5 year old-I don't want to medicate

January 1, 2009

Hello, I am a new member-my son was diagnosed with adhd when he was

still 4. We've tried two medications at the heavy persistence of the

school systems. He is also developmentally delayed, so I don't want

him to become too behind in school, but am not liking the negative

side effects of Metadate CD and Adderal XR. He is just not himself.

We are also doing behavioral counseling. I switched him from public

to private school from preschool to young 5's hoping they would be

more open to the non-medication option I chose, but I still feel an

overwhelming pressure to medicate him so he can get his schoolwork

done. I don't want him to fall even more behind, any advice?? Anyone

in a similar situation??

Thanks

Jen

January 23, 2009

Jen,

Go with your gut - no school district should be pressuring you to

medicate. Many can't even provide a basic education - our school

district special ed was a joke until a 18 months ago. Top down rehab

has improved things amazingly and this past year and a half has been

great, but it was HORRIBLE prior to that. If you're beginning the

special education journey, they're probably just looking for an excuse

(ie, we could've done a better job if only ny's mom would get him

on medication). That being said, 's made alot of progress on the

protocol, a large part of which is meds. This was a hard decision

for us, but I can't deny that it's really helped. But, it should be

YOUR decision, not some school principal. Feel free to email me

offlist if you want to hear about our special ed horror story.

Alaine

January 23, 2009

Hi Jen,

I do not think that we should medicate our kids for behavioral issues. If

there are medical conditions contributing to his behavior issues, consider

treating those even though medication those so young is very scary. I

started medicating mine at 3 yrs so I know. Trust your own instict over any

doctor or teacher however. I strongly believe we get those mother insticts

for good reason.

Best of luck to you.

April

On Thu, Jan 1, 2009 at 7:40 PM, jeniferm001 <jeniferm001@...> wrote:

> Hello, I am a new member-my son was diagnosed with adhd when he was

> still 4. We've tried two medications at the heavy persistence of the

> school systems. He is also developmentally delayed, so I don't want

> him to become too behind in school, but am not liking the negative

> side effects of Metadate CD and Adderal XR. He is just not himself.

> We are also doing behavioral counseling. I switched him from public

> to private school from preschool to young 5's hoping they would be

> more open to the non-medication option I chose, but I still feel an

> overwhelming pressure to medicate him so he can get his schoolwork

> done. I don't want him to fall even more behind, any advice?? Anyone

> in a similar situation??

>

> Thanks

>

> Jen

>

January 23, 2009

And FYI, schools are not allowed to " suggest " medication.

Cheryl

~Check out my blog: http://www.gryffins-tail.blogspot.com/

On Jan 23, 2009, at 9:49 AM, April Jagnow wrote:

> Hi Jen,

>

> I do not think that we should medicate our kids for behavioral

> issues. If

> there are medical conditions contributing to his behavior issues,

> consider

> treating those even though medication those so young is very scary. I

> started medicating mine at 3 yrs so I know. Trust your own instict

> over any

> doctor or teacher however. I strongly believe we get those mother

> insticts

> for good reason.

>

> Best of luck to you.

>

> April

>

> On Thu, Jan 1, 2009 at 7:40 PM, jeniferm001

> <jeniferm001@...> wrote:

>

>> Hello, I am a new member-my son was diagnosed with adhd when he was

>> still 4. We've tried two medications at the heavy persistence of the

>> school systems. He is also developmentally delayed, so I don't want

>> him to become too behind in school, but am not liking the negative

>> side effects of Metadate CD and Adderal XR. He is just not himself.

>> We are also doing behavioral counseling. I switched him from public

>> to private school from preschool to young 5's hoping they would be

>> more open to the non-medication option I chose, but I still feel an

>> overwhelming pressure to medicate him so he can get his schoolwork

>> done. I don't want him to fall even more behind, any advice?? Anyone

>> in a similar situation??

>>

>> Thanks

>>

>> Jen

>>

>

January 23, 2009