Managing ADHD without stimulants - how did you do it?

[Anonymous]

I’ve just switched my daughter’s prescription from Concerta to Vyvanse (she’s 11), but overall I’d like to get her OFF these drugs. Her condition is pretty severe and she’s been on these drugs since age 6. I worry about her development, physical and mental, and am just looking for an alternative to this mode of treatment. TIA.

[Anonymous]

Does she have accommodations at school?
What are you doing to help her at home?
My 13yo is on Ritalin on school days but not weekends and over the summer etc.
at home shedoes well with lists, even if there is only 3 things on it.
Alarms, so If I tell her 20 more minutes of something I’ll tell her to set the alarm on Alexa so she knows when the 20 mins is up.
I literally have to tell her every time though.

[Anonymous]

Exercise, whole foods. Hydration with electrolytes.

[Anonymous]

Lists, timers, and verbal nagging.

[Anonymous]

In all honesty, I can’t.

[Anonymous]

I understand why you want her off the drugs, but if she needs them to learn and interact with others socially in an appropriate manner, she may just need to stay on them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve just switched my daughter’s prescription from Concerta to Vyvanse (she’s 11), but overall I’d like to get her OFF these drugs. Her condition is pretty severe and she’s been on these drugs since age 6. I worry about her development, physical and mental, and am just looking for an alternative to this mode of treatment. TIA.

OP what have you tried so far?

An executive function coach? More exercise? Accommodations at school?

Tell us more about her situation for better responses.

[Anonymous]

Not just exercise but a specific sport (Gymnatics) has been good for my daughter. The body awareness, reward of learning new skills and performing them well, and structure have all been good for her ADHD.

I've heard martial arts and other individual sports are particularly good.

https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/best-sports-for-kids-with-adhd/?

[Anonymous]

What is the basis for your worry about the medication?

[Anonymous]

Therapy with a good therapist experienced with kids. Then implementing things at home.

Medication is a last resort for us, and we've used it at times (mostly when dealing with a bad teacher) but we phased it out as our kid's skills developed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the basis for your worry about the medication?

What could a parent possibly worry about when placing a child on stimulants? are you really that much in denial?

[Anonymous]

I have adhd and managed my whole life without medications.
Both my kids are on them though.
If the issues are largely organization and focus and executive function, then you deal with it by being very patient and not caring if not everything gets done while you scaffold skills and learn tricks for filling in the gaps your brain has left. As they get older and have better metacognitiojn that will be somewhat easier. There are lot of books and coaches that help.
If the issue is impulse control, that’s much harder and medication may be necessary to keep them and others safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have adhd and managed my whole life without medications.
Both my kids are on them though.
If the issues are largely organization and focus and executive function, then you deal with it by being very patient and not caring if not everything gets done while you scaffold skills and learn tricks for filling in the gaps your brain has left. As they get older and have better metacognitiojn that will be somewhat easier. There are lot of books and coaches that help.
If the issue is impulse control, that’s much harder and medication may be necessary to keep them and others safe.

Impulse control is a huge issue, and developmentally she’s immature (even on medication). I think there might be a component of autism as well but think I need to get a neuropsych work up to really understand the full picture- the last time she was assessed was five years ago, when she was first prescribed these medications.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I hate to think she’ll be on these for the rest of her life, but also struggle to see how she could operate “normally” without them.

[Anonymous]

^developmentally=behaviorally

She has no risk aversion which is very worrisome, for one thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Exercise, whole foods. Hydration with electrolytes.

Toss in a little voodoo and some thoughts and prayers.