Not sure about nedication on young children

[Caty73]

My five year old has a speech delay. He has been on a special education program since he was 3.
His teacher and other people from the school district told us a year ago that they think my son falls under the autism spectrum. They say he shows atipycal behaviors such as not playing with peers, likes to be with adults, does diferent things with materials, instead of doing what he is asked to do.
They also say that he does not remain at task, needs lots of redirection and is very distractive.
We took him to his doctor and he did not think he falls under the autism spectrum. Then we took him to a neurologist. He does not think so either.
Our son has done a lot of progress, from saying just one word ("agua") when he started the program, he now talks in full sentences. He still has some issues with the speech though. The neurologist did mention the possibility of A.D.D. Is he too young to take medication? What are the risks?

[adhd4yrolds]

I'm a special education teacher and my son was recently diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 4 and 1/2.  We were originally againtst medication but after doing research and talking with our long time pediatrician he suggested the new drug Focalin.  It was tested for 10 yrs. and has immediate results to get into their system.  We're monitoring it daily with his preschool and at home and he's taking 10mg. dose to last up to 8 hrs. and then we'll asess again in one week.  The nice thing about this drug our doctor told us is it doesn't have to be taken on the weekends if not needed.  You might ask your doctor about that and if it would be something to help ADD?  Good luck:)

[rbcf]

Check his thyriods My daughter had this also and they said she had ADD and come to find out after 4 years of meds for it .  I made them test for Thyriod and come to find out it was.  Pulse was 130 setting and If  she gets tired and hyper and really tired please check.  They figured out she had it at birth and there is a lot of kids out there who has it right now or getting it .  She is 11 and can't do alot of what is asked of her.  Almost 3 before she talked and unblanced.  Everyone is different but thyriod should be checked.  The doctor said Amino acid slightly up but  after all these years they didn't test for thyriod and wasn't going to .  They thought it was Iron, b 12, or folic acid.  Plus she had been on ADD med which kept her from gaining weight 58-60 lbs for 2 years/ 2nd- 5th grade.  Now on thyriod meds  found cyst on thyriod- but she weighs 90 lbs in 9 months right for her age and has not had add meds for 9 months.  She still is not organized and fights to get her school work done but has pulled a,b,c, and that to me is great.

rbcf