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Re: Heart Check ups for children with ADHD

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:17:52 GMT

Excellent article. I was blown away by the statistics that 2.5 million kids are on medication for ADHD. When he was younger we had our son (who is now older) on Ritalin. We stopped using the medication after a couple of weeks as it just seemed that he was not the same (very placid, too much so) and we just did not feel right about. However lately he has become incredibly difficult to keep focused and is all over the place. I do not want to medicate again, but I am at my wits end trying to figure out what to do.

Are there any studies/real information on the long term use of Ritalin. Our pediatrician also suggested Adderall but I was not familiar with that particular drug. As the article mentions, I am just so uncomfortable with giving medication and really worry about the side affects.

What is the appropriate age to start checking for diet problems

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:08:36 GMT

By jessica26 on May 9

Is there a specific age that one should be to start looking at the diet as the source of some of the problems our son is facing. He is currently 10 years of age and does not really 'seem' allergic to any foods, although I am not sure really which foods are/can be bad for him. I have been reading a lot especially some of the information that Jenny McCarthy talks about with her son and the diet changes that she made that caused a huge change. I am would like to know what is the best place/test to start with and what the approximate costs will be.

Re: Gluten Fecal Tests

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:04:22 GMT

By jessica26 on May 9

Can you please tell me specifically where we can do to get this test done? I know it may be a little late in our son's development to look at his diet, but I would be very interested to see the results of this test on him. We are based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Any info would be appreciated.

Re: Going Overboard?

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:55:24 GMT

By jessica26 on May 9

This is a great thread. Like the other posters I have tried almost everything to get my son to use the bathroom without having to prompt him. He is non-verbal like Vanessa's son. I thought that she was incredibly accurate in her assessment that this is a invisible disorder (not to us that live with it everday) in that people just have no CLUE that my son has a disability. I also agree with her that our kids are just good looking. My son always gets complemented on his looks and my hubbie always says that he get his good looks from him.

Our success came very similar to Vanessa's in that our son was on the potty holding it in (BM)when suddenly our front door slammed shut. It startled him so much that he relaxed and went to the bathroom. He got so much praise that you would have thought he had won the Olympic gold, and in our eyes he definitely had!!

It is a relief now to not have to fight to change diapers and clothes which was especially difficult in Public. I almost never ever used a public bathroom as I was just so afraid of taking my son into the ladies room because I was so conscious of his age (he was almost 9 before he was potty trained). It really was stupid to think like that when I look back, but you want so desperately for your family to fit in, that you forget sometimes that your job as a mom is to teach and help, not just fit in.

My advice to all the moms out there is be persistent and TRY everything. You just never know what the trigger will be that starts the process.

Jessica