ADHD & SID need advice please...?

Question

Our youngest (6) was recently diagnosed with sensory integrative dysfunction and attention deficit hyperactive disorder in June.

In Aug., we started him on Focalin XR 10 mg with our pediatrician. Last week, he switched the dose to 15 mg. The 10 mg was lasting only about 4 or 5 hours.

He was diagnosed by a psychiatrist and has had a psychological assesment and evaluation, etc., etc.

It drives me crazy giving him medicine everyday of his life. I just don't like it!! We were going to therapy sessions at our local mental health facility (where they diagnosed him) but the sessions were just so vague and nothing specific. (I mean, how many times does a child need to go over the 'if there's a bully on the playground-what do we do' etc.)

He needs therapy sessions that concentrate on his specific needs. But, they can't seem to offer that............ I'm lost as what to do next. I can't let him sit on the sidelines of life, but when I let him participate the other children look at him like he's so weird because of how hyper he is and that he can't keep his hands to himself. We have a flag football game tonight late and he won't have any medicine in his system, so it's gonna be chaos just like the last late game.

Does anyone have any advice on what to do? I don't expect medicine to 'fix' anything. I just want him to have a better life.

Answer 1

My advice is to drop the medicine, I am a psych nurse. Since he didn't start it till age 6, its not that severe and he can function without it. Get him a good OT and do intensive sensory integration. Get a sensory diet, and follow it, if he's getting the Wilbarger protocol with joint compressions do it religiously. Have you done a profile to see where he is at? I don't believe sensory issues should be addressed with medicine, its only bandaiding the problems. And I am not a fan of stimulants for kids that have sensory integration and attention issues. If meds are necessary, I prefer risperdal for this kind of kid. My son has both SID and ADD we do no meds other than xanex before the dentist. My son is 7, he has a dx of PDD.NOS, and ADD.NOS, dyslexia/dysgraphia too.

Consider the special needs athletics. Top soccer, and challenger baseball.



My son is in a full-inclusion class, he is 1 of 4 identified kids. All kids are entitled to FAPE free appropriate public education. There is no reason why the LRE isn't the reg. ed setting. Full inclusion is considered reg. ed. and LRE is least restrictive environment

Answer 2

I am so very sorry that I don't have any helpful advise for you but my heart broke reading you question and I just wanted you to know that you and your son will be in my prayers. I can completely understand what you mean, is there not any 1-1 therapy available? Could you afford to 'go private' or something? Perhaps for late football games etc, you could make the hour or so preceding it 'quiet time' doing something mundane, I read something in a magazine a while back about somebody with hyperactive children and they found restricting 'hyper' activities very effective. Arts and craft, reading books, etc as opposed to running mad in the park, watching manic cartoons, stimulating video games etc. Anyway I have no personal experience with any of this, but I respect your determination to ensure your child lives a full life despite his issues and I wish you and your family luck and happiness.

Answer 3

Hi Hun,



I know you dont like giving him medicine but sometimes this is the best offering to a person with ADHD. I was just diagnosed with this monster. I went through childhood and early years of my life without being diagnosed. It was pure heck! I was an outcast too. I am sorry your son has this but working with "it" is about the only thing you can do now. Acceptance and moving forward...it sounds as if you have begun this journey. You have put him in therapy...I applaude you for that! Now as for medications, Vyvanse is an exceptional medication that outshines all others as far as ADHD. This medication lasts anywhere from 12-16 hours. This allows for time to go to school, play in sports etc. I was hesitant as well to be put on meds but it literally changed my life in 3 days. I have not read a book since school (I am 39) and I just finished reading one. I can focus on tasks at hand. It truly is amazing. You might want to look at this if your son needs meds, which really does help ADHD.



Here is the website that might help further:



http://www.vyvanse.com/about/about.asp



You might also look at his diet. Here is one that I am starting to follow:



http://www.healing-arts.org/children/ADHD/nutritional.htm



Good Luck Hun. My thoughts and prayers are with you. If you need me you can always email me :)

Answer 4

You need to get him into a school setting that's geared to helping kids with his type of problem. Second you need to find a nureo-psychiatrist or psychologist who is someone who deals with people who's brains don't operate the same way that ours do. Preferably someone who's used to working with kids with LD's and ADHD they will be able to help you to find ways of doing behavior modifications things that will help both you and your son learn how to act the way that his brain does. I'm not sure where you live and the type of school system you're dealing with, but if I was you and able to I would move my son to a school for kids with LD's with NORMAL cognitive functioning. IF you live in or near a large city there's a much better chance of you finding a school that would work for and with your son. They can also help you restructure your home life to his needs until he's able to adapt to yours.

Answer 5

Im 12 (almost 13) and first i was very mad then i got held back a year then put in a special class for 2 years so then now im in nesiquak middle school ( im from smithtown NY) so our school has lotz of $$$$$ so now im out of the class and putted in a enclusion class ( extra teacher) now im in study skills instead of band. and im in reading exept languge ( THANK GOD) and then this year now i have a special fm trainer that i put in my ear so i can pay attenchion i loved it!!! so now my grades ar aproving! :) and my docter was very amazed oh p.s my momy stopped giving me the medicen when i was 7 and i did amazingly better without it ( the medicen made it worse and started giving me stomphic akes) so then my mom said ( screw this) then sstopped giving it to me..... so at the end it really does help u ... http://www.woot.com/Images/Sale/Lobeman_Earpiece_FM_Radio_–_2-PackekfStandard.jpg i have 1 of thoese in school so it really does work!!!! ( i have long hair so it covers it ) and its amazing my friends dont notice it thank godness.. ( i answerd this question cozz u were worried with his future so i thats when i came in :P GOOD LUCK contact me if u want quistions my email is ( no spaces or capitals) [e-mail]

Answer 6

let me tell you there is a lot of help out there and be careful what some hmo shrink tells you my daughter was tested by one and her diag was based on a picture she drew with the door handle on the left side , man my girl was all sorts of things ,well the door handle is on the left . if you live in floridayou can get special; help with the school system my son get 4 yrs free college look it up on the internet ,