Expert: Dr Billy Levin - 7/1/2007

Question
Hi doctor,
My son is 8 years old and has been diagnosed with ADHD by a clinical psychologist in Chennai, India.  In fact, I have made two tests with the same doctor on two diff.occasions in a gap of a years period and the severity has come down.  Still, the doc. in the latest (2nd) report has confirmed that the kid has ADHD and has suggested for continous management of ADHD.  I have gone for a review with my family doc. (a homeopath) who suggested that the problem could be cured with homeopathic medicines and making the kid to undergo various training/drills proposed by the doc. will bring down the confidence levels  of the kid.  It is also stated by friends that the allopathic medicines for ADHD are not advisable on a long run, as they have other side effects.  The kid has a very low concentration and gets excited, especially during watching cartoons etc. in television. He jumps and shakes both his hands vigorously while watching cartoons,movies etc.  The kid has got average or above average I.Q. and but for his poor writing levels and lower level of concentration, he is quite okey like other kids.   can you suggest a way to go about this?.  Will the severity come down on its own as he grows. Is taking allopatheic medicines are advisable.  How a kid of this kind is treated globally.   

Thank u.

with regards

raman

Answer
Dyslexia is part of ADHD , not a separare condition. As ADHD  is a medical condition it would seem appropriate for a doctor not a psychologist to make the diagnosis especially if medication is prescribed. Homeopathic medication has no value in the treatment of ADHD. Stimulant medication is the treatment of choice but the doctor has to advise if medication is indicated. The medication makes the child teachable so the therapists can rectify the learning problem. There is some tendency to improve in time but delaying medical treatment can only make things worse in most cases. If medication is used it must be at optimal level and monitored.