ADHD Medication: Can Your Child Go Without?

Medicating is a hard choice

I think that using medication is a decision as individual as each child. I have a sone who has been on stimulant medication for combined type ADHD since he was 6. Before he started taking it, he could not even spell his name or look you in the eye. I always knew that he was a smart boy and behavior modifications, therapy, and special vitamins and diet did nothing to help him reach his potential. I am sure I made the right decision for him. I have another son who is hyper and has focus attention problems as well. He is 10 and we have not tried any medicine because his problems have never been educationally significant. He can learn, he just can be disruptive and highly talkative at times. I am still thinking about trying a medication for him because he now sees how different his behavior id=s from the other kids and is beginning to have peer/social problems. At any rate, if you do try meds, don't feel guilty about it. DO what you think is best for your child, a parent always knows best.

Medications

In a lot of children, including my case, medications didn't help. It's probably on a case by case basis, but taking mine off medications and altering their environment did the trick for us. Maybe it can help others?

Our friend studied this stuff and just posted a powerpoint slide she presented in her graduate program...Maybe some will find this interesting too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7Qjh7KcK9c

Hello

My son is almost twelve years old. He was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 3. I did try medications when he was 6 but not for long at all. I hated what it did to him. He never misbehaved at school and got in trouble. He did have focus and attention issues but nothing the teachers couldn't handle because they were willing to work with him. To this day he has not been on any medication since the age of 6 and he is a happy, healthy, normal boy. Yes, he has his days but he is just a normal boy who deals with his ADHD and knows when to put himself in a timeout or go in his room for awhile. I am very encouraged by this article and have always just had very strict rules and guidelines for my son to follow and schedule is very important. When he was younger I just labeled everything and had a note by the front door to remind him what to take to school and what he should have with him on other days. His room will never be clean but I have learned to deal with that and eventually he comes around and cleans his room about every 3 to 4 weeks. He is a great kid and loves life and I am so glad I chose to parent him rather than medicate him.

ADHD

My son has been recently diagnosed with hyperactivity disorder. He is on meds. because his teacher can not get him to sit down in her lessons. This is working during school hours. I don't do it after school,weekends or holidays. He says he feels tired now at school but he is remembering his homework and instructions between teacher and home. He is 9. I agree with doing more parenting training. It helps to love them and understand they are prone to distractions and behaviour that seems out there.

I respect your work

Hmm... I read blogs on a similar topic, but i never visited your blog. I added it to favorites and i'll be your constant reader.

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I feel for you all!!

Our son is now 7 and has ADHD and a server mood disorder. In kindergardern he was exspelled for his behavior and the plublic school system told us they were unable to teach our son, but would help us find a school that would help us. Our son is NOT medicated for the ADHD but for only the mood disorder. If any of you parents out there are located anywhere near the Cleveland OH area, please check out the Rainbows Babies and Childrens web site they have a whole team of doctors and volunteers that will just listen and help you along the way and they will never force one pill down your child. They also try to do everything as a family unit which has been great for my family. As for my son's school, our school district offers a special program to allow him to go to a private school for his disorder. All public school have a EEP plan or what ever your school dirstict may call it that the PARENT MUST request which is a detail out line of how the school is going to handle the special needs of your childs condition and how they plan to make sure he or she can be taught in a safe and productive school and must follow it and both the parent and the school must agree on the plan.

THANK YOU!!!

My name is Joanite Iglesias and I have a 5yr old daughter who was diagnosed with ADHD. I was advised (which seemed more like bribery) to medicate my daughter. This brought me to tears, and I refused, determined there is another way.

This article has given me the confidence I needed to continue to stand my ground and leave not stone unturned until I find a solution.

I have recently started Grad School online at Strayer University, and my first course is Research and Strategic. I have to complete a 20 page research paper, and my daughter was the inspiration for my topic Is It Necessary to Medicate a Child with ADHD. I will both educate myself, as well as complete my assigment.

Rather interesting

Rather interesting. Has few times re-read for this purpose to remember. Thanks for interesting article. Waiting for trackback

5 yr old....Iesha's son

Dea Iesha

Pls don't put yr son on medications...try other interventions etc....pls contact me so I can advise you..I am dealing with many ADD/ADHD kids and I try to help them cope..etc.