Question for Parents of Children Diagnosed with AD/HD

Where did you ever get an idea that children with ADHD on medication is sad and depressed? Lets just put it this way...WRONG! In fact kids on medication are actually happier, because they have the control of their bodies without their impulses and their brain slowing down to make "good choices". Plus, you can't diagnose a child for ADD or ADHD until they reach school age. My children are more happier then they have ever been. Plus, ADHD comes in certain degrees. I tried changing their diets, vitamins..etc. Nothing worked until we found the RIGHT mediacation and dosage. It took us several months to get the perfect dose and type of mediacation, once we found it, they were still the same kids but better!

The child you saw was on the wrong medication or dosage. That just doesn't happen when a skilled doctor makes recommendations and parents stay on top of things. If that happened with our son, he'd be off that medication entirely.

Our son also showed signs of ADHD at three. Your district can't diagnose. You need to see a specialist like a psychiatrist, behavioral pediatrician or neuropsychologist.

We tried behavioral therapy long before medication and it didn't help. It was only when our son started medication that the techniques we learned through therapy worked. It was like giving a child who can't see well glasses. Very transforming and positive. His personality and spunk are the same -- zero change -- but his behavior is in the normal range. He's thrived on medication. I highly recommend that if it is ADHD that you talk to the doctors about treatment strategies and avoid online info., especially from the uneducated and misinformed public. This is a genetic brain disorder and the doctors know how to treat it. Diet, vitamins, detoxing, new cleaning products and other supposed alternatives don't work and will waste your time and money.

Check out the websites for ADDitude magazine and CHADD for the best information about this condition.

Medication should not ever make a child out of it. If that is happening the wrong medication and/or dosage is being given.

My son is still my goofy son. Our days are not focused about me correcting his behavior, our days are not spent in frustration or the anxiety of me trying to take him in public. So I still have to correct him and punishment of course, but it's not an all day long ordeal.

He is able to do his best in school. He is a bright kid but was failing because he spent most of his time in the "buddy room" aka room for the kids misbehaving.

I do think you should try other methods first but no parent should think they failed because medication is decided on. You have to do what is best for your child and your family. Just remember what's best for one isn't best for another. =)

Best of Luck.

My son was diagnosed with ADHD at 4. He is now 7. I know that doctors do not like to diagnose children until they are at least 6 years old, so it may be difficult for you to get a diagnosis this early. I was very persistant with my son's dr becuase I just "knew". I think it depends on the severitiy of the ADHD as to whether behavorial therapies work. At 4, I did not want to medicate, so we did behavorial therapy, saw a psychiatrist, and I try to have him eat all natural, no artificial stuff, especially colors and I limit sugar intake (I still do this). All of this stuff does help to a point, but we could not get his focus where it needed to be for school, so he is on a very low dose during the school year in addition to all of the other things I do with him.
If an ADHD child loses their "spark and excitement" on medication, they are on the wrong medication or dosage for them. It is most often a trial and error thing, and many medications and doses need to be tried to get the right "fit". I didn't like what the first two medications did to my son's personality, so we tried something different. The next medicationw orked, but I felt it worked "too well", so we cut the dose in half, and we now have a winner.
Good luck

I saw that several already commented how doctor's do not like to diagnose a child with ADHD at such an early age, but I didn't see anyone mention any of the facts regarding why so I thought I would just touch on that so you can consider all issues. We met with a pediatric neuropsych who specialized in ADHD and other learning/behavior impairments for children due to various issues our daughter was having. He was great at explaining why it is important to not prematurely try to diagnose a child w/ADHD and why that really is a diagnosis that should be reserved for once a child is in school and struggling with learning as a result of the inability to stay attentive. There are too many factors (personality, maturity, etc) when not in a school setting that may "mimic" what some would call ADHD behaviors. And the whole reason for ADHD diagnosis is to confirm if there is a learning impairment so until the child is in school it does not seem to warrant that diagnosis. (I am definitely simplifying what the doctor said to us.) Also, I agree that meds are not necesssary to control true ADHD. In fact, a parent should never just rely on meds alone. If the child truly has ADHD, then there must be behavioral modifications and learning modifications throuhgout the child's school career in order to find an effective method to overcoming the symptoms of ADHD to allow the child the ability to perform well at school. Just another perspective to consider. Good luck!

K., I have a similar issue with my son. I have seen a child diagnosed with ADHD at three but they don't like to give the diagnosed until they are absolutely sure that is the issue. I would suggest for you take your son the pre-school screen for your district because even if he doesn’t have it, he might be at risk of being delayed. Depending on the district they might be able to work with you to see what strategies works best for him.

Diet can help quiet effectively, especially when combined with a great psychologist.

Please try the Feingold Program before trying any meds. If that doesn't help, then also eliminate gluten and dairy.

I am happy to help more if you need it. My daughter had an initial diagnosis of ADD - the "H" was taken out because that part was managed solely by removing food colorings!! The A and two D's were removed later after Feingold. Her big trigger is apples!

M.
our food blog: www.chickiepea.wordpress.com

I also agree that something was not right either with the diagnosis, medication or dosage for that child. My son just started taking meds this past summer....if it is working correctly, it just makes it possible for them to focus and self regulate their behavior. It doesn't change the child. My son is still the silly, clever guy he always was, it's just not in overdrive and he is sooo much more enjoyable to be around. He showed signs early too, but no good psych is going to give you meds at this age anyway, so trying diet changes etc is probably a good idea right now. Also, go to a psychologist first for a diagnosis, then to a psychiatrist for meds and a therapist for therapy. The school won't give you any kind of official diagnosis.