Would like some feedback on your opinion in ritalin

[Jo]

Hi, My son is 4 1/2 years old and has some very bad discipline problems, yesterday we started him in his 5th daycare because most schools do not want to deal with his behavior!  He isnt bad 100 percent of the day, but he does not listen, if you put him in time out he throws things and has temper tantrums!  I love him dearly and only want the best for him!  A lot of people are already telling me he needs ritalin, but i dont know a lot about it! I read up on it in some of the sites on AOL, but did not like what I read!  I really didnt see anything positive at all, so if you could possibly tell me anything it would do to improve him, besides just making matters worse, please let me know!  Thank You Kindly!

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Jo,

The first priority is to achieve a diagnosis of your son's condition. If he displays Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (characterized by an array of symptoms revolving around inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity), even at his young age medication could be helpful. However, most pediatric mental health professionals are reluctant to recommend medication for such a young child. There are instances, though, when the severity of the condition does call for medication. Ritalin is one of several so-called psychostimulants that are prescribed to treat ADHD. For a four-year-old, though, Ritalin is often not the first choice. Rather, Dexedrine is often preferred over Ritalin for pre-schoolers. Such medications can be quite effective in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity and in improving attentional abilities.

Some of your son's behavior, such as oppositionality and tantrumming, are not symptoms of ADHD, though these behaviors are often associated with ADHD. Thus, the situation needs to be clarified before determining if Ritalin, or any other medication, should even be prescribed. You can seek an evaluation by a child mental health professional to help you clarify what might be responsible for your son's difficulties.

[TINA]

Jo,
       It is my belief that this ritalin is a cop out for lazy parents.  I agree that some kids have behavior problems but I dont believe in medicating them to the point where they are not acting in a normal fashion.  I have nephews on the stuff and I have worked in day care with kids on it as well.  I observed behavior that, to me, was a little scarry.  The kids are listless and inactive.  I have a 6 yr ol daughter who is having some problems right now and people tell me she needs to be on it, but I will never resort to medication to put my child in a state where she is like a wet noodle.  God only gives us what we can handle and I believe that if we are persistant, we can handle these children.  What did they do 30 years ago when ritalin was not available?

[paula]

30yrs ago they labeled children as lazy , stupid, dumb,and trouble makers , very few of these kids got through school, and many of these children, to say the least, had very poor self esteem. Many parents today have tried many other things before they decided on medication. I know I have, but, for now this is the only thing I have found that has worked for my child. He can do his school work and get along with the other children in his class.I think this is much better, then being labeled.