ADHD but no medication? What options?

[Anonymous]

I suspected DD had ADHD at 4. Tried every route and option with ups and downs. By 5th grade, there was no where to go but meds. Her confidence tanked, hated school, was getting bullied and socially clueless, school refusal, wanted to quit every activity. All of this was leading to anxiety and social isolation.
As parents, everything was a struggle with her. We were exhausted and it was negatively affecting us physically and at work. I worried about side effects bc my kid was a picky eater and also had sleep apnea. She started medication in January and it has been life changing for all. She is now picking up social cues, more confident, doing her homework, participating in class, getting up and going to bed without the drama, and doing well in school. She is actually eating better because she is so hungry when she gets home from school (rather than surviving on snacks).

I can’t believe we waited this long and we made her struggle unnecessarily. I now feel like she is going to survive middle school. A few months ago, I dreaded what she would face next year.

[Anonymous]

We medicate AND have a wonderful tutor who also teaches her how to be a student - checking canvas, organizing papers, self advocacy, retaking assignments. I truly believe that without either one of those we would be in for a long, dark road.

The meds aren’t 100% but they clear up her head enough to be able to take in the extra help. And the 1-1 tutoring is wildly different than just class time - they can go at her pace and target her exact needs. It also boots her confidence because she realizes she absolutely can learn when it’s taught in a way that works for her. In class she feels lost and stupid but now is learning the right questions to ask and strategies for learning what is presented.