Should I put my child on disability because he has ADHD?
921805
Whatever the law says, disability insurance is meant to be for people who are actually DISABLED, not people who just have trouble sitting still in class.  I think that ADHD is something of a social construct, but I'm all for giving kids (and adults) meds for it if the benefits outweight the side effects (which they usually do, even for people who don't have very significant attention problems).  However, trying to get a disability check for it doesn't seem right to me.  Remember that whatever money the government gives you is money that they don't have to spend on something else.  Given the state of our national budget, the last thing we need is more people clamoring for government handouts they don't need.  If meds help your kid, by all means medicate him, but you're not doing anyone any favors by trying to get a disability check out of it.
803372
A child with aspergers is not disabled except socially.  He can take care of himself and can do well in school.  It is unlikely they will give you SSI for that.\n\nHowever, the school should give him special education to deal with his aspergers.  That is what he really needs.
1181303
If he has problems in school because of his behavior.....I believe a school councilor can talk to child w/out permission because my son is ADHD and school councilor talked to him w/out permission....as far as your ex goes......He is BLIND if he doesn't see a problem....unless your ex acts like him...I would ask family DR what to do...or get a good lawyer...that's scary of him drawing those terrible pictures...look at all the school killings...Show the picture to the school....they should be able to do something about it...like, again, a school councilor  GOOD LUCK!!
39945
He may be just going through "the terrible twos" (which actually last through the threes sometimes).  All my three kids were difficult at this age.  My first son had a tantrum, stiffened up like a board and fell backwards in the store, wacking his head on the floor hard!  He lived, we survived... barely.  Next time you take him to the doctor(and if he's like my kids, it probably will be soon), talk to the  pediatrician about it.  I'm afraid that too many kids are labled ADD and it may just end up being a stage of life the is difficult for the kids and parents.  Like Bill Cosby said, it's a good thing they are cute.
1065221
It's not just you - I happen to agree also. When my son was in first grade the school started in on me to have him diagnosed as ADHD & "suggested" medication - turned out the child had a severe vision problem that normal screening didn't catch & he could not see! I stuck to my guns & told them no drugs, & no, he didn't have a behavior disorder - & I was right! \nEverybody wants a "quick fix" as you said - from everything to making kids behave to losing weight. Take these pills & you'll feel/look/act all better!! It's like Jack & the Magic Beans!! lol And it doesn't always work.\nKids receive little to no discipline at home, the teachers are so busy trying to keep their classrooms disciplined that they can't teach so they learn very little & with TV being the best babysitter on the planet, children don't develop attention spans anymore. They can't sit still & pay attention because no one taught them how to do that. Parents have got to start teaching their children self-discipline at home!!\nOkay, I'll get down off my soapbox now - but yes, ADHD is too widely used as a diagnosis to cover a whole host of ills these days. \nAll I can say is do what you can with your own children & hope other parents will begin to do the same with theirs.
650663
My son has ADHD, in the worst way. It is very very hard. Especially when he has a schedule to follow. Most tasks are very hard for him to complete because he is so easily distracted. He is 7 and is on medication, and even that isn't 100% effective. You take a deep breath, and tell yourself they are not doing IT to irritate YOU, they just can't help it. \n\nGood luck, let me know how it goes.
880866
Multiple meds are often prescribed for for ADHD and ODD.  If your son has ADHD you can drop the ADD, that's redundant.  ADHD is attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and ADD is attention deficit without the hyperactivity element so he can't have both.\n\nThere are no interactions.  Did you think his prescriber would write for both without checking first?\n\nRitalin (methlyphenidate):\nCommon adverse reactions - nervousness, insomnia, headache, palpitations, tachycardia, exfoliative dermatitis.\nLess common adverse effects - tics, dizziness, pharyngitis, weight loss, cough, rash\nLife-threatening adverse effects - seizure, arrhythmias, thrombocytopenia & pupura, leukopenia, erythema multiforme\n\nDepakote (valproex sodium):\nCommon adverse effects - insomnia, nervousness, somnolence, tremor, headache, dizziness, diplopia, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anorexia, alopecia, flu symptoms.\nLess common adverse effects - emotional upset, depression, pharyngitis, constipation, increased appetite, bruising, weight gain or loss, bronchitis, pruritis.\nLife-threatening adverse effects - pancreatitis, hemorrhage, bone marrow suppression, hepatotoxicity, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hypersensitivity reactions, erythema multiforme.\n\nDon't let the less common and life-threatening reactions frighten you.  These are, well, less common and rare, respectively speaking.\n\nIf ever you have concerns about the medications that you or a family member have been prescribed, take it up with the prescribing physician.
784272
i have adhd and it would have made my life alot easier if i would have been diagnosed sooner i barely passed 1st through 5 grade so i was constantly in trouble with my parents as soon as i got on the meds i started passing \nim not saying its a miracle cure but it does help \ndont make your kid have to be in special ed if she doesnt have to be its hard to get out of it
118218
I do this for a living, and could give you a dreadfully long answer.  Some considerations are-  Did the school evaluate him/do an IEP?  Has he received a diagnosis from a child psychiatrist?  If so, this may afford some protection as a "special needs" child, which changes the rules for the school.  Even though they may seem autonomous, they aren't.  I would search under special education law, and there may be a public law project in your state that might take the case free of charge.  The same holds true for your daughter.  If she has needed professional help due to school issues, it changes the rules.  Also, inquire of local mental health providers in your state about "wraparound" services, which could send an adult to school with your child each day.  This is how it is in my state, but not in all states.  Good luck.
257486
Yes. Speak to her physician or psychiatrist. You will need a letter of reference from him/her. You can apply for disability allowances.
200186
try spending more time with her... if you do your research children often diagnosised with ADHD often are just wanting and needing attention.  parents (not you) but a lot of parents find it easier not to discipline in a constructive manner by reinforcing, correct behavior, and concistancy. so you often find that so parents can get out the easy way they allow there children to play video games, watch an anormious amount of TV, eat things with red and blue dyes, and are not consistant with reinforcing behaviors that are expected, all of these say to kids play by yourself, watch tv by yourseld, and eat what you want to. leaving children lonely and wanting attention, try to play games with your child, rent a movie for just you and him/her and have a fun popcorn movie night, go for a walk, watch what you child is eating, (look up red, yellow and blue dyes in foods on the net and the effects from them) pay attention to what your child can't verbally express to you and stop trying to feed them pills. we need our children to be productive not so loopy that they can't function. these medicines are addicting and dangerous. did you know a lot of the ADHD meds cause children to halucinate? we have to work with our children and I am sure you are a wonderful parent and concerned other wise you wouldn't be asking this question, but maybe you could start asking your child more questions as well
455014
It depends on the severity of the child's disability. I have spinal muscualr atrophy and was appointed an aide until I was in grade 3 or so. I didn't really NEED one, however the schoolboard felt it necessary to have one around. \n\nPersonally, I think it is good to NOT have the aide or parent around all the time. Let a kid be a kid. Sure being disabled is going to make things different, and kids might approach him/her differently... but all kids are going to find something different about someone. Adults do it too.\n\nBest thing to do, is ask the kid. Does he/she feel ok about being left alone for a while. Does the kid have any friends? Let the friends watch over him. Kids are suprisingly good at caring for others. I know I had lots of little girls who offered to help me get my jacket on and off , put my books in my bag/locker, and that kept me company waiting before school.\n\nDon't shelter the kid, unless it is absolutely necessary and because of some health issue. Alone time and exploration of normal socializing and experiences is necessary for everyone. Disabled or not.\n\nHe/She may grow up stronger for it.
193343
I am having the same exact problem with my 5yr old son.  I can't get him to pay attention and he doesn't even try to focus sometimes at all.  It's EXTREMELY frustrating because I don't want him to get left back.  He's only in kindergarten, for goodness sakes.  \n\nAnyway - sorry about the venting - the only advice that I can give is that if you are really worried about it you can always ask the school board to have him evaluated for any problems.  I'm having my CSE meeting tomorrow and it looks like they are going to give my son services - speech therapy, occupational therapy - you get the idea.\n\nHope this helps.
593231
Pick one environment vs. genes. Some children with other disabilities like ADHD, without proper care and treatment can become Oppositional and or conduct disorders. Sometimes it can be the cause of environmental issues, which in my opinion is harder to discover, because they don't just tell you.
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.
286370
I am not sure of this 100%. But you can take a look for yourself.\n\nI suffer from ADD. I have been on pills, but would rather just deal with it. Good Luck to your son.
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