Hi,

My daughter is 12, and was diagnosed in kindergarten. My experience is that trying to get control of the symptoms was a moving target. Molly started on 5mg of Adderall and the teachers noticed a positive change (it wears off by the time I get her back from school). But after a while we needed to adjust the dose. Time went by and I was surprised and confused it didn't seem to be helping any more. Her psychiatrist explained that she is growing and changing and suggested we try another drug in the same family. After that we tried a different drug family and I kept logs to help me keep the results straight. She's settled into that drug now for 2 yrs. and has the same dosage.

Through it there have been mood changes and periods of behavior that made me crazy. She also changed her name around 8 yrs. old-she signed her homework that way and corrected me when I called her by her name. I asked about the other name: how she selected it, what it meant to her. Sometimes kids need a break from the stress of who they are, or to be someone with personality traits they long for. I mentioned it to the teacher who was OK with it on assignments and I called her anything she wanted. She went through a few names within about 2 years (off and on) and then dropped them. My attitude about parenting is that if you can accept a behavior, try. There are some real issues that are going to be battlefields. And if she is allowed to "try on" other personas it'll help her find out what her values are.

For moodiness, I gave her a sideyard with a tree to climb in, a garden, and a swing. Physical exercise made a big difference in letting off extra energy, and gave us a break from each other. She really enjoyed gymnastics at the Y. Ask her teachers if there is anything going on at school or her other activities. Sometimes kids are having a problem they can't describe and it comes out in moodiness (just like adults).

Hope this helps.

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My daughter was also diagnosed with ADHD in the Spring of 2008 and will be turning 7 in January. We are on our second medication for ADHD. We first tried Biphentin, which is available in Canada. We started on 10 mg and started to see some minor results and increased her to 20 and then 30 mg. Once on the 30 she started to get really agressive and showing signs of depression. It was hard to really see that she was depressed at first because you think she is so young and kids that age say the strangest things and have wild imaginations. Once we put it all together and reflected back we decided to change her meds. She is currently on Strattera 25 mg. She has been on this since mid August. Again we started to see some minor changes but then she seems to be slipping back to old behaviours again at school, home and daycare. I am planning on speaking to the doctor next week about all of this to see if she either goes higher on the Strattera or try Concerta. She has only recently been able to swallow her pills so we are now able to have more choices. It is rather difficult to have to go through this process when you know you child can just not help it.

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I am very curious to know if anyone has taken or tried the medication that is given to your child?

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I also have a 7 year old daughter. She started on Adderall XR, and after a emotional roller coaster with various doses, we ended up with a small dose of Ritilin. Medication has been a challenge. There is no perfect dose, and it changes over time. I also have ADHD, and take Adderall XR as well as Adderall IR. The difference is amazing. If you truly have ADHD, the medication is extremely helpful if you find the correct medication/dose. I am very open with my daughter about the medication, and ask if she is ever uncomfortable. I usually take "holidays" over the summer (not the entire) and school breaks. It is a difficult decision to use medication for your child, but often the results are helpful. I have very mild issues with my medication. There is an interesting book that I have read, it is called "The Gift of ADHD". It reflects on the positive aspects of having ADHD, and puts things into a lighter perspective. I have questioned before weather I was medicating my child to fit into the structure of the school environment, but soon realized that the small dose is essential for her attention. I am hoping that time and maturity will subside some of the hyperactivity, but not her spirit!

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Our daughter whos is 18 and a sr. in high school, was diagnosed ADHD when she was in 2nd grade. It has been been a long road to 2008, but we did it!! There have been med. changes, struggles with social groups, struggles with teachers, battles at home, etc. But I am proud to say our girl is a champion! She currently owns a 3.6 GPA, a drivers license, a full ride scholarship to a D1 college for sports and a story with a happy ending (so far!). Our daily battles paid off............ don't give up, follow through, and love your girl everyday. They are very special people.

Best of luck to you all

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The best advice I can give you is to love your daughter unconditionally. Some children with AD/HD may have an easier road than others. I have two children with the disorder, and my heart breaks for them. It isn't the worst thing in the world by any means, but it is truly tough. My 12 year old daughter has always gone by her middle name, but when she started middle school she started going by her first name at school. I think she wanted a clean, fresh start and taking on a "new" identity was one way to give that to herself. To me, that says a lot about how much of a dent a child's self esteem takes in trying to get through school with this disorder. I know in my daughter's case, she is constantly being nagged and reprimanded at school, and makes mistakes that are embarrassing in front of her peers. My husband and I have decided that the academic work is secondary - our goal is to give her as much support and love as possible and to TRY to get the school staff to be positive with her also. Good luck with your daughter! I hope her path is easier!

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We have a 12 year old, 6th grader diagnosed in 1st grade. The trick is to watch and listen. We have titrated her medication several times over the years with much success. We were not always happy with the changes but determination is the key! We went to a specialist in ADHD who really understands the pharmacology of the agents. We tweaked and prodded, talked and fiddled with doses, dosing times and we just recently arrived at: Focalin 12.5 in AM (immediate release) Focalin XR 15mg at 10:30am Focalin 10mg at 4pm if our daughter feels she needs it Strattera 40mg after dinner It is intense but she is playing the clarinet, getting straight A's, her social functioning has improved and we are hopeful her junior high experience will continue to go well. Outbursts focus on her little sister and we are working on behavioral interventions with both girls to address this issue. GET AN EXPERT ON THE AGENTS. Mommy of Jade Ox

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I am hoping her behavior about being called "Abby" will pass in time, seems like in the past when she would be obsessive about something, it would eventually pass. My daughter has an issue of wanting to be the one who is in control. Today is report card day so am hoping to see good results. How does everyone deal or handle discipline and chores?

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I DID TELL THE DOCTOR I WANTED TO TRY THE MEDS OUR DAUGHTER TAKES. SHE SAID SINCE I DO NOT HAVE ADHD OR THE OTHER PROBLEMS THEY WOULD NOT WORK THE SAME FOR ME.

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I am an ADD mom with 3 kids, 2 with ADHD. My ADHD daughter is now in highschool getting honors and awards because of the meds and support she was given. She did not do well on timed-release meds, so we gave her basic 4 hour ritalin. The results were amazing, socially and academically. For 3 yrs I went into the school every day at lunch to give her the next dose because the school wouldn't do it. She now takes ritalin only when "needed": a math exam, planning/organizing big assignments. She still struggles with some things but is happy, has great self-esteem (was almost suicidal at one point in the past) and has lots of good friends. I took her ritalin when it was first prescribed as I have ADHD (the Dr was supportive) and wondered what it felt like.... Imagine you are in a store with a wall of TVs and within each TV is like another wall of tvs full of squares of orderly information;you can back away and see the big picture, or go closer and see each topic in correct sequence;the sound can be turned on or off, it is calm, still, and organized, information can be retrieved easily then pops back into it's home spot where you can find it again. I can easily see how to plan a job, begin and complete it.....then the ritalin wears off: the tvs begin to move in random order, faster and faster, the squares within the squares are in motion as well, but they are distorted moving blobs, not squares, if I reach into the moving tvs to retrieve a piece of information sometimes I miss and pull out something else, but I can't remember what I was originally looking for anymore. Then when I put it back it is almost impossible to find again, the sound is loud, everyone is talking at once, music is playing, the wind is blowing.... I don't take ritalin anymore, I am used to the chaos in my brain and I like it, it makes me: me. I was very shocked at how ritalin works. I had no idea that "normal" people had quiet orderly minds. And I only know the difference because I took the ritalin. Ritalin also makes you thirsty/dry especially if you are doing physical activities. ask me questions if you want.

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My daughter was diagnosed in 1st grade. She is now in 3rd grade and doing pretty well. I am still concerned about her progress in school and her dislike of reading and writing. It was not a difficult decision to put her on medication as she was struggling so much in school prior to the diagnosis. She is now developing an understanding of what the meds do for her and is willing to take them daily. We call them "listening pills." I worry about her socially. It is hard for her to form friendships, her abruptness puts off the other children at times.

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Hi. My daughter is 9 and was diagnosed when she was 7 1/2. She is on Focalin XR 10mg. Other than a minor appetite loss, she does very well on this medication. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

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My daughter just turned 7 and was diagnosed with ADD at the beginning of this week..She's been failing 2 subjects in class since the first 9 week progress report of the school year. She did well in Kindergarten, however, when she went into first grade, everything seemed to change. She can be the sweetest girl and then the meanest. She has severe tantrums sometimes when you wonder if this is really your child...it's heartbreaking to see. She is very hyper, however, she's not very disruptive to the other students-her biggest problem is comprehension and focus. She doesn't get up and wonder around the room instead of doing her work, but once they stop their group time and they have to go do work individually, she can't do it. She just sits there...even though she was answering questions during group about the same things on her worksheet at her desk. My hubby and I have been beyond frustrated and were at our wits end. She tends to be hyper and it's embarrassing in restaurants and other places when the other families just kind of look at you like you can't control your child. She's supposed to start taking her meds tomorrow for the first time. Her doc put her on 5mg of Focalin-so we'll see how that works. He said it's a mild form of med for ADD and we're really hoping it works. We've even thought about putting her into a program at Kumon or the Sylvan Learning Center. I love my daughter very much and it's been hard to handle at times. My hubby works 6 1/2 days a week most of the time, so I'm at home with her and our 1 year old son. He's very calm and laid back & she's just a bouncy ball...she's exhausting! She's never tried anything 'dangerous' although she seems to be an adrenaline junky to a point-she loves roller coaters and she cried at Sea World last year when she couldn't go on the biggest one there because she was a little too short (& I would've had a panic attack!)...she never stops and tends to be a little rough with her brother...she's defiant and nothing has worked for discipline with her! We've tried spanking, taking ALL of her toys away (she helped us pack them), and putting her in her room for time out...taking her out of the situation and putting her in her room has seemed to be the most effective, however, she gets very angry and tells us we're mean and stupid...it's hard to hear that as a parent...if anyone has any parenting tips, I'd love to hear them! She's a great kid, very smart and goofy..she's a lot of fun, but a lot of work! I'm sure all of you can understand where I'm coming from :) It's nice to be able to talk to someone who understands where I'm coming from :) Thank you all for listening!

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I have a 11 year old girl.I have ADD and I take Retalin. She takes Concerta...a long acting Retalin derivative.......we do much better on that than Dexamphetamine.....She doesnt always take it ..she has got quite sneeky.....

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My daughter is 7 1/2. It was a long hard decision to put her on any meds, but I finally broke down and allowed her to try Strattera. It worked great for about 2 months, and then she started to have severe mood swings and melt-downs. Her doctor has perscribed Vyvanse to try, but I am so worried about letting her try somehting else. I read about horriable side effects, and recall the mood swings she had with Strattera. I don't know if there is anything that will really help her without side effects or changing her personality. Is there really any help, or do I just let her be and try to help her the best I can without the meds? It is a hard decision.

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Dear Concerned Mom,

My daughter had a very low tolerance for any of the AD/HD medications. She tried them all. Strattera was the absolute worst for her. Vyvanse is in an entirely different class of medications, and could have a much different effect on your daughter than Strattera. One thing I told my husband when we contemplated medicating our children was that none of the medications had to be permanent. This made it easier for him to accept trying them. We knew we would discontinue anything as soon as we felt the side effects were hurting our kids. It gave us and our children a chance to see how the medications made a difference with their AD/HD symptoms. My son was pretty easy - his main side effect has been appetite suppression, and the benefits have far outweighed that for him. In my daughter's case, it was a long process, and not enjoyable for her, but she is currently on a low dose of Adderal XR, and she wants to take it because she can tell it helps her focus and stay "with it" at school. They never take medications outside of school. We like them just the way they are and they deserve a break for the medicine, but it certainly has helped them feel better about themselves in the academic setting. I know it feels like your child is a guinea pig when you are trying all these medications on her, and you wonder if you are doing the best thing. Just remember that they don't do permanent damage over a short trial period, and they can have great benefits if you can find the right one. Also, we shopped for a psychiatrist, and ended up with a great one who friends recommended. He is very cautious and respects our concerns about medications. Best wishes! Allison

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Our 8 yr old daughter was diagnosed 1yr ago and with regard to discipline we TRY our best to use the Love and Logic method. There is a audio cd specific to using Love & Logic for kids with ADHD. It is called Calming the Chaos:Behavior Improvement Strategies for the child with ADHD by Jim Fay and Charles Fay. This method has worked well for us because you use immediate consequences in a calm and empathetic way. Not only has using this method helped my husband and I defuse tense & frustrating behavior situations but the immediate consequences are usually successful because my daughter is able to link the behavior with the consequence and learn from the experience while still feeling that we love her.

We have had a hard time with weekly chore lists being completed since there was no immediate reward, she would forget to do the list or get distracted in the middle of a task........ So what we do now is handle chores on the fly per se. When she completes a chore, she gets paid right then and there. It is not much money, but if she chooses to do more, she can earn more.

I have also read The Gift of ADHD and found it extremely helpful, especially when I was still working through the idea that our daughter had ADHD and realizing the journey that was ahead of us.

Best of luck!!

Coloradomom

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