ADHD Meds for Children

[iamshack]

Hey everyone, I am dating a woman who has a 9 year old son. He's a very intelligent boy, and he is a sweet kid, but he seems to have issues focusing on things he is supposed to (schoolwork, helping his mother around the house, etc.,). The boy's father has taken him to a doctor, who prescribed the drug Concerta for the boy. My girlfriend, the boy's mother, does not believe he needs ADHD medicine and is against him taking this or any other ADHD medicine.

 

She is asking for my help and advice.

 

I gave her my own opinion, but having no children of my own and no real experience with these types of meds, I feel like my advice is a bit limited.

 

Anyone have children on these types of meds?

Thoughts, opinions, experience, etc.,?

 

Thanks

Edited February 17, 2010 by iamshack

[farmteam]

Personally, I'm all for meds, but only if they're necessary, and you don't go overboard.

 

Also, one thing to watch out for with children is that some of these medicines have alcohol in them, which might or might not be a concern.

[Reddy]

Hey everyone, I am dating a woman who has a 9 year old son. He's a very intelligent boy, and he is a sweet kid, but he seems to have issues focusing on things he is supposed to (schoolwork, helping his mother around the house, etc.,). The boy's father has took him to a doctor, who prescribed the drug Concerta for the boy. My girlfriend, the boy's mother, does not believe he needs ADHD medicine and is against him taking this or any other ADHD medicine.

 

She is asking for my help and advice.

 

I gave her my own opinion, but having no children of my own and no real experience with these types of meds, I feel like my advice is a bit limited.

 

Anyone have children on these types of meds?

Thoughts, opinions, experience, etc.,?

 

Thanks

i'm with the dad. he's 9 years old and not focused? what!?!!? he's a kid. That's what they do. Doctor's these days make so much money off ADD and ADHD because guess what? every frickin' kid could be diagnosed with it.

 

kids 9 years old are hyper, they don't pay attention, they don't wanna do chores and they don't wanna do homework. there's nothing wrong with them.

[iamshack]

i'm with the dad. he's 9 years old and not focused? what!?!!? he's a kid. That's what they do. Doctor's these days make so much money off ADD and ADHD because guess what? every frickin' kid could be diagnosed with it.

 

kids 9 years old are hyper, they don't pay attention, they don't wanna do chores and they don't wanna do homework. there's nothing wrong with them.

Reddy, this is what his mother and I are saying. His father wants him to take the meds, even so far as he sort of lied to the boy's mom about what kind of Dr's appt. this was, the Dr. then suggested this medicine (Concerta), and authorized them to have a "trial plan" of some type (not sure if he wrote them an actual script yet). IMO, the Dr. was actually waaay out of line here in going as far as he did without any kind of permission from the mother, even going so far as to explain the side effects of the drug to the boy by claiming "all of us have to deal with stomach aches and headaches once in a while..."

 

His mom would rather he not be on the meds and instead try to deal with the problem in other ways, such as through better nutrition, perhaps some counseling, and better self-discipline.

 

I am trying to remain open-minded, although I agree with you, Reddy. He is 9 years old. Of course he is energetic and lazy and unfocused and obsessive all at once. That's how kids are.

[Reddy]

Reddy, this is what his mother and I are saying. His father wants him to take the meds, even so far as he sort of lied to the boy's mom about what kind of Dr's appt. this was, the Dr. then suggested this medicine (Concerta), and authorized them to have a "trial plan" of some type (not sure if he wrote them an actual script yet). IMO, the Dr. was actually waaay out of line here in going as far as he did without any kind of permission from the mother, even going so far as to explain the side effects of the drug to the boy by claiming "all of us have to deal with stomach aches and headaches once in a while..."

 

His mom would rather he not be on the meds and instead try to deal with the problem in other ways, such as through better nutrition, perhaps some counseling, and better self-discipline.

 

I am trying to remain open-minded, although I agree with you, Reddy. He is 9 years old. Of course he is energetic and lazy and unfocused and obsessive all at once. That's how kids are.

sorry, misread. yeah the mom seems right on.

[CrimsonWeltall]

Hey everyone, I am dating a woman who has a 9 year old son. He's a very intelligent boy, and he is a sweet kid, but he seems to have issues focusing on things he is supposed to (schoolwork, helping his mother around the house, etc.,). The boy's father has taken him to a doctor, who prescribed the drug Concerta for the boy. My girlfriend, the boy's mother, does not believe he needs ADHD medicine and is against him taking this or any other ADHD medicine.

 

She is asking for my help and advice.

 

I gave her my own opinion, but having no children of my own and no real experience with these types of meds, I feel like my advice is a bit limited.

 

Anyone have children on these types of meds?

Thoughts, opinions, experience, etc.,?

 

Thanks

 

IAM,

 

If there are concerns about the kid having ADHD, he should be taken to a psychologist to have legitimate, objective diagnostic tests done. Based on the results, the psychologist can recommend appropriate treatment, including methods the parents (and you) can use to help with his attention issues, therapy, or medication.

 

IMO, the dad shouldn't be able to walk into his doctor's office and say "My kid is hyper." and get a prescription.

 

 

[Reddy]

IAM,

 

If there are concerns about the kid having ADHD, he should be taken to a psychologist to have legitimate, objective diagnostic tests done. Based on the results, the psychologist can recommend appropriate treatment, including methods the parents (and you) can use to help with his attention issues, therapy, or medication.

 

IMO, the dad shouldn't be able to walk into his doctor's office and say "My kid is hyper." and get a prescription.

except these days they can - which i find all sorts of corrupt and messed up.

[CrimsonWeltall]

i'm with the dad. he's 9 years old and not focused? what!?!!? he's a kid. That's what they do. Doctor's these days make so much money off ADD and ADHD because guess what? every frickin' kid could be diagnosed with it.

 

There are diagnostic tools used (or that are supposed to be used) to determine when kids have these conditions.

 

Not "every frickin' kid" is falling into the 95+% percentile of the results.

[Reddy]

There are diagnostic tools used (or that are supposed to be used) to determine when kids have these conditions.

 

Not "every frickin' kid" is falling into the 95+% percentile of the results.

listen, i use hyperbole. it's my thing.

 

BUT - yes, every kid is hyper. show me a 9 year old that doesn't, at some point, get on their parents' nerves and i'll shut my trap. and these days, since a parent will believe anything you tell them if it will make their life easier, doctors are able to "diagnose" ADD or ADHD left and right, even when it's not actually necessary. (again, used a little hyperbole there).

[iamshack]

IAM,

 

If there are concerns about the kid having ADHD, he should be taken to a psychologist to have legitimate, objective diagnostic tests done. Based on the results, the psychologist can recommend appropriate treatment, including methods the parents (and you) can use to help with his attention issues, therapy, or medication.

 

IMO, the dad shouldn't be able to walk into his doctor's office and say "My kid is hyper." and get a prescription.

Yeah, both of us were shocked by the behavior of the Dr.

[iamshack]

After some preliminary research, it seems like increased exercise, improved nutrition, and counseling could help before trying meds.

[Reddy]

After some preliminary research, it seems like increased exercise, improved nutrition, and counseling could help before trying meds.

exercise is a big one

 

have him do P90X with you!

[CrimsonWeltall]

listen, i use hyperbole. it's my thing.

 

BUT - yes, every kid is hyper. show me a 9 year old that doesn't, at some point, get on their parents' nerves and i'll shut my trap. and these days, since a parent will believe anything you tell them if it will make their life easier, doctors are able to "diagnose" ADD or ADHD left and right, even when it's not actually necessary. (again, used a little hyperbole there).

 

Being occasionally obnoxious and getting on your parents' nerves at some point is not ADHD.

 

 

[iamshack]

exercise is a big one

 

have him do P90X with you!

 

Maybe I'll make him do plyo every day

[Reddy]

Being occasionally obnoxious and getting on your parents' nerves at some point is not ADHD.

............

 

that's exactly my point.....

[Texsox]

I have seen some kids make incredible improvements when they are placed on a proper drug regimine. I am also certain the drugs have been over prescribed, and of course not every kid is a candidate. I would certainly want a second or third opinion before entering the treatment. I'm not certain how someone can just look at all kids and say none should be treated. Not every kid who is hyper can control it, no matter how much you punish them. For those kids, properly diagnosed and properly treated, a treatment regime is literally a life saver.

 

At least for my students, the Doctors follow up almost monthly with a questionaire asking about the student's behavior, attention, school work, etc. They seem to be closely monitored with the goal of using the lowest dosage possible, including zero.

[Reddy]

I have seen some kids make incredible improvements when they are placed on a proper drug regimine. I am also certain the drugs have been over prescribed, and of course not every kid is a candidate. I would certainly want a second or third opinion before entering the treatment. I'm not certain how someone can just look at all kids and say none should be treated. Not every kid who is hyper can control it, no matter how much you punish them. For those kids, properly diagnosed and properly treated, a treatment regime is literally a life saver.

 

At least for my students, the Doctors follow up almost monthly with a questionaire asking about the student's behavior, attention, school work, etc. They seem to be closely monitored with the goal of using the lowest dosage possible, including zero.

question then, how on earth did kids ever grow up BEFORE this era of "drugs can fix all your problems"?

[iamshack]

I have seen some kids make incredible improvements when they are placed on a proper drug regimine. I am also certain the drugs have been over prescribed, and of course not every kid is a candidate. I would certainly want a second or third opinion before entering the treatment. I'm not certain how someone can just look at all kids and say none should be treated. Not every kid who is hyper can control it, no matter how much you punish them. For those kids, properly diagnosed and properly treated, a treatment regime is literally a life saver.

 

At least for my students, the Doctors follow up almost monthly with a questionaire asking about the student's behavior, attention, school work, etc. They seem to be closely monitored with the goal of using the lowest dosage possible, including zero.

Thanks for the input, Tex.

Sounds like he took a look at some surveys that both parents filled out as well as some teachers. But to make the decision without his mother present seems incredibly strange to me...

 

I think it really is a very individual and personal decision, so I agree that multiple opinions would be a good thing.

[Texsox]

question then, how on earth did kids ever grow up BEFORE this era of "drugs can fix all your problems"?

 

 

They dropped out of school. Moved from job to job when companies got tired of their inability to focus.

[Texsox]

Thanks for the input, Tex.

Sounds like he took a look at some surveys that both parents filled out as well as some teachers. But to make the decision without his mother present seems incredibly strange to me...

 

I think it really is a very individual and personal decision, so I agree that multiple opinions would be a good thing.

 

Who is the boy living with? I would think the parent who lives with him the most should have a lot of input.

[Reddy]

They dropped out of school. Moved from job to job when companies got tired of their inability to focus.

or maybe parents didn't put up with their crap.

[CrimsonWeltall]

............

 

that's exactly my point.....

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but your implication seemed to be that extreme inattentiveness and hyperactivity is just "kids being kids" and not a legitimate disorder.

[CrimsonWeltall]

or maybe parents didn't put up with their crap.

 

Uh huh

[iamshack]

Who is the boy living with? I would think the parent who lives with him the most should have a lot of input.

He lives primarily with his mother. He spends basically 3 days with his father and 4 days with his mother. His mother is a single mother with one other child (a 7 year old daughter). I have been friends with the mother for 9 months now and we recently began dating.

 

The father has a live-in girlfriend and a small child with that girlfriend. I believe the baby is less than a year old. My guess is that the father is preoccupied a bit and would rather his son be well-behaved and easy to supervise while he is spending time there.

[DukeNukeEm]

I cannot beg you enough to not do this.

 

From about 10-13 I was heavily medicated on all sorts of ADD/ADHD stuff and it kinda f***ed me up. I got next to no sleep (stunting my growth), I had insane mood swings that you wouldn't expect from a kid that age and I kinda think it had some lasting effects that linger on today. You're introducing all sorts of chemicals into a developing brain and none of it is healthy.

 

I dont blame my parents for putting me on them, they didn't know any better, but it definitely had an affect on my personality/schoolwork at least through high school. Get him a tutor, a therapist... anything but those f***ing brain control meds.