5yr old on adderal?

[robsteph]

My 5yr son was diagnosed with ADHD 3weeks ago. His doctor wants to out him on adderal. Im scared to put him on meds like that but he does need help. My husband and I just went to talk to his teacher today and hes not doing so well in school. He does not pay attention to her, he is alway moving around in his seat or getting up, always talking. I just wanted some advise on putting kids his age on adderal and is there other meds out there that might work better? Im new to all this so i dont know alot about it. Thanks

[khw3754]

I have 4 years expereince with dealing with AD/HD children. My opinion and also my opinion comes in handy since this previous book that I have been reading. Pills only make things worse in the long run, they temporarily restore insanity, if your 5 yr old is flying off the handle, you give him the pill, it will calm him down only for a short while, I know that children with AD/HD you cannot yell at them, be angry with them, or raise your voice, or hit them, because AD/HD is the cause of their mis-deameanor and misbehavior doing those things like yelling, raising your voice, being angry and hitting them, even' spanking, just makes it worse for them, because they get more angry. If you remain calm, and speak to them in a calm voice eventually after a very short time they will become nearly monotone themselves, because they are noticing that you are recongnizing there symptoms, and are understanding it. As well, I would like to recommend a book I am currently reading, not sure if you have heard of this author before but he is an MD his name is Kevin Trudeau, book is titled, "Natural Cures They Don't want you to know about." It will help you as it explains that your child doesn't need to take pills for the rest of his life, and there are natural ways to cure your son from AD/HD, please give it a try read it, and try out Kevin's advice and step by step assistance.

[robsteph]

So i was reading alitte about it and im a little lost. I have neer heared of the before. Is there a few different types of Sensory Processing Disorder? If so he seems to have signs of Vestibular Dysfunction  Hyposensitivity To Movement (Under-Responsive. He was to start meds for ADHD yesterday but i cant get to swollow the pill. I will keep reading about it and thanks so much for your help.

[specialmom]

Coming in way on the tail end of this-----------  question for ya.  Have you ever heard of sensory integration disorder?  This is a nervous system issue as adhd is and they can look very similar.  My son has sensory integration disorder and we do a rich diet of activities that feed his nervous system.  He is what they call a sensory seeker and needs a lot of input into his system.  He's a mover and a shaker like your son.  Google sensory integration disorder and see if you see anything that rings a bell.  We've been doing OT for a couple of years and my son responded really well to this.  He's 6.5 and in first grade.  He is doing really fantastic in school and has never been medicated.  We got the right diagnosis for him.  As these two things can look so similar, I always try to tell people to look into sensory integration disorder vs. just going with adhd to make sure they are going down the right road for treatment.  Meds do not work on sensory.  Google it and see what you think and then if it matches at all----------- my growing list of about a million games and activities to slow down that nervous system are at your disposal.  good luck

[robsteph]

So we went to the doctor and now im waiting on the insurance to cover the meds and then hopefully he starts that meds next saturday. And then i hope he starts focusing in school. Thats my maid worry is school i want him to do well. So after he starts the meds the doc want s to see him in a week to make sure everythings going ok with him or if we need to change doseage. thanksso much for ur replys.

[Sandman2]

   It does sound like you have a good doctor!  Remember, that it is typical to start out on a very low dose and wait for parent response.  Make sure you communicate with your doctor what is going on.  Within a couple of days you will notice a change, if not -let your doctor know.  Please post back and let me know how this works out for you and him!  Best wishes!

[robsteph]

Yes i really like his doctor he observed him in the office for about an hour and with my survey and his teachers he then told us that he thinks he has ADHD and could use a low dose of adderall to start off with then work our way up if needed. We go back to the doctor tomorrow to talk about the med hes putting him on and all the side affects. I just hope that this helps him b/c i want him to do good in school. This has really affected him in school. Thanks and i will check out that book and im looking at the website right now. Thanks so much

[Sandman2]

      Yes, it does sound like your doctor has followed all the right steps, and I really like his decision to wait.  I would like to have known what kind of a doctor he is just because a psychologist or psychiatrist will follow up and work with the child and parents more than a pediatrician will.  And meds alone are never just the answer so a doctor that just hands them out and then says see ya next year is not good news. However, it sounds so far like your doctor is doing all of the right things (although you didn't mention him recommending any behavioral strategies)  
      I also would highly recommend that you buy the book,
      "The ADD/ ADHD Answer book," by Susan Ashley.  You are going to be dealing with this for a long time and this book will be very helpful.
     The question about adderal is something that really only can be answered by trying it under very controlled conditions.  It would be great if it didn't have to be used, but literally hundreds of thousands of kids (if not more) have used it.  Some swear by it, some swear at it.  Its not unusual to try different meds (if necessary) to find the one that works best - which is why parent/doctor communication is so important.
    You can find a lot of information at the following site.  And that may also help you
http://www.healing-arts.org/children/ADHD/medications.htm#Overview
     Good luck!

[robsteph]

He turns 6 in january, and yes he did go to preschool, He had the same problems there as he does now. We told the doctor about his behavor about a year ago and he said the he would like to wait to diagnose him with it because it might change but he is not in kindergarden and noting has changed. The doctor did survey his teacher and me and also his preschool teacher. At home he just does not listen to me or my husband, hes always on the go jumping and runing all over the place. Never wants to sit down, Its a fight every night for him to do his homework. I know he needs help but im just not sure if adderal is right for him and not sure what will happen if he does take it. Im just so confused, Thanks for the reply

[Sandman2]

  When is his birthday?  Did he go to any type of preschool?  Did he have the same problems there?    Does he have the same problems at home?  Did the doctor survey both you and the teacher?  What kind of a speciality does the doctor have?
   Sorry for all the questions, (which hopefully your doctor also asked) but they are very important.  If your doctor didn't ask them, they are really important - as the first question is always does he have ADHD?  The second is, can the Kindergarten teacher deal with this (because apparently you did)?