dealing with ADD w/out medication

[jenkaye21]

Hi all, I am new to this forum and just beginning to search for info on ADD/ADHD.  My son is 7 years old and in 2nd grade.  He has not been formally diagnosed with ADD, but I am becoming more and more certain that he would be diagnosed with the disorder if "tested".  I do know that there is no definite test, but a diagnosis made based on parents/teachers/others' observations of the inidivdual's behavior.  As a teacher, I have had many students with ADD/ADHD, both medicated and not, and I am quite clear on the symptoms.

My son exhibits the "inattenive" type of the disorder, with none of the aggression or hyperactivity.  He is sweet, loving, kind, and eager to please.  He is very intelligent and creative.  This year, his grades have slipped from all A's to mostly Bs and even a C on his last report card.  The C was for Self-development, which includes behavior, respect, responsibility, etc.  He forgets to bring home homework, then forgets to turn it in.  He has trouble concentrating on a task.  A spelling assignment that should take no more than 10 minutes takes him 25.  He has to be constantly redirected.  I could go on and on, but this is already longer than I intended. =)

My question to parents of a child with ADD is, What strategies have you found to be successful in dealing with your child's ADD?  I guess I am talking mainly about schoolwork.homework.  As a teacher, of course, I have received training and information on working with children who have ADD.  But- as a parent, it is quite a different perspective.  Has anyone found dietary changes to be helpful?  Specific rewards?  Charts or tables or checklists??  I am miles away from considering medication (I don't even think I'm ready to have him diagnosed),  
and I do not know where to begin.   Any suggestions/ experiences would be greatly appreciated!!

[jenkaye21]

Thanks for the suggestions.  So far I've only read info from the internet (not always the best source).  I plan to pick up one or both of those books later this week.  Thanks again!

[jenkaye21]

Wow, that sounds like my child exactly!  Following directions the first time?!?  Not gonna happen! LoL  It would be like a miracle!  

I am glad to hear medication helped your son.  I would consider it as a last resort.  I only want what's best for him; if medication would help him succeed and feel good about himself and be happy, of course I would try it.  But I am concerned about the negatives you mention.

Why did they switch your son to Vyance?  It seems like if he was fine on Concerta, it should've been left at that.  I guess finding the right dosage is hard, and the child unfortunately has to suffer the ups and downs will they try to figure it out. = (

[deej757]

My son went into 3rd grade and two weeks after school started a note from the teacher came home. It wasn't bad but it said your child needs to follow directions the first time of being asked. I was like" does that really happen"???? Children do that? I was serious. We always had to repeat ourselves, no matter how many times we took stuff away he still had to be told many times. Then things started to click. He was taking 45 mins. to an hour to do his homework. Get easily confused/ frustrated when doing work. Forgetting things at school. Major mood swings. When being told to do something and him not wanting to was like a huge deal....... I was stressed out. So he got on Concerta and is was wonderful. As the year passed the dose was uped and he continued to do great. Now within the passed 3 months the meds. do not seem to be working. He went on Vyvance and I am so concerned. He seems so withdrawn, more than before. He doesn't want to talk about anything that you put thought into and all he wants to do is play outside. I'm so lost. I want him to be happy and not stuggle through school. Know I'm waiting to hear from the Dr.

[Sandman2]

Two really good books with loads of ideas.    
Sandra Rief’s "How to Reach and Teach Children with ADD/ADHD".  This has a ton of information on teaching kids with ADHD?ADD.  Its almost too much information for a parent who is just starting out needing info, great for a teacher.
The second is "The ADD/ ADHD Answer book," by Susan Ashley. Much shorter, concise, not as detailed, but still very useful.
  I would probably start with Ashley's book, and then progress to Rief's book as needed.
  You are taking a wise approach.  There are a ton of things that you can do to help your child.  I also really think that keeping him "in the loop" in an age appropriate way is very important.  Best wishes!