question

[kendra]

My son Brian who is 6 and in first grade has been diagnosed with ADHD. He keeps telling me and his father that he is bored in school and that the work is too easy for him. The teacher tells me that the work is not too easy for him as he is still getting stuff wrong, however, when I look at the work he is bringing home it seems that the things he is getting wrong are due to not listening. I know he has a listening problem and that he can't sit still. They are using a traffic light discipline program in the school wherein the children have to "flip a ticket" if they act up in school. Brian rarely has to flip a ticket and has only gone from green to yellow, never red which indicated detention for the kids. However the teacher is telling me that he needs constant reminding to pay attention and to stay seated. I know that the other children are teasing him for being so active, and so are his two older siblings. I can't help but be bothered by the teasing because it doesn't seem he can help being a bit hyper. Any suggestions on what to do? Where I can have him IQ tested and how to deal with the school prolems?

[jdmom]

Hello Kendra!

If you have had him diagnosed with ADHD, then you have seen a doctor about his issues? What type of treatment is he undergoing? All of his symptoms sound classic ADHD to me. The school can test his IQ. Speak to the guidance counselor or school psychologist.

[kendra]

He saw a psycologist for ADHD testing, I'm trying to get him in with a psychyatrist to be certain, however his MD has told us that's what it is. He is getting both strattera and counselling, but it doesn't seem to really be working. Ritalin helped but he cried all the time, Adderoll made him MEAN, so I wasn't willing to continue with either of those. I'd rather go a non-medication route if possible, but I haven't found out enough yet to try that. We are seeing the MD tomorrow to try to get him off Strattera.

[sportsmom]

Kendra
Hello and welcome to our site!!! I am glad that you found us!! Don't be afraid to ask questions....we will try to help you. How long has your son been on strattera? It can take anywheres from 4-6 weeks to build up in his system. What dosage is he on and did you do a ramp up period? Here is a formula do use to figure out what mg your son should be on......


Lowest dose: weight divided by 2.2 X 1.2
Highest dose: weight divided by 2.2 X 1.8


It is really important that your son be on the right dosage. My son is on 50mgs that he takes 2x a day---once in the morning and once at supper. This really seems to help him with a constant supply in his system. If you are not happy with strattera and you have already tried ritalin and adderall have you thought about concerta? We liked concerta but one of the side affects for my son was migrane headaches and then strattera became avaliable . Good luck at the dr tomorrow and let us know what happens

Cheryl

[kendra]

He's on 25 mg, which given his weight fluctuations would be the right dose. He goes anywhere from 50 to 55 pounds, so sometimes he could be on as much as 30 mg, but right now he's just under 50 pounds so I think 25mg seems like the right dose, he's just so hyper that the other kids tease him. I think it helps with the attention problem somewhat, but certainly not the hyperactivity problem.

[AnneM]

Hi Kendra and WELCOME ABOARD.

Certainly from what you are saying - you are describing very classic adhd symptoms .... and since your son has now been diagnosed and you are looking at help from the school you are sooo much heading in the right direction ....

I agree with Sportsmom's mention of Concerta .... with my (now 16 year old) son the straight ritalin just did not agree with him ... but Concerta has been wonderful! ... so don't assume that because Concerta is also methylphenidate that it also will not work ...

However, on the other side of the coin ... looking at the natural alternatives ... take a good look at our board on this ... there is a huge amount of information available there ...

GOOD LUCK Kendra and ask as much as you want to ask ....

and its good to see you here!

[rosyred45]

Hi Kendra, I swear you have my son

Well, being the non med here, we have the Feingold plan going over here, and it works wonders for us. As Anne has already mentioned the natural alternatives, there are also families that use suppliments and vitamins as an alternative.

Concerning the BORED attitude. After talking to my husband numerous times.....we are both undx'ed, but know Mikey got it honest, he might be bored because he just doesn't think it is essential to learn.

Think of it as washing your windows day in and day out whether you are having company or not. It's redundant and time consuming and you would rather do something else, but you have to wash the windows.

That's what he is thinking. Mikey, 7, can't stand spelling, but give him a book and he's glued for hours. And at 6 yrs old, there aren't many kids I know that stay on task with out reminders. Don't let it get you too down. His teacher this year is very hands on and the kids can tell you the insides and out about butterflies ;D

As far as the teasing, nip it in the bud at home. I know siblings pick at each other, my 2 were almost in a knock down drag out last night. BUT we keep telling them that they have to be there for each other. As long as it is not cutting character, they tease each other, but as soon as it comes to hurting feelings, it's done.

Good luck and keep us posted. BTW, we tell Mikey that he will have to repeat a grade and have the same boring stuff next year if he doesn't buckle down and get his work done when he is supposed to. That usually works for him to get it done

[sportsmom]

Kendra,

Have you been to the dr yet?? Please let us know what your next plan of action is . Good luck!!

Cheryl

[Sorka]

There could be more to it than just ADHD. I know my son is the same way.. we had the same responces on the same meds.. We ended up giving up the medication route after three months of Strattera showed no real difference.. (But you do need to stick it out for at least six weeks.)
So I know where you are coming from

There is always Sensory Processing (or integration) disorder.
See www.SINetwork.com or www.theoutofsyncchild.com

It is well worth looking into..

Also is there a chance that he could be seated in the back of the room so he can possible stand up at his desk if he so desires? Or sometimes kids who have the propencity for movement will like to sit on a swiss disc cushion or even and excercise ball to allow a little wiggle room! There are some great items and ideas at www.southpawenterprises.com Some figits and etc that might allow for a low key movement outlet in the classroom.

Just some thoughts!!!
Hope this helps.

Denise

[mskris]

My son weighs 56 lbs and is taking (and has been for 2 yrs) 40 mg Strattera, which is working wonderfully. So at that weight and 25 mg, you may want to try upping the dose. Do give it time to ramp up and work fully before quitting. We tried ritalin, concerta, adderall, all with nightmare side effects (emotional lability, appetite suppression, and insomnia). Strattera has been a godsend. Do have him take it with food (the higher the fat content, the better) to avoid stomach upset. Ds always feels sick if he hasn't eaten enough before taking his meds.

As for the boredom factor vs getting answers wrong - many of our kids make careless mistakes - it is a lack of attention (duh!) to detail that makes the answers wrong, not a misunderstanding of the material. My ds could have straight As were it not for careless errors! That doesn't mean he isn't bored - in fact, it could be the very reason he's making the errors - he's bored, so his attention strays... I wouldn't believe the teacher's word on that...is there any way she can challenge him while still presenting the same material (eg, maybe he could do a poster, allowing creativity, instead of a written test on the same material?). That way, he'd be reviewing the info but in a more interesting way.

More and more I talk to parents of kids who are having problems in school, many not even with disabilities. The teaching methods are so outdated and the kids need new presentations. Just repeating the stuff doesn't help them understand it any better! Grrrrrr. AND, it doesn't mean they're not capable, either!

Sorry for the vent.
Keep up the good work and don't take No for an answer - you know your child better than any teacher.

Kris

Good luck.
Kris