Adhd - Nashville, TN

I have a 14yr old that has ADHD and all his trouble started at school when he was 9 we have had him on meds and if they take them every single day after about 2 months they starts to help but he hates takein meds so we took him off and he's still getting in trouble but it's at home and i think it's just the teenager coming out.. But this can be took care of with out meds... We have made a pack with our son that if he stays out of trouble at school and get good grades we let him don things that he wants.. We have his teachers right in his home work book how he done that day and we sign it.. If he dose bad at school we take things away from him that he loves doin as in playin x-box and havein friends over... WE have him run 5 laps around our block everyday after school before doin home work or any thing else and this seems to be helpin him get his
engery out... So try some thing like that and see if this helps..

First of all let me say that a typical 8 year old boy is fidgety, off-focus, and often hyper. What a normal boy is going through this stage of their life may seem abnormal for most adults. Of course you did not include any specific behaviors that your child is having and usually add or adhd is not something that comes on all of the sudden. I went through the same thing, wondering if my son had adhd, but was told these are normal behaviors and that he will outgrow the fidgeting and hyperness. Also hyperactivity is only a small part of the diagnosis, and before jumping to conclusions talk to the school counselor, they usually can tell the difference between what is normal for an 8 year old and signs of add/adhd. If the counselor recommends treatment a local health department will help or ask to get your child state assistance like TennCare. Please note that I am not a doctor but have studied some on child development, only let a doctor or the school psycologist give you a diagnosis.

I have worked with kids for 15 years. When i was working in the daycare, someone told us that if you give your kid a can of mt.dew first thing in the morning, it would do the same thing as what ritalin does. ritalin is for add/adhd. it is a suggestion, can't hurt to try. if it works, then you can use that and then if he is having a hard time at school, then put a can in a thermo for him for lunch. good luck
mom of 3

A.,

You could take him to aclinic like Hope clinic on Stewarts Ferry or to the Health Department which would be based on your income. I think maybe a really great breakfast and a relaxing morning would help. I would go the the school and talk to the teacher about moving him up front and just encouraging him about his work and praising him to maybe to keep his spirit up. You may try some herbal things also You could go to GNC or maybe look up in phone book My older son has it and we took him off his adderall at age 10 he did great.

My heart goes out to you. There is a wonderful book by Frank Lawless (from the Dr. Phil show) The book is The ADD answer It is wonderful!!! I have ADD myself and have never taken meds for it but this book has helped me so much even as an adult... and it is geared toward kids. The best thing is the techniques will bring you and your son closer. BTW I am also a SAHM and have a daughter who is 13 months and we live in Nashville near the rivergate area.
A.

Hey my name is C. I have a 3 year old and an 8 year old both boys My eight year has been doing the same thing you can go downtown to the DHS building and apply for tenncare I don't know what kind of jobs you and your husband have but when it comes to kids they don't turn people down usually but there is also a place called centerstone it's behind aldis on murfreesboro rd thats where i take my little boy and they have done wonders hope this helps