ADD 9 year old daughter, need specific advice from someone who has BTDT

[Mrs Mungo]

I've read all the books. I've adjusted her diet. I have her on omegas, etc. I NEED something else. I need some sort of specific advice for coping. Part of it is the ADD and part is her personality. She is driving me cra-zay. Seriously. Help.

I feel like she's constantly in trouble and I don't want that.

Everything is a major drama. Brushing her hair, doing her math, clearing her dishes. Anything she doesn't want to do. We're talking Madame Butterfly drama, not little drama. Please. Give me some advice that keeps her alive, gets us out of the she's constantly in trouble rut, lets the other 2 kids have some of the attention and doesn't wind up with me on anti-depressants.

[nakitty]

I've got nothin'....sorry. But I can totally commiserate with you...my almost 8 year old son is the same way....it is terribly frustrating...as you know.:grouphug:

[Ottakee]

Have you tried medication? I don't like it as the FIRST option but it sounds like you have tried many things already.

Medication can have some slight risk of side effects but right now it sounds like the side effect of NO meds for her is constantly being in trouble, strife in the family, etc. That is a serious side effect to consider as well.

Meds have made a HUGE difference here for my girls---they take the Omega Brites, etc. as well but still need meds.

It might be worth a shot to trial some meds and it can take a trial and error period to figure out what works.

[Mrs Mungo]

Have you tried medication? I don't like it as the FIRST option but it sounds like you have tried many things already.

Medication can have some slight risk of side effects but right now it sounds like the side effect of NO meds for her is constantly being in trouble, strife in the family, etc. That is a serious side effect to consider as well.

Meds have made a HUGE difference here for my girls---they take the Omega Brites, etc. as well but still need meds.

It might be worth a shot to trial some meds and it can take a trial and error period to figure out what works.

My daughter is so tiny (none of my kids are even on the growth chart) that our former pedi wouldn't even consider medicating her. Since we've moved it might be worth exploring again. Thank you for the input.

[Ottakee]

Well, my girls are WAY below the charts for their age and they are both on a stimulant. They see a pediatric endocrinologist and he OKed it as well.

Is your whole family tiny? If this dd is even smaller than expected for her age/genetics it might be worth seeing a peds. endocrinologist and having them check her growth hormone, thyroid, etc. Those things can affect attention span, mood stuff, etc. In fact, our psychiatrist tested thyroid, etc. before starting meds for ADHD.

My daughter is so tiny (none of my kids are even on the growth chart) that our former pedi wouldn't even consider medicating her. Since we've moved it might be worth exploring again. Thank you for the input.

[Laurie4b]

Have you had her evaluated for sensory processing disorder? Issues with sensory processing are typically present with ADHD and are treated with occupational therapy, which your child will actually like. It will be designed to give her system just what it needs. I remember my son just laughing with utter delight in his first year of OT (occuaptional therapy). Talk about hitting his sweet spot!

In addition to the actual therapy time, the OT's will be able to give you many tricks for helping her to gauge whether she is at an optimal arousal level (or too high or low), and what to do about it. These are things like chewing gum, doing work while seated on an exercise ball or special cushion that allows her to move just a bit, etc. Some of the drama behavior can be from a neurological system constantly pushed over its max trying to organize the incoming stimulation, or to get enough stimulation to stay aroused.

Once the OT is done, you may see that symptoms are reduced enough to live without meds. Or, you might decide to go with meds anyway.

[Mrs Mungo]

Well, my girls are WAY below the charts for their age and they are both on a stimulant. They see a pediatric endocrinologist and he OKed it as well.

Is your whole family tiny? If this dd is even smaller than expected for her age/genetics it might be worth seeing a peds. endocrinologist and having them check her growth hormone, thyroid, etc. Those things can affect attention span, mood stuff, etc. In fact, our psychiatrist tested thyroid, etc. before starting meds for ADHD.

I'm glad to hear that. The clinic we're in now has a lot more staff than our previous clinic. So, I think we'll have more of a variety of specialists and such.

My whole family is tiny. I'm 5'1" and hubby is 5'6" when we got married (at 21 and 22) I weighed 95 lbs and he weighed 125 lbs. My mom is 5'4" and is *tall* for her family. She's taller than most of her male cousins. Her grandfather received a special dispensation in WWI because he was too small to carry a full pack.

She has been tested for thyroid issues and a variety of genetic conditions. But...like I said, our former pedi wouldn't even consider meds because she was so small. I also think most of the ADD kids seen by the pedi were the violent type who weren't going to be allowed back in school without meds. She's not violent and she's capable of sitting still, especially in a new situation...I don't think it's what the pedi was used to seeing.

[Mrs Mungo]

Have you had her evaluated for sensory processing disorder? Issues with sensory processing are typically present with ADHD and are treated with occupational therapy, which your child will actually like. It will be designed to give her system just what it needs. I remember my son just laughing with utter delight in his first year of OT (occuaptional therapy). Talk about hitting his sweet spot!

In addition to the actual therapy time, the OT's will be able to give you many tricks for helping her to gauge whether she is at an optimal arousal level (or too high or low), and what to do about it. These are things like chewing gum, doing work while seated on an exercise ball or special cushion that allows her to move just a bit, etc. Some of the drama behavior can be from a neurological system constantly pushed over its max trying to organize the incoming stimulation, or to get enough stimulation to stay aroused.

Once the OT is done, you may see that symptoms are reduced enough to live without meds. Or, you might decide to go with meds anyway.

I appreciate the information. As I told Ottakee in my other post, I really was sort of blown off by our former pediatrician. Maybe it's worth exploring all this again. Thank you both for the encouragement.

[Ottakee]

I would explore some more. Many peds. are used to ADHD BOYS and girls with ADD can look very different but still need treatment.

Can you see a specialist? I would ask for a peds. psychiatrist, neurologist or developmental specialist---who ever is best for ADD in your area. The more experience they have with it, the more likely you are to get a RIGHT diagnosis and not miss out on other pieces to the puzzle.

At some children's hospitals you can see a whole team and get the OT, PT, and anything else evaluated at the same time.

[elizam]

Have you tried medication? I don't like it as the FIRST option but it sounds like you have tried many things already.

Medication can have some slight risk of side effects but right now it sounds like the side effect of NO meds for her is constantly being in trouble, strife in the family, etc. That is a serious side effect to consider as well.

Meds have made a HUGE difference here for my girls---they take the Omega Brites, etc. as well but still need meds.

It might be worth a shot to trial some meds and it can take a trial and error period to figure out what works.



I agree.....BTDT...our ds suffered for years because I was anti meds. Both of us are feeling the sadness now. :(


Here is a really good resource:

http://www.additudemag.com

[Cadam]

OT has helped some here. I am considering med for both of us. I know that doesn't help you though.

She sounds like my dd, she actually threw herself to the floor in the grocery store today and grabbed onto the cart while I was pushing it. In ended up dragging her for the whole isle before she got up.