Not really adhd | ADHD Information

Hello:

I am a new mother of 2 children from the foster care system. My son, K, is 7 years old. When we received him he was on Remeron and Tenex. He did have some small issues when he first came to us but with behavior modification, consistency, reward system and most of all love from us, K has improved tremendously.

After the first visit to the doctor we were able to remove him from the Remeron. After the second visit the doctor wanted to perscribe Concerta. Because of an evaluation from the teacher that he was easliy distracted, however, his learning never suffered. In fact, K is really smart and I think far ahead of the other children.

 I really didn't want to put K on a new med so I did some reasearch. Found the Feingold diet and the addition of Omega-3 and Amino Acids supplements. By the third visit ( 4 weeks later) - the doctor was amazed at his calmness and he had no idea about the diet. He even said we can remove him from the Tenex. It has been a few days. His teachers was even amazed at his behavior and told me to continue whatever I was doing at home.

Right after the removal K had one great day at school and the next wasn't so good but it appeared to be that behavior that was typical for a 7 year old boy - BTW the behavior only occured in the lunchroom,  recess or walk in line. No problem in class or such. (FYI: this is the 3rd school day off meds - waiting results)

Are there any other parents of foster children or others whose children seemed to have been misdiagnosised with ADHD?
newmom39153.3586226852

There are alot of things that can mimc ADHD, and without an evaluation from a Psychiatrist the possibility of misdiagnosis is extrememly high. You cannot go by a for a teacher filled out, teachers are not Dr's.

Oh I know. That is why we were seeing a psychiatrist to monitor the meds he was already on.

However, K, is a little goof ball and doesn't always pay attention when he should. Being a new mother - total of 3 months with 2 children who grew up in not the best circumstances for most of their lives, it is hard for me to wonder if his behavior is normal or not right now. Both kids see a therapist weekly or bi-monthly for the transition into our home and family.

I was just hoping for some feedback from other parents whose children may have been misdiagnosed. BTW: K's former doctor didn't think he was ADHD but b/c of the some agressive outbursts while in foster care they perscribed the meds.

I am happy to report he is a very happy child now with no outburst at all. An occaisional " I don't want to" that leads to crying but no agression what so ever.

Also, has anyone taken their child off TENEX and if so, what were the immediate reaction in the kids? I had one parent - who carpools K and said she has noticed no difference in him since we took him off = which she says is a good thing.


newmom39153.3659259259

Just an FYI....my son is ADHD inattentive (easily distracted, hard for him to stay on task, etc.), and these behaviors, while noted by both me and his teachers , did not begin to have a negative effect on his grades until the 4th grade.  He has always tested as gifted, and got reasonably good grades (a's and b's with the occasional c) until more independent seat work was required in class..i.e.  a paper is handed out to the students, with completion expected within a certain time period, to be turned in at the end of that time period....at that point, Chase could no longer complete things as expected.  If he could bring it home to complete, he could do so, and get a good grade, but if he had to turn it in in class, it was incomplete, earning a not so good grade, bringing his average way down.  The work gets more difficult in the higher grades, and the distractedness is a much bigger issue....

Not to say that this will happen with your son, but just so you are aware and prepared....