My 6 Yr. Old Daughter Has ADHD...

my 9yr old daughter has ADHD and was diagnosed at 5. After trying MANY of the exercises and behavior training, I reluctantly put her on medication. It was the best thing I could have ever done for her. She is still herself, just "toned down" a little. She found it much easier to actually sit and read. She couldn't sit still enough in the past to do that!!! My family doctor diagnosed her and prescribed Concerta. It comes in different doses, so it will take a while to get the one that works. Eventually when they are old enough, she can be "weened" off of it, too.

P.,
Have you considered that your daughter might be jealous of this other little girl because of the attention that you have to give her? I would suggest that you try to "date" your daughter once a week, even if it is something as simple as taking just her with you to the grocery and buying her a special treat. I suggest that it might be jealousy because I also had ADHD as a little girl and was extremely jealous of another little girl a few years younger than me that my mother cared for; my mother says I treated her horribly. I hope this helps.

Best Wishes
J. F.

Hi P.
My son is 7 and has ADHD combined Type. We tried so many differnt things to try to help him. Awarding good behavior, diciplining poor behavior, changing his diet, counceling etc...to help with his ADHD. Kindergarden was awful, and in First grade things were even worse. Half way through first grade he was put in a "special class" with other kids that have that have behavorial issues as well. His class is amazing. His teacher is fantasic! She really was given a gift to be able to teach and help children with ADHD and behavorial issues. He is now in second grade and we started him on Medication as well. He is doing amazingly well. He is not a "zombie" and he is able to concentrate to do his work more often then he "acts out". Our goal and the school's goal is to have him mainstreamed into a regular 3rd grade class by the time he enters 3rd grade. You may want to check to see if your school district has a program like this. My son is enrolled in Medina City Schools and the class is like I said before just amazing.

I know my suggestion may be controversial but have you tried medication of any kind to help your daughter? Besides medication, seeking out the help of a behavioral psychologist might help too.

We finally decided to do these two things w/my son and the changes have been wonderful. And I am the type that hesitates before giving myself or the children Tylenol, so medicating my son was a big deal for me. He's not a zombie or anything. Just more in control of himself and it's changed everything.

I really like the "date your daughter" idea too! Children love that one-on-one attention so much.

B.

Like many of the other responses both of my daughters ages 6 and 8 have ADHD.. My youngest had problems with being bossy and etc.I tried so many different parenting skills but found that when she was finally put on medication it has worked wonders.It takes some time finding the right one but once we did it was like she was a different child.Kindergarden we had alot of problems and even detentions..Now her teacher of first grade says shes a delight to have in class and is amazed we ever had any behavior problems from her to begin with.I know like many other mothers I was very reluctant about the medication having heard some pretty bad stories,however I ran out of options.
I take both of mine to a clinic devoted to children with ADHD.Child and Adolecent Service Center..There are offices in Canton and Alliance Ohio and if you need much help im sure they could offer some.I know they offer me the services of medication.. a therepist.. and a case worker that comes to the house to talk to you offer advice and things like that.Theyve been a huge help with me over the last year and a half.
I wish you the best of luck in finding whats right for you and your daughter!

I am a mom of 3 boys ages 12, 9 and 5. My 9 year old was diagnosed at the age of 6 with ADHD. He had the same problem your daughter did, the only difference was that he bullied his younger brother and sometimes other kids at school, when I first realized he was ADHD. My husband and I just let my son know that it is not right to sit and bully somebody, especially your own brother. We did give him time outs for pushing and shoving his brother (which seemed to work at times) and also we had been seeing a psychologist which helped us help him out. My son is now 9 and he is a different kid, he no longer bullies people and he is a great student. We did have him on medication, but recently decided to take him off of them for reasons and concerns I had about them. If you would like to keep in touch and trade advice please let me know. Thanks

I have a 10 year old who has ADHD. He doctor has put her on a medicine called concerta. It helps stabalize her moods and her hyperactivity and believe me, I can tell when she didn't take her pill in the morning. He brother, I am afraid is taking on the same behaviors as hers. The best thing to do is see what your pediatrician recommends. But I have to tell you, that the medicine has done wonders for her and has helped her a great deal in school as well. The ADHD prohibits her from concentrating on her school work so her teachers make accomodations for her and help her. But if she wasn't on the medication she would be in serious trouble and labels a bad child. Good luck.

Hi Pam,
If you haven't received the advice you were looking for, I can share with you numerous testimonies of moms who solved their child's ADD and/or ADHD with nutrition. These issues are symptoms of something else. Let me know if you want help from this direction.

Hi, my daughter(9) has ADHD, but we iscovered it around the age of 6......We have been stressingwith her that having this disorder does not excuse bad behavior, but we also have her on Adderall...I was VERY reluctant to use this method of treatment, but it became neccesary....the drug helps her to concentrate so then she is able to think before she acts.....you may have to keep stressing respect for others' space and discipline her, but I was better able to deal with it when the docs explained that ADHD means that the "policing" part of the brain is "sleeping" the drug helps "wake it up"....It is a very tiring thing to deal with and I have to keep on my daughter all the time....but she is already showing signs of learning how to cope with it without the medicine. Just know you're not alone....if you need to talk or vent, just drop me a message..I'd be glad to help

My husband grew up with ADHD and I think my daughter is a bit hyperactive, but not extreme. Anyway, my most important advice is to not let her feel different" or "special" because of her ADHD. My husband was stuck on meds and made to feel like something was wrong with him, and then as he got older he learned to use it as a crutch...."Well it's because he had ADHD"....it was just cuz he was being lazy and didn't want to do what he was told, lol....Anyway, about the other child, I would talk to your daughter and find out why she picks on that certain girl. There has to be a reason she is bullying her and her only, and when you find out why, fixing that problem will fix the bullying problem. Hope this helps :)