Parents of Children with ADHD Support Group
This community is designed as an open forum where the parents and guardians of children with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) can give and receive support, as well as discuss ideas, techniques, concerns, surprises, and challenges they may face with their children.
I have two children who have adhd. My 7 yr old son is autistic/adhd and cannot function without his medication. Without it he is very impulsive, hyper, screeches loudly, and throws huge tantrums. On medication he is a totally different kid. Very polite and well mannered. I know he needs the medication.
However my 11 year old daughter is very different. She is more add then adhd. She has her hyper moments once in awhile but nothing like my son. She is basically very shy and hardly ever speaks in public. Home of course is a different story. But she has such a hard time in school. It's not so much lack of trying. But she gets really frustrated with school and finds it very hard. She has trouble remembering things. She is failing the 6th grade. She was on medication (concerta) last year and it helped some but she says she doesn't like the way it makes her feel so we have tried to go without it this year. I try so hard to help her learn and she has it the night before the test but then she fails the test. I don't know what to do for her. Wondering if we should try medication again. What has worked for you? I hate to see her falling so far behind. She is frustrated and so am I.
However my 11 year old daughter is very different. She is more add then adhd. She has her hyper moments once in awhile but nothing like my son. She is basically very shy and hardly ever speaks in public. Home of course is a different story. But she has such a hard time in school. It's not so much lack of trying. But she gets really frustrated with school and finds it very hard. She has trouble remembering things. She is failing the 6th grade. She was on medication (concerta) last year and it helped some but she says she doesn't like the way it makes her feel so we have tried to go without it this year. I try so hard to help her learn and she has it the night before the test but then she fails the test. I don't know what to do for her. Wondering if we should try medication again. What has worked for you? I hate to see her falling so far behind. She is frustrated and so am I.
Faithfully77
Mommy24, please have her neurotransmitters measured. Your daughter may have been on a medication that did not fit her neurotransmitter levels correctly. Once they are measured, she can be given a natural supplement i.e.,Gaba, L-dopa depending on her specific needs or something for serotonin. Or if you choose to medicate again at least you will know which medication would work best depending on her neurotransmitter levels. We used neurogistics.com and they have been helping my son greatly. We've also confirmed through them that my son's ADHD is truly digestive gut related rather than genetic ADHD. The more you know about your children, the better decisions you will be able to make. You can also have them tested for food allergies to rule out or not as is the case with some children when theirs is not genetic ADHD. My best to you, Faithfully
mommy24inGa
Oh my goodness I am so lost..lol. What are neurotransmitters and what is the effect that they have on adhd? I have looked into things like the Fiengold diet but my kids would starve. They are such picky eaters. I give them vitamins and omegas but not sure what else I could do. I would be willing to try things. Mornings are sooo awful with my son. And my daughter doesn't focus at all at school.
lowen22
i would test her for a learning disability. it sounds like she has a learning issue, and if she does, you need to get help from the school, and modifications, so she is capable. this poor kid needs help. im sure you do to...go to the school child study team.
Faithfully77
mommy24, if you can get the book ADHD Medication Rules by Dr. Charles Parker, he does a wonderful job in gathering everything you need to know about treatments that compliment medication and how to determine which medication to use. Lowen's response was also a very good suggestion as well!
deleted_user
Does she have an ADHD diagnosis and exactly how was this determined? Any other testing and does she have a 504 or IEP at school. Reason why I'm asking is that you are seeing huge impairments at school which may indicate something more complex than ADHD. Also, trying really hard and not doing well is a bell ringer. I'd seriously look at having a full workup by a qualified neuropsychologist for learning disabilities. LDs also go hand-in-hand with anxiety which is also what you seem to describe your DD as having. That might make sense why she didn't like Concerta which is a stimulant drug. Treating the LDs and anxiety with therapy and interventions at school may help to minimize some of the symptoms that may or may not be from ADD. You can also treat the anxiety with meds too...either SSRIs or non stimulant meds like Straterra (which helps with ADD and anxiety) might be options. LDs can be hard to tease out by the school and teachers...don't count on them to know...you need professional testing.
deleted_user
Look into the Feingold diet again www.feingold.org Your child would not starve by eliminating dyes, etc. and many parents of picky eaters have seen their kids become less picky after being on the diet awhile. You can find plenty of brands that are okay. We've done it for years. You might also check out the Feingold Association Facebook page to see what others are saying OR the Yahoo group.
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