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Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/meds or no meds
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Question
i have a 3 year old who my ped. just prescribed clonide for sleeping an adhd. an im feeling so guilty an cannot seem to get this horrible feeling i shouldn't give him the meds. the meds don't seem to be working an he is still not sleeping. i don't know what to do. i was wondering if there were any therapy or counseling i could look into? he is only 3 an giving him adult meds seem so wrong on many diff levels. what else can i do???
Dear Lindey,
Let me tell you the information I found. Many doctors are prescribing this medication for these reasons in pre-schoolers.
I don't think that counseling will address the sleep issues that the doctor was hoping that the medication would help.
Counseling or play therapy might help you son with aggression if this is a symptom of the ADHD you are seeing.
If you don't have a good sleep routine you might be able to try a warm bath, reading a book together, then he stays in the bed (not the room). If you have tried all these strategies, and your son is not getting about 12 hours of sleep a night - that's the amount that is about right for his age - then medication might be the best option.
Do not stop giving your son his medication without the doctor telling you how. This medication affects blood-pressure and usually people have to be weaned off of it. The reason you may not be seeing the 'sleepy' less 'boisterous' effect the doctor wants is because he may need a stronger dose. Doctors try the smallest dose first and the increase it a little at a time.
Don't hesitate to share your concerns with your doctor. You have to really consider the quality of life your son has now. If he is having a hard time with peers and not sleeping - it may be a 'good' choice for the circumstances.
I hope that I have helped some.
Merry Christmas.
Christine
P.S. Stimulant like Adderal only work about 50% of the time in children under 3 I was told by a developmental pediatrician so that may by why this medication was prescribed instead.
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Answers by Expert:
Christine D. DeLoatch, MA CCC-SLP
Expertise
My expertise is both personal and professional. I am an adult with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, and I am an ASHA certified Speech-language pathologist. I worked in the school system, giving direct theraputic servies to children with both language difficulties and attention deficit disorder. (I am very familiar with the IEP process and the IDEA.)I have consulted on-line, in person and via the telephone with a number of parents of children with ADD.
Experience
My area of expertise lies in my holistic approach to ADD and other similar neurologically-based conditions including Non-verbal learning disorders. I am a researcher of medical treatments, studies regarding concrete documentation of the geographical differences in the "ADD" brain (PET scans, SPECT scans, etc.) herbal treatments, functional organizational strategies for children and adults (stuff that'll get you through the day; sensory techniques for relaxation and stress relief; and organizational tools - from the technological to the home-grown type. I am also a researcher of other conditions that are frequently co-existing with ADD. I have read extensively about women's issues and am an empathetic individal who would like to share strength, hope, experience and education.
Organizations
I hold a Certificate of Clinical Competency issued by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.
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