Adhd - Ann Arbor,MI

First I think you might want to do some research on ADHD....it is not a learning disability, most children with it are very smart, and easily bored. My son was doing 3rd grade math in 1st grade, but he needed the medication to help him concentrate at school. I was very easily distracted and was often sent home for being disruptive. Once he started medication he was fine, and even helped other children with their math. He took Ritalin...they started him at 5mg 3 times a day, went to 10mg a few months later, then to 15mg a year later. When he graduated high school he was still on 15mg, just at breakfast and lunch. By then he had learned how to deal better with the distractions. He graduated near the top of his class and even had college credits :)
Medications have changed since he was young, but I feel that it's not fair to make things harder for him. It's not a punishment to take medication. You want to give your child every chance to succeed that you can. I think that some children need that help, that if it's hard because of something they have no control over then as they get older they will fall behind and have poor self-esteem and all that that leads to.
I'm not saying just put him on meds, but do the research. Find out as much as you can to help your son.
D.

I am with Char M on this one - I suggest looking into potential food allergies/intolerances. Like she said, these allergies don't always present themselves in the traditional way we think of allergies (constricted breathing/rashes) - sometimes they are less noticeable visually and more internal which can lead to behavior issues (this was the case with my nephew).

An awesome book I've read is Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Allergies and Asthma by Dr. Kenneth Bock. It helps explain, in laymans terms, what is happening inside the bodies of kids with these issues and provides steps to take to remedy the situations with the help of your child's doctor. And many of his patients have been recovered without the use of medication (especially in the less severe cases - and it sounds like your son is less severe since he does well at home). He admits that some kids do need meds but most kids don't.

Best of luck!

I am one of those people who believe that a diagnosis of adhd is WAY over used. For whatever reason some believe that kids with a little more "zip" need to be contained or drugged. His teeth grinding could be from some anxiety. You might try giving him a calcium supplement about an hour before bed.....so maybe about 600-800? The old wives tale about warm milk before bed...it's the calcium that helps you relax. (An adult dose would be about 1500 mg or so.) Teeth grinding can lead to a big pile of other issues...TMJ and actual breaking of teeth! Oh my!
I would also check into what he is eating. Hidden sugars (all the -oses that are added into our food) or even an undiagnosed food allergy could be the culprit. Many times food allergies do not present themselves with a rash or breathing problems. They show up in behavior. The other thing is, kids don't always know HOW to handle situations with more chaos or lots of people. They have to learn it. Fair but firm, consistent boundary building and a big dose of unconditional love will take you miles!
If you think it might be something he is eating,
Go to www.ahccenter.com
This is a group of chiropractor/clinical nutritionists who have quite a knack for solving mysteries like this. It could be something really simple. They are in Grosse Pointe...well worth the drive! Good Luck!

I recommend you work with a doctor to find the best medication plan for him. May take more than one try. My 6 yr old grandson is now on meds and school has been much more successful so far this year. Parents fear meds but letting a child get into bad behavior patterns and get a rep for being a trouble maker will hurt him far more! Our grandson doesn't take it on days he's not in school but kids who have social issues in the n'hood need to. Part of it is him learning how to behave and getting into a good pattern of interacting w/others. Part of it is about focusin on what he needs to do. The impulsivity can get him in lots of trouble and likely won't get better on its own. Sorry about that. Being smart is a common thing for ADHD kids - also very lovable when they're not being aggressive and out of control.

My son was also diagnosed with adhd, when he was 6. He had the same teacher for 2 years, and the teacher good tell when he had not taken his meds in the first 15 minutes of class. He was able to concentrate better at school, and his grades have gone up since being on the medication. My son also grinds his teeth at night, and his dentist said that this is totally normal, and that they usually will outgrow this when they start to get their adult teeth.

ADHD is a chemical imbalance in the brain that THEY can't control, without medication. He is only 6 and if he is aggressive now it will get WORST as he gets older when his self-esteem is so low cause kids won't want to be around him, because of his behavior. He doesn't understand why he is like this that's also why he is easily frustrated. Children like that act out and get in alot of trouble when an easy solution is medication. Would you deny insulin to a child who has diabetes? NO its the same concept for kids with ADHD.
Find a GOOD pediatrician or psychiatrist to help you understand this disease, and YES it is a disease.

Are you sure about the diagnosis? Maybe it would be good to get a second opinion.
C. H.