Interesting Article

[SongSparrow]

I came across this article online and thought I'd share. I wonder what percent of Canadian children are taking ADHD meds? I have a friend who has had teachers recommend ADHD medication for 2 of her 3 kids and she is firmly against it....I am taking care of her kids for 6 days this summer and am interested to see how they behave here.

http://www.psychologytoday. com/blog/suffer-the-children/201203/why-french-kids-dont-have-adhd

[sunnydays]

I read the same article this past week and was happy to see this argument put forth. I have often thought that some of the rise in ADHD diagnosis is due to a lack of parenting, improper nutrition, and an assumption on the part of professionals that any child who can't sit still and focus must need to be medicated. Before anyone who has kids diagnosed with ADHD jump on me, I am not saying that if your child has ADHD it is because you are not parenting well. I just think that in many cases the behaviours or somewhat normal for kids and it may just be that the child needs more guidance and time to learn to focus etc. I am pretty sure that my 5 year old would be diagnosed with it if I took him to be checked for it...but there is no way I would medicate my child. By the way, there is another article...wish I could find the link now...about the founder of the actual disorder ADHD, which says that on his deathbed, he actually calls ADHD a fictitious disease created for drug companies!

[Robyn]

Recently we just had our son diagnosed and he started medication a month ago it has made a world of difference! He is not hyperactive, he is inattentive. We have struggled for years and the last thing I wanted to do was put him on medication.

Are there kids that get misdiagnosed? Yep!
Are there parents that are inattentive? Yep!
Are there families that just eat processed foods? Yep!
Are we one of those families? Nope!
Everyone was floored when the diagnosis came back no one can argue after seeing him on the medication it was the wrong decision.
I think it is up to the parents/families to have open communication with their doctor, teachers, and support staff.
There will always be articles that make claims that this disease or that condition is fictitious. It is up to the parents to make sure their children are getting the right help!

[Momof4]

My son was diagnosed as ADHD and was on Ritalin for a few years but it made him feel sick and weird. Thankfully, we found an organization in our city that helped him learn to journal and make lists for himself to cope with his flakiness, haha, and inability to concentrate. He was determined to overcome the problem when he was a teenager and ended up doing very well in school and now in business but even as an adult he had to learn how to be organized daily.

My daughter thinks my grandson may have a problem, but her doctor gave her some interesting informaion, that bipolar disorder and many other problems for children are ALL lumped into one category - ADHD.

So I agree with Robyn, you have to be careful that you have your child on the correct meds and that you and your resources at school or wherever are helping your child the best way possible.

[bright sparks]

[QUOTE=Momof4;47799]

My daughter thinks my grandson may have a problem, but her doctor gave her some interesting informaion, that bipolar disorder and many other problems for children are ALL lumped into one category - ADHD.
QUOTE]

This is very true...My son was assessed by a child psychologist and was found to be 2E so gifted and LD. His LD is that his working memory is very slow for basic concepts and is extremely complex. His assessment included a "standardized" test which gave him traits of ADD, the biggest one being that he withdraws. Fortunatly, this psychologist carried out lots of other tests over hours and hours, which proved that it was anything but ADD and that it was simply because the regular world was understimulating on a huge scale and also being gifted, it is common place for gifted children to have difficulties managing their emotions so he would appear depressed also. In his final report, she made it very clear that he does not have ADD, and she also backed up what was the real cause of each of the traits so that the school board, family dr AND his paediatrician would not give him a false diagnosis which she said she sees occur on a frighteningly regular basis, mainly due to standardized testing and the fact that even specialists as well as family dr's involved in the diagnosis do not spend enough time with a child to get a true and thorough assessment done. 20-30 minutes in a dr's office and standardized questionaires to be filled out by parent's, teachers and the individual are not effective or accurate enough and do not apply to a persons individuality, but just approach everybody as though they are created equally.

I was fortunate to find a great Child Psychologist and she spent a couple of FULL DAYS with my son for his assessment, something that would not have been available to me had I not paid for it.

I have read many studies, NOT NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, that show that a gluten free diet is more effective at calming an ADHD child down than Ritalin.

[KellyP]

I would never in a million years put my child on Ritalin or any type of medication that can do what those types of drugs can do to a growing developing brain/body.

If you ever have a chance to read the book "The Ritalin Fact Book; What Doctor's Won't Tell You About ADHD and Stimulant Drugs" http://www.barnesandnoble.c om/w/the-ritalin-fact-book-peter-breggin/1111639277

It will change your outlook on ever using drugs or medication of that caliber for your child.

I would do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING before ever resorting to that kind of treatment.

[Momof4]

I have read many studies, NOT NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, that show that a gluten free diet is more effective at calming an ADHD child down than Ritalin.

My oldest daughter has done this exact thing for my oldest grandson (another one) who seemed to have attention problems when he was smaller. She took the whole family off sugar, dairy and gluten and since they live in B.C. they have a much longer summer season so it's easier to buy lots of fresh produce at the markets. They also try to eat more raw foods, many salads and less meat. He made it through high school and they all feel great so her hard work paid off.

Brightsparks, my son also has a very high IQ and along with the ADHD his learning disability was remembering a list of items, isn't that funny? Our sons sound very much alike. Here's some good news for you, my son is a very successful, highly paid executive in Toronto and his creativity and thinking outside the box is what propelled him up the ladder. I bet your son will find his way in the world using his strengths just as well.

[cfred]

My son was suspected to be ADHD at 2 yrs during a visit with a pediatrician who specialized in the disorder. So many parents dig their heels in at the notion of labeling a child with any disorder. I was not one of them. I knew right from birth that something was 'different' about him. As an ECE with quite a lot of experience with different children, as well as having a child already, I felt quite confident that she was correct. I did not put him on any meds at that time. He was too young, so I decided to forgo the official diagnosis at that time and did the research on my own. We went to homeopaths (to the tune of $100 a pop), put him on a very strict diet of no wheat, dairy, salt, preservatives, colours, salycilates (sp?), sugar....the list goes on. I had him allergy tested and maintained a diet that was extremely regimented and restrictive. It was nearly impossible. Of course this was 14 yrs ago when health food stores were few and far between. I had a weekly grocery run to 3 towns and 5 stores to maintain the staples I required for him. In addition to the $400+ in extra grocery bills each month, there were the fees for various homeopathic remedies which were impossible to line up.

It just didn't work. There was some improvement, yes, but if something was consumed too much, he would develop an 'allergy' to that, so it would be struck from the list. Gawd, I even went to many houses on our street the day before Hallowe'en every year to pass around goodie bags to neighbours, explaining the situation and request they give him the baggie instead. Though my son thought he was a rock star because everyone knew him, it was a massive endeavour every year. At 4 yrs of age, his behaviours were becoming too much to manage and dangerous to his baby brother. I'd put him to bed and have to lay on the floor beside his bed or he'd be up and running around. I'm strict and he was always put back to bed firmly and he had consequences for his actions. He would ALWAYS outlast me, then be up before the crack of dawn. I resorted to putting him in a highchair that tilted back with his blanky and teddy till he fell asleep, then move him to his bed. He continued wake in the night multiple times till he was 3.5 yrs. In short, for years, he and I were both surviving on a few hours of broken sleep. I was completely exhausted. I gave up on the notion of no meds one night after I found him crying in bed because he couldn't make friends at school. Nobody liked him, and I could see why. He was very loud, couldn't sit still for 30 seconds, was too physical, etc, etc, etc.

He started his medication regimen 2 weeks later. I saw a beautiful boy who I knew was always in there emerge. He could play with children, he slept through the night, he could focus, he could get along with us all and life became manageable for the first time since he was born. Unfortunately, the damage with his peers had already been done and he remained unpopular and severely bullied by multiple kids up until grade 6. After many discussions with the principal, social skills classes, tinkering with meds, behaviour research and modifications at home, social workers, etc, I finally had to pull him out and put him in private school where he would have a fresh start. Plus the tutoring to bring him up to his grade level. He was 1.5 years behind. There's another $40, 000 shot. For a single mother (by this point) that packs a pretty hefty punch.

Ritalin made an enormous change for the better in my son. No one can ever accuse me of not doing my very best to avoid meds. I get very, very frustrated with people who judge parents who use the meds and always have a 'better solution' for us. My very favourites are those very special self proclaimed experts who read a few articles, studies and tell me how wrong I am and that I'm damaging my child. I find very often that these folks don't have kids or work with them. Gotta love 'em! Sometimes dietary changes, allergy testing and behaviour modifications just aren't enough. The fact is that part of his brain works more slowly than others. The ritalin speeds that function up so he can behave appropriately, safely and in a socially acceptable manner. I wouldn't change a single thing other than the fact that I might have put him on it before he started school to save him from years of constant torment.

He is now 16 yrs old and has gained the tools to manage his behaviours free of medication, has friends and a 79% average. To expect a small child to do that is completely unreasonable.

Sorry....this is a very touchy subject for me and I feel very strongly about it. Yes, some children are misdiagnosed, but not all.

[Momof4]

I empathize with your story Cfred and agree with you completely. We all know our children very well and what works and doesn't work for them. We do our very best as parents and make the difficult decisions. I can't tell you how hard it was to raise my son through all of his challenges but it paid off in the end and he's a happy adult.

This is why I get a little ticked off about anybody judging anybody else no matter what the subject. We can all give our opinions and state our reasons, usually because of our life experiences, but we shouldn't preach to each other or judge.

[Artsand crafts]

Thank you for sharing your story Cfred. I do not have any experience with ADHD, but I had read several related articles and each one gives you a potential cause or solution. Actual experience is what sometimes make you open your eyes.

[JennJubie]

Ritalin made an enormous change for the better in my son. No one can ever accuse me of not doing my very best to avoid meds. I get very, very frustrated with people who judge parents who use the meds and always have a 'better solution' for us. My very favourites are those very special self proclaimed experts who read a few articles, studies and tell me how wrong I am and that I'm damaging my child. I find very often that these folks don't have kids or work with them. Gotta love 'em! Sometimes dietary changes, allergy testing and behaviour modifications just aren't enough.


Thank you, Cfred. My husband and I also made the decision to place our son on medication. We have tried natural remedies, dietary changes (which are still in effect even with meds).... and so on. We took over a year to make the actual decision, and it was a painful one, but I knew it was the right one when he came home from school one day and told me, "Mom, I'm happy now. I feel normal like the other kids. Things don't feel as fast now"

It's heartbreaking to watch your child go through something like this. To take every suggestion, try every homeopathic alternative, to follow strict rules and routines, only for it to make very minimal difference. Now we find with all the above, plus the medication, we see our loving, wonderful son shining through. Is his behaviour still rough at times? Sure. The medication is not a magic wand that will fix all, but only something to help them slow down and focus as you teach them how to deal with their condition.

[sunnydays]

Cfred and Jennjubie, thanky ou for sharing your stories and I sincerely hope you do not feel I was attacking you in my earlier post. I recognize that for some kids, this is the only way and I can see that you are both dedicated and wonderful mothers who are doing what is best for your kids. I think it is just the assumption that every hyperactive behaviour is ADHD that I find troubling...the misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis. Obviously, for some kids medication is the right thing to do, but just as you went through a process, it shouldn't be the first and only action IMO.

[cfred]

Lol...yeah, he's still a little rough. It might be that I feel it more now because he's 6'1" and towers over me! He's been off his meds now for a couple years, but it was touch and go for a while. He now seems to have himself under control for the most part. The ADHD I see in him now is he still has that 'buzzing' way about him. If your child is ADHD, you know what I mean. Can't walk into a room without drumming on stuff, touching things, bugging whoever's there or peppering me with questions. He almost vibrates! I've talked to him about conversational skills and have worked on that for years. I'm sure you're familiar with the feeling that you're being talked at rather than with? He'll shoot a question at me, then when I'm half through a sentence, there's the next one. Gawd! It's like he's not really listening, but waiting till it's his turn to say what he wants to say next. It's getting better though and I can see improvement. When he was little, it was almost unbearable! The biggest problem he has now is a bit of lack of impulse control and the ability when horsing around to see when enough is enough already.

I have also maintained some of the old ways of dealing with his behaviours, which at his age is waning. He chronically complains that 'there's NOTHING TO EAT MOM!!!". We have loads of food, but there's no processed crap. God forbid he should have to eat an apple! If you haven't hit the teen years, may the force be with you :) Fortunately for me, my son is gullible. Amazingly so. If he threatens to leave (only did it a couple times) I offer to help him pack and call his dad for him. He refused to get in the car once after a school BBQ (younger for this one). I told him that was fine, but there was a thunderstorm coming, so don't stand under any trees, got in the car and started to back out. LOL.....the boy can run!

And like your son, mine also commented that he found it easier to behave on his meds. I feel whole heartedly that it was the right decision.

So far as a past comment posted about the negative effects of ritalin on the growth of children:
BS.....I don't buy it for a second. My son is 16 and 6'1" and still growing. My neighbour's son who was on it since he was 5 and is now 21 is 6'4". The meds can effect the appetite, but that can be countered. I found the key was to pump as much fat and protein in him as I could. I did the following to keep his weight up:

*milk cut with 1/4 whipping cream
*double peanut butter on all sandwiches
*slather on the butter
*cream cheese, whipping cream and cheddar in mashed potatoes
*high fat yogourt on pancakes,french toast
*Protein supplements in his "Funky Monkey" shakes
*Milo every morning for breakfast
*breakfast is biggest meal of day as meds haven't kicked in - always a huge breakfast of eggs, meat, toast, fruit, yogourt, etc......
*feed dinner as soon as meds wear off when appetite is strong.
*mulitiple kinds of nuts around for free snacking

[sunnydays]

Cfred, my teenaged son who does not have ADHD always complains that there is nothing to eat too LOL. I am like you, I don't buy junk food and refuse to give in to the "but all my friends have cookies in their lunches" type of argument ;)

[JennJubie]

Cfred, I'm nodding my head through your entire post. "Buzzing" is as good a term as any for the energy that seems to roll off of them! I also find you can tell when my son is going to have an especially active day... he gets this wild look in his eyes.
As far as the diet goes, he's still young. I hide a lot of food in other foods. I mentioned in another thread that he also has Asperger's and that can be very challenging in and of itself. He is most certainly not gullible! He's smart enough to think circles around most of the adults around him, so we use a lot of redirection!

[cfred]

Cfred and Jennjubie, thanky ou for sharing your stories and I sincerely hope you do not feel I was attacking you in my earlier post. I recognize that for some kids, this is the only way and I can see that you are both dedicated and wonderful mothers who are doing what is best for your kids. I think it is just the assumption that every hyperactive behaviour is ADHD that I find troubling...the misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis. Obviously, for some kids medication is the right thing to do, but just as you went through a process, it shouldn't be the first and only action IMO.

Oh no, I didn't feel attacked and wouldn't expect to in a forum involving my peers. Unfortunately, Ritalin has had such a bad rap because of it's overuse. Typically, the people I become frustrated with are the people who have no business whatsoever imparting their wisdom upon me. The best I had was a friend's daughter, fresh out of university. She had all kinds of things to say about the potential damage to my child, a better course of action and, of course how I could change my strategies to deal with his behaviour. I invited her to spend a week in my house whilst I went away on vacation and see if that didn't change her views a little. As she watched my son running in circles, wild eyed and yelling, she declined my offer and apologized. I actually 'used up' babysitters! We paid 'danger pay' if they were in tears when we came home. I put him in a daycare centre for mornings, 5 days/wk so I could have a break. He made his provider cry on a regular basis so I was asked to reduce his time to every other day to give his teacher a chance to 'regroup'. Good times :woot: I can laugh now, but holy s%#& that was a tough haul! And yes, I agree that it shouldn't be the first course of action, nor the only one. It needs to be used in conjunction with behaviour modifications and diet.

It's a simple fact that if you haven't lived it, you can't possibly know how to handle it or what it's like to live in it. Every family is different, as is every child and their level of ADHD. I can say with all honesty that as much as I love my son, I wouldn't repeat the early years if you paid me. It was a horrendous, confusing, exhausting time full of self doubt and concern that I was going to 'poison' my child. It was a tremendous strain my me, my marriage, my other children. In the end, when I was backed into a corner having exhausted all other methods, the meds were what worked. And there are certain 'telltale' signs of ADHD that are unmistakable and def not normal. The 'wild, darting eyes', the near vibrating state, the constant (CONSTANT) fidgeting, zero impulse control, jerky bodily movements, night terrors, fixating and obsessing over things (redirect all you want, they're still way back at the thing they're fixating on). It's quite a thing to behold.

I can't imagine piling asperger's on top of that. Jeez....the patience of a saint!

[Judy Trickett]

I couldn't agree more with that article.