I can say that I actually never had a drink before my son was born and no drugs.

those could be factors...but still doesn't apply to my son

i was in no way suggesting it was.

correlations, not factors...

there is also a high rate of comorbidity with ADHD...

i believe that many things can contribute to ADHD...many things can cause the brain to mis-fire. we can NOT automatically point at one and say, "this is the cause!"

just like a car that won't start...there can be MANY reasons. missing key, missing parts, broken starter or alternator...

you can't say, "wow, your car won't start, you must be missing an engine!"

I didn't assume anyone was suggesting that. It's all good. The whole point is to throw in ideas, experiences and opinions. I'm very good with handling those.

I don't discount the effects of drugs//alcohol or anything else for that matter. I was only trying to say that those weren't a factor for my son. Guess I should have added that I think it is genetic in my case

it's interesting to note that there does seem to be a genetic factor. if there is one child in the family with ADHD, the chances that a second child will also be affected jumps dramatically.

it's fascinating to see the differences in brain structure and activity, as well...

Ohhhhh, I am going to stir the pot here.....
What about the diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
Has anyone been exposed to that....and the plethera of drugs that go along with the diagnosis?

The dr told me to buy my boys a game boy...he said that would be the best thing for them! I guess because its always moving just like their mind. I think thats why they like gaming so much..its fast and their mind just keeps going.

I'll bet I'm not gonna make too many "friends" with this one it has nothing to do really with any JSHers ......while I admit to being ADHT when I was younger, there were no diagnosis, and it was cured simply by me being taught my place. While I don't condone the beatings some of us got growing up, I can appreciate it a lot more when I see parents/children of todays society. These days, it seems as though there are far too many folks willing to put their children on "safe" drugs, to cure them of something that could be curbed with just a little more discipline.
.......A twenty year old can now be considered disabled, and collect a lifetimes worth of S.S., simply because the parent showed them they could get something for nothing. Point the finger everywhere but at yourself, place blame, and settle back in your easy chair, convincing yourself that you've done the best for them, when it's really little more than making excuses, and passing the buck. Then, fill 'em up with twenty years worth of whatever makes you the hero, and convincing them that they're "sick". They pay attention as you only collect your mail on the first of the month, and you've shown them a path. Kind of a snowball effect......
......There are, of course, cases I've seen where that D student becomes an A, after Ridalin, but he could have been an A student all along, with a little more direction and attention.
.....What's your take?
......OK, lambaste me, tell me what's up........I'll wait.
......

It's because it's basically a stimulant... it seems weird to give hyperactive kids a stimulant, but it stimulates the part of the brain controlls attention.

As for the overdiagnosis part... hey, I'm working on it. I'll get my psych degree sometime.

mine was diagnosed with severe ADHD at 2 and has been on adderall since then. He was diagosed with severe autism at 3 and was 28 weeks premature due to the stress of being a firefighter he was in a hurry i reckon!
But as soon as he was able to walk around 22 months he was a full time work out up to 20 hours a day some days. He got so bad at the special needs preschool he slugged a woman in the mouth and bit her (she was strappin him into a highchair not wanting to fool with him) but it was that afternoon I drove to the daycare promised that worker a good azz whoopin and RUN if you see me..i will hurt YOU worse. But seeing how bad he was getting it was only a matter of time where he could hurt a peer, another person or god forbid himself. I stand and SALUTE the company that makes adderall. IT WAS A HARD DECISION but within a week he was able to sit down, calm down and FOCUS. and with the autism his mental capacity at that time was very LIMITED not understanding like normal wee ones know TIME OUT.
He was getting straight A's up until this year at school and mom was so proud. Talking, reading, writing and the specialists could not believe the dedication to help my child. It took every bit of my essence but worth every bit of this! Now this year the city spent up funds from the special ed dept and he didnt have a special education teacher as she was out on maternity leave so they threw him in mainstream and now he is getting bad grades and bullied daily to no avail. But with the ritalin or ADHD meds they can be overprescribed or like with ME i was finally diagnosed with ADHD and i am all grown up. Instead of depression and anxiety it was the ADHD. I take adderall too and my life is so much better!!! as for my boy and my choice to put him on that medicine. BEST DECISION I EVER MADE in his case but he is monitored every 2months at the neurologists for weight, height, etc. this is normal for children on this medication. ADHD and straterra isnt addictive and works for many. ADHD and teenagers? sweetie without the diagnosis of ADHD i had low self esteem, lost jobs over the years, 2 abusive men, failed friendships and honestly i am glad i made the choice to medicate. Oxycontin is just as bad i think on OVER medicating and many people are dying on that nasty crap!

Good to see you Barbie.My friends son is mainstreamed(aspbergers)but he has an aid to give him a hand and by law your son should also(i'm sure you know that).My son is on concerta but after reading your testimonial i may switch him.thanx

adderall was our lifesaver.

concerta made hailey dizzy and have horrible stomach cramps...she lost fifteen pounds in the two weeks we had her on it.

I like the commercial were they compare it to someone flipping channels on a tv constantly and not leaving it on one long enough to grasp the show. It's like someone flcikering a light switch

I know exactly why both of my boys have ADHD. When I was pregnaunt, I had a disease called Hyperemesis Gravidarum. This gave my boys an 80% chance of having ADHD and they both got it. My body actually fought the pregnauncy so I was in the hospital off and on during the whole 9 months.
My oldest son is no longer hyper but he is still ADD, my little one could be a poster child for ADHD. I don't think my little one is actually going to out grow being hyper. I honestly don't think they have a clue what causes it, I know I never did any drugs in my entire life. Luckily both of my boys are healthy after I was very sick.

I know in another forum there is a debate about this...not going there though lol

We tried altering my son's diet based on many different diets. We took sugar out etc. Nothing helped him.

We tried specialists to help him in school. That alone didn't work

The ADHD meds were the only thing to help him focus. Then we still used the specialists help to better himself.

If a med made him zombie like...we switched meds. There are many out there.

My son is a bright, caring, wonderful child. He has great values and beliefs...whether they are the same as mine or not.

a year ago...he had no desire to go to college. Now he wants to go and get his degree (yikes..graduating after next year) so he can become a cop.

He wants to serve and protect..something I admire from him

So any nay sayers thinking that all you need to do is discipline or give more attention...I have done that with my son...vecause I'm a parents. Meds just HELPED him to focus. My son isn't into drugs, drinking or smoking like a lot of teenagers these days. Because he doesn't want these things.

my son is ADHD and I would have been diagnosed if they had that then. He is on Ritalin but I won't let him use it as a crutch. He tried to say when younger that something happened because he forgot to take his meds. I wouldn't let him get away with it and told him...it's only to help him...not cure him.

He is a strong young man now. (still takes it but doesn't rely on it). He knows he is accountable for his actions and his school work.

He wants to get a degree and become a cop...which I'm proud. He doesn't try to use it as a crutch anymore and is a better person for it.

I won't let anyone use that excuse for him either.

everyone in life has things that they can use to blame or as a crutch. Being strong means not using them

I believe there are reasons for things....not excuses