dx of DAMP & medication

[wads]

Went for a 2nd opinion for 7yo DS today - other Dr had dx'd AS but speech & occupational therapists disagreed. This Dr says apart from speech probs he has DAMP (deficiency in attention, motor control & perception) & has suggested trying meds - metilfenidato? Any experience of this diagnosis &/or medication would be appreciated - thanks!

have been googling - metilfenidato is ritalin

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Is the OT offewring any advoce or treatment? DAMP is a term from Scandinavia I think, often its interchangeable with dyspraxia, which is often comorbid with ADD/ADHD.

Does your DS have major attention difficulties? Do you want to try the medication, or have you been offered any other support?

OT actually discharged us a few months back - he was seeing her for sensory integration mainly. I see meds as absolute last choice but I suppose if teacher & support teacher really think he would benefit I'd try it - am meeting with them on Tuesday

ritalin or similar wont help the difficulties with motor control, but if thats down to lack of concentration, things might improve.

Did the sensory integration help?

yes he still has some sensory issues tho'. Have you had any personal experience with ritalin Fubsy?

Im a paediatric physio - I see a lot of children for dyspraxia, but quite a few of them also have a diagnosis of ADHD.

The reaction to medication varies, but I have to say I havent come across one yet who was put on it unneccessarily. Personally I think there should be behavioural support and any other therapies needed as well, but then thats the sort of child I see.

One older boy I assessed said he was happier on medication because he didnt feel out of control. A mother I met said that although the medication helped her son, his Asperger's traits were more obvious. He was a lovely kid though. My duaghter has a friend who is on a form of it, but I believe there are some parenting issues there, and his medication isnt always that regular.

Its worth asking around, because youll always meet the knee jerk reaction - "Oh I would never put my child on Ritalin" - but in the right circumstances it does seem to help.

Do you trust this paediatrician's opinion?

yes he's one of the most respected in the country - we're in Portugal. Thanks for all your answers - I'll see what Ds's teacher & support teacher think. Family & friends I've mentioned it to are horrified that DS would need ritalin as everyone associates with hyper kids which he isn't at all