Is the lead link a new thing? | ADHD Information
After years of battling with friends and family over my son's behavior (not to mention my battles with him), I finally had him evaluated and he was diagnosed as ADHD. We had a nightmare of a time trying the amphetamine based meds, but he is now taking Straterra and doing very well.My concern is about lead exposure. My son had elevated levels of lead at 1-year, which we brought down to safe levels by 15-months. I was warned that there can be a link to lead and developmental delays, but my son didn't exhibit any problems reaching his milestones, so I was told not to worry. I was never informed that lead poisoning might be linked to ADHD. I am interested in how new this research is, as my son is now 6-yrs-old, and this is the first I've ever heard of it.I'm not sure how old the research is, but the link is noted in a book I read by Russell Barkley that is copyrighted 1997.
That makes sense. My older brother is 40yrs-old, but he was given coffee in Kindergarten for ADD. Would it have to be a closer relationship than that? As for the lead exposure, it was only around 13, or maybe 16? I don't even remember, because the ped wasn't too worried after his levels dropped. As far as school? We are a VERY verbal family, so his language/reading is ok. Though, of he doesn't get a word right the first try, he will throw the book across the room, and refuse to read the rest. Impulses are very hard for him to regulate. BUT, it's his writing skills that are atrocious; all caps, no spacing, can't stay on the line, spells with a lisp (which he has), etc. And, of course, his hugest area of delay is in social skills, which were absolutely nonexistent before Straterra, but are 25% better now. Has been doing ok in math, because he brings all of his work home, and I spend hours doing worksheets with him. I'm practically homeschooling him, but if he didn't go to school, he wouldn't have any social interaction, because we live in a very rural area, and I don't really have friends with children his age. I am going to be meeting with the OT at his school before his next RTI meeting (in two weeks). I'm hoping she will have better input for classroom interventions. He may not be too far behind right now, but I could see that gap widening without interventions right now.
Glad to know that my laxity about eating dirt isn't the culprit, I can now blame my relatives, since they've been blaming my parenting for yearsLOL!
There is definetely a genetic component to adhd with your brother having it.
I have no experience with lead poisoning. I tent to think he is a adhd kind of guy.
He doesn't sound severe if strattera has helped him the way you describe.
The other things you mention, including social, is all very adhd.
You are an awesome mom, don't let anyone ever make you feel differently about that. You really know your child and his progress and where he has been.
He is lucky to have you!!
Keep us posted and have a great weekend. 
oneortheother,
ADHD is genetic. Someone in your family blood line also has it. Are you able to find the link?
I personally, wouldn't worry if my child had no problems reaching the milestones during the developemental times.
HOw is he doing in school, any learning/reading difficulties?