ADHD

I am not sure if this is the right forum, but I don't know where else to post.

Both of my sons have ADHD. It has become blaringly obvious with my 2nd grader, and it has always been obvious with my kindergartener. I always said that I wouldn't even consider meds unless it is interfering with school, and here we are in the first week of school, and it is already interfering. My older son had issues last year, as well. I need some guidance. I have always been against meds for young kids, but we have had some serious behavior issues in the past at school and I don't want either child to fail. I'm almost to the point of quitting my job and attempting homeschool (I have BAD ADD myself, so that could be a disaster) instead of public school.

Help! Please!

Keep them as active as possible, talk to their teachers about it and maybe put them in some special classes more tailored for that type of child.

I am also pretty against a lot of ADHD meds, they cause kids to be little zombies, and it decreases their appetites which cause them not to get the nutrition they need. (My brothers six year old can't gain any weight- he only weighs 30lbs) I would try a lot of excersise first. Maybe a brisk morning walk before school and cut out as much sugar in their diet as possible.
This may not be of much help- I don't have a whole lot of personal experience with this but who knows! Good luck, keep being patient!!

Quoting TracyLynne!:" Keep them as active as possible, talk to their teachers about it and maybe put them in some special classes ... [snip!] ... not be of much help- I don't have a whole lot of personal experience with this but who knows! Good luck, keep being patient!!"

At home, it isn't an issue. I know how to get them to focus. But, I only have two, not 25 little kids needing my attention. They have a tendency to perform at school, whereas at home, they know work time from play time.

I just don't know how to keep them focused when I am not around.

My sons phychiatrist put him on ADHD meds becuase he had dangerous tendencies like running in the street with no fear of cars, jumping off high things and such. but hes only three....he doesnt act like a zombie and still has an appetite...hes on adderall XR

I have ADHD.
I didn't get diagnosed until the end of my sophomore year.. I struggled with school.. I couldn't force myself to pay attention, or understand the material.
I didn't qualify for a IEP but I did qualify for a 504, which is just a lower version of the IEP.
during my junior/senior year I was finally on meds, but my teachers allowed me extra time on my work, worked extra with me, and gave me a copy of all the notes in class so I could go home and work on things, and review everything.
I was in summer school twice, and nearly failed every year because I couldn't grasp the material.
I would have failed my junior/senior year if it weren't for my 504.

I would do your best to look into an IEP or a 504. Talk with the teachers, ask for copies of their notes, or school work so you can go over it with the kids at home so you can be sure they are understanding the material and getting good grades. As far as them being slightly out of control, I actually had a doctor suggest drinking caffeine before/during school, as caffeine does the opposite on people with ADHD and it would calm me down.

Hope I can help.(:

Edit*
I wasn't a zombie on my meds, and I was on one of the highest doses they could give me of concerta.
It did curb my appetite slightly for a month or so, but after that I was back to eating regularly.

Quoting [yo.]:" My sons phychiatrist put him on ADHD meds becuase he had dangerous tendencies like running in the street ... [snip!] ... off high things and such. but hes only three....he doesnt act like a zombie and still has an appetite...hes on adderall XR"

Did it help? My daughters doc put her on 0.025MG of colodine (sp?) It is not helping at all, she does the same kind's of things, and she is almost 4...

<blockquote><b>Quoting LP&Bs MOMe:</b>" Did it help? My daughters doc put her on 0.025MG of colodine (sp?) It is not helping at all, she does the same kind's of things, and she is almost 4..."</blockquote>




Yeah he's a completely different kid now, it's extended release so it last almost all day, until bed time then he's back to his old self