Son of eight has trouble focusing on his school work?

Question

The teacher and i have noticed that son cannot focus on his School work and then daydreams how can i help his. There is a possibilty that they will recommend ritalin what do you think

Answer 1

I know that this is the age that ADD and ADHD begin to become a noticable problem.  As far as medication it is a personal decision that I would not want to try to give you insight for.  I will let you know this.  Ritalin is a stimulant.  I know you think why would they give a child who is hyper and unable to focus a stimulant but here is why.  In children with ADD, ADHD and other neurological issues the frontal lobe is underdeveloped.  This is why they act so much on impulse.  They are not quite capable of thinking things through.  Ritilan and other stimulants can be used to stimulate the use of the frontal lobe.  This helps them focus, think things through and have better decision making abilities.  

So yes there are advantages but there are also disadvantages as well.  You need to discuss them with your Dr. and see what is right for your child!

Another thing to concider... Is he bored.  SOme children do not focus in school because they are not feeling challenged!  Just another thing to think about!

Answer 2

Has he got some sort of catatonic epilepsy d**n cant remember the name of it !!!

Take him to the doctor first and get him to reccomend testing with a psychiatrist first and try everything else you can before lletting them pump him full of Ritalin it stimulates the central nervous system and shouldnt be given to anyone with depression etc etc you must try other courses of action first ok.

Baz

Answer 3

i have a son of 7 years and a couple of months. he finds it difficult focusing on anything for more than a minute. but our luckdown here in africa is that we can paddle our child without having people who were not there when i was pushing and seeing stars com and tell you how to raise your child. i flog then later tell him what he did wrong and give him what i want to give him. apart from paddling, i let him play enuf so that he becomes a bit calm, before teaching him at home. for school, i try to reward him for good behaviour by finding things he likes to do that would make him expend so much energy or is very exciting. it may not work all the time but atleast he knows that good behaviour might often enuf give him his hearts desire or much fun, the type he likes. besides that he is fidgeting does not mean that he is not listening, as my son has often proved especially if im doing or geading something he likes. in all try your best and pray to God he grws up to be an engineer and expend his excess energy building like a friend of mine... gud luck

Answer 4

To help him focus why not give him treats?

If he does something good then reward him with something that he likes e.g. chocolate or something else :)

That way, he will know that he has done something good and is more likely to do it again

Answer 5

see your school nurse and ask for an assessment for your son my daughter had this same problem and was finally diagnosed with dyspraxia this year aged 11 and she has been given exercises and a laptop to help her give him EPA fish oils in the mean time and good luck

Answer 6

My son and Nephew have exactly the same problem,

Please whatever you do use Ritalin as the last resort.

Try omega 3 6 and 9 they take about 6 weeks to properly get in the system but they really do the job.

Also cut e numbers and colours additives from his diet no fizzy drinks or coke zero as a treat and plenty of praise.

Also a strict routine bedtime bathime anything children thrive from a routine.

Trust me your child will be 100% focused at school.

Answer 7

Ritalin is to calm a child down not to get him or her to concentrate. You have a computer so spend a little cash and get your boy Education city. I have a 7 year old foster child with the same problem. I installed this  last week and already there is a marked difference in her school work her attention in class and her attitude. It cost £49. 00 plus a little extra so I could get her younger brother on to. It's straight forward to use and if you have his school report to hand it will ask you what grade's he has attained at school. You put this information onto the screen and they will calculate where he starts. It is so simple and well worth the money. Give it a go anything is better than what your thinking.

Answer 8

Get his vision cheched. My son had the same problem and they were the school officials were talking about ADD. My mom who has been a teacher for almost 30 yrs told me to get his eyes checked first. It turned out he needed glasses. As soon as he got his glasses his grades turned around. Just so you know I told the teacher off for giving up on my child so easy.

Answer 9

omega 3 fish oils and eliminate colourings in his food and drinks. Increase his intake of fruit and veg.

Answer 10

My son was the same way, and he started in 2nd grade.  I had him tested for ADD/ADHD.  and turns out he had ADD.  Dr. put him on 25 mg dose of stratera, and by the time he was in 4th grade we moved it up to 40mg.   You can tell the difference of night and day with him when he's on it or forgets his pill.  I chose stratera because it's not considered a narcotic! Now my son is in 6th grade and report cards he made all A's and B's except he had one C

good luck

Answer 11

get your g.p.to look at his ears and eyes

Answer 12

I think that the teacher needs to put more effort into keeping him on-task, but I recognise that he is only one child in the whole class. What you should be doing is pushing for him to be assessed and, if necessary, statemented. If statemented, the LEA have to provide classroom support for him. If all he's doing is daydreaming, he doesn't need Ritalin, he just needs a kick up the bum. 8yo boys just are like that, didn't anybody tell you?

Answer 13

My nephew had the same problem at a very early age...My sis-n-law took his for a evaluation, diagnosed him with ADHD and they ended up putting him on rid...It calmed him down but it was like looking at a zombie...He was a completely different kid...It was REALLY sad...I would much rather have my kid be normal & active then all drugged up!...My sis noticed the impact and decided to take him off the drug...He began staying after school for tutorials and extra help...He's now a straight A student and is probably one of the most intelligent kids I know...Sometimes all they need is a little help...

Answer 14

Get an eye appointment first, and rule out the possibility that he loses focus because he can not see for very long. Get a physical for him and mention this problem to your doctor, who will then refer you to someone who can rule out anything else before giving ritalin.

Answer 15

don't put him on anything that'll do stuff to his mental health

nah i think it's just that being a son of 8 he probably doesn't get much attention meaning that he doesn't see the point

talking to him would be the best idea and if things don't improve then call a social worker... they know what they're talking about so would probs be the best person to talk to

Answer 16

my son has the same hing he is 11 he was a year ago diagnosed with epilepsy absenses thats what they call. it he used to daydream but also sometims wet himself, he was sent for a eeg where they diagnosed epilpsy he now takes epilm daily which has ended most absences, take your son to see doctor just in case, good luck an hope evri tin wil be fine