For those with experience with ADHD & ODD?!
Question: My son is 6 years old, Quiet young I know but he was recently diagnosed with ADHD and ODD. I just want someone that has experience with these disorders to let me know how you dealt with it. Did you or your child had/have to take meds?
My son is very hyper, Hes also very difiant. Do you have any tips that help with difiance? I am looking for some answers..
I want to do what's best for my son. I have research the topics online but I feel that someone with experience could give me pointers and help me. Thanks for your input.
Answers: My son is 6 years old, Quiet young I know but he was recently diagnosed with ADHD and ODD. I just want someone that has experience with these disorders to let me know how you dealt with it. Did you or your child had/have to take meds?
My son is very hyper, Hes also very difiant. Do you have any tips that help with difiance? I am looking for some answers..
I want to do what's best for my son. I have research the topics online but I feel that someone with experience could give me pointers and help me. Thanks for your input.
Now you are speaking my language! LOL
Yes I do have FIRST hand experience.
Long version short
I love my son so very much, but he was BEYOND a challenge for me! BEYOND! I cried myself to bed EVERYNIGHT!!!!
HE wouldnt listen to me, couldnt function well at all, he was HYPER (up til 1am EVERYNIGHT) always into something, talking back, etc etc... It ruined TWO marriages (ALMOST my 3rd)...and more.
What worked??
After 3 years of all kinds of trials ...i am pleased to report that TODAY my 8 yr old "challenge" is still a BIT of a handful but fast asleep (yeahhhhh) HAPPY, HEALTHY and STABLE!
He takes Concerta - which was awesome for school - the past two years he has made so much progress thanks to this med!
BUT.... he was still hard FOR ME. Especailly when the concerta wears off....
FINALLY this past year, we found Risperdal! AHHHHHHHH!
(he takes BOTH now...its the best combo)
It settles him, its WONDERFUL.
His doctor says its great for kids who appear "BAD" to outsiders...but you as a parent KNOW its not just "bad' its really issues he (the child) cant always control!
Risperdal helped MY SON, gain self control. He is finally BALANCED!
I also read two AWESOME BOOKS that have helped me SO MUCH -
***********The explosive child - READ this NOW!!!!! It teaches you HOW to best handle your son without MEDS! So many GREAT ways to get what you want from the child (such as get him to pick up without a huge blow out)...
And even....
The out of sync child
Please read at least the first ....and if you can the 2nd!
(and if you need more advice and more details please just email me at: Onetuff_mama@yahoo.com)
Hang in there, if I CAN make it...so can you!
I have ADHD and I am a 22 year old college student who works and go to school full time. There are some subjects which I excel at while others I dont perform too well on. My parents didnt want to put me on meds because of the side effects. I am about to graduate in 1 more semester and looking back I dont believe my disorder hindered my life but it did give me a challenge. I came to understand it was really just hard work and motivation that has led me to take giant steps in life.Although I wasnt the sharpest tool at school , I know the experience has bettered myself as a individual and all it was was just hard work. So I hope you do not decide to put him on meds , but will take the better route which is to push him. I hope this helps.
I work with students with these special circumstances on a daily basis. I commend you for doing your own research on the topic and would urge you to continue to do so.
Some things that I have found that help:
1. Positive Reinforcement means the world to these children. Oft times they hear negativity towards them and respond negatively to it. Applaud your son for all the positive he does even if it seems so minor. It could mean the world to him.
2. If the doctor has recommended medication then its worth a try. There are some kids who work well with basic therapy and others need meds to calm their lack of impulse control. Your son may need to be on some form of meds. The best I have seen is the 12 hour patch. (Not sure of the name) It delivers continuous meds through the school day and well into the evening.
3. Create clear boundaries and consequences and stick to them. Children are very smart and know when they have an illness. DO NOT let your son work you over. Be clear that these are the rules and they will be followed. (Meds can help them become more compliant)
4. Keep your cool. Oft times these children have something on their chests and just can not communicate with words to let us know what is bothering them. Open up the lines of communication so that your son knows that no matter what the issue that you are willing to address and deal with it. Even when he is being extremely definat its important for you to remain cool. Your anger would only feed his definace as to him it seems you arent listening.
And most importantly, treat him like a child that does not have ADHD or ODD. Never let his diagnosis hinder him. You may have to take an alternate route for him but he can succeed like the rest!
I used to not believe in ADHD. I just thought it was undisiplined children. At age 5 I began to notice how hyper and unruley my son was. For a year, my husband and I tried every form of punishment and behavior modification tfor our son. Nothing worked, including taking him to the pshyciatrist. I finally broke down and started the ADHD treatment with medicine. It has been two years and we have had to change his medicine several times before finding one that worked best. He is so well behaved now and doing great in school. I can finally see the boy inside and my hope for his future is back.
Getting him diagnosed was the 1st and best step. I know a teacher who has both ADHD and OCD. He was considered defiant while growing up, always in fights, in trouble. He wasn't diagnosed until he got through with school. He is an awesome teacher and doesn't hesitate to tell people about his condition.
2 of my kids have ADHD, I have ADD. Meds were the best thing. I read a lot about people concerned about "medicating" their hyper kids. If I didn't have my kids on meds, they probably would have broken bones, accidents, etc from being distracted, silly, not thinking rationally. I remember my son running through 3 lanes of traffic, wondering how he never got hit by a car, and not thinking anything of it like getting hit by a car. I'm glad I was able to get him diagnosed early. I wasn't diagnosed til my 30's. The hyperness should calm down when he takes him meds. You will be able to reason with him and explain things better. The meds will slow him down so he isn't making spur of the moment decisions, running around, etc. Good Luck to you and your son. Try the meds and see how he does. If his grades in school improve, he's able to concentrate, follow through with tasks, etc. then you know you made the right decision.
A very popular diagnosis. The school will now be able to classify his as EH, shunt him into behavioral mod classes and collect a bonus from the state.
I have just gotten such a child to age 21. She is still a mess but she has had the best therapies and endless interventions. She is going to complete a Med Tech course this summer. It has been a battle.
Your best avenue is to direct all the energy and defiance into individual achievement channels. Such kids do best in activities where the cautions against getting dirty are set aside. Keep them safe but let them get dirty. My daughter was best occupied with horses and stables.
While you are at it get a full hearing and eyesight exam. There is always an underlying cause and it is not always primarily psychological.
If you go the medication rout, go for the simplest compounds and the generics. Anything that is SR or ER is a gimmick and can be sold as a proprietary Rx for a premium. Use the meds as stopgaps and do not give them routinely. I have seen the positive outcomes that the stimulants can have. I have seen stimulants become ineffective when given on a strict schedule. When school is out, drop the stimulants. Let the brain mature and make adjustments on it schedule. All this may mean more work for you but the alternative is the zombie nation of kids that are medicated all the time.
Remember this:
The system want you to turn out a quiet compliant kids who will do as he is told all the time and will turn into a complaint drone of a citizen. Otherwise, they will accept a psychopath who will function as a prisoner in the penal system. Either way they are profit centers.
i have adhd.I take pills.Coming from an 11 year old you should take him to a local doctor and tell him.He will give you a prescription.Everything will be alright from there!! I take concerta and methlyn.
And you see your doctor for checkups. Google Union avenue neurobehavioral pediatrics or the # is 253-759- 5349 this isnt local but they will give you really good advise.Im 11 but i have adhd.Ask to talk to Carl Plonsky and tell him your situation!
hope that helped!!!
Gina,
My 13 yr. old grandson has been in my care since he was a
toddler.
He was diagnosed ADHD when he was 6.
His eldest brother by a previous marriage was ADHD,as was
his father & his paternal grandmother.
Kevin & his brother were both put on meds at age 7,Adderall
to be exact.
I have mixed feelings about the drugs. I guess that they are a
necessary evil,....for a time.
It's been my experiance that the kid will let you know when it's
time to get off the meds.
The oldest boy got off the Adderall in his mid-teens & his life
started to straighten out. He enters the Air Force Academy
this fall. That's pretty fair,for an unruly child.
Kevin entered junior high this year,& after asking me before
the start of the school year,...has been off the meds. Thus far,
he's been a model student & on the honor roll every grading
period.
Anger Management (and that's what the defiance boils down
to) needs to be addressed with an outlet & an adult form of a
confiant that these youngsters can express their thoughts to.
I'm more than willing to talk more at length later.
LOL
MIKE