I manage www.drdavestein.com, and Dr. Dave has some awesome advice...he's written 5 books on ADD/ADHD.

Are you familiar with the story of Helen Keller? If she were alive today and behaved the way she did back then today, she'd probably be diagnosed as ODD. A woman named Annie Sullivan treated Helen - teaching her discipline before she could teach her anything else - without medications in what is believed to be one of the first documented cases of behavior modification.

Check out www.drdavestein.com, and this article for more on ODD:

http://members.aol.com/jpc57/odd.html

Julie

Our 9yr old son was finally diagnosed last year with ADHD signs of Aspergers and Anxiety. We put him on Ritalin started at 5mg in the morning and 5mg at lunch increasing to 10/5 but he was to unbalanced so took him back to 5/5. Things improved immensely but we agreed with the Psychiatrist to go to the Royal Brisbane Hospital to what they call CaFTU(Child and Family Therapy Unit). Worst mistake of our lives. They decided on the second day there was nothing wrong with him - took away the meds and the diagnosis. We are worse off now than we were this time last year. He has spent out of the last semester 55 days away from school. That equates to a term and most of that was suspensions. I don't like him medicated but he was more motivated and his school work improved greatly in the 8mths he was on it. His report card came home last week with "N" in lots of places - no evidence. He doesn't handle pressure well so the school isn't putting pressure on him and if he wants to particpate he can or he can read or do other stuff. You tell me how is this helping?? Welfare are also removing him from the home in case he harms himself or someone else. Remember we were told by the Child and Family Therapy Unit this is a normal child!!!! If you live anywhere in Queensland and it is suggested to you to go to CaFTU  in Brisbane- as a Mother who has been there and spoken with other Mothers we all suggest you NOT GO THERE!!! If you need verification about what they are like ring the Queensland Apergers Assoc, in Brisbane and talk to other who have gone before us some 16yrs ago and things haven't changed in that time. Wish someone had told me last year and we wouldn't be where we are now. All we can do is hope that Welfare can get the diagnosis that was taken away from him and get us all the help he/we need before it is too late.

I think meds with counseling is often helpful for kids.  I think if everyone is looking for a magic pill they are going to be disappointed.  Kids need to learn the coping skills and strategies to help them.  Meds do help kids concentrate and focus.  They do need the second component of the strategies.

Medication does not always zone kids out.  I have seen 5 year olds and 18 year olds on meds in school.  It does help balance the moods and the concentration.

Not sure if this helps.

Julie

I know what you are going thru, my daughter has adhd.  I was against medication for the first 2.5 years.  Now we are on medication.  We have tried a few, we are now on strattera.  That is after tring the special diets, herb drinks etc.  We tried adderall, and concerta first they either made her into a zombie or very aggresive and anger.  But the strattera works wonders with so far no side effects.  The reason we went to medication is because the older she gets the harder on her it is with school work and with friends.  I decided that me not wonting my daughter on medication was not helping her.  I would sugg. to try the diets and herbal ways first but, if dont work you may need medication, not for you or the teachers but for your child.