Just got ADHD dx--Will medication be my silver bullet?

[Anonymous]

DS, 6, just got an ADHD dx. Current dx is dev delays. He currently hates school and has a hard time with the work but I know he's brighter than he seems at school (and testing seems to bear this out too). Tell me about adjusting my hopes that medication can "fix" everything, or well, many things. I feel weirdly happy that he can just take a pill (and yes, I do know that you need to manage that, find the right one and dosage) after so many years of hard work in therapy (no we won't stop that). What kind of gains can I hope for once meds are up and running well? What kind of academic improvement did you see in your kid (or not) once you started meds?

[Anonymous]

It was close to a magic bullet academically for us. When we started meds, dc wasn't reading at all, not even CVC words (in fall of 2nd grade). We started meds on a Saturday. On Wednesday, she was reading (simple) chapter books.

It has not been a magic bullet behaviorally, but we have other things going on than just ADHD.

[Anonymous]

That's a tough one OP.

DS just turned 13, is in 7th grade Was diagnosed when he was 6.

For us medication is not a magic bullet but it does help! DS' ADHD is fairly significant and causes a myriad of secondary issues because of it - such as falling behind in school because he's not focused (even while on medication), he's missing out on critical social cues because he's not focused during his personal interactions, his executive functioning skills are weak, critical thinking is getting better.

First order of business for you is to find a reputable psychiatrist who can prescribe and manage his medications, which can sometimes be like nailing Jello to a wall!!


Good luck!

[Anonymous]

No magic bullet here but I think it's definitely worth a try if you're confident of the diagnosis. Make sure to see a child psychiatrist and not a pediatrician. You might have to try several drugs to find the right one and the psychiatrist will be much more knowledgable. My DD started meds in middle school. It has certainly helped but she still needs lots of supports and coaching to stay on track. Accommodations are also key.

My son was on ADHD medication from 3rd-5th. He struggled with side effects (weight loss, tics and moodiness when he crashed every afternoon) but he was a stellar student. His last neuropsych showed he was probably not really ADHD and so we did a trial off. He never ended up going back on. It turned out he's a good student even off the meds, although no longer straight A.

[Anonymous]

It's worth a try, OP. If it doesn't work... at least you know you are doing something to make the child's life better. You can then try something else.

FWIW, my DS, 9, just started on Adderall XR. I don't really see a lot of difference, but his teacher has been observing him for a couple of weeks and she had noted improved behavior and participation with less frequent distractions and greater ability to get back on task when teacher reminds him.

The first day of taking meds is the scariest b/c you don't know what will happen. I was thrilled that it doesn't seem to have affected DS's appetite as is commonly reported. DS is already in the 5th % for weight, so losing weight was a real problem.... fortunately, it hasn't materialized.

[Anonymous]

For my 5 yr old it has been life changing. He is primarily hyperactive but dx with Combined type.

The medication just calms him down. He doesn't bounce off of the walls and talk incessantly. When he's calm, he can learn. He listens and he is receptive to behavior modification.

Last Saturday we went out and he was talking a mile a minute. I asked him if he took his medicine. He said oops I didn't. DH and I looked at each other and we turned the car around. After getting used to our calm, pleasant child, we didn't want to spend the day with our old hyperactive, non listening, non compliant child.

When I ask DS about his medication, he says it makes him feel better about himself. He says he is proud of the way he behaves and he likes that his classmates want to play with him.

So yes, for us it has been a magic bullet.

[Anonymous]

Magic bullet for us too. Son could not read or write at age 8. Two days after starting meds (first school day), he was reading and writing full sentences using proper grammar and punctuation. There was still a lot of work to do, but it really changed his intellectual functioning.

[Anonymous]

It was not a magic bullet for us but it has helped.

[Anonymous]

It was mostly a magic bullet for us at age 8 (with anxiety meds too). Reading improved a ton. Behavior was better. He is still disorganized and forgetful, but the doctor thinks that is a maturity issue.

[Anonymous]

The magic bullet is the combination of medication and CBT. The meds make the brain more receptive to the CBT. At least it does for our 7 year old ADHD, combined kd.

[Anonymous]

It was the magic bullet for my son who was diagnosed at age 8. He was a frequent flier in the principal's office and after he started on meds, no more behavior issues at all. The only academic issues he had were terrible handwriting that has gotten better. He was years ahead in reading and on grade level in math so it was the behaviors that went away on meds. His teachers don't believe me when I tell him what he used to be like in K, 1st and 2nd.

[Anonymous]

DS with Asperger's, then 7, was about to be get funding for SN school without going through due process when the neuropsych eval found ADHD, combined type, in addition to the ASD. DS was at least two grade levels ahead in reading and math so he would have gotten funding solely for behavior.

ADHD meds monitored by great psychiatrist + FBA/BIP + recommendations from neuropsych eval in IEP + helpful school team = model student + no behavior issues + social issues improved greatly and he has a group of friends = happy kid who loves school

While it wasn't "just" the ADHD meds, the meds, Focalin XR, helps a lot.

[Anonymous]

My DS literally told his doctor -- "You saved my life". He went from a total mess (socially, academically, self confidence, etc.) to "normal". Medication (trial and error), plus leaving him back a grade, switching schools and a weekly therapist have made all the difference.

[Anonymous]

If you mean that the meds magically made all issues disappear, then it was not that for us. However, my child has issues in addition to
ADHD. What the meds did and do accomplish is they allow him to focus and have the ability to access all the other services he needs. So he can attend to them and actually get something out of them. Honestly, my child has been on meds for several years now and I can say that he would not be where he is without them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The magic bullet is the combination of medication and CBT. The meds make the brain more receptive to the CBT. At least it does for our 7 year old ADHD, combined kd.

Can I ask where you get CBT for your 7 year old? I've been having trouble finding someone that really does CBT for a child this age.