Advice for ADHD Treatment

My husband are somewhat in your shoes. Our daughter is 4 and showing some 'signs of ADD' since starting PK this year. We have only scratched the surfice on doing research for alternative treatment, rather than diving into medicine. To be perfectly honest - I am super against medicating children ulness they are a whole lot older (unless is is an EXTREME case). People who say "oh meds worked so well - it made a HUGE difference in my child" well my thinking is this: how could the meds NOT work??? You are introducing a powerful drug into their body ... of course it is going to change their behavior!! To be honest, I do not know that ADD and ADHD is really properly diagnosed these days. It seems like every since someone labeled children who do not sit still, pay attention, and 'go with the flow' without any problems, as ADD. Is it REALLY ADD or ADHD ... or do we just have children who are on worse diets than ever (processed foods, sugar etc.), and may be more active or just have a different personality type than the 'perfect poster child' that the school systems want, because it is much easier for them to deal with. So, now days - it seems like every other child you come accross has ADD or ADHD - or so the doctors think/say. Anyhow, I will get off my soap box ... I just thought I would throw out my thoughts, since we have recently been going through the same thing as you. If I were you, I would look up some of the older posts on this blog - and see what lots of other Moms have said and suggested ... believe me there is a LOT on this site about ADD and ADHD (again, it is SUPER common these days). Good luck with everything - do LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of homework before using drugs.

Hi R.

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Of course, the doctor should diagnose and prescribe. There are alternatives to medicataion, or at least putting off meds like we did (started 3rd grade). We've been down many trails. When younger, we explored the Sensory Integration Dysfunction (S.I.) area which helps identify certain sensory attributes that may not be as mature as need be and usually Occupation Thearapy can help. Certain sensory routines help "regulate" the child and help them to cope when they need to focus. Self-regulation is addressed in a wonderful behavior modification program called "How Does Your Engine Run". This helps children identify if they are "high" or "low" energy (engine) or "just right for learning". This also employs certain physical and sensory exercises to get the child "just right". For example, some children calm down (respond) to sour candy. It's a trial & error thing, but can be fun. There are books (and program) called "They Out of Sync Child", and "The Out of Sync Child has Fun" which is about S.I. which has great activities.
HEAVY WORK is what is needed for some of these kids. Meaning lifting, pulling, pushing hard (like farm work) to calm their inner energy. Today's life-styles don't lend themselves to this. Wise teachers have been known to send hyper children on an "errand" to go fetch heavy jugs of water from across campus to get them to do heavy work. Be creative.
A Psychologist should do testing, as well as an Occupt.Therapist to suggest what you can do without meds and with meds too. Some ADD & ADHD diagnoses are coupled with dyslexia and similar things which hinder the learning process.
Once we medicated, our son was able to sit still and focus. That first month, he was awarded "Student of the Month" mostly for his good behavior.
Hyper kids spend a lot of energy to pick up school information that is so easy to some other kids. They are ususally very smart and cannot express it yet. Smart teachers see all this.
If you are looking for a way to teach good coping skills rather than rescue your war-torn child later on, you could consider The Winston School of San Antonio. My son went for 2 years and really was taught great skills for being a responsible learner. The class sizes are under 10, reading class was 4-6 kids and he was above grade level when he left (was below a grade when we started).
Having moved here 2 years ago, I found the East coast more up to date on all of this. Doctors more progressive. I've been told to go to Austin area to find more progressive minds. I found a few gems in San Antonio over time. Good Luck!!

Medicine works the best....It made a huge difference on my son. Like night and day and he has had success in school.

R.,

If you want to avoid medications try this. It has done wonders for my nephew as well as for myself. These products were recommended from a doctor friend of the family's. For your 6 year old it consists of:

Optomega (liquid to put in a shake)-for mental acuity/focus
Proflavanol (grape seed extract)-for inflammation
Usanimals chewables-for immune system

You can order them on-line through the company website
www.healthrep.usana.com

Good luck and let me know how things go!

M.