Focalin and ADHD

My son has been on Focalin for quite a while and it seems to be the only drug that works properly with little side effects. It can make their appetite lesson, but it didn't effect my son at all that way.

My son has been on Focalin for 2 years and it is a WONDERFUL drug. From what I understand about Focalin, it is the key component in Ridalin (sp?) but without all of the horrible side effects. The only side effect with Focalin is a reduced appetite. Some days my 11 y/o son will eat anything lying still and other days he doesn't eat much of anything.

I refused to put my son on any medications until he was in the 3rd grade and then only did so after all 3 of his teachers told me basically the exact same thing just worded a bit differently. It was the best thing that I could have ever done for him and I wouldn't change what I did. He is now on 20 mgs a day and seems to be doing very well.

Good Luck and you can always do a google search for focalin and it will give you tons of links and information.

HTH,
L. H.

First, I will echo the other posts who say that 3 years old seems far too young to be put on medication. Having said that, my 14 year old was on Focalin and we didn't see any effects either way, positive or negative. He has no behaviorial problems or hyperactivity, just concentration issues & the Focalin did not help him with that at all.

Hi C.,
I know how hard it can be to live with a child who is ADHD. My son has been on Focalin for the past year and it has been great. The only side effects that I have seen is that he does not eat as much but he makes up for it at supper time when it is no longer effecting him. If this works for your child then great. Give it a week and see how your child does. If this is not the med for your child then try something different. It is terrible that we have to keep trying different meds until we find the right one and then it does not last forever. Good luck to you and yours.

After reading others responses I had to add this: My son was diagnosed at three so I do better understand your dilema. There is a difference between a hyper child and a ADHD child. I had tried everything from restrictive diets, food journals, redirection, to spankings and timeout. It is so stressful to watch your child stand there and shake because he can not make a decision between a car and a coloring book. I love my child and want him to have every oppertunity in his life and to be able to live up to his full potential. So when it comes to meds I fully believe it must be a last resort but I also believe that sometimes it is necessary.

Stand by you decisions and do not let peoples personal oppinions about something they obviously do not understand discourage you.

I just wanted to say, just make sure that the dr. has tested his brain activity, nutrient levels and everything. Also, Dr. Phil has had a lot about this, you should check into his info, from Dr. Lawless, about biofeedback, etc. I have two under age three, so I understand how hard it can be to discipline and everything, but please make sure that it cannot be helped w/out meds firstI had to be on Paxil and Zoloft after having my two, and it was horrible getting off of it. That taught me how hard the drugs are on your system, and made me want to try other things first. That being said, if you are absolutely sure that meds are the way to go, you might need them. Have you talked to a dr about your own problems, I don't want to assume you haven't, but issues with your children might be causing you problems in dealing with them, and children will take advantage of that and exploit it. I think that certain "disorders" can be from different things, one child may be lacking certain stimulation, something from their diet, and others might be genetically dispositioned for things. Just please, please, make sure to have all the testing done first, not just a behavioral observation. Also, my kids and I have anxiety and concentration issues by nature, but I have been working for the past two years on completing stuff that I finish, dividing up times for things, and really structured routine for all of us. It has helped all of us, and if I get out of routine and everything, I notice a huge difference in my kids' attention spans, behavior, etc. I know it's hard with young kids, but it's worth it to try before meds.

<www.drugs.com&gt; is a great site to find out about drugs, their use and their side effects.

C.,
I'm a little confused about something. You list only 3 children in your 'about me' section and the oldest is only 3 years old. Did this psychiatrist prescribe ADHD meds for a 3 year old? If so, I would find another doctor. Please give more info. Also, ALL ADHD meds affect your heart as they are basically speed. The ones that say they are non-stimulant affect you as well because my daughter tried several of them before we decided it wasn't worth the risk. The younger the child, the harder it is on their system. ADHD drugs also can stunt growth in young children. My advice would be to NOT give it to him. I don't know a 3 year old boy that isn't hyper to some degree. I believe the research shows that ADHD is being overdiagnosed and children are being wrongly diagnosed because it is just easier to give them a pill than find out what the real issue is. You should try doing a food diary to see if anything he is eating is affecting his behavior. Food dyes(especially red), and other additives can mimic hyperactivity and dairy products & other foods they are sensitive to can make them unable to focus. Research Flax & Omega oils to promote brain function and see if you can't find another way to handle it. "No More Ritalin" by Mary Block is an excellent resource as to what could be causing the symptoms other than ADHD. Also an overuse of antibiotics can cause leaky gut syndrome which can affect behavior as well as your overall health. Do some research of your own, and don't hand over your sons health to the so-called "professional" if it doesn't feel right. Use your instincts, that's why God gave them to you as a mother, and good luck on your search for an answer. The WebMD link above has some scary info on it. Be sure to read it. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-22256-Focalin+Oral.aspx?d...
Thanks,
B.

hi i know how you feel i have two kids who have adhd and i am a single mom and its so hard sometimes

To me it seems that you do not have a child old enough to be diagnosed as ADHD - even three is too young for that diagnosis. This Diagnosis is so OVER diagnosed, I would strongly suggest you find another doctor in another city for an opinion. I would not medicate my 3 year old or the younger ones.

C.,
My son is going to tested today for ADD and I to am entering that world of what is this medication. I don't know about Focalin but I have found an EXCELLENT website about ADD/ADHD that could help additudemag.com I hope this helps a bit.

"That’s why the statement writing group recommends adding an ECG to pre-treatment evaluations for children with ADHD. An ECG measures the heart’s electrical activity and can often identify heart rhythm abnormalities such as those that can lead to sudden cardiac death.

“After ADHD is diagnosed, but before therapy with a stimulant or other medication is begun, we suggest that an ECG be added to the pre-treatment evaluation to increase the likelihood of identifying cardiac conditions that may place the child at risk for sudden death,” said Victoria L. Vetter, M.D., head of the statement writing committee and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia.

Vetter also said doctors should evaluate children and adolescents already taking these medications if they were not evaluated when they started the treatment.

If heart problems are suspected after the evaluation, children should be referred to a pediatric cardiologist. Once stimulant treatment begins, children should have their heart health monitored periodically, with a blood pressure check within one to three months, then again at routine follow-ups every six to 12 months."

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-04/aha-cwa041...

By chance, we met, a local pediatric neuro-opthamologist. At her direction, we had his urine tested and found that his neurotransmitter levels were low almost across the board. In particular, his taurine was dangerously low and his seratonin levels, among others, were suboptimal. The doctor, who incidentally did her fellowship at Johns Hopkins, prescribed for him a series of amino acids and nutrients, and made some key suggestions, particularly daily liquid fish oil and a probiotic. Within a few weeks, we saw some remarkable changes in him. He was suddenly very articulate, was eating better, slept through the night and was present when he was with us. His whole demeanor improved and he seemed to enjoy life again. Drug therapy is not your only Potentially dangerous option. Biomedical doctors have a safer more scientific approach. I think giving any child, especially a 3 year old who cannot verbalize drug's effects or negative side effects is too big a risk, I wouldn't take. Nutritionally, you have many options. Most doctors know nothing or next to nothing on this critical key to development. READ.READ,READ! A lot of the drugs given to children have never been tested in children first. Especially the psychotropic ones.!

We as a family have gone almost completely organic. This experience has opened up a whole new way to look at medicine, food and wellness for us. The thing that we cannot understand is how doctors prescribe medicine for these kids, saying "Well, let's try this and see how he does." Trying to correct a chemical imbalance with a pharmaceutical without even attempting to identify the nature of the imbalance seems crazy to us. Not one doctor, or professional, even addressed his diet with us. How has it become that medicine is now practiced with so little regard for science? Or even biology? So much emphasis is placed now on pharmaceutical intervention, we're led to believe that there's somewhere a magic pill that cure any condition. Or at least one on the horizon. And meanwhile these kids are on speed for years.

Moreover, we are regarded with skepticism by many for going outside the mainstream to look for answers, even though the results immediately became apparent. The public school psychologist in particular gave us the fisheye during our IEP meeting and made it a point to tell us that our son's doctor was practicing outside of her field. And yet my son's doctor and her staff are the only professionals who made it a point to try and help our son by balancing his biochemistry, rather than just masking his symptoms.

Am I reading this right, you have a 3 year old on Focalin? A 3 year old diagnosed with ADHD? I am familiar with the medication just by researching it - here's a link: http://www.focalinxr.com/index.jsp?usertrack.filter_appli... it clearly says 'children 6 years and older'. One other link: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-22256-Focalin+Oral.aspx?d.... I'd love to hear back from you. I have alot of personal experience with ADHD meds with our oldest son; I have a 9yo stepson who was diagnosed with ADHD at 6 years old, he also has mood disorder. This is purely genetic for him, as his biological mother has BiPolar Disorder and that being passed on genetically - it's not suprising that he has a co-existing psychological concern like ADHD. I am curious to know your childs age - we saught out MANY different opinions/recommendations before the age of 6 and were advised by all but one of the psychiatrists to wait until Kindergarten or first grade for any mood or hyperactivity disorder.

Hi C. I have never heard of the drug, but I do know of something else that some of my friends have used that is natural with no side effects for ADHD.If you would like to know more about it please call me ###-###-#### or e-mail me and I can explain more about it. Thanks Sheri M. My e-mail is ____@____.com
P.S. I too, strongly agree, that there is a better way to help a child that doctors are too quick to diagnose as ADHD Please call me I can tell you so much more that I have learned that won't fit in this space

C., I see that you have 3 little ones all under the age of 3 at home... and I must tell you BOYS have A LOT OF ENERGY and then some. That doesn't mean they have ADHD, I am not trying to undermine your DR or you by any means but

But at age 3, they are independent and he knows you have 2 other babies that get your attention.. he may just be pushing your buttons, also too much TV may have an affect on some children... put music on instead maybe some classical, yes, I said, it you may even care for it but it does calm them in a way that only classical can. MY DD has gone to sleep to it for the past 3 yrs, as she is now 5.

Have some quiet time, it is hard I know with the 3 little ones, but YOU can do it you just need some tools.. a little guidence and a lot of patience. Lots of things are by trial and error, meaning what worked for my family may not work for yours... but something will, BE positive. When the other babies are sleeping, have some one on one time with your 3 yr old.

If you are still needing the information about Focalin please continue reading... 3 is just a tender young age for any kind of ADHD meds... but do what is best for you and your family.

oh, one thing I must mention, No matter what your faith, obeying is a necessity in life... teaching him to obey you is something that is extreme importance.

((hugs)) it will get better, but you need to do somethings now... as the 20 month old is not far behind.

Your pharmacist should be able to give you a print out of Focalin Drug educational information.

You can also go here:

http://www.focalinxr.com:80/index.jsp?usertrack.filter_ap...

Here is the safety information:
http://www.focalinxr.com/info/tools/product.jsp

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=2008042210043...

C., here is something that might be of REAL interest to you.... CHECK IT OUT. It has all of the ADHD meds and their common side effects as well as precautions and their pros... so you in fact might find something else that appeals to you.

It is AWESOME that you are being your child's advocate and just not taking the DR's word on things... Kudos to You C.!

IF you don't get the answers you are looking for keep digging.. they are out there. Keep being agressive in your search.

http://www.leeheymd.com/charts/adhd_1.html

My 7 year old neighbor is on Focalin and her mom really likes it. I know she said it made a big difference. I only know this because I recently had to put my 8yr old on an ADD medication. We tried Concerta but we kept having to up the dose so high that the pill got to big to swallow. We went to Daytrana patches. I can't say enough. The 10mg smallest dose patch made all of the difference in the world. We love it! It definitly lasts all day. You just put it on her hip and alternate hips from day to day. I know they have a promotion where you can get 30 free patches to try. I had her on 56mg of Concerta and it did not help like the patches. Even my husband loves the patch. So, if you do not like the Focalin, you may want to try the patch. The three year old may really like it because it is like a square sticker. It is too hard to get off for him or her to do it themselves, I think. It is not hard for me or my daughter but I do not think one of my three year olds could get it off without my help. I hope this info may help in the future.

Have you asked your pharmacist about the focalin?

I think I would get a second opinion! ADHD cannot be diagnosed till school age! Your son is only 3!

my son takes focalin now he was on strattera and the strattera made him angry and depressed so we switched him to the focalin so far hes happier but his energy level is high so he might need his dosage changed and he doesnt eat like he did on the strattera. for side effects do a search on focalin side effects. hope that helps

Is the Focalin for your 3 year old?? Please, please, before giving such a drastic drug, test your son for food allergies! My sister's son was a HUGE handful and diagnosed with ADHD, but instead of medication she chose to check for allergies first. He was found to be allergic to several things, including dairy, gluten and anything with corn (such as corn syrup, etc.) He was not having severe allergic reactions such as breaking out in a rash or breathing difficulties, but when he eats certain foods he can become angry, hyper, unfocused, disruptive and extremely emotional. My own son (now almost 6 yrs. old) has bad reactions to certain preservatives. There are certain foods that cause him to lose focus, fidget constantly (can not keep his body still) and generally do things he KNOWS he is not supposed to do. When he is eating the right foods, he is the sweetest, most gentle boy who is calm, focused and well behaved. Just please consider that it MAY be a food or other allergy that is causing your sons behavior, and can be treated without such harsh medication. Good Luck!

I am beyond shocked (and a little disgusted) that a three year old is being prescribed a drug for ADHD. The indicators for a diagnosis of ADHD are behaviors that are present in most 3 year olds...because they are completely normal at that age. However being present at 7, 8, 9 or older...not 'normal'.

I think if you didn't have three kids under three he might not seem ADHD to you and you'd be better equipped to work with his behaviors. Since that bell cannot be unrung, I say opt for in-home assistance, hire a nanny to be with your younger two so you can spend more time 1:1 with your 3 year old. The AAP policy on ADHD is that 6 should be considered the youngest a child be diagnosed.

Here is the copy of part of the policy:

The guideline contains the following recommendations for diagnosis of ADHD: 1) in a child 6 to 12 years old who presents with inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, academic underachievement, or behavior problems, primary care clinicians should initiate an evaluation for ADHD; 2) the diagnosis of ADHD requires that a child meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria; 3) the assessment of ADHD requires evidence directly obtained from parents or caregivers regarding the core symptoms of ADHD in various settings, the age of onset, duration of symptoms, and degree of functional impairment; 4) the assessment of ADHD requires evidence directly obtained from the classroom teacher (or other school professional) regarding the core symptoms of ADHD, duration of symptoms, degree of functional impairment, and associated conditions; 5) evaluation of the child with ADHD should include assessment for associated (coexisting) conditions; and 6) other diagnostic tests are not routinely indicated to establish the diagnosis of ADHD but may be used for the assessment of other coexisting conditions (eg, learning disabilities and mental retardation).

Why did you leave with a script for a drug you'd not fully discussed with the prescribing doctor? Have you been to the Focalin site? Even it says that age 7 and up is the intended audience for the drug.

Spend time with your child and see what his true personality is as it emerges in 1st or 2nd grade, don't be in such a rush to label and drug your child. There is a time and place, but this is not the time and until he is in school, not the place.

I do not believe in putting a 3 year old on Adhd meds in the first place and I am a peds nurse who deals with this stuff everyday. We generally evaluate them around the kindergarden age. But focalin is a great medication,. we have alot of patients on that. J.

My son is 10 tomorrow and has been on ADHD meds since he was 5 years old. He has been taking Focalin XR (10 mg) for about 3-4 years now and it seems to work for him although it's hard to determine if his "doesn't listen and talking back" is the meds wearing off or just him being a kid. I am pleased with Focalin after trying numerous types of meds. I would give it at least 1 week to see if it helps but they will probably tell you to give it 2 weeks. My son went thru the weight loss that is associated with ADHD meds but he is also very active and in the past 2 years has started putting on more weight so I don't blame the meds for weight loss-I consider it his activities that kept his slim figure. Raising a child with ADHD is extremely hard and no one understands unless they too are going thru it. You are doing a great job and hats off to you for being a great mom!

I would question the diagnosis first, 3yrs old is a little young to be tagging a child ADHD. As for Focalin, I have a nephew who is ADHD and has rage issues, the medication has done wonders for him and he is a very sweet and loving child. (no zombie-fication at all, he is still very active, playful and loving, it just helps him focus better.) I am not sure of the possible side effects of it, I will ask my sister later.

Hi- I have 4 boys and my 2nd boy has been different from very early on. For anyone that has a boy that has been diagnosed (not just labeled) with ADHD we know that there is a big difference between just "being a boy" and being very hyperactive and having a very limited attention span. We finally had our son tested when he was 6 1/2 not just for the ADHD (b/c we pretty much already knew that) but for academic reasons. It was becoming very apparent that he was not able to learn things like most other kids. He was diagnosed with several different things and the last was ADHD. We went through several years of intense therapies. We were able to get him back on track but the hyperactivity continued and he had a very, very short attention span. We did a trial run of meds when he was 8 1/2. We felt guilty for trying it but I can say now that it is one of the best things that we have ever done for him. He will always be a bit more of a challenge for us than our other 3 boys but the meds have really given him a better quality of life. He enjoys school more now b/c he can keep up with his class and he can pay attention to the teacher. Socially there was a huge change. And in general he is much happier.
We started with Focalin. I liked it but it really decreased his appetite and he is slim to begin with. We too tried the Daytrana patches. That has probably been my favorite. They are easy to use and they work well and I liked the flexibility it gave us. However, my son became allergic to the adhesive on the patches and we had to stop. We recently switched over to Vyvanse. I had read about it and talked to my dr for a few months about it. It works well and it lasts about 10 hours. The best thing for us is that it does not decrease his appetite as much.
I would worry about starting meds at three b/c he isn't able to really understand why he's taking them and tell you if it is working. We have always talked to our son about what's going on and why he takes what he takes and if something isn't working for him he tells us and we adjust things.
I've read that a lot of kids with ADHD have one thing that they really excel at and love. From early on my son loved making things and drawing. For his 5th birthday we set up a real work table for him in our garage. It has become his place to go when he needs a break and he needs to re group himself. He is out there building or drawing almost everday.
Hang in there. There are a lot of people who are against these meds and that can make it hard when people are so judgmental. I would suggest finding a great pediatrician. Ours has been wonderful. He has known my son since he was a baby. Having a good relationship with a pediatrician can be really valuable if you have a child on ADHD meds.
Good luck!

Hi C.,
I know that you have basically tried it all and nothing worked - please read 'Ritalin Free Kids'
http://www.ritalinfreekids.com/
In it, there are several different stories of kids they have worked with - Naturopathy takes all parts of the child into consideration - and you will be amazed to read the stories in this book and how an herbal concoction from a Naturopathic Doctor was able to completely help these kids -
please, don't disregard herbal because it did not work at first - PLEASE do yourself and your child a favor and either buy this book or check it out at the library - you will be happy with the information and possibly the possibilities it could present to you.

Dear C.,

I know you said you tried diets, but did you try the Feingold program? Anyway, at least look at www.Feingold.org. They are a 30yr old association who have been helping (hundreds of thousands of) parents with the full spectrum of childhood disorders. You can call the editor -Jane Hersey - she is VERY knowledgeable. Also, have you tested your son for heavy metals? Best of luck to you - our family has suffered with ADHD and anger issues for years and Feingold has truly been a blessing to us.

L. B.

Right after my son turned 3, I wondered about ADHD with him, but as he gets closer to 4, I've noticed his attention span is better, he's not as wild and he listens to me the very first time I ask him to do something. I think you should hold off for awhile before letting him be diagnosed with a label, young boys are just out of control at such a young age. BTW, my opinion on physiatrists is that most are more troubled than we realize. I've met many, on a personal level, and wonder how any of them have the right to evaluate anyone else's mind!! Just because this person has a title, and a degree, doesn't mean they have a clue; get a second opinion.

C. -

I have a 10 year old son on Focalin, and we are very happy with it. We have tried almost everything, since my son was diagnosed right before his 7th birthday. I am happy with the side effects, especially when compared to some of the other drugs. There is a little bit of a decreased appetite, and sometimes he may fall asleep a little later than I'd like, but I have to say, that's about it. He has continued to grow on the Focalin also, which he did not on the methylphenidate. (Ritalin) My husband is a pharmacist, so we try to research heavily. My son has ADHD to such a clinical level, that he really can not function when not medicated. If I tell him to go brush his teeth, he will get distracted on the way to the bathroom, and never do it - just forget intirely! And he will be 11 in May!!! I know this is tough for a Mom to go thru, but you have to get out there and do the research, and you will feel better. Ask for the package insert from your pharmacist - it has a good bit of info. If I can help you, please let me know!

Is this for your three year old???? I've never heard of such a thing. I taught middle school, so I had several students each year with ADHD, but they were 12 or 13 years old. I didn't even know they diagnoses ADHD at that age. If I were you, I'd be getting a second opinion QUICK! Toddlers are hyper...I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with any drug at that age.

This medicine is like a modified version of Ritalin. It is a MILD central nervous system stimulant. I have two boys that have been diagnosed with ADHD. My Pediatrician said when my oldest was 3 that he MIGHT have ADHD, but he was too young to do accurate testing. He also said that he was too young for medication. I am not trying to tell you what to do. Only you know what is best for your child. But if it were me I would wait until he gets older and have him tested properly. My oldest is now almost 12 and my middle son is 7 and I hate that they HAVE to take medicine but they never started until they were at the age of 6-7. Let him be 3,4,5, and 6 to see if he really has ADHD and can be tested more acurately. I'm afraid that you might always wonder if he really has ADHD. I hope this helps. God be with you whatever you choose.
S.

C. - 3-years-old is too young to be diagnosed with ADHD and way too young to be medicated. Please go get a second opinion before you give your child the Focalin.

We're a little short on information.... Does your question actually refer to your 3 year old child? Why did you take your 3 year old to a psychiatrist? Based on the available information... I would RUN THE OTHER WAY FROM THAT DOCTOR!! DO NOT GIVE YOUR 3 YEAR OLD CHILD DRUGS FOR BEHAVIOR!!! THAT'S CRAZY!

I have a 5 yr old grandson diagnosed with ADHA, and recently the dr put him on a Focalin patch because he refuses to take oral medication. After just a short while on Focalin his kindergarten teacher told my daughter that, since being on it, his classroom behavior became much more whiney, needy, emotional, states that everyone believes were caused by the Focalin. He was taken off of it by the doctor and put on another med (sorry, the name escapes me), and as of now appears to be functioning better.

He's an only child and my daughter/family live several states away from me, therefore I'm not on hand too frequently to observe his behavior. From the way you describe your child, however, his behavior sounds much like my grandsons. He's been on a few meds for the AD (which aren't for the HA)to aid in his being able to focus better in school .. it seems to be a trial affair at this point.

Wish I could be of more specific help re the meds, but just wanted you to know that Focalin wasn't the ans for my grandson. L.

I'm reading that your son is 3 and you are a SAHM- so I'm not understanding why he is needing to carry this label of ADHD at this tender age. Much less take a medication that has had no long range testing- none of the new psychiatric medications do. We are the guinea pigs!

If you don't want your son to be a guinea pig, but his behavior is driving you wild- there are some tried and true alternatives for behavior problems. #1 is diet. The Feingold diet has been around since the 70's and it has results worth pursuing. You should also be aware that male children at age 3 experience a testosterone surge which can make behavior difficult to manage. Totally normal. Boys are way overdiagnosed with ADHD because they tend to be more active.

I do know where you are coming from. I have 5 children at home, one in a wheelchair, 3 are boys. I definitely think my oldest would be labeled with *something* if I'd taken him in around age 6. But I didn't. We stayed home and he has developed coping strategies that help him keep it together. And they have wonderful side effects- exercise and fresh air! He needs at least an hour alone with himself each day, and he spends that time outdoors riding his bike or walking back and forth. If he is out of control I look at hunger and diet and sleep and then his alone time. If he was on medication, not only his wild behaviors would be tamped down but also his creativity and curiousity. He is intellectually gifted and to medicate him would IMO be a crime against nature.

Many famous people have been labeled as ADHD. Thomas Edison for example! I learned this from my friend who has a son with the ADHD label. He is a handful and if the medications worked, I think she would do it. But her ex is also ADHD and she has seen that none of the meds have a positive effect on him. It is more of a family issue, not a medical one. And her son is brilliant- so creative and bright- he just needs a little more supervision than the average bear.

I know with kids those ages, maybe you are feeling overwhelmed at home. Maybe you could find a mother's helper to come in a few afternoons a week, or to take your 3 year old to the park so you can have some down time. A regular break from the child whose personality you clash with can really help.

HTH- take what you need, leave the rest

OH and as he gets to school age, if you aren't homeschooling, you should know that there is no law that says you must medicate your child. I know it's hard to stand up to the teachers and the school board, but you can if you want to! They are required to develop an IEP for you and it does not have to include medication. You are the parent and you have final say. Medicating is a choice you make. If you like it and it works for you, great! Don't listen to those who say they have to medicate because of this or that authority figure. As a parent you always have a choice. You are the final authority on your child's health and wellbeing. We don't live in a totalitarian police state just yet!