Getting DS adhd to wind down - bedtimes

[Knackeredandcross]

Hi there

My son is 12 and has been taking ADHD meds for about a month. They e helped hugely with his focus at school but getting him to wind down and go to bed is a nightmare. Any advice? He usually goes up about 9, faffs for about 40 mins (I try and leave him to it) but then he’ll spend the next hour getting up, coming through to see me if I’m in bed (I’m usually knackered, single parent) and generally doing anything he can to stay up.

Playing quiet music and waterfall sounds helped a bit for a while but he seems to have got bored of this now😕

Does anyone have any advice? He’s always struggled with winding down so it’s not new but the meds have made it worse I think.

DD takes 1mg of melatonin 30 minutes before bedtime. Works like magic.

Thanks OhCrumbs.
I’ve heard melatonin can help. Do you get it on prescription?

I order it online from the US - 1mg gummies. I buy about 8 tubs at a time and they ship it. Very cheap and quick to arrive.

Siblings had problems getting it prescribed by GPs - especially long term - so advised me to not bother with that route.

DF is a GP and didn't see an issue, and psychiatrist didn't rap me over the knuckles for it, so I've just carried on.

1mg is the lowest possible dose, some kids need slightly stronger.

Only thing I will say is that they do need to put the tech away and try and sleep on it. You get about a 30 minute window. DD knows that once she's taken it she needs to stop calling friends etc and have the mindset of going to sleep.

Zero issues in terms of being tired next morning or being very deeply asleep or anything (it's not like sleeping pills), it just stops her mind racing enough for her to drop off. She was really struggling before we started and motivated to be sensible using it - it could be less successful if child is not actually interested in sleeping.

Meds wise are they daily? What I mean is they don't have to take them every day only on school days or a build up medication?

Melatonin is the only thing that's helped DD who is on the Pathway for ASD & ADHD.

DS, who has ADHD can fall asleep but he's a much busier person and is generally exhausted by bedtime.