ADHD Medication: Can Your Child Go Without?

I got a question that no one so far seems to be able to answer. How can you reward a child who seriously misbehaves primarily at school on a constant basis, even if you are following all the suggested advice from psychologist and so on(e.g. Giving short specific instructions, more praise than nagging points sheets /star sticker boards, time out, etc.) and they still get into trouble despite the use of these tactics?

I have my 8yr old son who is pretty well behaved at home, although he can get excited at times with other kids or when he's just being silly around people and I have to tell him to not get carried away a couple of times every once in a while. When does this I believe it's because he hasn't had many friends to play with, not because of his behavior but because now days I don't see too many kids playing out in their yards like when I was a kid. You even see evidence of what I'm saying because for some time there has been several commercial ads. on t.v. encouraging children to "Get out and get active".

Aside from his own responsibility one reason I believe he's having trouble is possibly due to the teachers not being specially trained to deal with kids like him even thought he goes to specialized school where children like him have the same issues. Nonetheless I find it hard to reward him consistently when he keeps getting into the same problems we've discussed the previous days ago.

So anyone got any answers?

T-man of WA 12:04PM November 18, 2011

my son was haveing a lot of black outs and we had him tested for sezioures. the doctor said there was nothing wrong so he told me to take him off his meds. we have done that and the episodes have gottin better but he is still unrulely, disrespectful, and uncontrolable. do you have any advice for dealing with this. any kind would be greatly appreciated im at my wits end he is 14 yrs old. thank you for your time

darrel philemon of NC 3:59PM July 26, 2010

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.

Joy of KY 9:14PM November 19, 2009

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.

Amy of NE 7:37PM October 11, 2009