ADHD

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ADHD
By Kathy

I was having trouble with my daughter in pre-school. I went all the normal routes of guilt. She's acting up because I'm not home, I shouldn't be working I should be with my children, etc. But when I was getting called to
pick her up from pre-school for misconduct several times and then when they expelled (expelled a 4 year-old!) from the class that was it. She decided she didn't want to color when the teacher said to color, she wanted everyone to sing songs. Most of the kids wanted to do what she wanted and not what the teacher wanted. It became a real power struggle for the teacher and she wanted her out

of the class. She could not stay focused long enough on one thing, she was always in motion, both physically and mentally. She was kind of like a top wound too tight. Since I was around to see most of this, I spoke to her pediatrician about it. We set up an appointment for her to access her. She then sent us to a Licensed Mental Health Clinic. We met a wonderful man who to this day she calls the "Hot Chocolate Doctor!" (He had tokens for the hot cocoa machine) We as a family went to see him for about 6 weeks. He had us fill out papaerwork weekly on her behavior at home and we had forms for her teachers to fill out. After compiling this information he, along with the pediatrician and the reports, concluded that she was ADHD. We started her on medication 5 mg. of ritalin 3 times a day. I heard every opposition to medicating my daughter from everyone in the family and from friends. I have heard it all! I used my judgement on when I needed to alter her medication. After a certain amount of time everyone builds up a tolerance to it. I along with her doctor increased it when it needed to be. She was recently on 15 mg 3 times a day. We have now put her on Concerta. It is an even dosage medication that is taken in the morning and then lasts for 12 hours! It is a God send. We don't have to keep remembering to give her her meds, and she has the freedom she needs. Everyone is different as long as you use good judgement in the decisions of your children you can't go wrong. Half the battle is listening to what your child is actually saying to you through thier actions....Mom lways said actions speak louder than words...
If you are concerned see your pediatrician, she can have the child evaluated. Let me know how things are, and feel free to contact me at any time.