New and Lost | ADHD Information

My daughter is 5.  She has been having trouble in kindergarten since day 1.  She is spending more time in the in school suspension room than in class.  The school reccomended she see a shrink.  We did that and yesterday after lots of paperwork and tests, we found out she is ADHD.  Now at home she is fine (she is an only child).....but school is a nightmare.  The dr. put her on Vyvanse 20mg.  Today is her 1st day.....we want to see how it works before sending her to school next week as we are on break this week.  I am concerened with her dialated pupils, she looks high.  Is this something that is going to go away???  I do not want the school to know that she is on meds......but this to me is a dead giveaway. 

Also are there any books you guys reccomend about ADHD....I am lost in this and medicating her was the last thing that I wanted to do.  But she is out of control and overwhelmed in school.

Thanks.....

Take a deep breath, everything is going to be fine.  I know exactly how scary it is to put your child on medicine but it can be such a help. 

My DS was 5 when he was dx'd with ADHD and we put him on meds.  I'm so glad we did it.  He did very well on the meds and in school and socially.  I never got the dreaded phone calls or notes from the teacher.  My DS also had the dialated pupils although I didn't notice it until more recently (he was on the same meds all through out elem. school.  He is now in middle school.).  I can't really speak about the dilated pupils except to say he had them but no one ever commented on them.  I do remember that when he started the meds he had 1 or 2 days when he was kind of out of it (like he was drugged) but then he was fine and he never had that sleepy look/feeling again, even when we upped or changed meds (which we did try 3 different meds early on until we found the one that worked well for him).  I know you said that you didn't want to medicate but keep in mind that even though you are medicating now, it doesn't mean you have to forever.  At this point you need to get things under control at school, start researching and reading (get as much knowledge as possible) and then when you aren't so overwhelmed you can look into alternative ways of dealing with her condition if you so choose.

I don't know your reasons for not telling the school about her being on meds.  I was always up front with my DS's teachers and I also wanted the nurse to know he was on meds in case there was ever an emergency.

There are many good books out there.  I think 2 good starter books are Driven to Distraction by Edward Hallowell and Taking Charge of ADHD by Russell Barkley.

Hang in there and good luck!  It is going to be okay (not necessarily easy but it will be okay.) 

 

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I agree that having the school and/or her teacher know about the meds is
helpful. You will need feedback from the teacher as to how the meds are
working during the day. At first, it is hard to find the right med and
dosage. I always found that the teachers are more willing to work with
you and your child if you are honest with them about what is going on.
My ds has been on meds since 5 years old and in PreK (now 8 and in 2nd
grade). The teachers are more understanding and can redirect and help
your child in the classroom if they understand what is going on. Some
days you might be trying a different med or dosage and need that
feedback.

I was so scared to medicate my child at first, but it has helped so much.
He is happier, doing well at school and can have social relationships.

hang in there. It will be OK.