Hello,
I'm new to this, so here goes... just want to get some stuff off my mind about my daughter and her having ADD. Just heard from the doctor today that she 'failed' her TOVA test. She scored somewhere around 2., the doctor called it 'borderline'. I have been taking her to see a Counselor for about two years now. We have been doing the teacher scores/survey since first grade. She is always borderline based on their scores. This year (3rd) her teacher was a bit more vocal and has seen a more falling behind thing going on. She 'daydreams'. Does wonderful with one on one help, but as soon as they walk away, she's gone. Her Counselor calls it Inattentive form of ADD. No hyper activity going on, that is causing a problem. I have had her on supplements since finding this out. Started it myself. Flax seed oil, a vitamin called Smart Kids, which is DHA enriched, her regular daily vitamins, and a Immune supplement with Echinachea and Zinc. The doctor we saw uses Concerta, she says with good results. She wants to see her in July to do blood work. As far as any other tests, don't know yet. We need to discuss this and get it figured out before school starts next school year, it's too late for this year as we only have 3 weeks left. My concerns are... i don't want to medicate! I have read about (some) Concerta, and see that it is a form of Ritalin. I'm against Ritalin. Concerta sounds better, tho. The thing that i don't like is the loss of appetite, and the trouble falling to sleep. For 8 years old my daughter is tall, average for her class, but she is thin, and a picky eater. Plus, she is hard to put to bed, and takes a long time falling asleep. I have been giving her Melatonin a half hour before bed to help with that. How do you know how long to keep them on the medication? Can i try it for a school year and then take her off it? At what age do they usually outgrow this? I know they do, cuz i have known kids who have been on Ritalin in elementary, gone off it by 13, and they did very very well in Jr. High and High School. Most of the kids went off it tho, because of health issues, i believe caused by the Ritalin. I am totally stressing about this!!! I want her to enjoy her summer, she will be doing summer school, but i am NOT looking forward to July!! Someone also suggested the Fish Oil and i will be going into town later to the doctor to buy a bottle of what they use. She said it's strawberry flavored. Ooo! Anyhow, thanks for listening. I hope this goes well. I trust the doctor and will probably go with the Concerta, I just am very hesitant to go that route.
Thanks for your time!!