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Original poster

DS diagnosed with ADHD today but can’t take meds. What can we do to help him?

53 replies

Youaresowelcome · 31/10/2023 19:57

As above, DS (7) diagnosed today, but due to various contraindications of the medications, the risks of taking them would far outweigh the benefit, so we have decided against them.

I would be really interested and grateful hear from people in a similar situation with children who have adhd but are not medicating, what can you do to help a child in other ways?

The doctor just signed off with “keep doing what you’re doing”, but what we’re doing is winging it! Obviously I want to make sure we are doing all we can.

He particularly struggles with attention, focus and memory.

Any advice, tips or tricks gratefully recieved.

OP posts:

Rainbowsandbutterflies1990 · 01/11/2023 20:14

TotalOverhaul · 01/11/2023 17:08

Help organise his schoolwork. I got DS zip bags with different coloured zips for each subejct. Into them went anything he'd need (so maths set for maths one, coloured pencils for geog and separate coloured pencils for art etc so he never had to remember to switch between subjects. I put his timetable and homework timetable on the fridge and colour coded them linked to his ziplock bags, highlighting swimming, PE and games so he always had kit and couldn't forget it.

That meant, at a glance he could see what needed to go into school each day. At night, he had a crate in the kitchen to dump all the files in, then we checked his bag for school letters or forms to sign etc.

Tell teachers and ask that he gets permission to take a photo of any homework put up on the board, as it can be easy to forget to write it down at the end of class with all other distractions, or ask for homework to be assigned via an online hub if that's an option.

Use timers for things like room tidying. Set for no longer than 5 minutes as it is very easy to wander off after 2 minutes and forget what you're supposed to be doing. the timer will remind you and you can reset it for another 5 or if it's really bad, for 2 mins at a time to keep on track.

Encourage use of a phone diary with alarms and reminders.

Feed him fish if he eats it and walnuts and eggs. Give him magnesium and B-complex and D supplements.

Wow my daughter is 4 but I need to record this some how for her when she starts secondary school!

Amitherealproblem · 01/11/2023 20:24

Send him to a SEN school, so he’s not interfering with the education of the precious mainstream children with his “movement breaks”, if a recent thread on here would have you think.

My DS is almost 8 and not medicated but we will be trialling soon. Exercise really helps him, ideally find something he enjoys. DS has 7 hours of structured exercise clubs a week, and then we do plenty of bike riding and scooting as a family in our free time.

Advocate for him at school - meet with the SENDCO and class teacher to discuss triggers, what works well, what should be avoided. Explain to him that his brain just works a bit differently. Try not to get annoyed when he ignores you for the hundredth time! Talk a lot about feelings.

Parakeetamol · 01/11/2023 20:35

My DC is 8 and combined type. We are not trying meds just yet because we want to see what else we can do first. Had most success with exercise and movement breaks and tons of positive reinforcement, lots of praise, lots of opportunities to earn rewards etc.

We have tried visual timetables but they're less successful

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