ADHD & ODD | ADHD Information

Unfortunately, you can't discipline a child out of a disorder or get  a true handle on it with behavior medication standing alone no matter what program someone is selling. Also if the child is truly ADHD, what your seeing is not defiance. The child is incapable of following rules that  he may not hear due to lack of focus but also, the element of impulsivity which leads them to act in the moment.......not making a choice (LEAPING WITHOUT LOOKING) Defiance is when the child hears all the instructions, is cable of making a choice but makes a choice not the follow the rules. Being defiant is a choice made. In ADHD, the child is acting on impulse. There is no decision process.

The child, first and foremost has to get effective treatment. Without it no other interventions will work very well. Once the child is getting effective treatment, a good behavior medication plan will be very effective if implemented properly but you don't have to spend 0.00 to get one. There are several other ADHD medications besides ritilan. Response to medication is very individual and what doesn't work for one person may work for another. Also, I would look into getting a second opinion because risperidol is normally given for a mood disorder and when ADHD med's are given to a child with a mood disorder, it can trigger  a manic episode so confirm the diagnosis before doing anything else. Please keep us posted and good luck!

We did the Total Transformation Program recently.  To be honest, when I saw the commercials, they made me mad because I felt it was one of those programs that didn't beleive in ADHD but just felt the parents didn't discipline the child enough.  Anyway, my son's school recently offered the program to any parents interested.  I was hesitant because my child isn't a discipline problem and the program comes off as being for really problem children but I talked with parents that had done the program and decided to take it.  It is a great program for ANY child.  I learned sooo much!  It isn't going to cure ADHD but if you have any discipline issues of any kind,  he has some good recommendations on how to handle things.  I would recommend the course (although I'm not sure I would pay 0 for it).  I think the program has a $ back guarantee so you might want to get it, listen to the CD's quickly and decide from there is it would work for you.  If the child's parents are having issues I'm not sure how well the program would work as it involves commitment on the part of the parents.

Good luck!

 

Hi Bethann,

He also is on medication.  I think Risperdole.  They tried Ritalin and maybe Clonodine.  He just has those uncontrollable times and I'm afraid he will turn other kids away with his behavior.  He did well in preschool but it is those unstructured times that it really is obvious and can be so embarrassing watching....  Just looking for anything at this point....

hi booboo,

I wonder if the meds are the right ones or if the doseage needs to be increased?

I would call the doctor and discuss. With all the meds out there, there is definetely one that can help. Our tenex helps with our son's impulsiveness. maybe mention it to his doctor!!

Best wishes!!

Are you confident in his diagnosis?  Did a specialist make the diagnosis or a pediatrician?  I'm just asking because it's so hard to get the right diagnosis sometimes especially when kids are so young.  But the right diagnosis is the key to the right treatment.  For instance, my son's doctor said for my son that it was very important to make sure he was ADHD instead of Bi Polar because the two disorders and look a lot alike (he's ADHD).  The medicines are very different and will have an aggravating effect if, for instance, the ADHD meds are givin to a bi polar kid.

I never understood exactly what ODD was but again the helped.  He said with ADHD kids they get so frustrated and overwhelmed that the negative energy has to go somewhere.  In the case of my son he turned it inward and started having self esteem problems ("I'm a loser" "Nobody likes me at school because I'm always in trouble" etc) Other kids turn it outward toward other people and it comes out as anger and defiance (ODD). 

I've never heard of "The Total Transformation" so I don't know if it's a good program or not (sorry!)  I do know that we tried almost everything with my son to try to stay off of medication but eventually we saw that it was necessary.  It is the ONLY thing that has ever worked for my son.  It took 5-6 months of different meds and doses but it's finally paid off.  WOW what a difference it has made!

Good luck!

 

 

I am a mother of a 12 yr old ADHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHD son, as well as a 10 yr old daughter.

My son could be your grandson when he was 5. We were diagnosed just shy of 5 but did not do anything else to help due to our fear of medication and denial.

IT all came to a head when he entered 1st grade. It was horrible. He truly couldn't help himself and his self esteem plunged. His teacher, who had been teaching for well over 30 yrs, knew he was adhd just by her experience alone. She tried everything to help him because she understood he couldnt' help himself. After all was said and done, we began meds. It took awile, but was well worth it. He no longer shows any of those signs, unless he needs an increase in dosage.

I am not a med pusher, just a mother to a wonderful son. His doctor has actually said that his true personality never came out because the adhd was always in his way.

I have never heard of that program. I honestly stay with the typical help, we saw a pediatric neuropsychologist for the diagnosis and his pediatrician recommended a psychopharmacologist who specializes in this field. I personally do not try other things, I am afraid due to him being a child and want to be under the supervision of a professional doctor. Unfortunatley people still don't believe in adhd and their are those looking to make $ off of innocent children and adults. That is just wrong in my book!

 

They said my son have ODD as well as ADHD but as someone pointed out if when the ADHD meds work the ODD systems go away... its not really ODD. Im not too sure about the paying for advise program. It might work it might not. There are lots of book and great people on here who can help you for free Hi.  My grandson is 5-1/2 and has both ADHD and ODD.  Started out they said he had PDD-NOS but it's probably the ODD.  Preschool was wonderful for him but he is playing t-ball and is so defiant when he is in these situations.  Has anyone heard of the program "The Total Transformation"?  It sounds too good to be true and it's 0 but I'd pay it in a minute if it would help him and his parents.  Their marriage is not the best and this doesn't help it at all.  There is a 3 year old sister who I think is maybe following in the same path.   Any sugestions or is there a board for ODD?