ADHD- when to medicate?

[mrsHarper]

Ds is 6.5, received a diagnosis of ADHD at end of reception year when he was just 5. Due to age and the fact he was managing to cope with school (but still exhibiting all symptoms) it was agreed to carry on and wait and see. But now in year 2 the gaps between ds and the other kids are becoming more apparent and he is struggling with school. So really I just wanted to ask parents who have been through it when they made the decision to request a trial of medication. Is it when the child is not coping academically? socially? or both and to what degree? ie how bad do things have to get to start using medication? Whilst home life is chaotic we feel things are (just about) managable most of the time.

Justabout- thanks for your response, I had imagined a trial would last around a month as opposed to a week, in our life not long enough to see a difference- or maybe it is! What kind of support did you receive re the meds? also how was it administered during the school day? We have had a reasonably calm weekend after a horrific week at school and that's the problem really, we make very few demands of ds at home whereas school requires him to do alot that he just doesn't want to so the symptoms become more exagerated. I have also been wondering if we have normalised alot of his hyper behaviours at home so they are less apparent to us. sorry am rambling on now but have been thinking about this constantly, was really helpful to hear how it worked for you.

The reason i have agreed to a trial is it is for a month and if I dont feel she needs it I do not have to give it, it isnt regimented which I was adamant I didnt want.

THe one dd is trialling we give in the morning (it will last 8 hours) so all the school will have to observe is any changes and any side effects. With this one if you felt they didnt need it at weekends you wouldnt need to give it.

Hope that helps.

Did either of you request a specific form of medication? I had thought Ritalin was the drug of choice but foxy is your dd going to be on Ritalin also as thought it only lasted 3-4 hours. It,s the tales of rebound hyper ness and sleep and eating side effects that put me off so always good to read of stories where this has not been the case.

No my dd is going to be trying one called mediknet which lasts 8 hours. you give one dose, it releases half then and half 4 hours later.

Hi,
Like you,we got our dx when ds was 5,we decided to medicate at the start of this year,it was a hard choice,but like you said,it was becoming more apparent that his peers were growing up,maturing!,ds was losing friends fast,and home life was getting harder,his temper was out of control,
since we medicated,it has all helped alittle!!! in school his concentration has really improved and hes not running around the classroom now,his temper is still a big issue,but we are putting a plan together for that to help him,
over all we are glad we medicated,as hes holding friends a 'little' better :) and its worth it for that alone!