Hello, I would recommend no meds... there are other things you can do, medicine should ALWAYS be you last resort. Call local hospitals/clinics and aks them if they have social study groups for children or Occupational Theraphy. This is what we did with our son, we started at 5 years old and it really helped. The Social Study Groups are usually 5 to 6 children that have social issues, some are very active others are extremely shy... whatever the social issue, one coach helps them express how they feel and how to related and respect each others. The occupational theraphy focuses on sensory integration activities, this has been a great tool for my husband and I, we can easily apply the technics at home... for example if our son is getting really hyper we ask him how does he think his engine his running (we compare his body to a car engine, something he can relate to) ... he can easily acknolwedge that his engine is running fast, slow or just right... if it runs fast we say " do you think we can make run a little slower..." . I would also recommend watching your son's diet, no process foods, no artifical flavors or colors, no preservatives, keep his diet to whole foods, meat, fish, pasta, whole wheat bread, fruits (avoid fruits with high salicyte)...as little refine sugar as posisble, go organic as often as possible. I would make sure the teacher understand what his condition means and that they can properly redirect him and not punish him if he misbehave. If you decide to go with the meds, be ready for your son have very high and low mood, not be able to sleep, no eating, getting angry very easily... it is not worthy especially at such a young age because they can't be in control of the side effects. Good luck, I know it is hard, I am there with you. Hope this helps>

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It seems that most doctors are reluctant to diagnose or medicate for ADHD until the child is about 6. I don't think that it's a coincidence that 6 is when kids are expected to sit down and start doing worksheets. If your doctor was willing to diagnose ADHD so young, then I would guess he knows what he's saying about not medicating yet. I wonder if the pre-school your son is attending is not the right fit.

It's really hard to guess what's going on, or how disruptive & inappropriate his behavior at school might be. Or if the school's expectations are unrealistic.

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You have several different directions you could go at this point. Medications don't always magically solve the problem. Some parents think the side effects are not worth the risk. You could try behavior modifications, changes in diet, supplements, etc. Then maybe use ADHD medication as a last resort.

Start with some research. I recommend these articles:

Top 10 Questions about ADHD Medications for Children Answered

Too Young for an ADHD Diagnosis

ADHD Medication or Alternative Treatments?

Nutrition, Diet and Non-Drug ADHD Treatments

ADHD Discipline and Behavior Secrets

Good luck, Dena

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I agree that medication should be a last resort and other methods should be tried. I am also aware that there is no magic pill that is perfect for my child.

I do believe that if my child had another disease or disorder such as epilepsy, cancer, a heart condition, diabetes, etc. I would not hesitate to medicate. It's really sad that ADHD has such a bad stigma. My daughter was 4 when diagnosed and my husband wanted to wait... now she is not adjusting well at all to school and is having a hard time keeping up even with classroom accomodations. This includes being an emotional wreck because the kids don't like her, she is loosing self-esteem by the day, and is starting to not enjoy school. After talking to the doctor and her teacher, we decided it was time to try to medicate. I'm hoping the medication will help her slow down and be able to complete a worksheet or when she is asked to put something in her backpack, it will actually make it there!

Good luck with your decision. I know it's scary not knowing where the journey will lead.

Dawn

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