I'm also a teacher--elem reading support-- so I have quite a few ADHD kids in my classes--most unmedicated so I know what it's like. For the kids who have more severe symptoms, I believe they truly suffer with the frustration of wanting to behave and comply, but not being able to to. I also see quite clearly how their impulsivity and inattention affect their learning.
For my daughter, there was no question--the neuropsychologist told us she would never, under any circumstances, be able to learn, progress academically, without medication, and I truly believe it. Even on medication, she still struggles.
My son was diagnosed a year later, but he is so mild, that I really balked on starting him on meds as he didn't have academic problems, just extreme behavior issues. After we made the decision, he started 2nd grade and one day he came home and said, "Mommy, 2nd grade is so much easier than first grade. Can I take my focus pill (Vyvanse) always, until I graduate from school?" That pretty much answered it for me.
It has also taken my daughter years to get her meds tweaked--dosage, different types, etc... so don't give up! Concerta was working great for her, and then it just stopped. At first, 50 mg of Vyvanse was working, but we've since had to up it to 70 and are having good results (so far).
Good luck!
we have tried all kinds of meds and all kinds of combinations of meds. We have certainly had our ups and downs. For my daughter, without meds, she cannot get through even a simple task. So what I like about meds, is her having a tool that can help her accomplish this. We also are using Strattera and what I like best is for us no real side effects and it is a fairly even med. Consistent throught the day/night. No ups and downs like stimulants. It has also evened out her mood.
crazy mom...I too am a teacher and I have a son with ad/hd. I know exactly what you mean. It is so hard. We know what it is like for kids not on meds and how so many suffer from no help what so ever. We also know what they have to be able to handle in school.
My son is on meds and he is doing quite well. We have had little to no change in medicine since he was 4. He is now 6 and will be 7 in December. He started out at 5 mg. of Foacalin and high protein/low carb diet, and he uses play therapy about once a month. We use to go every two weeks. Once in a blue moon we go an extra visit a month. We now have him on 10 mg. and still no problems except maybe at night when he is at home with me. We made his dosage 10 mg. due to his age and growth and we had some slight impulse issues at the beginning of the school year. My son is tall for his age and is eating well for his height. He is in the normal range according to charts. The doctor is quite pleased with his weight/height proportions considering we are on meds. I think meds should be used in connection to diet and therapy. I don't believe meds alone are the answer.
it took 2 years to get the right med for our dsWe like Concerta. We just started this road ourselves a few months ago, so I can still feel the pain and sting of having to make the decision to medicate. Hang in there, it does get better.
That being said, every child reacts differently to different meds. We are talking about body chemistry here, and everyone's is different. If you aren't having good results on what you are using, maybe you should switch to a different class or group of drugs. I know many others here have had the same struggles until they got their kids on the right meds. Unfortunately the only way to know which one will work is to keep on trying.
Hang in there. I will pray for your family. God will guide, and comfort while he leads. Keep us posted, this is a great forum for support and advice. You will find rest and friends here.
I am new to this ADHD. I am a 1st year SPED teacher and have some kids with ADHD. But it's so different when it's your own son. I sit there and tell parents to try medication, and when it came time for me to do that, I cried my eyes out! My son has only been diagnosed since December. He has only been n concerta. He started out at 18 and now is at 27. We are going to the doctor on Friday and I want to ask for the next step up. My husband is on Adderal. My son is more of the hyper part and my husband is more of the inattentive type.