if a child is given Ritalin...

[cariboo]

...and becomes calmer, does that prove that the child has ADHD? Ritalin (Methylphenidat) is a stimulant, an amphetamine. In anyone without ADHD, taking this drug wouldn't calm them but speed them up, right? My ds is 5 & very young to be on Ritalin but after 14 months of research, visiting paeditricians, pedopsychologists, pedopsychiatrists and subjecting him to a barrage of psy tests, his current psychiatrist has prescribed Ritalin. I feel incredibly guilty but she did emphasize that she prescribed this drug for his benefit, not for ours. (Marriage has suffered, family suffered, I had a breakdown a few weeks ago). He's better with it but as it's short term, he "rebounds" when the effect wears off & gets into even worse trouble. I just don't know what to do anymore. His teacher was furious on Friday, shoving ds' books into his backpack for him, accusing me of "poisoning" him, behaving in a totally unprofessional manner. FGS, it's not ds' fault! He's exhausting, annoying, whatever but why, why do other parents & teachers marginalize him? Bit of a rant here but it's so difficult, having fought so hard to get help for him, to defend his behavior to others even when I am fed up to the back teeth with him & still be carrying this crushing guilt of not having done enough for him. God help me - no-one else seems to be!

Just didn't want your post to go unanswered. Can't answer your question, just wanted to send hugs, it all sounds terribly wearying.

Am very at his teacher's behaviour.

And parental guilt at your child's treatment is horrible (some experience of this one). But at the end of the day you can only do what the most thorough research suggests is right.

OMG that is disgusting that your ds's teacher behaved in that way, how dare she? Would she have said the same if your son was say diabetic or epileptic? makes my blood boil it really does. I would definitely put a complaint in.
My dd is on this too and without it she just would not be leading the life she wants to lead.I truly believe it should be a last resort,like it was in our case and yes it will only work if your child really has it. Have you asked about slow release as this tends to stop the rebounds in between doses HTH

dd1 was on this for a while, but we had to stop as it totally stopped her apetite, so she ate and drank virtually nothing. It would seem that this is a good drug for your ds if it is helping, but we were always warned the effects only lasted as long as the drug was still in the system.

I think the behaviour of the teacher is outrageous, and you should take this further - if you have the energy. I get sick and tired of people refusing to accept the implications of ADHD and continuing to 'blame bad parenting' or assuming the child is 'just naughty'. I was given an article last week on ADHD from dd1's Neuro Consultant, called something like 'Understanding ADHD - for Teachers' sorry don't have it to hand right now. Is there a chance you can get something similar to take to your school?

Take care and good luck.

PS Does the teacher realise that these drugs are given as a last resort, after behavioural therapy, many tests etc etc???? Consultants are not just handing ritalin out to anyone who puts their hand out for it!

I've nothing constructive to add at all. Teacher sounds like a prize twat. Poisoning him? I'd complain about that
Is changing schools a possibility?

I did complain about the "poisoning" to the headmistress. It's been since my complaint that the teacher has been so aggressive. (hmm)

We're considering changing schools - have been for some time but poor ds has had so much to cope with that we don't want to add yet another source of stress & anxiety for him.

I'm really angry & fed up, though. it's not his fault!

Cariboo ((hugs))!!
You have to do what is right for your child!! And you are doing it! It is hard but you are giving your child the chance to try meds to see if it helps.
The teacher was way out of order! She needs educating ( and better maners too)!!
In UK stimulants are not given out lightly! If they have a calming effect (rather than the stimulating effect of a NT brain) then it rather prooves that the drug is helping to raise neurotransmittor levels to a more typical level. That is what the drug does. Ofcourse it isn't as well tuned as an nt brain that can produce exactly the right amount of neurotransmittors second on second, but it helps.It helps restore normal function. No teacher would object to a child who could not produce enough growth hormone being given it artificially or a child with epilepsy receiving drugs to control seizures!
Ds also started on meds at 5, and I can confidently say it was worth it. The early days were difficult - in part because the immediate acting drug was not ideal for ds ( ups and downs he is now on a slow release med). It isn't right for all children (with ADHD traits) and it isn't a perfect or stand alone treatment.
It took a while for the long term benifits of meds to show in ds (the learning effect), but he is still very sparky ! Mornings before meds and the half hour after taking it can be difficult - but he is a calm kind thoughtful child ( yes really) once his brain is fully engaged!
We have been there too and suffered ignorant comments from teachers. It is not ds fault.
It is not your fault. You are doing your best for your child.

Well put,Magso

Thank you so much, magso! Neurotransmitters, eh? Interesting. I take Ritalin too (SR) - I was diagnosed at the ripe old age of 44 with ADD. Here in Switzerland, it seems that medical/social care will do ANYTHING before resorting to meds. I don't blame them but there comes a point when the child is suffering so much that it's almost cruel not to give meds. Ds is on Ritalin for a short time as doc says it can stunt growth. Hardly a problem for my ds as physically he's the size of a 6-7 yr old - which makes it all the harder for him socially as everyone expects him to act accordingly. His behavior is that of a 'terrible two' although when he's calm, he's bright, articulate and sensitive. I'm hoping that she will at least prescribe him SR.

The teacher has limited social skills - she was dd's teacher 3 yrs ago and although she's an excellent teacher, she sets parents' teeth on edge. She actually asked me when the next baby was due - I had a bit of tummy at that time. I was devastated & despised her for ages after. But this behavior towards ds takes the biscuit!!

thank you all, in fact! It's such a relief to find support.... (smile)

Wow! - does sound like the teacher lacks good social skills. ( Actually she sounds a bit impulsive herself?? )I suppose it shows concern for your lovely ds though!!
Agree, it is cruel not to try it - (and if it helps you then it must be even harder for you to see your child denied!) Its like not allowing a highly shortsighted child glasses - to do so would affect everything!

Ds is also tall - he has stayed on the 98th centile. We did have to change meal patterns! (Ds is on concerta -10 hours coverage roughly -it gives a steady continual dose to avoid rebound) He often has 2 breakfasts as he wakes starving, and late tea followed by supper!! Lunch has to be tempting and easy to eat.

Just come home from picking up the dc. Saw ds' teacher, who asked me if ds is taking the ritalin regularly. Yes, I said, he has 5mg at b'fast & 5 mg at lunch. Well, says she, his behavior is very erratic since last week. He had a couple of meltdowns today (one outside during play & another because he was frustrated that the plasticine "m" he was making wasn't they way he wanted it to be.

What I really, really need to know is: if the ritalin is having less of an effect, does this mean that it's not the right med for him? This may sound silly, but I'm afraid to tell his doc because she might stop the meds entirely & frankly, I couldn't bear it. Dh & I notice he's calmer when he takes it but 'tis true that the effect is irregular. What do you think? Thanks! x

The doctor is the best person to ask but I understand your difficulty! ( I am only a mum)
It sounds as if this is very very early days with medication for ds. We also had some early difficulties - including worries about meltdowns from school (who espected too much)and stopped medication for a while. Getting the type of medication, the right dose and the right prsentation (eg XR) took quite a while. (Also I seem to remember being warned of difficulties - hence having to wait ?4 weeks for each small dose change.)
We find that it took a while for ds to learn to use the opportunity the medication gave him. He really could not cope with the rebound and because his skills fell so rapidly nor could the staff around him- they did not understand and thought him deliberatly clumsy/naughty/thoughtless!! Also in some ways too low a dose is unhelpful - for ds a low dose increases his awareness (of things he cannot do etc) but is not high enough to boost his thinking to a useful level IYKWIM and catch his impulses.
So don't despair - it might be too early to know yet - or it may be the wrong dose/ or drug type.

Fwiw, when you are seeing what effect a new drug has, it may be best if the teacher doesn't know what he's taking and how much etc.

Her response to you will be biased by what she thinks of the drug.

A general diary of behaviour would be better. And you can just give a blanket statement that the docs need it and will control meds accordingly but you don't tell her when you have started/stoped/upped/lowered dosages.

Excellent idea. From now on, my response will be "ds' doctor is aware of X behavior & is adjusting his treatment accordingly."

loud sound of raspberry blowing

The "meltdowns" and extreme swings of emotion are a very common side effect of ritalin in the early days. My dds both had this but it stopped pretty much by the end of the 3rd or 4th week.
I'd recommend this book

Ds is now on Concerta, which is like Ritalin but LR. He started about 10 days ago & while it does seem to help a little, the effects are not THAT noticeable. At least he doesn't seem to have the ups & downs anymore but he's still often "all over the place". Is this normal? Does he need a higher dose?

Possibly - or it may not be the best medication for him. When ds needed the next dose up ( also Concerta) he started to get more 'all over the place' and his impulsivity increased. So it might be the dose. Can you ask the doctor?