Please share your experience with ADD (inattentive) medication

[Anonymous]

DD - 11 years old went through neuropsych testing as I wondered if she had a learning disability (something to do with executive functioning/working memory) or ADHD inattentiveness.
Academically she tested well - WIAT-III and WJ-III scores were 3 to 7 years above age equivalent although IQ was 99.

The determination of mild ADHD was given primarily based on the test results of compromised attention and retention from low average working memory. Given the mild nature of the extent of ADHD, medication was given as an option to be discussed with our pediatrician (which we haven't done yet as we've done a 504 plan and other non-medical academic support efforts first).

DD is now in 6th grade at an academically intense school and has about a 3.3 ish GPA. She gets Cs on major tests. Projects, quizzes, small assignments lifts her GPA into the A/B range. She is disorganized and not very through in her homework (which takes a LONG time to compete a small assignment) and she'd rather pay attention to what is going on socially... I know pretty middle school.... but my concern...

My question is for those who have medicated for mild ADHD, what were your reasons and how do you think the medication helps or hinders as DH and I are thinking of trying medication this summer to see if it helps her focus.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I'm not your target audience.....but I've discussed this a lot as my dh takes adderrall for ADHD and my brother is a psych who sometimes gives people meds for ADHD.

There are a lot of risks and side effects to these medications. Particularly on developing minds. It sounds like your daughter is getting by. A's and B's are fine. I would not put her on meds at this point. DH and I have discussed what we would do if one of our kids has a dx of mild to moderate add and we both agree we would rather the kid have mild behavioral problems and lower grades than take meds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not your target audience.....but I've discussed this a lot as my dh takes adderrall for ADHD and my brother is a psych who sometimes gives people meds for ADHD.

There are a lot of risks and side effects to these medications. Particularly on developing minds. It sounds like your daughter is getting by. A's and B's are fine. I would not put her on meds at this point. DH and I have discussed what we would do if one of our kids has a dx of mild to moderate add and we both agree we would rather the kid have mild behavioral problems and lower grades than take meds.

Pp here, here is my observation with my dh on the meds: I think it makes him crash at night, even though he is on XR. He is hyped up in the morning and doesn't eat much, then at night he is often irritable and binge eats. I think it generally makes him more irritable. He feels he needs it to work at his intense long hours job. I would prefer he get a less intense job but he doesn't have that option right now.

[Anonymous]

My experience is not quite what you are asking for but...

At that age, my son played on sports teams with a number of ADHD kids. The kids can be really challenging at early evening practices when their meds have worn off. Not easy for their team mates, and probably not so easy for them, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not your target audience.....but I've discussed this a lot as my dh takes adderrall for ADHD and my brother is a psych who sometimes gives people meds for ADHD.

There are a lot of risks and side effects to these medications. Particularly on developing minds. It sounds like your daughter is getting by. A's and B's are fine. I would not put her on meds at this point. DH and I have discussed what we would do if one of our kids has a dx of mild to moderate add and we both agree we would rather the kid have mild behavioral problems and lower grades than take meds.

For a medical professional to be in your family, you sound really ignorant. OP, you should consult your dev. pediatrician about what is best for DD. The medications on the market today are safe and have been administered for many years without any evidenced based research to support what PP states about risks to developing minds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not your target audience.....but I've discussed this a lot as my dh takes adderrall for ADHD and my brother is a psych who sometimes gives people meds for ADHD.

There are a lot of risks and side effects to these medications. Particularly on developing minds. It sounds like your daughter is getting by. A's and B's are fine. I would not put her on meds at this point. DH and I have discussed what we would do if one of our kids has a dx of mild to moderate add and we both agree we would rather the kid have mild behavioral problems and lower grades than take meds.

Pp here, here is my observation with my dh on the meds: I think it makes him crash at night, even though he is on XR. He is hyped up in the morning and doesn't eat much, then at night he is often irritable and binge eats. I think it generally makes him more irritable. He feels he needs it to work at his intense long hours job. I would prefer he get a less intense job but he doesn't have that option right now.

It sounds like your dh's meds need to be adjusted. Also, you can't compare an adult with an intense job to an 11 year old child. Please stop trying to advise OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not your target audience.....but I've discussed this a lot as my dh takes adderrall for ADHD and my brother is a psych who sometimes gives people meds for ADHD.

There are a lot of risks and side effects to these medications. Particularly on developing minds. It sounds like your daughter is getting by. A's and B's are fine. I would not put her on meds at this point. DH and I have discussed what we would do if one of our kids has a dx of mild to moderate add and we both agree we would rather the kid have mild behavioral problems and lower grades than take meds.

For a medical professional to be in your family, you sound really ignorant. OP, you should consult your dev. pediatrician about what is best for DD. The medications on the market today are safe and have been administered for many years without any evidenced based research to support what PP states about risks to developing minds.

I agree.

FWIW, our 16yo has a similar, mild ADD profile. High IQ (99.5th percentile), average working memory and processing speed.

Concerta made her irritable. Focalin, however, is working nicely. No noticeable side effects.

[Anonymous]

It definitely makes a difference in the ADD symptoms, but does affect sleep patterns quite a bit. DC now goes to sleep much, much later.

[Anonymous]

My kids and my DH take meds for ADHD. My experience is that the medication has little effect on working memory or processing speed. It can help with the organizational skills but only if your DD already has those skills. For me and DD, organization and mindfulness are innate. For our family members with ADHD, it definitely isn't. They had to be taught how to be organized and how to study. Once it's 'routine-ized', they're pretty good about doing it all the time but, medication definitely helps when there are distractions pulling their minds from what they've learned (like the social scene at school). If your DD doesn't already have good organizational skills and study habits, I'd find a good tutor/coach for that. If she doesn't already have those skills, medication won't help.

Now, as you know, as kids advance in grade, the material gets harder. This may challenge your DDs ability to regulate her attention to focus on the subject matter. It is especially true if the subject matter isn't of interest to her. In that case, medication will help her regulate her attention.

[Anonymous]

We medicated in 3rd grade because my sin was breaking down in school. Focalin Xr. Has made a world of difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids and my DH take meds for ADHD. My experience is that the medication has little effect on working memory or processing speed. It can help with the organizational skills but only if your DD already has those skills. For me and DD, organization and mindfulness are innate. For our family members with ADHD, it definitely isn't. They had to be taught how to be organized and how to study. Once it's 'routine-ized', they're pretty good about doing it all the time but, medication definitely helps when there are distractions pulling their minds from what they've learned (like the social scene at school). If your DD doesn't already have good organizational skills and study habits, I'd find a good tutor/coach for that. If she doesn't already have those skills, medication won't help.

Now, as you know, as kids advance in grade, the material gets harder. This may challenge your DDs ability to regulate her attention to focus on the subject matter. It is especially true if the subject matter isn't of interest to her. In that case, medication will help her regulate her attention.

Thank you - I found this information to be helpful in trying to understand DD disorganization. Given that her school has done away with textbooks, teachers print out so much more 'stuff' that SHE now has to organize and keep track of - it's insane and ridiculous the amount of paper she gets.

I will look into a study tutor because how we've been trying to help her keep organized is not working. It's a constant battle of "clean out your backpack!" Hearing it from someone other than mom or dad would help.

[Anonymous]

Do any parents have experience on how to improve working memory and processing speed?
books, websites, professionals?

[Anonymous]

Two books I like:

Smart But Scattered
late, Lost and Unprepared

Although DC doesn't have ADHD, "smart but scattered" definitely applies. I got these books to try to better organize DC's home environment and routinize organization strategies, because her school doesn't help with that. Maybe these books would be useful to you as well. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We medicated in 3rd grade because my sin was breaking down in school. Focalin Xr. Has made a world of difference.

+1.

And fwiw, there is a mountain of peer reviewed research that disagrees with the "developing minds" poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two books I like:

Smart But Scattered
late, Lost and Unprepared

Although DC doesn't have ADHD, "smart but scattered" definitely applies. I got these books to try to better organize DC's home environment and routinize organization strategies, because her school doesn't help with that. Maybe these books would be useful to you as well. Good luck!

What's one tip you found to be the most helpful?