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Original poster

Talk to me about Ritalin

29 replies

LynetteScavo · 01/05/2008 20:45

DS's school have sugested it may be helpfull for DS.

I disagree.

Our GP doesn't want to prescribe (fine by me), but then he doesn't have a child in the same class as my DS!

OP posts:
southeastastra · 01/05/2008 20:46

the school have suggested it? that seems odd.

TotalChaos · 01/05/2008 20:47

would only think it appropriate for a paediatrican to suggest it, certainly not a school and quite probably not a GP.

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 01/05/2008 20:49

the school didn't specifically mention Ritalin (well it was said once), but "medication".

OP posts:
southeastastra · 01/05/2008 20:51

how old is he lynette?

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 01/05/2008 20:53

9

OP posts:
southeastastra · 01/05/2008 21:06

has he not been referred for anything before like occupational therapy?

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 01/05/2008 21:13

He's been refered for anger management, and one psycologist sugested cognetive therapy, but that was at a private assment so it has never been followed up.

OP posts:
martini82 · 01/05/2008 21:15

why do they think that he needs it? does he have ADHD?

southeastastra · 01/05/2008 21:16

that's quite bad, what's his behavior like, what are their and your main concerns?

southeastastra · 01/05/2008 21:16

i mean bad in the sense that they're just suggesting you medicate him as a first response

cupcakesinthesnow · 01/05/2008 21:18

My sons school mentioned 'taking him to the dr's' and 'maybe they can give him something...' when he was playing up at school. I was horrified. I saw my doctor and told them what the school had said and he was appalled. My son is exceptionally bright and identified as gifted (although I do not like to use this term and just say very bright) He was playing up as he was bored which is not at all uncommon with very bright kids.

Obviously I do not know your sons circumstances but it horrifies me that some schools possibly see medication as a way of keeping 'problem' children quiet and making their lives easier without really looking into the real issues.

pagwatch · 01/05/2008 21:19

ditto
what behaviours are they concerned about and what strategies have been tried so far?

we refused ritalin and DS2 lost all aggressive behaviours imediately we changed his diet ( and i mean imediately). But he has ASD so that is a very specific case.

I am not anti per se but should be specific prescription to deal with targeted and specific issues surely?

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 01/05/2008 21:20

I'm not sure what they think! He is being very silly and diruptive atm, and doing vertually no work. His main problem is his temper. Luckily the staff have been able to prevent him so far from throwing chairs across the room, and punching the TA. There have been a few exclusions though.

When he's good he's very very good, but when he's bad, he's horrid.

He's fine at home (although not perfect). Teh funny thing is, untill last summer he was a terror at home, and fine at school. (There was a years overlap where things wern't good at school or home)

OP posts:
southeastastra · 01/05/2008 21:23

it's strange this thread has come up for me today as i took my ds(6) to his follow up occupational therapy appointment. the only thing they can find with him is that he's hyper and won't listen.

she suggested we try fish oils and maybe the gp if he doesn't improve . she said they would prescribe strong drugs (ritalin i imagine).

it makes me mad, they need to just burn off their energy naturally, some children can't sit still, drugging them into it isn't on imo. (sorry to rant)

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 01/05/2008 21:26

He's bright - Id' say in the top 3 in the class, so not "gifted" - I really don't want to use boredom as an excuse.

People who know him differ on their opinion as to whether he is ASD(he does a damn good impression in school), although both pychologists who have written reports on him have ruled it out. (I would say he is extreamly mild, and doesn't need a diagnosis)

He has been diagnosed with general anxiety disorder.

OP posts:
pagwatch · 01/05/2008 21:27

southeastasra
the good thing is that they can prescribe what they like but you can say no.

Fish oils were fantastic for my son. very calming and helped his concentration. And both my boys have benefitted from avoiding certain foods. Additives and artificial sugars were like mini explosions of disaster for DS2 whilst blackcurrant and chocolate made DS1 ( who is NT and very bright BTW) very poor sleeper which also affected his ability to concentrate.
God I sound like an aging hippy

sadly true ( but have two boys who are both achieving brillaintly in their own ways)

cupcakesinthesnow · 01/05/2008 21:27

He sounds like my son. He would hardly do any work as he knew how to do it and didnt see the point in doing more or was simply bored by it and would wander off to look for more interesting things to do. Also he would get very angry as he is a perfectionist and also 'has' to be first at everything and is very competitive so would have terrible rages sometimes. I swear his teachers didnt believe me when I said he was so good at home. It seemed he used school to vent his anger and frustrations in a way he didn;t at home.

Obviously it is an issue when a child such as my son was disruptive in class but shouting for medication to be used as a first port of call is unnacceptable imo.

martini82 · 01/05/2008 21:28

pagwatch - interesting as i changed my ds diet and was very surprised that the change in his was instant. he has been diagnised with ADHD.

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 01/05/2008 21:29

That wasn't a rant, south sea astra!

I think I'll try to get some fish oil into him again.

Cue dramatic spitting out, clutching throat , pretending to die, & accusing me of poisoning him!

OP posts:
southeastastra · 01/05/2008 21:29

i started a thread earlier about fish oils and will try them for my son, lynette you could try them too maybe? we could experiment together.

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 01/05/2008 21:33

I'll go and look for your fish oil thread. My other 2 DC's take them, and absolutely love them- but they're the cheap and tastey kind! DS1, who is super sensitive to every thing is less keen.

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southeastastra · 01/05/2008 21:35

i do think some children react to certain foods but i'm really careful in what i give my son to eat. i just don't understand what's happening. i do put alot of blame onto the lack of physical exercise at school though.

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 01/05/2008 21:41

What happens at occupational therapy?

(I'm imagining they has your DS weaving baskets

Personally I thinkit's bizare to expect children to sit still for 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Mine would never sit still for that long at home.

Ds's teacher is very good, and does send the out for a qick run aound as they don't have an afternoon break.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 01/05/2008 21:48

they do physical exercises and the occupational therapist pinpoints any problems your child may have. (mine has flat feet (poor thning) and a weak trunk.

really though i blame the national curriculum in expecting too much from children. i'm very cynical about the whole thing.

pagwatch · 02/05/2008 17:30

Martini82
No - Ds2 never had diagnosis of ADHD and never presented with those types of symptoms. His biggest problem was total lack of communication and acute frustration associated with that whoich would result in terrible tantrums. Plus his obsessions would similarly result in aggression and tantrums when we couldn't comply with what he wanted ( this was up to 30 massive fights/tantrums/violent outbursts per day).
Biggest change for him was removing milk and gluten as with many ASD kids.