my son has a hard time focusing in school.i don't want to put him on add medicines what can i put him on.?
545469
It's always a difficult decision to make when faced with ADD and medication.  I try to look at it from a quality of life perspective.  Does you son receive a lot of negative input from his ADD behavior?  IF he does then it might be worth it to do a trial on an ADD medication like time released Aderall.  You can stop at any time.  The drug will be completely out of his system in a day.   You want to give him just enough medication to for him to think before he acts not to be "doped up."   For kids who really need the medication, I've seen it change lives.  Lots of lives.  If he doesn't need the medication it won't change his behavior or ability to focus.\n\nThere really are no effective alternative medications.  Talk to your Doctor and consider the quality of life he currently experiences with out medication.  Good luck! =)
679215
Sounds like you need to seek professional advice of an counselor. Other than posting the question on here. \n\nJoin some support groups for parents that have kids suffering from similar conditions. I'm sure by participating in the groups will show you that you are not alone, and you'll probably learn what other parents do to deal with their situation. Or just being able to talk to someone that is going through the exact situation.\n\nYou have access to the web, search to see what your city offers, or school counselor, community, church can refer you to. \n\nAlso, know with ADHD, can be control be avoiding certain foods with dyes which triggers the behavior. Again, do your homework  research, research and research....Changing the diet, will allow you to see some relief with your children with the ADHD\n\n I'm truly sorry to hear of your ordeal...
175931
You do have the right to keep your child in his current placement. There are several possiblities to consider\n\n You can get an advocate as previously suggested but there are more than just psychiatrist look under eduational advocates in the phone book.\n\n You can also argue that part of the reason your son has been sucessful is that he is IN the right placement that has allowed him to excel. It is entirely possible thathis ADHD and/or Tourettes will flair under the stress of regular class placement so be prepared and if this happens have a backup plan that the school has agreed to so he is not comprimised by not being able to function as well as he can\n\nYour other option is to contact legal aide and ask them to represent you with the school or refer you to someone who can (they have some lawyers that do this for free) this will often help just to give the school the push they need without haveing to go to court\n\nYou can also ask the IEP be rewritten to reflect his problems with home work and have specific accomodations given to help him get his work in in a timely manner. \n\nAnother thing to consider is he would also be eligible for a 504 plan to provide some accomodations for him which might include riding the same bus he is on resource time for being overwhelmed or if his Tourettesor ADHD flairs up or for homework accomodations\n\nThe school will try and think for you both if you know in your heart this is the right placement for him keep it if you want to try reg class do that but give your self a safety net\n\nGood luck to you both!
379639
FIRST get him off the Concerta! It is most likely the cause! Second, improve his diet and see that he gets more exercise! The leading cause of ADHD (which is all BS anyway) is the lack of physical activity. Stop poisoning your children with all the crappy foods and quick-fix medications!  Do the research, you'll be amazed!
293878
See a Naturopath and get tested for food allergies. Recent research has shown this to be a major cause. Increase youe intake of fish oils..this has been shown to help significantly also. try a therapy called Thought Field therapy this is getting amazing results in kids with ADD.\nSee this site for more http://www.jentleearthhealing.com/tft.html.\nCraig-Naturopath.
266839
I took my son's adderal and welbutrin.....and as a result I took my son off of it..       It messed  me   up...and I decided right then and there I didn't want my Child taking that  stuff....   Plus it caused him to have Heart Palpitations" and "anxiety" attacks..    He wasn't ADD  he was just High spirited and needed extra supervision........    that was when he was 5 now he is 13 and is still a handful   but    he is a good kid  with good morals. and I  am so glad I got him off his meds.   He doesn't even remember half his child hood.  You know I hope that the schools get more money for every kid they have that is diagnosed with Adhd or ADD.   Think about it and think about your Kid.
740815
As much as SOME people like to pass it off as your attutude and actions, it isn't ENTIRLY your fault.  Try to get the kids to help clean, and work on reminding yourself not to leave a mess.  I also have ADD, so I understand how hard it is.  Unfortunatly, not all of us can rely on the meds.  You need to (possibly with professional help) learn to compensate for your problem.  For example, I have to remind myself that I can't throw my cloths on the bed, because I won't bother to remember that when I 'm washing clothes.  Good Luck!
1140376
get him put on a different medication
823343
I had this exact same problem in 7th grade.  Before the year was over I just stopped going to school and starting homeschooling.  Your are way ahead of me, though.  It took me years to get up the courage to go to the doctor to get on some medication.  I've been on meds for a couple years now and I still think about returning to high school for my senior year.... but I just don't think I could handle it.  Go back to the doctor and have him check your dosage, it took awhile to get mine correct.  Maybe you just need a touch more medication every day to help.  This probably did help much, but I just wanted to let you know that you are far from the only one out there having this problem. : )
418980
it is not just your son who needs to be seen through this\ncrisis, the whole family suffers .I have experience with my boy and adhd.\n\nin one way as he is only 14yrs old you still are in time to seek help\n\ni received so much support from a website  the link is below that i would recommend this to anyone in your circumstances.\nThere is a Dr who gives free medical advice, and loads of people to offer you the advice and support ,that you so clearly need.
43309
There are many different medications for ADD. My little brother tried Adderal XR, but it had WAY TOO MANY EMOTIONAL SIDE EFFECTS. (But keep in mind that everyone is different!) He is currently taking Concerta and the emotional side effects have disappeared!
729729
Hi BooMom\n\nHere are some ideas to help the healing process.\n\n\n\nQuick Action Plan for ADHD/ADD-like Symptoms\n\n1. Avoid the use of dangerous pharmaceutical drugs, such as Ritalin and Adderal.\n \n2. Recognize that the majority of ADHD/ADD diagnoses are inaccurate, and can be based on little or no scientific evidence.\n \n3. If you, your child or teen suffer from ADHD/ADD-like symptoms, be sure to explore all possible factors that may be causing hyperactivity. Essential to consider is poor diet, nutritional imbalances, undiagnosed learning disabilities and/or vision problems, lack of emotional support, heavy metal toxicity, and food and environmental allergies, all of which should be screened for. \n\n4. Avoid all sugars, wheat products, refined carbohydrates, sodas, processed foods, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, corn syrup, alcohol, and hydrogenated and trans-fatty oils. \n\n5. Avoid foods high in salicylates such as apples, almonds, oranges, peppers, and tomatoes. \n\n6. Emphasize organic fresh fruits and vegetables, organic whole grains such as amaranth and quinoa, organic free-range meats, poultry, and wild-caught fish, and drink plenty of pure, filtered water. \n\n7. Nutritional supplements include vitamin B-complex, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, folic acid, essential fatty acids (EFAs), omega-3 oils, digestive enzymes, and probiotic supplements such as acidophilus and bifidus bacterium, tinctured zeolite and chlorella.\n \n8. Chamomile, linden flower, milk thistle, and red clover may be useful herbs. \n\n9. If heavy metal toxicity is a factor, consider working with a physician trained in the use of chelation therapy. \n\n10. Many excellent books on healing ADHD are available; we recommend "Children with Starving Brains" by Jaquelyn McCandless, M.D., and "A Path to Success" by Lawrence Weathers, Ph.D. \n\nCauses of ADHD/ADD-like Behavior\nA variety of factors can cause the hyperactivity symptoms that can lead to a diagnosis of ADHD or ADD. They include undetected learning disabilities, food and environmental allergies, gastrointestinal disorders such as leaky gut syndrome, systemic yeast overgrowth, known as Candidiasis, heavy metal toxicity, poor diet, nutritional imbalances, and emotional upsets such as those caused by family problems. In some cases, the problem can also be due to undetected vision problems, such as the need for eyeglasses for reading. The overuse of antibiotics, as well as vaccines and immunization, can also cause symptoms of hyperactivity and/or ASDHD/ADD. Antibiotics can trigger allergic reactions and cause the gastrointestinal tract to become depleted of healthy bacteria, leading to candidiasis, while vaccines can severely compromise a child's still- developing immune system, and cause other serious health problems, including neurological damage. (For more information about the health risks posed by vaccination, see The Dangers of Vaccination.)\n\nDiet: The most common dietary triggers of ADHD/ADD and hyperactivity are commercially processed foods that are high in sugars and artificial sweeteners, food additives and chemical preservatives. Another important factor is caffeine, which is found not only in colas, but also in many other types of sodas and bottled drinks, as well as chocolate products. Ironically, many school lunch programs across the country regularly provide school children with foods laced with caffeine, and with sugar. Moreover, many schools also earn revenues through affiliations with soda and candy manufacturers, by allowing the sale of soda and candies on site via vending machines.\n\nFoods high in salicylates, which are natural chemical substances found in foods such as apples, berries, almonds, oranges, and tomatoes, can also cause hyperactivity. Consider a rotation or elimination diet, removing these foods from the diet for 1-4 weeks while paying attention to behavioral changes or improvements in behavior.\n\nNutrition: One of the most common defi
951792
Turn off the TV, or go to another room without the TV there. Make sure someone else is on a computer in your house so it won't be available for you to use. Ask your parents to take you to a Doctor to get tested for ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), and if you have it, get some medicine prescribed to you to treat your ADD. It will probably be so much easier for you to do your homework now.
950726
my daughter just growing out of adhd.  she had Ritalin for a while and it totally took over her personality.  i took her off all meds after that and worked out different forms of concentration techniques, it took time and patience but she's getting there. good luck
53744
My son was diagnosed with D. in the third grade. Does your school have a class designed to tutor you? My son had to have assignments and tests read to him, and he was allowed to answer verbally. He taped the classes. Some assignments were altered. Not made easier, but if it required alot of writing, he was able to use a computer. We even homeschooled for 5 years.  We found a curriculum that was alot of hands on experiences.  It is hard. Hang in there, you're an inspiration to someone watching you.
939054
Sugar and Caffine?  It stops ADHD tendancies,  give the child a mt dew in the am and see how he reacts.
597966
You can try xanx.  Also I dont know if it will work for you, but I was prescribed Ritalin for my ADD and if I take a few of those, it puts me in a REAL good happy mood, like my dopamine is being increased.