Dillon's Medication Vacation

Dillon taking his medicine

My last post was about medication "vacations", what they are and how/why parents do and like them. So, after doing my research on these, I talked to my husband about what his thoughts were on doing something like this for my son Dillon....

Before I get ahead of myself here, I want to give you a little background on Dillon, his ADHD and his medicine. Dillon has been on this medication for his ADHD since 2nd grade (now going into 8th). His medication dosages have pretty much stayed the same until last year. Since he has been having such growth spurts, puberty and being on the same medication/dosage for such a long time, we had to up his dosage twice last year.

ADHD Medication Holiday-What are they?

I had asked a question on our Facebook Page the other day, it asked parents their opinions and personal experience regarding having what is called "medication holidays". I received a lot of great opinions, stories, and more from the wonderful members to our page. I will share more on that, but let me first explain what I have learned about these medication holidays....


What are Medication Holidays?

  A medication holiday, also called drug holiday, drug vacation, medication vacation, structured treatment interruption, or strategic treatment interruption, is when a patient stops taking their medication(s) for a period of time. The period of time could be a couple days, weeks, months or years depending on the patient.


When do patients/kids have Medication Holidays?

Usually when a parent chooses to give their child a break in medication is it on the weekends (one or both days), during holiday vacations from school and during the summer months.

ADHD is Bull!?! The History Of ADHD!

So, I am a little upset this morning. There are so many people out there, in fact a man posted on Child ADHD Info's Facebook page saying that ADHD is bull****! This made me very angry. So, I am posting about it.

There are so many people out there that will insist that ADHD is a new recent made up diagnosis used as an excuse for children and adults who are misbehaved or are not parented well and need more discipline. Obviously these people have never had to struggle with their ADHD child, trying to help his/her learning disabilities, or held them while they cried because the other kids treat them different just because they think different, and they haven't had to watch their child struggle with themselves trying to gain the control of his/her actions. It just breaks my heart that these uneducated people judge these children and parents when they are actually ignorant on ADHD and have never even tried to learn and understand it. 

To start I want to first point out that we as people are not to judge on another, who really has the right to judge others? No One.

Managing ADHD Behaviors

Managing your ADHD child's behaviors can be very challenging. It can become frustrating and often leave you feeling helpless. So many parents will question themselves as a parent or question their parenting. It is difficult, but knowing some hints can help so very much! :)

Caffeine Effects on ADHD in Children

As you all know, caffeine is in pretty much everything like coffee, tea, iced tea, energy drinks, soda, even gum and so many things in between. It is even in some over the counter pain relievers such as Excedrin. Many children with ADHD are treated with stimulant medications, but many parents are also looking for an alternative to medication or something to use with it. Caffeine may actually be a viable solution for a medication alternative or to work along with your child's  medication, if used correctly

Structure and Consistency is Key for ADHD

Children with ADHD are forgetful, disorganized and impulsive. They don't think before they act and lose things often. It can be so stressful and overwhelming to raise a child with ADHD and it's even more frustrating to be the person living with ADHD and trying to manage and cope with it. So, how can we as parents help make this easier? Consistency and structure are a big key in managing ADHD for both children and adults.

Consistency is having a routine and sticking to it daily. This goes with so many things in you and your child's life and even ties into the structure part of this post. Getting your child used to a routine and set times will help to keep him/her from losing and forgetting things as often. Make charts and/or checklists for your morning and bedtime routines, like the ones on this article to help your child remember what they need to do at these certain times.

Children diagnosed with ADHD Study

According to a government report in 2011, 1 in 10 children are diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). This is an increase from more than tens years ago. 

Now, this doesn't necessarily mean mean that there are more ADHD children, it could mean that they are better detecting the disorder and therefore an increase in diagnoses of ADHD,
which is a good thing in my opinion.

ADHD with ODD

ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) is where a child has a disruptive and oppositional behavior usually directed towards authority figures like parents and teach ODD children are constantly disobedient and defiant and are often hostile. These children will refuse simple requests or chores and don not like to be given instructions or orders. They will at times blame others for their mistakes and can become angered or touchy. Children with ODD tend to engage in intentionally annoying behaviors and argue.

So how's it connected to ADHD?

Child ADHD Info Now on Facebook

I have now created a Facebook page for Child ADHD Info! I want to reach as many parents as possible. So, please feel free to visit at www.facebook.com/childadhd and Like the page to keep up with Child ADHD Info updates and posts as well as Join this blog and Subscribe for free to my feed! Thanks to all my readers I am so happy I can help and inform you of all the Child ADHD Info I find! :)

~S Overly

ADHD in Girls vs. Boys

When thinking of ADHD people often picture an overactive disruptive little boy. Many people have asked "Do only boys get ADHD?". The answer is No, ADHD occurs in girls as much as boys. However, boys are three times more likely to be "diagnosed" with ADHD than girls because ADHD in girls may manifest in different ways. This means that girls with ADHD are vastly under diagnosed!

Raising a Child with ADHD

Raising a child with ADHD is not easy, it is a very frustrating and stressful life long journey. I know it seems like they aren't listening to you when you talk, or just don't care about their schooling. I know this because I have a 13 year old boy with this condition. The truth is though, that even though it may seem like they don't care or listen, most ADHD children DO care and WANT to listen, pay attention and do well. I know my son always says "I just want to be normal" and it breaks my heart. I always tell him he is normal, he just has to try a little harder at things. But, the reality of it is, that little things like sitting still, doing homework, remembering to bring things home and turn them in that we think are easy are an everyday struggle for our ADHD children. They honestly want to all those things, it's just a lot harder for them.

Most ADHD children are on some type of medication such as Adderall, Ritalin, or Concerta, and though these can help with the symptoms, it still can be hard for your child. Some of the most important help your child can get for his/her ADHD is non medication help from you.

Natural ADHD Medications vs Prescriptions

I have never liked Dillon being on his medications for his ADHD. I feel that he is so young to be on such an addictive medication and with so many side affects. I have found a medication called Synaptol that claimed to be an all natural medication for ADHD so I looked into it. 

As you most likely know, ADHD has become a very common problem with children everywhere. Most children who suffer from ADHD are on a medication such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta (Dillon has been on Concerta)

ADHD and Emotions

Dillon, my son, seems to be very emotional at times. He will get overwhelmed really easily such as extreme frustration over homework or being really upset easily, etc. I was wondering if this was at all connected to his ADHD. I researched and found some interested information in various places. More than half ADHD people also have troubles regulating their emotions.

Discussing Treatments and Options Together

Dillon (my son) used to hate having ADHD. He felt that it made him different, he needed extra help, and it seemed like everything was harder for him. So, I decided as he was getting older I wanted to discuss his ADHD with him and his medicines to see how he felt they were working for him. I was surprised when he opened up about, he also had some really great ideas that we implemented and have been working for him.

The Three Subtypes of ADHD

Hi readers! I keep looking into ADHD and I kept seeing these different term used called "Subtypes", so of course, I just had to figure out more about them. Well I found out that as published in the DSM-I (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) by the American Psychiatric Association there are actually three subtypes of ADHD!

Dill's ADHD

  When Dillon was 7 years old he started going to see a counselor. His father and I had split up about 1 1/2 years earlier and he has always been very close to mom. So, he was having problems with not wanting to got to or stay at his dad's. We took him to see a counselor and he also saw a Psychiatrist. She diagnosed Dillon with ADHD. I was worried again that maybe this was all because his dad and I had split up! But, again was told that it was usually genetic,
and his fathers nephew had it as well,
poor Dillon was so upset!