Adhd - Las Vegas,NV

there is a really good book about ADD & ADHD called "Healing ADD" by Dr. Amen. He isn't just about 1 approach to this issue, he has several & he has done a lot of research on this & has 3 children of his own with ADHD, so he has LIVED it, which makes him that much MORE an expert in my opinion. I also subscribe to an ADHD on-line magazine which is very helpful, has a lot of articles about dealing with life & ADHD. good luck

D.,

This is the resource my friends have told me to go to. It seems pretty helpful. http://www.chadd.org/ My son is currently on Concerta with no negative side effects at all. He's a wonderfully bright child and I'm seeing his creativity finally coming out now that he's better able to focus. Without the medication, I'm not sure I EVER would have seen this side of my child. He's happy, we're happy. Medication for this illness really gets a bad wrap, probably because it's overused in the wrong situations. But for those who need it, it's a life saver. I don't feel I'm forcing my child to fit in with society. I feel I'm giving him a chance to meet his full potential. Good luck to you!

D.,

Check out http://www.chadd.org/.
This is an online website that may be helpful to you.
Also I have used cafemom.com and then join a group named ADHD and us or loving a child with ADD. These groups have a lot of moms that can answer your questions and offer your online support. It has been a Godsend for me. Drive to Distraction is a good book to read. It will give you an understanding of ADD/ADHD. It may also give you some ideas of how to deal with it. Good Luck!

Hi, D..
My stepson had the same issue and we did all the same things you've tried. We are in Reno and the doctor my son had is Burton Dudding (P: ###-###-####). He specializes in ADHD. His office should be able to give you resources and support, maybe a specialized referral in LV. His wife, Georgia Dudding, a psychiatrist, was a godsend in helping our family deal with the issues that go along with an ADHD child. It was well worth going to get this support; people who don't have a truly ADHD child don't understand what its like. My advice: you know your son better than anyone else, trust your instincts.
Anyway, good luck. If you need any encouragement, feel free to email me.
(PS - one thing that was easier for my son was being on a time-release medication so that he didn't have to take it at school.)

D. Y

I truly can appreciate your situation since my partner has a son with ADHD. I also know you will get good advice from those who have children with ADHD. Your son will be a hand full, but it is not something that can not be remedied. There is an organization you probably already have heard of ADHD.org, adhd.net, www.livestrong.com/.../4407-tips-drugfree-ahdh-treatment/, www.linkedin.com/pub/ahdh-djskjkljl/6/678/892, even at your pharmacy there is a magazine subscription that you can subscribe to about the new and updated information that you can read up on. There are also ways to control adhd by giving your son more starchy foods than your other children, they seem to keep children calm. It worked for my partners son. The sites I have given you are just a few, the one I rely on the most is www.webmd.com since this is information with a doctors backing. I hope these sites help. It has been my experience that if you get the discipline ground rules down while he is Y. you should not have any problems when he gets to be a teen. A bit of advice when dealing with the IEP, don't allow the teachers to not challenge your son in his learning, he is truly very smart and should never be underestimated. Seek out the Resource Services that are available for children with disabilities, they can help you a lot when in troubled times with your son. Also, be aware the medications for ADHD also cause him to bruise very easily, so even the smallest fall, or bump will look like a major hit. These are just a few things we have noticed and had to deal with with my partners son. Good Luck!

D., I highly suggest researching homeopathic and natural remedies for your son instead of medicating him. Sugar, dyes, different food combinations and even toxins (in the environment and home) can truly make a difference in a child's behavior. But, please also remember that kids are ALIVE and have feelings and spirit and do not deserve to be labeled or medicated. I definitely know from personal experience psych medications do more harm than good and that, in fact, there are many natural solutions that can actually help with what your son is going through.

And, honestly, I'd look into the motivations of whoever is pushing to label and drug your sweet son.

Please call the CITIZENS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (CCHR). Their # is: (323) 467~4242. And, here's their website: http://www.cchr.org/. They can definitely help you!

I also highly recommend contacting Dr. Anita Pepi who is truly an amazing Chiropractor and Nutritionist and would definitely be able to help your son naturally even via phone.

Here's her data:

4216 Sunnyslope Ave.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818)808~0884
http://www.drpepi.com

In addition, I suggest taking your son to H.E.L.P. (The Hollywood Education and Literacy Project) located here in Hollywood or to one of their sister projects in Las Vegas. It is a free program, and what is amazing is that I've seen kids come into this program who have been labeled ADD/ ADHD and by learning the study technology they offer and getting their diet in order, magically their ADD/ ADHD symptoms disappear. REALLY! You can definitely call H.E.L.P. for a free tour.

Here's their data:

Hollywood Education Literacy Project International
6336 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood CA 90028
###-###-####
http://www.helplearn.org/index-flash.html

Ask for Amanda or Ann. They definitely will be able to help you and your son!

I'd also recommend checking out 5 organizations validating why going the natural route is best for you and your son:
http://ablechild.org/
http://www.cchr.org/
http://www.fightforkids.org/
http://www.psychsearch.net/teenscreen.html
http://www.labelmesane.com/

You'll also find some amazing data regarding alternatives at: http://www.cchr.org/solutions_and_alternatives/

And, D., please watch:
http://www.psychconflicts.org/
http://www.cchr.org/#/videos/making-a-killing-introduction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhjdbifuNco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3JQ8OVHVWA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xehHwkPpevk

AND

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xjx0gdL83I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRJN_NfyiH4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgMovNmtRF0&feature=user

AND

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73SRn1gdAdM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcvCtxaiOGg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58UZqr3fiZ

Please free to contact me at: (323) 906~2784 or via e~mail me at ____@____.com.

I'd love to help you and your son however I can.

With love,
L. (MAMA to 21 month old Dylan Orion.......29 September 2007) : )))

I know you said that medicaid will not cover natural medicine, but after working for this chiropractor and knowing the side affects of the said medication... I think you should consider it. Check out Dr. Richards in Glendora. www.richardsfamilyhealth.com

Homeopathy is great for ADHD. See Amy Lansky,PhD or Dana Ulman, MPH books.
V.

Hi D.,

First off, it's illegal for schools to tell you to medicate your child. They are not supposed to tell you to drug your child. They make it sounds so easy, just give him a little pill and he'll behave. What they don't tell you is all the side effects. They don't tell you about all the effects to their nervous system and how they'll be addicted to it for the rest of their lives. They also don't tell you how many kids commit suicide or simply die of cardiac arrest because their little bodies can't take it. Check out www.cchr.org and you'll get the truth as to what effects these medications cause. Also, you'll find out why the FDA had to put BLACK BOX WARNINGS ON ALL PSYCHIATRIC MEDS. They don't just use it if a few people have a reaction, they do that when A LOT of people have had a negative reaction.

As a parent, we try to do what's best for our kids but here's some info they may have neglected to tell you. This is your family and if something happens to it because no one told you that's one thing, but now I'm telling you. Don't fall for their lies. Do something else. Fight for your child.

Ugh. I'm so very very sorry about the vast majority of responses that you've gotten, especially after you specifically stated a) that there's no way you can do the super-expensive "natural" route, b)listed off the vast amount of work you're already doing. & C)made it quite clear that you're looking for ADHD resources, not alternative treatments . Most people mean well, but this disorder is so overdiagnosed/overmedicated/over-written about (by people who have no understanding/people selling snake-shoes. etc.) that even intelligent, well meaning people, THINK they know what they're talking about and don't.

Obviously, if it can be fixed (by food, massage, vitamins, sleep, chiropractors, eliminating allergies, etc)...it wasn't ADHD to begin with, but something else entirey. Which of course is one of the many reasons WHY it's so over diagnosed, is because the symptoms of the pitfalls (not the benefits, or the norms) can be caused by many many many other things.

You say you've spent 2 years working this out (which, quite frankly, seems to be the norm for people who really DO have ADHD), with (I'm assuming) your eight year old. Which is sooooo lucky. The pitfalls are brought out by an educationa system that coud have been designed to bring out every thing bad about ADHD (there's tons that's wonderful, but let's face it, there's at least half as much 'bang your head on the wall to keep from going crazy' bad. People with ADHD are frequently brilliant, but we have no internal sense of structure, and have to create external structure. Which most of the popuation, apparantly doesn't.

Anyhow, I say you're lucky, or rather your son is...because it's been caught early, and it sounds like you've not only done a very thorough job evaluating but are continuing to do a fantastic job by him. I think it was Barbilee who brought up how many incrediably brilliant, world renowned people in history have been shown to have had ADHD, and there are thousands more...just not as famous ;) but still doing fantastic work (the absent minded professor is the dead giveaway, but we're also talking scientists, CEO's, authors, athletes, photographers, etc. etc. etc.) What she doesn't go on to point out is that most of those very famous cases were NOT schooled in our schooling system...but had private tutors. Which is as about ideal for ADHD as you can get. The modern schooling equivilent is YOU...kids who had an amazing, understanding parent, or kids who got very very lucky with their teachers. Most very successful ADHD adults had at LEAST one inspirational force in their life.

Moving along, to your actual question:

- Chadd, obviously.

- "You mean I'm not lazy, stupid, or crazy?" by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo http://www.amazon.com/You-Mean-Lazy-Stupid-Crazy/dp/07432...

This book gets ignored by many parents...since it's nominally about ADULTS, but it's the single best resource I know of. I actually threw this book across the living room (ahem, more than once, and I LOVE books and never treat them that way), because I was so furious/heartbroken/regretful that it hadn't been around when I was a child, that my mum had never been able to read it. Many kids do the "my parents don't understand me" thing. ADHD kids usually don't. They ASSUME their parents understand them, and are baffled at the reactions that would tell any right thinking person that they don't. Over and over and over again. We (as a group) tend to follow this semi-logical thought "Anyone who really loves me, knows and understands me, who & how I am, and they love me for it. For being me. My parents love me more than anyone. Therefore my parents should understand me better than anyone." I've run into this time and time again with others that I know that are ADHD. For some reason, we tend to get kind of stubborn about "logic".;) But then, you're probably already familar with ADHD logic. Ahem. And tangents, like this one.

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/
- Many, if not most, ADHD kids fall quite neatly into the "gifted" range. One thing an ADHD kid will nearly always bring home on their report cards (okay 2 things) 1. Is not reaching potential, & 2. Does not consistantly, or regularly turn in homework. We are aware of nearly everything, all the time, and as a consequence tend to soak up information, theories, applications, etc. rather like sponges. And yet, following simple instructions...not our strong suit. Nor is the concept of "practicing" something you already "understand". One of the single best tricks with ADHD is to challenge us. Absorb our attention into something mesmerizing and then have to pry us away with a crowbar. Getting ADHD kids into gifted programs / AP programs can do wonders. Similarly, a lot of the problems that parents of ADHD kids face are the same problems that parents of non-ADHD gifted kids face. Lots of overlapping. And it's a real blessing, to be working with a group of people who AREN'T just fighting the downsides...who aren't just focused on this one teensy aspect of their child...but the whole child.

Hoagie's Gifted has tons and tons and tons of resources/links/articles/etc. Check them out. They are very very much worth it.

- My last three "resources" are tips that you'll probably come across time and time again:
* Sports (of whatever kind your son loves, from teams to swiming, to running/climbing/rowing/martial arts/dance, whatever.) When our bodies are moving our minds are still. When our minds are moving our bodies are still.
* Music or other background noise. For us, it creates a still, calm space that let's us get reeeeaally productive. I could explain it, but it would take awhile.
* Small muscle movements. (Girls usually figure this one out waaaaay sooner than boys). Wiggling your toes inside you shoes, or pointing/flexing them, flexing a single muscle group (like quad, glute, abs, keigles, facial muscles, etc...keeps your body still while you're actually moving a LOT).

Anyhow...hope some or any of this might have been new. Good luck, and have fun!! The benefits way outweigh the drawbacks. Sigh, if only ALL of us could afford maids though, it would make it a great deal easier on those who live with us.

Hi D.!

Here is a really great resource. This is a guy who has found help for ADD & ADHD. He has a unique viewpoint on what ADD is and how to handle it. Very cool.

www.resultsproject.net/

Also, I know others are really trying to help but I just wanted to point out that both CHADD and webmd are funded by the drug companies. CHADD really pushes drugs as the only solution.

Good luck D.!

S.

Oh no.. your little one was diagnosed at two years old. He is only two and I believe he is at the age where he needs to explore freely of course with supervision. He is at a stage where he wants to have control of his body movemetns and his enviroment. He is tasting and testing...i mean testing boundaries. I believe a child should be very active at this age to develop his fine and gross motor skills age appropiatley. It is part of his development. It is better for him to be active then just sit there and have symptoms of delay, with all do respect to mothers with children who have developmental delays. You might want to get a second opinion, ask yourself if you are too tired and feel you need help with his "leanred behavior," or perhaps he may be different from your other children. I honestly thhnk he is way too Y. for medication. You know like a quick fix. I have worked with children for over eight years and have seen many chidlren with different personalities, behaviors, etc. and have also observed different parenting skills due to (cutlure and beliefs, illnesses that may affect parenting skills, many stressors in the family, parents age, finance issues and more) that make parents perceive their children to have "something wrong." Revaluate everthing: are you too tired due to all your kids, was he planned to be born, how do you feel about yourself (low self-estteem,) happy in marrige, sometimes we make hold so much and feel or little ones have something because we are not stable. Maybe try some redirecting techniques to reteach him posivite skills you would like to teach. good luck. and by the way this bulleting really caught my eye..

My grandson who is 11 was diagnosed ADHD at age 5. I would like to give you something I did and it worked. I recommend to all parents of ADHD children, to do this. I read an article in the paper about this kid in high school (CA) who had ADHD at 5 and what strugglest he went thru. I bought this book 2 years ago. After reading it I asked the teacher to read it. It is called "ADHD and Me". It established a better learning environment with the teacher and my son. She could better understand him when he needed extra help and be refocused. I also recommend that it might be something you, your husband and your son might read it.
When you go for your IEP take the book and give it to the resource teacher to give to his new teacher.

You may want to look into NAET.com for allergy eliminations.

be well.

N.

Hi D., I don't know if this will be helpful or not but I wanted to share my story with you. My son who is now 14 has been on Adserall since he was about 3. They do have it in a time release form and I would highly recommend it. Watch his weight, he may have a lose of appitite. I would also watch for insomnia, my son had a hard time getting to sleep when they were giving him the non time released ones. I do not medicate him during the weekends, holidays or any other time he is not in school. We have done the diet and behavior modifications and they work well at home but not so well at school that is why he only takes the meds before school and since they are time released we do not have to worry about him missing his doesage of the school nurse having to give him anything during school hours. I also do not give him the dosage that he was originally prescribed, he was showing signs of over medication, it was like he was in a cloud and that was just unacceptable to me. it took a while but we were able to get the medicaiton adjusted to the right dosage whith trial and error. Every new school year we do not give him his meds right away but wait to see how he handles things without it first, sometimes kids grow out of this, he is down to only 5mg this year and he says that it is just enough to take the edge off. I am pretty confident that he will be completely off of his meds by the time he graduates.