adhd medication/long/need advice

December 9, 2005

Hoping someone can give me some advice.

Just had an IEP meeting for my almost 11 year old son. He is doing

well academically (and socially managing) in 5th grade. He does get

support in reading and writing (and tutoring at home with the

Reading program). His reading is now at a 5th grade level and the

writing is slowly coming along. For the past two years he has

received A's and B's and good comments from his teachers. At this

IEP meeting yesterday, his teaching team said that he has the

possibility to go mainstream in six grade next year, (middle

school.) Their only concern is that sometimes he 'zones out,' or

gets distracted, but they did also say he can be easily redirected.

(I know he is bored and what is going on in his head is much more

interesting!) They asked about the possability of medication. We

had him on Strattera for a horrible two month period two yers ago.

Even with a super low dose, he was flu-like ill and a zombie. He is

normally my optimistic, fun kid. His teachers then said the

medication was dulling him down and not really helping his attention

anyway. We happily stopped and began the biomedical approach with

the help of a non-DAN! developmental peditrician. This was almost

two years ago. Our developmental peditrician said that ADHD

medication may not be appropriate for him since he has a mild

developmental delay and he has the capactiy to pay attention to

things that really interest him and excel with them. We have done

the basic protocol (nystatin, enzymes, probiotics, spectrum

complete, amino acids, EFA's and CLO) with great results, but not

quite enough to get the attention span to 'normal' in the confines

of a public school classroom. I don't like ADHD medications, but I

don't want to deprive him of the right one, if such a thing exists.

Especially if he has the chance of graduating from special ed.

I have also contacted his doctor, but I would really appreciate

advice from a listmate. Wanting to do the right thing for my

hardworking boy.

Robyn

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