What's your opinion on children with add or adhd?
468651
I have a son with ADD/ADHD.  Sometimes it is tough but you always love your child.  Honestly, I see my son for the wonderful kid that he is because he might have ADD/ADHD, it doesn't have him.  He is on the honour roll at school and he is active in his youth group.  Everybody loves him!  As for lax parenting, not a problem, I have a background in Psychology...Personality Profiling so I know how to get him out of his episodes.  I recommend to you to volunteer at a children's shelter or a mental hospital and make your own observations.  You might be suprized what you learn.  It's a real disorder and 96% of our population lives with a mental health disorder.  What mental health disorder are you living with or are you 4% of the population as a product of lax parenting yourself?
420582
Definitely.   These days, our medications are so advanced that there is a pill that can virtually target any sympton in the body.  The past 10 years for medicine has been the biggest breakthrough decade (partly due to the internet).  ADHD is actually sluggish brainwaves and as a result, many distractions come into the brain because nevers aren't traveling back and forth at a fast enough rate (totally opposite of what most people think).  And there are medications that can go exactly to those nerves and speed them up causing more focus which automatically calms a kid.  Truly amazing.   I am not saying I'm an advocate of pills at all, but if someone's quality of life is suffering,,,,maybe it's an option.  The question was about being helped so I answered accordingly!!
513719
Children with special needs require alot of attention.  For some people that is ok but, if you are short tempered than its wrong for you to be around these children. I have enjoyed helping children with special needs and you're right it is very rewarding.  So many people ignore them or don't reach out to them and they really thrive on any attention that they get.  Sounds as if your a neat person to be devoted to thse children.  God bless you and your efforts.
176099
The syndrome Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) defies a concrete definition. There are no blood tests, brain scans, or psychological tests that definitively diagnose it.\n\nThere are many combinations of cognitive and behavioral problems that may exist.\n\nADD/ADHD is not an imaginary disorder.  It is a chronic developmental disorder which is genetically based.  It is not a learning disability, but can co?exist with learning disabilities in approximately 25 to 33 percent of those diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.\n\nThere are studies that have found that stimulants are the single most effective way to treat this disorder.  Followers of the news know that more and more people are being treated with Ritalin and other stimulants, and the treatment rates are different from one community to the next.  \n\nUnfortunately, there is no type of medication that will cure ADD/ADHD.  The use of medication to treat it, however,  is very controversial.  \n\nRitalin is stimulant which increases brain activity, enabling those with ADD/ADHD to control impulsively, regulate behavior, screen out extraneous stimuli, and increase attention span.  This may appear to calm the ADD/ADHD person while over?stimulating those who do not have this disorder.  Most people who need medication, that is with abnormal brain function, do not abuse it; however, the potential for abuse is always there.\n\n College students cramming for an exam and professionals preparing for a presentation are turning to Ritalin.  They obtain Ritalin by telling doctors that they are having problems paying attention.  This kind of abuse is dangerous.  Ritalin affects a normal brain differently, and it can make you sick.  For the person with normal brain function, there are many potential side effects including elevated blood pressure and heart rate, nausea, agitation, headaches, and insomnia.\n\nA thorough evaluation of the person’s abilities, including appropriate screening for learning disabilities, should be made.  A diagnosis of ADD/ADHD may then be determined by assessing the difficulties the person has with their ability to stay on task, control impulsivity, and maintain attention and organization.  A person with ADD/ADHD, left undiagnosed and untreated, is at a greater risk of underachievement in the classroom and on the job, substance abuse, poor relationships, lack of self esteem, and problems with the law.  While Ritalin is effective in reducing these risks among ADD/ADHD sufferers, it should be used in conjunction with other methods.
1036341
I have a daughter 17 which came to live with me last year. Her grades suffered for the last semester of the year. We sat down and talked and I started let her live more as a young adult rather than a child and the grades have improved. She still had guidelines but were alot less stringent. Allowing a child to grow a little bit helps alot. I was guilty of not wanting my kids to grow up and I was the problem which I realized. I have bit the ole tongue and let her fall a few times but it has helped her grow more.\n  I also have a son who is 12 diagnosed with ADHD(5yrs) I have spent time at the school sharing information with the school on some of the do's and dont's of a ADHD child. Some teachers listen but some are still blind to ADHD. I have encouraged that the teachers become more aware of ADHD and ADD. But what can we expect because our teachers who are molding the grown ups of tomorrow are not paid enough. Educators which care move on to higher paying jobs so that they can support their families and not have to deal with parents who send their kids to school for  baby sitting.\n  We as parents have to be more involved in our school system with support as well discipline.
290734
ADD/ADHD is not an imaginary disorder.  It is a chronic developmental disorder which is genetically based.  It is not a learning disability, but can co?exist with learning disabilities in approximately 25 to 33 percent of those diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.\n\nI am taking concerta.  It is fine for this problem.  There are side effects however.\n\nI never heard of anyone who is taking or is told to take two different kinds of this medication together.  I am not positive but I don't think it is a good idea.
797186
well sometimes there is the need to use meds my son was on Ritalin i would have him seen by several others 4 there opinion teachers r quick to point out add-adhd it seems now days they used to not med until 3 or 4th grade u need more opinions or mom can keep him home put him in 1st grade next yr not alot of folks know this but in most states kinder is not mandatory good luck and i know what Ur going thru
381513
You might define ADHD partially as a behavior of valuing many things at one time.  The result of such behavior is continual movement, esp. to and from different tasks.\n\nThe advice I'd provide for you in dealing with ADHD kids without medication is taking time to learn their interests, setting forth for them what you need from them, and experimenting with various ways of giving them what they want/value while also getting what you need/value from them.\n\nAs a behavior, ADHD could then be defined as choices a child is making unconsciously, namely the choice to spread attention on different objects of value than to focus on a small set of objects of value.  When you reduce valued stimuli, you reduce the potential for distraction from a primary task.\n\nTeaching a child to focus by reducing distractions I should think is a highly effective approach for dealing with their behavior without medication.  They thus learn to manage their own interests.
852644
I AGREE WITH YOU TOTALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\nthey shouldnt be putting little kids on meds just cause there hyper! i have adhd too but im 13 and actually do need help for it cause i cant pass junior high without it cause im too hyper and cant focus on anything but i heard about moms wanting to put there 3 year olds on meds of adhd and thats just wrong! i think little kids are supposed to be happy and hyper or else there not normal the only reason i would be ok with them putting a kid under ummm probably 4 th grade on meds for that is if the kid is so out of control that there a danger to themself or others cause they dont think at all about whats dangerous thats like the only reason to put a kid under 4th grade or 5th grade on meds. wow im soo happy theres more people then just me that think this. thankyou maybe some parents with little kids will read this and take your advice. :)
1137506
I don't personally have ADHD, but my little brother and several other people in my family have it. I have seen that no, it does not affect people very much when it comes to their lives. My brother goes to school and is constantly running around, bouncing off the walls (since ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder). The most problems I've seen with ADHD are disciplinary. ADHD makes you think faster than normal, and some people cannot always make the best judgement when it comes to getting into trouble or staying out of it. There are several medicines for ADHD, but alot of them have side effects of every kind. My brother was on a generic medicice for Ridilin and it caused him to get into more trouble. He'd fight alot more and didn't seem to care what happened to him. He is now 12 and has been on several different types of medication since he was 10. I'm not saying that meds are the only way to help someone with ADHD, but it's the easiest way, and more adaptable to any type of lifestyle, which makes it easier for someone to live a normal life.\n\nI hope this helped. Sorry I babbled on!
514791
Make sure to find out what it is.  In NH 1 out of 4 students are medicated and don't need it.  You say it is not ADHD, do you know what it is.  research more in to it.  worst come worst.  Take your kid for walks before school.  Teach him responsibility.  Get him a puppy.  tell him to walk it and brush it be for school ever day.  A puppy has the energy to keep up with a five year old.\nYour right with choosing medication free.  Your son can't get in the army if you are on Ritalin be for the age of 12.  They are also now finding the cause depression that can lead to suicide.  My brother is on some thing now, do your research.
501926
my son has adhd. you just need to listen to him. He gets soooo upset when you don't let him fully explain himself, even if your in a hurry...listen and validate his thoughts. Also just take time to sit and read with him, or talk about how he feels, what he's into and so on. I't soo tough. my son's 8 and has alot of trouble with friends in school. he's a good kid, they just need lots of love.
130390
I feel your pain, and share your view in general on medications. I have a daughter, now 8 years old who has ADHD. They told me when she was six that she needed to be medicated and I absolutely refused to consider it. I thought that medication was being used way too often and I was not about to put her on it. Well, things continued to get worse for her, me our family as we tried to control her behaviors without meds. She started losing her friends, doing poorly in school, and her brothers started to resent her for the behaviors she would act out and ruin our family outings. I finally agreed about 6 months ago  to try her on the lowest dose possible to try to make things a little better. Now, I regret not doing it sooner. She is by no means perfectly behaved or on task, but she is now able to do her school work with minimum redirecting, sustain friendships, and has control over her behaviors. This medication has not altered her pesonality or put her in to a dazed state like I thought it would. It really has just helped her to be able to live a more normal life. She still has her times when she doesn't want to listen, do homework and pouts or cries, but it is now within reasonable limits. I agree that medication should not just be handed out like candy, but sometimes the child really does need it. With proper monitoring and dosage your son should be fine. The only side effect my daughter has had is a little weight loss, but even that tapered off after the first 2 months. She is a much happier child now, and it is a much more peaceful house. I wish you luck with your son, and in making this decision, as I know it is a hard one to make. I fought it for 1 1/2 years. Good Luck.
740872
my son was promoted to the second grade barely knowing his alphabet and numbers. i also decided not to medicated during second grade. towards the end of the school year it would break my heart to hear my son say that he was stupid because he didn't know what his classmates did. i finally put him on ritalin. OMG!! what a change. he went from getting 20's and 30's (even with 501 modifications) to getting 70's and 80's. he has been taking the meds ever since. he is now a sophomore in hs taking regular classes and thinking of going to college. i highly recommend medicating IF the need is there. you need to take your child to a child psychologist who specializes in add/adhd. they cannot prescribe meds but can recommend. best of luck and tell your daughter to hang in there.
617359
my oldest daughter was diagnosed with a.d.d She was diagnosed in third grade and was on meds (ritalin) for many years. It took a few dr.s to diagnose her. she din't have the hyper activity. I hated putting her on drugs! We felt that we had not other options. And we still had some proplems with her. It's important that parents check very carefully with ther dr.to make sure that is what it is. I trusted my dr. that is what it was. But as the years when by I didn't help a lot. but make her tired. My daughter is 22yrs now and a few years ago we found out that it just could have been deppression. Parents now use a.d.h.d. alot more than it was years ago.  Don't put your kids on drugs unless it is a last resort. drugs aren't the answer to make your life easier raising kids. There are other methods now, try and use them first.
314244
If cutting caffiene (e.g. sodas, teas) IMPROVES behavior, the child DOES NOT have ADHD. Someone with ADHD will visibly calm down when given caffiene.\n\nAbout 5% of kids who are hyperactive are really having a food allergy.\n\nhttp://www.nutramed.com/Foodallergy/fachildren.htm\nhttp://www.nutramed.com/children/hyperactivity.htm\nhttp://www.healingwell.com/library/allergies/kaemmerer6.asp\n\nSensory Integration issues also contribute to hyperactive behavior:\nhttp://www.sensoryint.com/\n\nADHD is a MEDICAL condition...in spite of all the debate. And, I can tell you from personal experience that without the right doctor, his treatment can be messed up very quickly.  Your parent(s) need to ask around...find parents of kids with ADHD, and ask them about whether they are happy with their child's current medical treatment for it. Remember that they will run into people who have been burned so badly by inept doctors that they won't medicate their child, no matter what (instead, their kids are in constant trouble at school, not academically achieving like they could be, and may not have many friends). We went through five different pediatricians until we finally found someone who was really able to help our son.\n\nIf the doctor feels that your brother may benefit from medication, your parents may have to go through trials of different medicines and dosages before they find something that works for him. Always keep in mind that medication is a tool...if something is making him sick from side effects, or he's groggy all the time, or it's just not working, they need to go back to the doctor and insist that dosages and/or medication types be changed. If you're lucky, the first medication prescribed will work wonders. \n\nOr your parents and the doctor together may decide not to start trying medication until he's older...the doctor will have management and parenting tips for them.\n\nIf the doctor diagnoses ADHD, they need to take a written letter (not a prescription) from the doctor to your school district's special education office (YES, even at age 3 or 4, you can get specialized services free through your school system). This will get them started on getting him specialized help, including a school social worker who can help them find good community resources, therapies, and specialized preschool programs that have teachers who are highly trained in helping your brother start to build good school skills early.\n\nHere are some additional links to help:\n\nhttp://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/adhd.htm\nhttp://www.genetics.ucla.edu/labs/nelson/adhd.htm\nhttp://www.chadd.org/\nhttp://www.adhd.com/family/index.jsp
772694
Attention Deficit / Hyperactive Disorder.\n\nLike ME!