Hi, Trina ~ I have a 3rd grader w/ ADHD (diagnosed in 1st grade). It took us 9 months to find the right medication and the right dosage w/ the least amount of side effects for HIM. Each child is different.

We tried the patch first (Daytrana). The early mornings were still rocky, but the late morning/afterno ons were great. In an effort to try to help the mornings, we increased from 10mg to 15mg to 20mg. The side effects (mostly moodiness/cryin g episodes - not normal for my happy child) increased as the dosage increased. We switched to Focalin. My son is now on Focalin and has been for almost 1 1/2 years. But it still tooks a few months to work out the kinks...

He started on 10mg in the a.m. and immediately (from Day 1) the teacher noticed an improvement in his attention and behavior up until lunch. We boosted it up to 15mg to see if it would last a little longer. It did. Afternoons were still not real good however. We added a 5mg booster at both 11:30am (lunch) and 3pm (right after school). This 15/5/5 schedule worked beautifully for over a year.

He now takes 20mg in the morning (with breakfast - and it kicks in by the time he gets to school). He then takes a 10mg booster at school at lunchtime. This helps him get through his afternoon classes. Somedays he takes another 10mg booster right after school, but some days doesn't seem to need it. I have started cutting them in half to only give him 5mg to see if that is more what he needs. (Obviously it's cheaper to only be getting 2 Rx's instead of 3 different ones!) I give it to him only if he seems to need it. I can usually tell before we get home from school! =) I will say, that I always give him one right after school on Wednesdays, because we have church activities that evening. He definitely needs one when he is going to be out and w/ higher expectations.

BTW - we don't call his pills "medication". We don't tell him he needs to take his medicine - like there is something "wrong" with him. We call them his "helpers" and ask him, or tell him, he needs to take a helper. I think this helps minimize some of the shame he may feel that he can't control himself... after all, these WONDERFUL, ENERGIC, INCREDIBLE kids know they "get on people's nerves sometimes" (classmates, teachers, siblings, even loving moms and dads!) and they don't like it anymore than we do!

You might also read/study to find out his learning style (auditory, kinectic, visual). Helping him "learn" in a way that appeals better to him may really help his grades as well!

And don't forget --- give lots of hugs and encouragement. He needs to know that you love him - JUST THE WAY HE IS, but you want to make things easier for him. He will appreciate your help more if he feels like it's FOR HIM, rather than that you are trying to make life easier for YOU. (Although we BOTH know it will!! =) !!!)

Good luck, sweetie! and know you are not alone!!! ~ Tara

Terika,

Have a conference with your son's teacher. When was the last time his hearing/eyesigh t were checked? Sometimes simply tests can uncover underlying causes for a child's academic struggles.

Have you talked with your son's guidance counselor? Has he been tested for any learning disabilities? It's never too late, and your son will thank you later on.

No child should struggle in school, there are too many ways to help them now, but as a parent you must be proactive about your child's education and especially his/her learning environment!

Start with your school nurse or local clinic and follow a professional's recommendation ... you can always get a second opinion!

HI MY SON HAS ADHD AND HIS MEDS DO NOT KICK IN UNTIL ABOUT THIRD HOUR, SO HIS FIRST TWO HOURS IN SCHOOL IS NOT GOOD HE HAS VERY BAD GRADES IN THESE TWO CLASSES. WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP BRING THOSE GRADES UP?