What strategies for ADHD, if not ready for medication.

[Anonymous]

My boy is too young for medication, but his behaviors are problematic due to his ADHD diagnosis. What strategies should be implemented in school and elsewhere to help him?

[Anonymous]

OP, can you provide examples of what behaviors you are trying to eliminate? We might be able to provide better suggestions.

Also, how old is your child?

[Anonymous]

Behavior chart, a lot of structure, a lot of movement breaks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Behavior chart, a lot of structure, a lot of movement breaks

These are good. But we need more specifics. How old, what behaviors is he doing?

Preferential seating may or may not be relevant depending on the setting/size of the class.

You can also read about 504/IEPs and accommodations here:
http://www.ldonline.org/indepth/accommodations

[Anonymous]

We've had noticeable improvement with diet change - primarily eliminating artificial and processed foods. Although we aren't members, we've heard people talk about the Feingold diet, as well. Also, does your DS attend OT or has he ever been evaluated? It has also helped our DC, in addition to helping us better advocate for her needs with others and understand how to help her ourselves.

[Anonymous]

Read the Kazdin Method.

Find a behavioral therapist.

[Anonymous]

Martial arts. All of the above.

[Anonymous]

Ditto to the dietary changes. Also, lots of movement breaks in school, jumps on a trampoline before school every morning, private OT and karate.

[Anonymous]

NP here and I am also concerned about this. DD is in K and teacher just expressed concern during teacher conf that she has trouble focusing/following directions/ keeping still. Teacher said she is very bright and would do better if these other areas improved. She already has her sitting in a different place in class away from others so she doesn't disrupt them. She says when separated, DD kind of zones out and doesn't pay attention. We also had DD take the WPPSI last year for private admissions and the tester said the same thing. She worked while moving around and wiggling. Hard to stay focused.

We have problems at home getting her to focus or sit still. At dinner we have to ask her to sit back down in her chair at least 5-6 times. She is almost 6 years old.

Should we ask that she get referred? We don't want to medicate at this point, so looking for other advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here and I am also concerned about this. DD is in K and teacher just expressed concern during teacher conf that she has trouble focusing/following directions/ keeping still. Teacher said she is very bright and would do better if these other areas improved. She already has her sitting in a different place in class away from others so she doesn't disrupt them. She says when separated, DD kind of zones out and doesn't pay attention. We also had DD take the WPPSI last year for private admissions and the tester said the same thing. She worked while moving around and wiggling. Hard to stay focused.

We have problems at home getting her to focus or sit still. At dinner we have to ask her to sit back down in her chair at least 5-6 times. She is almost 6 years old.

Should we ask that she get referred? We don't want to medicate at this point, so looking for other advice.

Pp again. Teacher said she thinks borderline ADHD, but that she is still young. She said to keep her busy with activities which we do. Dance, swimming, piano, etc. Just wondering if there is anything we can do now to help her focus and concentrate.

[Anonymous]

Iron-rich foods.

[Anonymous]

Really? We don't eat a lot
Of red meat. Why iron rich foods?

[Anonymous]

Omega 3 supplements

[Anonymous]

A sensory cushion, preferential seating, a checklist taped to his desk, a reward calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here and I am also concerned about this. DD is in K and teacher just expressed concern during teacher conf that she has trouble focusing/following directions/ keeping still. Teacher said she is very bright and would do better if these other areas improved. She already has her sitting in a different place in class away from others so she doesn't disrupt them. She says when separated, DD kind of zones out and doesn't pay attention. We also had DD take the WPPSI last year for private admissions and the tester said the same thing. She worked while moving around and wiggling. Hard to stay focused.

We have problems at home getting her to focus or sit still. At dinner we have to ask her to sit back down in her chair at least 5-6 times. She is almost 6 years old.

Should we ask that she get referred? We don't want to medicate at this point, so looking for other advice.

Pp again. Teacher said she thinks borderline ADHD, but that she is still young. She said to keep her busy with activities which we do. Dance, swimming, piano, etc. Just wondering if there is anything we can do now to help her focus and concentrate.

sorry the teacher sounds like an idiot. she shouldn't be giving out pseudo-diagnoses. if your kid is adhd, you'd be seeing similar behaviors at home. in K, this can be also a function of age and not just adhd. ask for your kid to be seated near the teacher, so she can be re-directed when necessary and she won't be as likely to zone out.

if you're truly concerned, shell out $3-4K and get your kid a neuropsych evaluation. You are not even close to figuring out what meds at this point.