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Thread : ADHD Meds for Preschoolers  
11 Apr 2009 @ 10:11 PM
Rita Join Date: Sat 11th Apr 2009
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ADHD Meds for Preschoolers

I have a 4 year old son who is diagnosed with ADHD. The psychiatrist has been working with us on behavior modification to help me manage my son better day to day (I'm a stay at home mom with a 2 year old daughter as well). My husband thinks it'll be better if my son is medicated. I read an article (the PATS study) and all the side effects just scared me. My son is currently in his first year of preschool. He started off a bit rough but his teachers have worked with him so much and tell me he's doing very well. Socially my son is a little behind but he plays well with playmates with the same interest (ie. he doesn't play well with girls who are shy and quiet as he likes someone to play rough with). With summer just around the corner I figured I can release all his energy by just being outside and running around all day. So are meds really necessary for his age right now? I'm open to giving him medication once he starts Kindergarden (if it looks like he needs them) but my thoughts are he's just 4, the side effects seem too risky right now and I just need to focus my energy on trying to release all his energy and tire him out. Plus I have now read articles on fish oils which I haven't tried with him. So I'm really confused on which path I should take. He turned 4 this past January so he'll be in another year of preschool and will attend Kindergarden Sept 2010. Any insight, advise, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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20 Apr 2009 @ 12:55 PM Reply # 1
Marty Join Date: Mon 20th Apr 2009
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ADHD neds for preschoolers

I have found fish oil to be effective. I use Barleans kids DHA Fruit punch flavor with my 3 year old and he likes it. It can't hurt. I also add epsom salts to his bath. There are studies on how magnesium can help. It is absorbed by the skin. By the way I do this for myself also. I also am a strong believer of having them outdoors running around in parks. Personally I feel that teaching him alternatives to behaviors that are not acceptable is the way to go. I tend to use meds as a last resource. Every person has strengths and unique learning styles. As a parent it is our job to discover them and teach our children how to best utilize what they have. Good luck.

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20 Apr 2009 @ 11:52 PM Reply # 2
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ADHD Meds for Preschoolers

Thanks so much for your reply. I've heard about fish oils but haven't tried them yet. I haven't heard about Epson salt though. I really do feel that there is no reason for meds right now especially since he's not in school (just preschool a couple hours a week, twice per week) and it is almost summer so I plan to do lots of activiites outside anyways. Thank you so much for reaffirming what my heart was telling me. It's so hard to be sure sometimes especially when my husband and father in law are so pro meds right now. I'm going to stick to no meds until I see his life is truly being affected (which I don't think it is right now....he's a happy little boy, making friends and learning new things.....why mess with that?). Take care.

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15 Oct 2009 @ 1:41 AM Reply # 3
asg224 Join Date: Thu 15th Oct 2009
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Drugging Preschoolers

Hello! These drugs have not been tested on this age group. If you read the official labels for some of the drugs such as Ritalin, it says they are not recommended for children under 6. It is probably a good idea not to give them to your son.

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