How many of you have children with add or adhd I'm just curious?

Question

and how long ago were they diagnosed?My sons teacher says he should be checked out and im just wondering about this.

thanks in advance

Answer 1

My youngest son was diagnosed with ADHD and ODD in the second grade. At first I was worried because he was such a great baby. He never complained, rarely cried, would sit still for long periods without becoming annoyed. We first noticed that something had changed in the first grade. He is a perfectionist to the point of not knowing how to cope with the frustration of not knowing how to do something exactly correct the very first time he tries.

The doctors recommended medication and I was completely opposed. There were so many side effects and I wasn't really sure that there was really such a thing. But after the five million phone calls and the realization that he was soon to be labeled a behavior problem, I reconsidered.

I chose a non-stimulant based medication called Straterra. It was originally approved by the FDA to treat depression but during the clinicals it was discovered that it had an amazing affect on ADD and ADHD.

We used that medication for about a year but eventually my son's body got smart and it quit being affective.

It has taken a long time and numerous different medications to find what works but now he takes Metadate and is able to function much better. However, please understand that medication is not THE solution but a piece of the puzzle. You must also be willing to devote your time to finding creative ways to deal with the unique issues that ADHD presents including: ongoing counseling, close monitoring of your child's emotional condition, and self-education.

My son is now 11.5 and he has an IQ of 143. He is a brilliant child who can really amaze you given a few moments of your time. But with that gift has come this challenge. It has tried my patience beyond limits I thought I couldn't reach and it is challenged me as his mother to think outside of the box.

The single greatest thing that a parent of an ADD/ADHD child can do is to always advocate for their child. Stay on the school administrators to make accomodations, and teach your child how to cope with their issues. ADHD/ADD are lifetime problems that will get better with age but never really go away. What usually occurs is that the child will find his/her nitch in life and whatever that may be will be in harmony with their ADHD/ADD. They will learn to control the various issues that arise as a result of their problem because they are aware of it and eventually will understand themselves better. But NONE of the realization that your child must come to to be able to cope on their own will come from your guidence, love, and persistence.

If your son's teacher is recommending a check up then I would follow through. You want a Psychiatrist or a Clinical Psychologist to do the evaluation. The testing can take a long time if you find the right professional to do the evaluation. I would not just take him in and let them look at him for 5 minutes and render a diagnosis. It took us almost four months to test my son completely and the end result was a 28 page report that the doctor prepared and then presented to the Principal, Asst. Principal, Counselor, and Teacher at my son's school. As a result of the testing my son has been more than accomodated and perferms excellently. He is aware of his issues, he attends counseling regularly, and he knows that I am there for him every step of the way.

Hopefully you will discover that your son does not have ADHD, but if he does, then hopefully my answer will be helpful.

GoodLuck! :-)

Answer 2

add and adhd is BULLSH!T.....if you people would just stop feeding your kids GARBAGE then they might act normal...try making breakfast from scratch instead of a bowl of sugar cereal...try to give them WATER to drink and not sodas and juice drinks loaded with high fructose (lab rat juice) corn syrup and sugar....try getting them to bed in time so they can have the required amount of sleep....and no video games unless it is the weekend.....

Answer 3

i have a son with adhd he was diagnosed with it when he was five he was always moving hard to control would not listen to me couldn't consitrate

Answer 4

ADHD and ADD is over-diagnosed.  One bonus is that if your child is classified, they can receive extra services and the school district has to pay for it!  . It wouldn't hurt to see a good child psychiatrist and get a diagnosis, but do not medicate unless the child is a threat to him/herself or others.  If there is an issue, play/behaviour therapy can help.  Also, an all natural diet low in sugar is another way to contol hyperness.

Answer 5

In 4th grade my son was diagnosed with inattentive ADD.  This means he can totally behave himself in school, and although he's nice and quiet, he's really not listening at all.  That makes it tough to diagnose.  But the school's special ed testers gave me a special ADD/ADHD form to fill out which pinpointed the problem.  We took the form to our family doctor, and he prescribed Concerta.  My son is now in 7th grade, and he is still on the medicine.  It helps, but it definitely does not perform miracles.  Our pharmacist has said that most kids do outgrow this.  Good luck with your little boy.  Hang in there with him!  You know him best, and you'll be his best advocate.

Answer 6

i think genuine add/adhd is very very rare, if not a misdiagnosis. it seems easier to label kids than find out the problem. i was thought to have add or adhd when i was in grade school. they kept testing me and re-testing me, trying to make the results come out the way they wanted them too. they couldnt understand why the tests werent confirming what they believed (no exaggeration, no lie). years later i was diagnosed bi-polar, and from the research i did about early-onset bipolar disorder, i concluded that that was indeed my problem. i was bipolar long before they diagnosed me and i could have gotten help for it a long time before i did if they hadnt been so determined to make the results fit what they wanted to believe. it was a little ridiculous

Answer 7

My 11 year old son has ADHD and he was diagnosed at 9.  I was the type who never believed there was such a thing until he was three and I took a classs about it.  I had an idea way back when that he had it but I also thought maybe it was just his age.  As he progressed in school and got good grades but bad marks about attention and hyperactivity I decided it was time to look into it.  If you want any more advice or have any questions, message me.

Answer 8

i got adhd, im only 12, and ive had it since gr.2