, punches walls, slams the bathroom door. My son also has ODD AND PTSD. He will be nine in January.
I have my ten year old that is learning impaired with PTSD and possible High Function Austism..
Kelly
Boy, do you have your hands full.
Sending a big hug...
The things to watch out for with the med are headache and stomach ache, lack of appetite, further sleep disturbances and rebound (other things can happen but are not as common). Rebound is when the med is leaving the system and the behaviors come back worse than in the premedicated state.
You also may want to persue an IEP at school with a behavior plan (not behavior contract, but a behavior plan). More reading (this time about IEPs, 504 and your children's rights in the public education system)...
What kind of doctor did the diagnosis and is managing the meds? I only ask because pediatricians are not as experienced as child development docs and child psychiatrists, but sometimes that is the only doctor a person has access to.
Good luck on this difficult journey. As tough as it is, you are here educating yourself a trying for the best help for your children. You are to be commended for making this tremendous effort.
vickie39073.4663078704I am a 32 year old mom of two boys with different special needs. My youngest is almost nine, and we were just told that he has ADHD, ODD, AND PTSD.. I am at a loss, I don't know were to turn or who to trust about medication. They put him on Methylphenid, but didn't really explain exactly what to expect or much else..
Can anyone give me some information and explain to me what I am in for with this med..
My son is already violent and abusive, and he doesn't sleep much....
Welcome to this very helpful place. Methylphendid is one of the generic forms of Ritalin. This would be a short acting form. This same active ingredient (methylphenidate) is lots of long acting forms as well (concerta, daytrana, metadate). This is one of the first lines of medication used for ADHD and has been used for this since the 50s. It only lasts 3-4 hours, so may need to be given more than once to get your child through the day. I have given you links below.
http://www.myadhd.com/treatment_tools/medicationchart.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a68218 8.html
What kind of doctor does your son see (pediatrician or psychiatrist), and what dose is your son starting at? Also, what behaviors are you seeing with you son? This kind of information is helpful to those on this board who have help to offer.
You should also look at ograms marble thread (top of the parents board) for a positive reinforcement behavior plan. It, or something like it would be helpful.
With the lack of sleep, I would try melatonin to help with sleep. Lack of sleep can causes ADHD symptoms to be worse and have adverse effects on mood. Another thing to consider (if you are confident in the doctor managing the meds), is discussing with the doctor adding something like guanfacine (Tenex). It can help with calming, hyperactivity, defiance, impulsivity):
http://beta.health.yahoo.com/topic/add/medications/article/h ealthwise/hw164961
My daughter was having rages (throwing things, hitting, slamming doors) due to frustration with school failure last year (4th grade). With the positive behavior plan, concerta and guanfacine her behavior is now really good, she gets As and Bs in school (no more Fs and Ds) and is still her quirky, fun self.
vickie39073.4215740741