ADHD&Dyslexia

Ritalin does actually work for a few people (with ADHD). The question is: how many? The actual number of persons who respond quite well to Ritalin is likely much smaller than some of the large, overly optimistic numbers often given in news media articles (like 60% or higher). That’s my view.

The central nervous system stimulants/alerting agents (weakest may be coffee/caffeine compounds/strongest may be Adderall) do indeed work for some of those with ADHD (not all of those with ADHD). The ADHD meds do not work for everyone.

Dyslexia by itself is often viewed as not being easily treatable with meds at all.

That’s my understanding.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm

I hate the drug Ritalin for Kids or if adults take it. Everyone that does take the drug seem quite confused on the choices they make they seem to make themselvs a easy target for trouble, they like the drive of cutting it close of getting in trouble. Its seems to make them think they have done no harm when the are on the drug ,You never can get a real answer for the person they sem high as if they are on a drug the makes them alter there minds (which they are it a legal form of drug prescribed)

sorry Robert, but you are SOOO way off base. I have two kids who have been on methylphenidate for a number of years, neither has EVER been a behavior problem, they don’t get in trouble for anything more than arguing over whose turn is it to take out the dog, or they are 20 minutes late coming home from a friends house. I know what a person sounds and looks like when they are high and methylphenidate does not do this to people who are properly taking it for a diagnosed attention deficit disorder. There are no Jekyll and Hyde kids living in my house. They are the same sweet, funny, adorable boys they always have been. I get many compliments from neighbors about how good my boys are.

Tabby, I agree with pgd that not all medicines work for all people, in my family’s case, ritalin has helped my kids. My oldest has been impacted the most by his adhd academically, without the medicine he would still be way behind, as it is he is sp.ed qualified, included in all classes with support and accommodations. My youngest has been an honor roll student since 3rd grade. Both kids are in middle school.

Amy

I believe it is given out too much. So much so that it should be off the market. It is wrong wrong wrong. When a Dr. can finally tell someone of all the side effects and let a person make a conscious decission then maybe. But most people do not know about the ticks. Most people do not know that if you already have some sort off twitches or tics that by taking Ritilan it will increase it and it is IRREVERSABLE.

Why on earth would a person want to medicate their child for a learning disability when the problem/solution is for them to find a different way of learning.

i was diagniosed late in life, but always knew something was wrong. My struggle was by myself. Also I had determination and wanted to be able to write and spell and tie my shoes like others. Long list of things to type out.

So at night I would practice over and over again thinking I had it down pat until D-Day came. Did I? heck no. So i had to find a way. Some way somehow.

I did and here I am today some 50 years later with the most excellent jobs. However let it be known that in my mind I knew what i had to do, but if anyone asked me…nope, couldn’t answer it.

I always surrounded myself with people who knew what they were doing. I always explained the problem to them and told them that i would need them as my right and left hands at times.

So meds are a taboo to me. Not to mention even if they had them I was not a candidate because of another disorder.

Ask questions. Read books and make a list of questions to ask and see two Drs. not just one and get the opinions of both for all the questions you have. Another think I highly recomend is to try to see if there may be a Dr. in your town who has ADD/ADHD. Trust me..it helps.

if the drug make you better you mind as well take it