My 9yr old ds is currently on Concerta 54 mg and Strattera 36mg to help manage his ADHD symptoms. I had an identification meeting today (which went very well and an IEP is being writtenJ) the teacher noted that he does not work independently and seeks out the teachers aide frequently. He varies from day to day. Sometimes he can focus and get work done other days he really struggles. When he is struggling he often cannot complete work, refuses to work, becomes defiant, acts silly or will become frustrated and hit his head on his desk. Prior to the Concerta (March 08) he would roll around, crawl on the floor, jump up and down, run in circles, etc. These behaviors have stopped since starting the Concerta however he still talks a lot, makes noises, taps pencil and other little nuances. My understanding of ADHD medication in general is that it should be helping him to sit and work independently, complete papers and be able to stay on task.Has anyone else seen their meds working sometimes or for some things but not others? Could it be that the Concerta is not working? Am I just expecting it to do too much?

sounds to me like it isnt working all the way. mine ds is on vyvanse and it helps him in every area. before meds he sounds like how u describe your sons behavoir b4 meds. mine will sit down in class now and do things on his own. it should help your son too. maybe u need a higher dose or a diff med. i would talk to the dr and see what they suggest.

kim

My 9 y.o. was on Concerta 36 mg. but we started toward the end of last school year.  It seemed to be doing as well as the Adderall had been (switched from Adderall due to irritability and moodiness) at first. Then I took him off meds for pretty much the whole summer (except when he went to day camp) & resumed the Concerta in Sept.  After the first week back to school I started getting the notes from the teacher, and was asked to come for a meeting by the 2nd week.

Seems he was back to the old behavior, looking out the window and not getting anything done without extreme prompting all day. I must confess I experimented, and gave him one of his sister's 54 mg. Concerta. There was no difference, which I was amazed at. I believe the Concerta just "stopped working" for him, no matter what the dosage.  Now we are trying Focalin, just 15 mg. to start. The reports are good so far, but he may need more for the afternoons.

It's good to know someone else is experiencing something similar - hope this helped!

My son is 10 and has been on Concerta 54mg for about 3 to 4 years now.  Previously he was on Adderall 30mg.  The Adderall was great at first but after about 2 years it stopped working all together and he was experiencing severe mood swings.  So Dr changed him to the Concerta 36mg. Later it was increased to 54mg and has been working out fine!

Has anyone mentioned Asperger's Syndrome to you?  You might want to have this checked out, it sounds like some symtoms of Asperger's going on there.  I had never heard of the Asperger's and my son's 2nd grade teacher gave me an article on it and said she had a hunch that my son had this.  So I posted here and found help & direction as to getting my son evaluated and diagnossed.  It answered ALOT of questions as to why my son reacts the way he does in different settings!!

As for coffee, my son ask for coffee once in a while and he is fine with it.  He loves coffee milk every now and then.  I can't tell any difference in him with or with out the coffee.  Where you see his difference is whether or not he has had his Concerta!!

Good luck and if I can help any, don't hesitate to ask!!