Doctor wants to put boy, 7, on ADHD drug

Q: Our son is 7 and he was just diagnosed with ADHD. He has always had trouble concentrating and constant fidgeting.

The pediatrician wants to put him on Concerta.

I was thinking about changing his diet and using exercise.

My partner and I are in conflict over this. We respect your opinion. What should we do? A: ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. We identify three types: hyperactiveimpulsive (fidgeting, difficulty staying in one’s seat); inattentive (difficulty concentrating or staying on task); and a combined type which includes elements of both.

Your son sounds like the combined type.

Depending on their severity, his symptoms may interfere with his ability to manage in the classroom and learn.

The longer his difficulty continues, the more he is likely to lag behind peers in terms of learning and education.

If his conduct is disruptive to classmates, he is also likely to develop more severe behavioural problems over time.

As he continues to lag further behind his peers in learning, he will come to notice those differences and can develop emotional/psychological issues, feeling badly for being out of step.

It is, therefore, important to address these issues as early as possible to mitigate a cascade of other problems.

While there is some research to suggest that diet and exercise can affect ADHD, other research more overwhelmingly demonstrates that stimulant medication has the greatest impact on this disorder.

It may sound crazy to give stimulant medication to a child who can’t concentrate or sit still. Think of the medication as stimulating his brakes, enabling your son to sit still long enough to learn and to think through his choices prior to taking action.

While reading about possible side effects on the Internet may scare you, it’s important to weigh them against the outcome if your son lags behind other students or becomes disruptive in class.

If your son is a picky eater, as many children with ADHD are, or if he has trouble following through on demands, as many do, then also consider how challenging it may be to alter his diet and have him exercise.

Please note: you do not have to commit to a change of diet or exercise or medication to try any of these approaches, and you can do any or all at the same time.

Whichever you try, keep notes on your son’s behaviour so you can determine which intervention may be most effective for him.