ADHD And Medication - Bradenton,FL

I'd like to suggest that you find a local Grandparents Raising Grandchildren group to attend. Many grandparents are doing the same thing as you are and these new friends can be a resource to support you.

My grandson is on Ritalin and it is like night and day. He's one of the lucky ones that it works like this. He has no side effects other than lack of appetite during the day. It does NOT build up in his body, when it wears off it's gone. There is no residual med in his system.

He also takes Depakote for his mood swings and violent outbursts. I don't agree with the doc on this one but when he is off it or misses it a few days I can see what our life would be like without it.

If you don't want her on meds then don't do it. If you don't agree with the doc then visit with the pharmacist about the different options and what might do the same thing.

I would not want to live in hell so we choose to medicate a medical biological issue. ADHD is not something that will go away, that can be taught out of a child. Their brain doesn't work right. They don't have the ability to just tell their brain to do this or do that.

They do the best they can and often don't understand why they make bad coices. They have no impulse control. This is not something punishment fixes, spanking can't fix it, just choosing to not do it does not work. They can't control all those impulses and stuff bouncing around in their brain. They're kids.

So there is no way I would not choose to medicate a child with ADHD. That would be like saying I don't think a child with diabetes needs meds. They can just not have high blood sugar.

Things kids have no control over have to be medicated. You'll need to put her on something. If you choose a different med that's okay if she does well on it. If she doesn't then you have to try another med.

Sometimes kids have to try 10 different meds before they get on the one that doesn't make them crazy. It's a trial and error kind of thing.

She has to be on some kind of meds. Just keep trying.

In our Grandparents group we have about 20 families that come each month to activities and meetings. Nearly all of these families have several grand kids on meds. They've all went through this. We're one of the few that have only tried one med and it worked.

It's a great source of comfort to me to know others are going through what I'm going through and have found ways to make it work. Finding a grandparents group will be a great resource for your family.

I'm with the others. I've never heard of treating ADHD with Abilify. What kind of doctor is making the recommendations? If this is just a pediatrician, you need to take her to see a specialist like a child psychiatrist or neuropsychologist. It sounds like the doctor is treating her other issues instead of the ADHD.

I'm not a doctor, but I've been dealing with ADHD and comorbid conditions with our son for seven years now. Stimulants are what have the best track record in treating ADHD, so I'm confused why the doctor isn't going that path.

I am having a hard time working through this post. You say disruptive behavior disorder when there is no such thing. The disorders are ODD and CD. Is this you not wanting to use the proper terms or the doctor? I wonder because you call him a specialist but no title. My children's psychiatrist is a specialist in spectrum disorders but I would call him a psychiatrist with a specialty not a specialist because that kind of says he isn't a specialist. Not sure if that makes sense.

Then you have a primary diagnosis of ADHD but he starts the child on Intuniv which I know under guanfacine. That is not the normal out of the gate med. They are usually Ritalin, Adderall, Vyvance.

So even my child with spectrum, which means ADHD and.....has never taken Abilify and I can't remember the reason it was dismissed. He is on Vyvance for his ADHD, lithium is his mood stabilizer.

What I am saying is I don't think your specialist is any good.

I assume the Abilify is for the ADHD, and she just happens to have additional issues. Is your granddaughter being diagnosed by a psychiatrist or neuro-psychologist? I would not allow anyone else to diagnose and prescribe for my child. Please do not allow a general practitioner or MD to diagnose her.

I'd like to add, that ADD and ADHD are now classified under disruptive behavioral disorders. (I see people are questioning that.) You also have ODD and a behavior NOS disorder that are classified under conduct disorders. Abilify IS used for ADHD, but usually for adolescents 14-20. (My niece is going through all this right now, so we are going through all the appointments and such.) I would seriously question any Dr. putting a FIVE year old on this medication. Abilify is a serious anti-psychotic drug. If your child is thought to have a conduct disorder, behavioral therapy is typically prescribed. I am very familiar with ODD in my family. Medications were never prescribed, but plenty of therapies were.

Hi D.,

I have been blessed to be certified as a parenting teacher. While I cannot diagnose..I can teach based on my certification.

First, keep you grandaughter off of artificial sweeteners, dyes, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, genetically engineered foods, possibly gluten...You can always have her tested by an allergist to know positively ! Do a search on the Feingold diet, too. If you have a high end health food store there...ask them about Barlean's refrig oils, too.

One of my kids has to eat organic fruits...she gets so irritable form the chemicals sprayed on the produce.

Also, sleep! Years ago, there was a research study done that children who sleep very little (regularly) show signs of ADHD. At times, this can be the parents fault because they are weak in structure...
So, the study was saying that some kids were being diagnosed w/ ADHD when they were going to sleep way too late and getting up early. Some some of the over-diagnosing was this. Yet, you need a specialist to assist you because kids w/ ADHD have a hard time settling down ! Plus, ADHD can overlap w/ allergies, sensory and anxiety (not in all cases).

In the meantime, try a natural route w/ a diet like the Feingold one. And find a doctor that will give her the proper medication, if needed.

A true ADHD brain is lazy (not the child's fault--stressful for the child) and, therefore, a child might need a clean diet, proper sleep, tested for allergies, outside time to run and play, and a doctor that specializes is ADD/ADHD.

When she goes to school...get the team involved...the teacher , the school social worker, etc...for proper accomadations!!!

Read the book "Understanding Girls w/ ADHD" by Nadeau (last name).
This book is written by an expert in ADHD. I have read the book twice.
It is easy to read, there are checklists, etc...See if your local library has it and read it through! Keep me posted !

The book, "The Spirited Child" is another fabulous read.

The group mentioned below is wonderful ! See if there is 1 in your area.

My son has ADHD and sensory. We have chosen to try other methods for my son.

We have limited his diet to No high fructose corn syrup. No chocolate, no artifical dyes, and no gluten. We did these changes in stages, and each one proved to be a good choice. What I did not know is that my sons tummy was hurting from the gluten, so no he does not complain of a tummy ache any longer. The last thing we did was acupuncture-well pressure, it is magnetic. He loves it and says that he feels so much better with doing it. We have gone from having a child who was difficult to bring places to someone who we are having so much fun with him and my daughter.

They told us to go ahead and put him on meds, we decided to hold off at this time. And I am glad we did, we are very happy with our alternative treatmeant and the outcome at this time.

I hope that you find a great outcome with your child.