I'm doing it...

[Kimberley]

I feel like crying right now. I called my son's doctor. I believe he needs to be put on meds. For the past 3 years, it's been very difficult for him to focus in school. I know...he's young...he'll be 6 years old next Wednesday. However, it's getting difficult because his teachers are coming and speaking to me about his behavior at least twice a week.

It's not just school. At soccer practice/games, he will stop practicing or playing and just stand there on the field like he's watching the game on t.v. His coach is frustrated with him but I think I'm more-so frustrated.

I have more patience that his teachers...because he's my child. I just hope that I'm doing what is best for him.

Has anyone else had to do this??

[RLC12345678]

Are you talking about ADD meds? I take them as well as both of my sisters. WOW! What a difference it made! Without ADD meds, I would not be where I am today. My sister went from being a C student to being an All A student. The results are amazing. With all the new advancements in meds for ADD, it really isn't like it used to be. Good luck, and don't worry. A lot of kids have this problem.

[Janet]

My son has been on ADD meds since the 4th grade and is now in 10th. You wouldn't believe the difference. Don't worry, it doesn't change their personality, just lets them stay focused more. My son's grades went up immediately.

Please have your Dr. recommend someone you can take him to so that you can have him tested to be sure this is what he needs. Also a real thorough physical will help rule out other things.

Prayers and hugs being sent to you...

[Kimberley]

Question...do these meds make him tired? I'd hate for him to fall asleep while at school.

I'm not sure if he has ADD. He isn't anymore hyper than any normal kinder kid but he just doesn't stay on task. His mind wanders.

[RLC12345678]

Originally Posted by Kimberley

Question...do these meds make him tired? I'd hate for him to fall asleep while at school.

I'm not sure if he has ADD. He isn't anymore hyper than any normal kinder kid but he just doesn't stay on task. His mind wanders.

No, it won't make him tired at all....just the opposite....it gives energy. And, there is ADD and there's ADHD. ADHD is the hyperactive one. If he is not hyperactive like you say, then he probably just has ADD, which is what I have. I am not hyper, I just have a problem staying focused on tasks. But boy have my meds helped!

[Janet]

Originally Posted by Kimberley

Question...do these meds make him tired? I'd hate for him to fall asleep while at school.

I'm not sure if he has ADD. He isn't anymore hyper than any normal kinder kid but he just doesn't stay on task. His mind wanders.

My son wasn't hyper either. That is ADHD. What my son has and has been tested before any medication is ADD. Attention Deficite Disorder. He just has trouble staying focused and on task. Also, he can do great with video games, because there is so much going on in these games that he can stay focused. But when it comes to sitting in class or something where his mind can wander is where the problem is. Hope this helps some.

[Sherry Lynn]

I probably should have taken them when I was a kid... they just weren't around back then.

I'm sure he'll be fine, Kimberley. Just make sure you go to good doctors that you trust. HUGS!

[Janet]

Originally Posted by Kimberley

Question...do these meds make him tired? I'd hate for him to fall asleep while at school.

I'm not sure if he has ADD. He isn't anymore hyper than any normal kinder kid but he just doesn't stay on task. His mind wanders.

If you have him test (not at school) then you will know for sure, but also do a complete physical to rule out any other problems there might be.

[RLC12345678]

One of my main problems was staying awake in class. No matter how much sleep I got, I would always fall asleep in class. One of the indications on my ADD medication is to help with falling asleep. I am a working woman now and I still use my meds. I don't know what I'd do without them. I've also applied to law school and I am not the least bit worried about being able to concentrate to being able to stay awake in class. I know as long as I have my meds, I will do fantastic

[Kimberley]

Originally Posted by Janet

My son wasn't hyper either. That is ADHD. What my son has and has been tested before any medication is ADD. Attention Deficite Disorder. He just has trouble staying focused and on task. Also, he can do great with video games, because there is so much going on in these games that he can stay focused. But when it comes to sitting in class or something where his mind can wander is where the problem is. Hope this helps some.

OMG!!!!! This describes him perfectly! As long as he's playing computer games, he can do that for HOURS! I've limited the time he spends on there but then dad comes along and they go and play together. I told him(DH) that this comes from HIS side of the family since we've never had it on my side before.

Anyway, thanks, ladies. I REALLY appreciate your help. This calms my mind some.

The nurse said this appointment will take longer than most because they do a thorough physical exam. I asked about testing since he has not been tested before but she didn't say anything so we'll see.

Thing is, the appointment is on his birthday and I was going to bring cupcakes for their snack time. Guess I'll do that Thursday or Friday.

[RLC12345678]

Originally Posted by Kimberley

OMG!!!!! This describes him perfectly! As long as he's playing computer games, he can do that for HOURS! I've limited the time he spends on there but then dad comes along and they go and play together. I told him(DH) that this comes from HIS side of the family since we've never had it on my side before.

Anyway, thanks, ladies. I REALLY appreciate your help. This calms my mind some.

The nurse said this appointment will take longer than most because they do a thorough physical exam. I asked about testing since he has not been tested before but she didn't say anything so we'll see.

Thing is, the appointment is on his birthday and I was going to bring cupcakes for their snack time. Guess I'll do that Thursday or Friday.

Well, GOOD LUCK! Please keep us updated on what he ends up being diagnosed with. You could do a search for ADD and you will get SOOOOO much info that will help ease your mind more.

[Janet]

Originally Posted by Kimberley

OMG!!!!! This describes him perfectly! As long as he's playing computer games, he can do that for HOURS! I've limited the time he spends on there but then dad comes along and they go and play together. I told him(DH) that this comes from HIS side of the family since we've never had it on my side before.

Anyway, thanks, ladies. I REALLY appreciate your help. This calms my mind some.

The nurse said this appointment will take longer than most because they do a thorough physical exam. I asked about testing since he has not been tested before but she didn't say anything so we'll see.

Thing is, the appointment is on his birthday and I was going to bring cupcakes for their snack time. Guess I'll do that Thursday or Friday.

You know there is another sign that not all kids have, but mine did. It's when he puts his socks on, he has to pull them very tight from his toes up, before he will put his shoes on. Blew my mind that this is also a small sign.

My advice not to have him tested at school is because they really don't understand it as well as the professionals and tend to want to put the kids in a LD (learning disabiltiy) class. That would have hurt my son's self esteem so we had him tested elsewhere.

[Kimberley]

Originally Posted by Janet

You know there is another sign that not all kids have, but mine did. It's when he puts his socks on, he has to pull them very tight from his toes up, before he will put his shoes on. Blew my mind that this is also a small sign.

Interesting. I thought he just wanted to make sure his socks wouldn't bunch in his shoes.

[magnolia]

Kimberley,

I want to add something to what has already been stated. My son was on meds and we took him off of them over a year ago to see if he was at a point he could come off them (he's 16). I just took him back in on Friday to get meds started back. You need to go by his pediatrician's office and ask them for the forms for teachers to fill out for ADD. They will give you enough forms for each of his teachers (if he has one teacher and an assistant, get 2 forms). They will also give you a form that you and your husband fill out. It's questions that are asked as to his ability to stay focused, is he fidgity, etc. Don't be surprised if your answers are different from his teachers cause, as you said, you can handle his behavior at home and let him be himself where there are higher expectations in school. When you give the forms to the teachers, and they ask if he's ADD, tell them you don't know, you're just getting the forms filled out to take to the doctor. DON'T tell them when the appointment is - this is very important! The nurse will "score" out the sheets and his doctor will give you the results. IF he scores out and needs to be on medication, again, DO NOT tell his teachers! Why? This is the important part to you as his mother (and his doctor will need to know as well) - you don't want to give them any "advance" notice - let them tell you if they notice a change in him! Usually, the doctor will want to see him back in 2-3 weeks to see how he's doing. A few days before you take him back, ask the teachers if they've noticed a difference in him (provided they haven't already told you). Take that info back to the doctor with you. If you tell the teachers he's on medication, then they are going to look for a change automatically where it may take a few days or so to really take affect in his system. At least, this is the advice my pediatrician gave me (and the psychologist who tested him a few years later - she's the one who diagnosed the dyslexia). You want honest feed back and you may not get it if they know ahead of time he's on medication.

There are different ones out there, some that are time released and he only takes once a day, and others that need to be taken in the morning and again at lunch. His doctor can help in determining the medication best for him provided he needs to be put on medication. Don't view this as a bad thing!!! I did but I realized that if I didn't do all I could to help my son, I was only hurting him and his potential in the long run!

Prayers headed your way! Keep us posted!
Suzi

[Kimberley]

Thanks everyone! WOW! You guys are full of info. Thanks for the support! I really needed this today!