i was in no way suggesting it was.

correlations, not factors...

there is also a high rate of comorbidity with ADHD...

i believe that many things can contribute to ADHD...many things can cause the brain to mis-fire. we can NOT automatically point at one and say, "this is the cause!"

just like a car that won't start...there can be MANY reasons. missing key, missing parts, broken starter or alternator...

you can't say, "wow, your car won't start, you must be missing an engine!"

I didn't assume anyone was suggesting that. It's all good. The whole point is to throw in ideas, experiences and opinions. I'm very good with handling those.

I don't discount the effects of drugs//alcohol or anything else for that matter. I was only trying to say that those weren't a factor for my son. Guess I should have added that I think it is genetic in my case

it's interesting to note that there does seem to be a genetic factor. if there is one child in the family with ADHD, the chances that a second child will also be affected jumps dramatically.

it's fascinating to see the differences in brain structure and activity, as well...

Thanks everyone for engaging this conversation, though, now that it's in the parenting thread, I'll have to back out. I wasn't asking as a parent. Just trying to foster some intelligent conversation around here for the day, and I have to sign out, Have a great night, everyone.

I believe I would have been diagnosed when I was young because I can clearly understand what my son is going through because I had the same problems. I believe my dad would have been as well. That is why I believe my son's is genetic. But I know that drugs and alcohol contribute to a lot of disorders in kids so I wouldn't rule that out for others either

I posted that link because I thought it was interesting to see the different ideas on it

wouldn't know.

it works wonders for my son as does playstation.

mine was diagnosed with severe ADHD at 2 and has been on adderall since then. He was diagosed with severe autism at 3 and was 28 weeks premature due to the stress of being a firefighter he was in a hurry i reckon!
But as soon as he was able to walk around 22 months he was a full time work out up to 20 hours a day some days. He got so bad at the special needs preschool he slugged a woman in the mouth and bit her (she was strappin him into a highchair not wanting to fool with him) but it was that afternoon I drove to the daycare promised that worker a good azz whoopin and RUN if you see me..i will hurt YOU worse. But seeing how bad he was getting it was only a matter of time where he could hurt a peer, another person or god forbid himself. I stand and SALUTE the company that makes adderall. IT WAS A HARD DECISION but within a week he was able to sit down, calm down and FOCUS. and with the autism his mental capacity at that time was very LIMITED not understanding like normal wee ones know TIME OUT.
He was getting straight A's up until this year at school and mom was so proud. Talking, reading, writing and the specialists could not believe the dedication to help my child. It took every bit of my essence but worth every bit of this! Now this year the city spent up funds from the special ed dept and he didnt have a special education teacher as she was out on maternity leave so they threw him in mainstream and now he is getting bad grades and bullied daily to no avail. But with the ritalin or ADHD meds they can be overprescribed or like with ME i was finally diagnosed with ADHD and i am all grown up. Instead of depression and anxiety it was the ADHD. I take adderall too and my life is so much better!!! as for my boy and my choice to put him on that medicine. BEST DECISION I EVER MADE in his case but he is monitored every 2months at the neurologists for weight, height, etc. this is normal for children on this medication. ADHD and straterra isnt addictive and works for many. ADHD and teenagers? sweetie without the diagnosis of ADHD i had low self esteem, lost jobs over the years, 2 abusive men, failed friendships and honestly i am glad i made the choice to medicate. Oxycontin is just as bad i think on OVER medicating and many people are dying on that nasty crap!

YOU GO LILONE!!! and do check out my comments!!! its such a shame with these doctors who FORGET TO LISTEN TO THE PATIENT or even CARE!!! they say 1 in 3 autistic boys have ADD or ADHD. I have to agree!!!

Good to see you Barbie.My friends son is mainstreamed(aspbergers)but he has an aid to give him a hand and by law your son should also(i'm sure you know that).My son is on concerta but after reading your testimonial i may switch him.thanx

adderall was our lifesaver.

concerta made hailey dizzy and have horrible stomach cramps...she lost fifteen pounds in the two weeks we had her on it.

Brandon has no such side effects but it doesn't seem to help much either..it did at first but now not so much.

My now almost 19 year old son was diagnosed with ADHD at 4 years old.. It took several visits to several doctors and a stay in a Childrens Hospital to regulate meds because he was so young....He doesnt take the meds anymore, but I can tell you he wouldnt have made it thru school without them...

Now like yellowrose said above he told me once when he was about 13 or 14 that it was like having 100 different radio stations on in his head all at the same time on different stations...

ive been there i was all drugged up back then then i choose to quit takin it and my mom put the fear in me and i thank here for it

I know in another forum there is a debate about this...not going there though lol

We tried altering my son's diet based on many different diets. We took sugar out etc. Nothing helped him.

We tried specialists to help him in school. That alone didn't work

The ADHD meds were the only thing to help him focus. Then we still used the specialists help to better himself.

If a med made him zombie like...we switched meds. There are many out there.

My son is a bright, caring, wonderful child. He has great values and beliefs...whether they are the same as mine or not.

a year ago...he had no desire to go to college. Now he wants to go and get his degree (yikes..graduating after next year) so he can become a cop.

He wants to serve and protect..something I admire from him

So any nay sayers thinking that all you need to do is discipline or give more attention...I have done that with my son...vecause I'm a parents. Meds just HELPED him to focus. My son isn't into drugs, drinking or smoking like a lot of teenagers these days. Because he doesn't want these things.

I know exactly why both of my boys have ADHD. When I was pregnaunt, I had a disease called Hyperemesis Gravidarum. This gave my boys an 80% chance of having ADHD and they both got it. My body actually fought the pregnauncy so I was in the hospital off and on during the whole 9 months.
My oldest son is no longer hyper but he is still ADD, my little one could be a poster child for ADHD. I don't think my little one is actually going to out grow being hyper. I honestly don't think they have a clue what causes it, I know I never did any drugs in my entire life. Luckily both of my boys are healthy after I was very sick.

Congrats!! My son is in college now so just keep encouraging your son that he can do anything that he puts his mind to!! I have noticed that kids with ADHD are very bright students, my son also was on honor roll all the time...now college is a little bit different. He isn't doing as well in college but I think its because its not as structured as high school. He says he just can't make the grade like he could in high school. I told him he can do anything if he puts his mind to it..but kids will be kids. I think the one thing our kids need to learn when they go to college is this: they can not balance school and a girlfriend the first year UNTIL they learn exactly how to fit things into their life. It all brand new and they have to do a lot of adjusting.

I totally agree. His meds only helped him to focus but he won't rely on them. I taught him even if he forgets to take his meds...he can't use it as an excuse

My daughter was diagnosed with ADD. Year after year, she couldn't remember times tables. It really had an effect on her learning as well as her self-esteem. She's all grown up now, doesn't need the meds any longer, did a lot of coping & behavior modification, but the meds DID HELP HER. It may be over-diagnosed, but when it's right, it's right. No shame here being there for her best interests.
Oddly, the medical community has been recently wondering if some of the ADD, (NOT ADHD), has actually been a mild form of autism. And, having researched symptoms, I can see why they would. Very similar stuff.
Thanks for such an interest topic.