Is Adderall first line of defense?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| 6 year old (girl) was just diagnosed with ADHD. Pediatrician prescribed 10mg Adderall. We chose to go with the pediatrician first because it was easy to get an appointment and we have no need for IEP or 504 yet. Now I am worried that we are missing something. Thoughts from those more experienced? |
Anonymous
|
I think most will start with Adderall or Ritalin family and go from there. Start with lowest dose of either, watch for side effects and how well it's working. Increase dose as needed. If side effects are intolerable, probably switch to the other stimulant family to see if that's a better fit.
Some people will needs lots of trial and error, others will find the right fit pretty quickly. |
Anonymous
|
PP here, this link might be useful
https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-medications-list-chart-stimulants-nonstimulants/ |
Anonymous
| Agree that most start with some sort of stimulant. Mine started with Focalin and went to Vyvanse when he needed a change. Adderal was used for an after school booster. |
Anonymous
| I would say that 6 is way too early for meds, unless you exhausted all the non-medical options first, like CBT or other therapies, executive functioning support, etc. If you have all those in place and your kid is still struggling, then it's time to consider meds. And yes, stimulants are typically the first the docs prescribe, unless there are major concerns with hyperactivity or weight loss. |
Anonymous
| Is her learning being impacted? If so, can accommodations help? |
Anonymous
|
I’m sorry OP, but I would find a new pediatrician.
My son is 7 with anxiety and adhd (related to the anxiety though) and we’ve been to a ped, development ped, and even a sleep doctor and no one has Rx meds for him. His anxiety and adhd is managed really well with diet, and he has a 504. I meet with his teacher (and principal and counselor) often. He’s doing fine! |
Anonymous
|
Hell no!
Supports at school (e.g., IEP, testing in quiet room) and at home, like tutors, are 1st line of defense. And therapy. A medication that's basically legal speed should be the LAST resort. My in law, 40 ish, has tardive dyskenesia from taking meds since age 6 for ADD. Her neck is turned sideways and she has to hold it in place to be straight. |
Anonymous
| There's a parent support group called CHADD I think - you might want to check it out for information. |
Anonymous
|
I'm the first PP and I will agree with everyone about exhausting other options first. I was answering more from a "which med" point of view.
If your child isn't having issues that raise to the level of needing a 504 of IEP, I'm wondering what issues they are having that you're trying to solve. |
Anonymous
| really surprised at these responses. meds are literally the first line of treatment these days if your child is school age (K or older). OP, you should get a full neuropsych eval to confirm meds are recommended, and then medicate her - but not before then. |
Anonymous
what diet? I want to try that before meds. mine DS is 7. |
Anonymous
Agree. I also can't imagine doing all that therapy without the benefit of meds to help it work. Especially if the issue is severe enough to be ID'd at 6. |
Anonymous
But I do agree I wouldn't have the Ped be the person I'd look to for answers, either. |
Anonymous
| 6, 7 is too young. Sixth-grade is probably the best time for meds unless she is unsafe or is failing school, otherwise, 504 is the best option! |