New here, intro & need help! | ADHD Information
Definitely talk to the doctor about the best solution. It sounds like several things could be going on: 1. The meds are right they're just wearing off too soon and he needs a "booster" dose later in the afternoon. 2. The original dose may need to go up. Higher doses seem to last longer. or 3. If these things don't help then it sound like he needs a new med.
And to answer your question- No, we don't just grin and bear it in the evenings and you shouldn't have to either! This can be helped! Also if you notice your son acting irrationable, irritable, moody etc in the evenings it may be "rebound". This happens when the meds wear off too early or the dose isn't high enough. You shouldn't have to live with rebound. It can be fixed relatively easily. Get with your doctor and hopefully you'll have the solution soon! Good luck! 
Works great for him.
Sascha: I wouldn't assume the meds are not working, just that they're
wearing off early, which is common from what I'm reading here. It's
actually what we're dealing with currently too. My son takes 10 mg
Focalin XR at about 7 am but he needs a 2.5 short acting booster dose at
11 and again at 2 pm. this seems to take him pretty evenly through
dinner time. He needs melatonin to sleep ( has since long before meds)
and that helps him in the evening. We also give him all his vitamins and
supplements, including fish oil , in the evening so that they don't
interfere with the meds during the day. It's possible he could need a
higher dose if you think you're only seeing minimal results, but even a
higher dose may wear off in the same amount of time. Since you didn't
mention side effects, and are seeing decent results with this med, I would
suggest looking into the dose rather than assume it's not the right med.
Corrina: my son is impulsive as well. what med is working for your guy?If it were me, I'd report this to his doctor. It sounds to me like he might
need a new medication. It's not working well enough. Don't settle when
something else might work better.
As far as the behavior, yes, that sounds like something my son would do.
We had tremendous success using the principals described in the book
The Explosive Child - I highly recommend that you read it.
A lot of my son's behavior seemed like he was being a spoiled brat. But I
have discovered that there is always an explanation for it. He has poor
executive skills, so remembering and following rules, including social
rules, is very difficult for him. He's also very impulsive, so it's hard for
him to pull back to think about what effect his behavior has on those
around him.
The correct medication helped him hugely - it gave him time to think
before he acted. Therapy helped him - there he learned skills he didn't
pick up as a young child because he spent all his energy trying to make
his mind focus. And using the plan in The Explosive Child he was able to
sort through his presumptions, feel that his concerns were heard, and
was finally able to make choices instead of just reacting.
Good luck with your son!Oh, and your question!
Generally, we don't get to the point that we need consequences now. We
use the marble technique because it helps him focus on reaching a goal (a
more positive outlook). I make sure that I clearly state what my problem is
with his behavior, and my expectations. Then I remind him that he will lose
a point if he continues to act that way. Then I give him to the count of 5. It
works about 99% of the time. The other 1% is due to some other reason, like
illness or exhaustion.
Every once in a while, he's just a brat. :-) He's a normal kid, after all.
Hi, I have been lurking here for awhile and decided to participate. I have an 8 year old son diag ADHD approx 5 months ago and started on med's not long after. Whilst we notice they do calm him and take his behaviours down a level or so, the med's only seem to last around 4-5 hours and then we give him half a dose 12-1pm. Thereagain, we notice around 4-5pm, med's are wearing off. Prior to our diag I had no idea about ADHD and med's and I just presumed kids who were on the med's only had to take a table in the morning and it would help them for the whole day.
What do you guy's do, do you medicate later in the day for longer lasting med's into the evening or just give last dose around mid-day and grin and bear the late a/noon/early evening? The med's my son are on are dexamphetamines. As I said, regarding the med's, it's all new to me.
Change of topic. Last night we (family) were all playing musical statue's and my son got out but he wanted to stay in the game so we explained we couldn't go ahead any further with the game till my son step's out of the game to which he grizzled and got upset, pulled out the portable CD player plug to stop music for us and walked out the room saying how mean we were and he was going to leave home etc............I just don't expect this sort of behaviour at 8 1/2 yrs old.
Does this sort of incident sound somewhat similar to what your child would do and also what consequence's do you give your child for backchatting?
Thanks heaps and this is a great support board.
Sascha