Anonymous
Post 12/11/2013 00:02     Subject: Re:ADHD medication for 5 year old
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Thank you for all your responses. He is in OT and speech therapy and in pep classic. If there was any way to avoid medication I would. Unfortunately it is so severe that it impacts every part of his life. I myself have ADHD and was on meds in high school and college. I know I hated the way I felt on it. I'm hoping that medication has improved. I feel that if he could just pay attention he could be so much more successful. He is not hyperactive but completely inattentive.


OP, our DS started medication right around the time he turned five. Like your DC, our DS has ADHD and significant developmental delays. Our developmental ped at KKI finally said "you know what, he's falling so far behind on some fundamental learning skills and we might have an opportunity to help boost that development by trying meds early since attention and distractibility has become a real obstacle and there's no point in waiting for him to fail when academics really kick in after about second grade." So we've been trying Focalin. Although originally I was opposed to medication, after watching my DS struggle and after recognizing the global impact of the inattention and executive-functioning deficits on DS's social, educational, physical and emotional development, I decided that if there was any chance at all that meds might help him then it was worth a try. That being said, we unfortunately have not really seen any difference in DS's behavior or development at home, although DS's teachers have said they see some improvement at school. DS is on a very low dose of Focalin so I don't know if maybe his ADHD is so severe that the dosage is not sufficient or whether Focalin is just not the right med. We've tried the Focalin for about 7 months. Honestly, I wish it was working better because at this point I would be willing to try almost anything if it would help my DS. And changes in diet, etc., have not done squat for him.


You really need to be with a great who is happy to try diff Medsvand doses tofine the best for your child.
Anonymous
Post 12/09/2013 16:05     Subject: ADHD medication for 5 year old
My friend's child too has been on ritalin since 4. He had been kicked out of several daycares and summer camp. Even on ritalin, he was recently kicked out of a private school with small class size. She is transitioning him into public school with an IEP. For severe ADHD, medication at a younger age is an option that should be considered.
Anonymous
Post 12/09/2013 15:26     Subject: ADHD medication for 5 year old
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Can't imagine any "educated" physician would put a 5 year old child on stimulant ADD meds.
Maybe put the adults in his enviornment, in some childhood development classes.

We started our son on medication at age 5. He was diagnosed through the NIH study, and medication was recommended by those doctors as well as his psychologist (from a practice well regarded on this forum). We tried diet change, OT, and behaviorial therapy before turning to meds the second half of his kindergarten year. He literally could not function in the classroom, despite numerous interventions and a fabulous teacher who worked very hard with us. The meds turned his (and our) lives around.

What do you mean by "literally could not function in the classroom"?

This question is for 23:08, the NIH parent. Thank you.


This is the NIH parent.
Could not complete the simplest of tasks, handwriting was practically illegible, easily distracted (e.g., looking at birds out the window instead of doing work), could not sit still on the carpet or stay in his chair, very impulsive (e.g., breaking crayons, tossing pencils), periodic verbal altercations with other students when upset.
Anonymous
Post 12/09/2013 15:08     Subject: ADHD medication for 5 year old
I am not 23:08, although I could be -- our experiences sound very similar. We started Tenex when he was just over 4, and after the NIH study started stimulants (at that point he had just turned 6). He's a tiny guy, but if he were bigger, we would have tried stimulants sooner.

For us, "could not function in the classroom" means that on day 2 of kindergarten (with an IEP in place) we were asked to change from a mainstreamed classroom with supports to a special ed classroom for kids with emotional disabilities. That even in the special ed class (with wonderful teachers who understand this kind of disability), he was routinely sent to the support room for misbehaving (including running away, hitting, throwing things, pulling the fire alarm). When you aren't in class, you can't learn. If you can't learn, you don't have much of a future. Stimulants have given him back that future. He's happy. He's proud of his accomplishments. The quarter he started meds he came home with a pile of awards for "most improved". He's able to participate in extra curricular activities. He still has support room visits, but they are much less frequent.
Anonymous
Post 12/09/2013 08:48     Subject: ADHD medication for 5 year old
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Can't imagine any "educated" physician would put a 5 year old child on stimulant ADD meds.
Maybe put the adults in his enviornment, in some childhood development classes.

We started our son on medication at age 5. He was diagnosed through the NIH study, and medication was recommended by those doctors as well as his psychologist (from a practice well regarded on this forum). We tried diet change, OT, and behaviorial therapy before turning to meds the second half of his kindergarten year. He literally could not function in the classroom, despite numerous interventions and a fabulous teacher who worked very hard with us. The meds turned his (and our) lives around.

What do you mean by "literally could not function in the classroom"?

This question is for 23:08, the NIH parent. Thank you.
Anonymous
Post 12/09/2013 05:41     Subject: ADHD medication for 5 year old
My DS started medication at 9 and it took a year to get to the right dose and medication for him but it has made such a huge difference in his life. I could tell he was beginning to feel bad about himself and had been labeled a trouble maker at school. His behavior is 100% better since he started medication and he is doing much better in school. His quality of life has changed for the better. Our family life is much better. I know 5 years old seems young but if your DC is struggling in school and daily life and you have exhausted all other options, you may want to give it a try. My DS has not needed therapy in addition to the medication. He doesn't like taking medication but knows he has to take it. I never, ever forget to give him his dose because I know it will mean the difference between a productive and well behaved day to a stressful day for him and the teachers. Good luck OP but don't hesitate to help your child.
Anonymous
Post 12/08/2013 19:42     Subject: ADHD medication for 5 year old
PPs have not mentioned the potential impact on how children feel about themselves. I was anti-med and couldn't see all the signs that my child needed help. The signs started at age 4. We started meds and behavioral therapy at about age 5.5. My personal belief is meds should not be done without some form of therapy- they go hand in hand. But bottom line- while I was trying to find ways to help my child without meds, I resorted to adding meds when he told me before age 6 that he was tired of not being able to behave and didn't "want to be here anymore". I didn't know how painful it was for him, even at an early age, to feel like he couldn't succeed. Meds aren't the complete answer (getting an accurate diagnosis has helped) but meds and therapy definitely got us started on a better road.

Would you deny your child meds for any other condition?
Anonymous
Post 12/08/2013 19:32     Subject: ADHD medication for 5 year old
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
What do you mean by "literally could not function in the classroom"?


Not the PP you're asking the question of but if you don't know what she means, I highly suspect you're from General Parenting. One of the nice things about this forum is that 'we' already know what she means because we've experienced it or take her word for it.



Don't be snotty, PP.

PPP, I'm not the poster who used that phrase, but kids who can't stay in their seat or are to inattentive to pay attention would be examples. Every kid is different, and sometimes the school is just isn't the right fit for a kid. Or sometimes SN preschools can accommodate a kid with ADHD better and medication at a young age isn't a necessity. It's rather subjective.
Anonymous
Post 12/08/2013 19:15     Subject: Re:ADHD medication for 5 year old
DS tried a few meds at age 5 and we landed on Straterra. He's 6 now. We've seen improvement in focus, ability to sit still, and a little reduction in anxiety. His ability to pay attention in learn has really improved.

No side effects from Straterra.
Anonymous
Post 12/08/2013 06:58     Subject: ADHD medication for 5 year old
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Can't imagine any "educated" physician would put a 5 year old child on stimulant ADD meds.
Maybe put the adults in his enviornment, in some childhood development classes.

We started our son on medication at age 5. He was diagnosed through the NIH study, and medication was recommended by those doctors as well as his psychologist (from a practice well regarded on this forum). We tried diet change, OT, and behaviorial therapy before turning to meds the second half of his kindergarten year. He literally could not function in the classroom, despite numerous interventions and a fabulous teacher who worked very hard with us. The meds turned his (and our) lives around.

What do you mean by "literally could not function in the classroom"?


Not the PP you're asking the question of but if you don't know what she means, I highly suspect you're from General Parenting. One of the nice things about this forum is that 'we' already know what she means because we've experienced it or take her word for it. I haven't seen a single thread ever in this forum where someone jumps to recommend medication. Medication is used when other things don't. If you haven't been through it, it's easy to spout the conventional wisdom that ADHD is over-diagnosed and over-medicated. It's not. If you really want to know more about ADHD and are not second guessing parents, I gently suggest you start your own thread.

Anonymous
Post 12/08/2013 04:38     Subject: ADHD medication for 5 year old
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Can't imagine any "educated" physician would put a 5 year old child on stimulant ADD meds.
Maybe put the adults in his enviornment, in some childhood development classes.

We started our son on medication at age 5. He was diagnosed through the NIH study, and medication was recommended by those doctors as well as his psychologist (from a practice well regarded on this forum). We tried diet change, OT, and behaviorial therapy before turning to meds the second half of his kindergarten year. He literally could not function in the classroom, despite numerous interventions and a fabulous teacher who worked very hard with us. The meds turned his (and our) lives around.

What do you mean by "literally could not function in the classroom"?
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2013 23:08     Subject: ADHD medication for 5 year old
Anonymous wrote:Can't imagine any "educated" physician would put a 5 year old child on stimulant ADD meds.
Maybe put the adults in his enviornment, in some childhood development classes.

We started our son on medication at age 5. He was diagnosed through the NIH study, and medication was recommended by those doctors as well as his psychologist (from a practice well regarded on this forum). We tried diet change, OT, and behaviorial therapy before turning to meds the second half of his kindergarten year. He literally could not function in the classroom, despite numerous interventions and a fabulous teacher who worked very hard with us. The meds turned his (and our) lives around.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2013 23:01     Subject: ADHD medication for 5 year old
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Executive Function involves motor/frontal cortex development. I wasn't talking about attention. Long term use of stimulants also has repercussions, like growth, behavioral, and sleep problems. I am not anti-meds, my 17 year old is still on them.
I just think a 5 year old is too young for them, which is just an opinion. I would not do it to my kid
.


Not the PP you're responding to but you are woefully ignorant about the neurological basis of executive functioning. Neurotransmitters are involved with executive functioning. The delay in maturation of the frontal lobe results in slower development of executive functioning but the neurotransmitters also have a huge impact.

Yes, stimulants may have some impact if used long term but so does everything else we use on a long term basis (What kind of water do you drink? Do you only eat organic?) And, stimulants aren't the only medication used to treat ADHD. It tends to be the most effective but if the side effects aren't tolerable, there are alternatives.

I don't think you realize how judgmental your post is. You say you're not anti-meds but you sure sound like it. What's the difference between a 9 year old and a 5 year old if ADHD is negatively affecting his life? If I had a choice, I wouldn't 'do' ADHD to my kid. It may not have been necessary to introduce medication to your DS at an early age but to say parents who use medication with younger kids are "doing" something to them is just out of bounds and uncalled for.

Making the decision to m
edicate isn't easy nor should it be. But the decision should be made on fact, not feelings or unsupported opinion.

Big pharma stock?
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2013 22:59     Subject: ADHD medication for 5 year old
Can't imagine any "educated" physician would put a 5 year old child on stimulant ADD meds.
Maybe put the adults in his enviornment, in some childhood development classes.
Anonymous
Post 12/07/2013 21:32     Subject: ADHD medication for 5 year old
Anonymous wrote:Executive Function involves motor/frontal cortex development. I wasn't talking about attention. Long term use of stimulants also has repercussions, like growth, behavioral, and sleep problems. I am not anti-meds, my 17 year old is still on them.
I just think a 5 year old is too young for them, which is just an opinion. I would not do it to my kid
.


Not the PP you're responding to but you are woefully ignorant about the neurological basis of executive functioning. Neurotransmitters are involved with executive functioning. The delay in maturation of the frontal lobe results in slower development of executive functioning but the neurotransmitters also have a huge impact.

Yes, stimulants may have some impact if used long term but so does everything else we use on a long term basis (What kind of water do you drink? Do you only eat organic?) And, stimulants aren't the only medication used to treat ADHD. It tends to be the most effective but if the side effects aren't tolerable, there are alternatives.

I don't think you realize how judgmental your post is. You say you're not anti-meds but you sure sound like it. What's the difference between a 9 year old and a 5 year old if ADHD is negatively affecting his life? If I had a choice, I wouldn't 'do' ADHD to my kid. It may not have been necessary to introduce medication to your DS at an early age but to say parents who use medication with younger kids are "doing" something to them is just out of bounds and uncalled for.

Making the decision to medicate isn't easy nor should it be. But the decision should be made on fact, not feelings or unsupported opinion.