Do social skills and maturity improve... | ADHD Information

Meds will help them control impulsiveness and hyperactivity so that they can
socialize with their peers. I find that my ADHD ds still misses social cues
and I think that he sees things from a different perspective as his average
peers. At least with meds we can work with him and help him to learn social
cues. Meds make it possible for him to have friendships and go to school. I
honestly think that I would have to homeschool him if we didn't have meds.
Academically, he is doing great. He is very bright. Ds main problem is
hyperactivity.

Last year, I was nicely asked by the after school chess club moderator to pull my son from this activity (and this man had a slightly older son with adhd) b/c it just wasn't working. It was a bummer for my son, he really enjoyed it. But he couldn't handle it after 8 hours of school. This year, he is on the right med (focalin XR) and takes a booster before chess club--he is doing great. Deciding to medicate was really hard, I wanted to, my husband did not. The results have been very positive. Kids with adhd tend to misread or miss social cues.

We did see a ton of maturity between 6 and 8. He still makes misteps, but the overall situation is 100% improved. Stick with this board, it has been a tremendous help to my son and our family.

my son is 4 1/2. Last year when he was unmedicated, the kids didnt want
to play with him because of his bahavior and impulsiveness.

After a year of being on meds, not only is his focus on his work/class
improved a thousand ties over, but socially it has helped him. His
friends/classmates are not afraid of him and want to play with him. He
wants to play with other kids. He needs a little push to make friends, but
he is doing ok.

I feel that being medicated, it helps give them the tools to listen to social
cues and so on. You can help him learn not only school stuff, but how to
behave and how to make friends. If their brain is slowed down a little, you
can try to teach them to be conscience of his actions like keeping hands
to yourself and teach him to try to control it or redirect it.I agree with redbanana. Meds do help but it's not going to make him be where you want him to be socially. It will help him yes, but he will probably be socially immature for years to come. It's how it goes with adhd. It helps but doesn't cure. Any help you could give him would be something...these kids just mature slower than non adhd and also get along better with younger (one to two years) kids. The meds should help him have more control over his actions and words..not toal control but enough to help him out and the rest will come with age and experience. good luck

Does a ADHD child's social skills and maturity improve on meds, or just their ability to focus on school work? My 6.5 year old son was just diagnosed last week and we are in the big debate to med or not to med. I am so stressed and worried about his self esteem and social connections and much as the school work and focus. I think he is having some social issues, but his teacher does not think they are a big problem at this point, but he is always getting sent to the principals office for not keeping his hands to himself and behaving inappropriately. I know the kids see this as several have told their parents!

For those on meds, can you help me understand the benefits? Thanks!