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.
Janeof OH3:17PM July 18, 2009
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.
Joanite Iglesiasof OH1:04PM July 13, 2009
Rather interesting. Has few times re-read for this purpose to remember. Thanks for interesting article. Waiting for trackback
derekpmof AL5:19PM July 12, 2009
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.
Ms Shenof MS2:19AM July 04, 2009
My son is 5 he will be in kg next year he was diagnosed this year with adhd his teaceh say that he is not going to be ok in shcool next year he is not on meds but i did try them for 30days i don't think a kid so little sould be on meds like that i am a yourg mom i just want to know were do i start?
iesha12:39AM April 24, 2009
I THINK PARENT EXPETATION SHOULD BE UP TO CHILD ABILITY AND INTERST
MR.SHARMA8:54AM April 08, 2009
We hired an ADHD coach to help with our son, Alex. He's not medicated. Our coach advocated us restructuring our parenting approaches. She also had us use two different programs. We used www.adhdnanny.com to help us schedule routines and to provide consequences when the routine wasn't met. It's definitely for younger kids, but it really helped us manage. We also used Play Attention. It's a neat program that allows Alex to control their games like Harry Potter. He uses his mind to finish tasks and improve memory. It's a long road, but we're doing well. It's good to have someone sort through the clutter to get help.
john glennonof NC12:04PM February 19, 2009
My son, now 11, was initially diagnosed with ODD at age 6. We underwent parent training at a nationally recognized treatment and research center, and sent our child to their ADHD camp for 2 summers. Yet our child never responded well to either our interventions or the camp. We also tried Ritalin, with little effect. We subsequently tried play therapy for 2 years, and treated him medically for anxiety. Again, nothing. Finally, hundreds of thousands of dollars of therapy later, he has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, and can't succeed in a special needs school with an excellent behavioral program without multiple psychotropic medications. My point here is that not all behavioral problems in early childhood are caused by ADHD or its companion, ODD. An excellent and in-depth initial assessment is crucial, and such assessment must be ongoing. ADHD is the go-to diagnosis for behavioral problems, unless they are so severe that the child receives a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. It may be none of the above, and the treatments can be worthless, or worse, detrimental to the child.
This is offered as a caveat only. I know many children properly diagnosed with ADHD who have responded brilliantly to parent training, behavioral treatment, and/or medication.
Sarahof NY10:52AM February 05, 2009
My son is 10, who is 2E (twice exceptional), and has ADHD. He has been on medication for 2 years. I feel as at peace as it is possible for me to feel about our decision. We home school him. I have been teaching basic, specific social skills to him since he was 4. I teach them every day, just like math facts. He has had full psycho-neurological testing (that we paid for out of pocket) to give us more information on how his mind works, and how best to help him. He has a pediatric psycho-pharmacologist for medication titration and adjustment. His team is phenomenal - we've been very lucky - and life is still quite challenging, but he is doing well. People still choose to judge us for using medication as a true last resort.
Who's the one with the problem?
Brenna Gibson Redpathof CA9:54PM February 03, 2009
I have a five year old that I have not yet medicated but I think I may have to in the future. For now, we are trying the DAN! protocol to see if it will have heal the nature of his hyperactivity, impulsivity, and oppositional behavior. It's a long journey but I have heard such good things about it, I felt like I had to try it before we did the meds. Anyway, we've had lots of great parent training but again, it can not be everything, some of these children really can not self-regulate. ADHD is also very emotionally taxing on the parents. They need help but we need help too. My children's ADHD even sent me to the emergency room. You can check out our stories at www.canmombecalm.blogspot.com
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Jane of OH 3:17PM July 18, 2009
Joanite Iglesias of OH 1:04PM July 13, 2009
derekpm of AL 5:19PM July 12, 2009
Ms Shen of MS 2:19AM July 04, 2009
iesha 12:39AM April 24, 2009
MR.SHARMA 8:54AM April 08, 2009
john glennon of NC 12:04PM February 19, 2009
Sarah of NY 10:52AM February 05, 2009
Brenna Gibson Redpath of CA 9:54PM February 03, 2009
Jenn Choi of NY 12:26AM January 18, 2009