too young for medication

In my opinion, giving meds to a 3 year old is too young.  As with the other posts, I would try supplements, change in diet, behavior mod. etc. before placing him on meds.  Even though I had suspicions with my 6 1/2 year old son early on, he will be taking Concerta for the first time on Monday. 

Diane

pamelawalling

First, when a family doctor or pediatrician diagnoses a child with ADHD, I highly recommend escalating to a child psychiatrist who is an expert in this field.  I'm sure that your pediatrician is good, but he is a generalist and as such may see ADHD generically rather than a condition that is sub grouped into three different categories (attention deficit, hyperactive or low impulse control) which often is a combination of the types.  If your child has ADHD, then it's a life long condition that can be successfully managed by a combination of behavioral therapy, diet and some cases medication.  Get an expert on your team now so that you don't have to experiment with various treatments until you have it right. 

Regarding meds for a 3 year old; if proper diet, vitamin supplements and behavior modification with a professional family therapist do not effect change, then as a last resort, meds should be considered.  There is a lot of literature that encourages waiting as long as possible before prescribing meds since the age at which brain chemistry and development matures is of concern.

We were fortunate to be able to wait until our guy was 7 years before starting him on Ritalin (have since transition to Strattera).  We were able to wait because we were blessed with great and patient teachers but did spend a lot of time at school and in the principal's office. 

I can't tell you what is right for your child (since every kid is different) but I guarantee you, you will know the time to use meds.  It will be at a point where everyone in your household has lost patience because your parenting tools no longer work.  It will be at a point when your interactions with your child are conducted more in a yelling voice than in a calm rational one.  It will be at a point where your child is crying and depressed because no one wants to play with him.  It will be at a point when you flinch every time you pick him up from school or daycare waiting for the avalanche of reports about her misbehaviors. 

I can only tell you that if you do have to resort to meds, and you get the type and the amount correct, you will find that loving, caring and happy child that somehow got lost and has suddenly reappeared.

Please, keep us posted.

Paul

Personally, I feel it is too young. I would try behavior modification and vitamins before meds. I am not against meds--my almost 7 yo SD is on Adderall. I just feel that at 3 yo it is difficult to definately diagnose ADHD. What kind of doctor did you go to? I would suggest a neuro-pschologist for a second opinion. They seem to have the most success with a definate diagnosis than anyone else.

However, you are his mother and know best. There are paarents here that are medicating their 3 yo with great success. So, that is definately something to take into consideration. Ultimately, it is YOUR choice to make from your heart. You won't have to justify yourself to anyone.

We recently had our son evaluated and diagnosed by a psychologist who specializes in children with ADHD and similar issues.  Our son is adopted, and his two birth brothers have ADHD, so we knew it was possible/probible since birth.  However, she would not evaluate him until he was 6. 

That said, he has fairly "mild" ADHD, so we were comfortable waiting.  But I would want a second opinion if it were my 3 year old.