should i give my son ritalin

It really depends. What testing has been done on your son at this point to make the specialist think he needs the ritalin? What sort of specialist are you talking about? How is he doing in school, grade-wise?

I have a 17 year old daughter who is on medication, and I honestly don't read anything in your post that leads me to believe it would benefit your son. I would recommend taking him for counseling, as it sounds like he has some anger issues more than anything else.

only you can make that decision. It is a decision to be made between you and your doctor.

If you are uncertain, get a second opinion from another doctor.

all medication has side affects anything that we take. It does not mean everyone will get it and you can watch to see if your son gets it or not.

also you have to look at what produces the greater good, the medication to help your son, or not taking the medication.

Before anything else I'd do some research on the Internet and take some notes, Arm yourself with as much info as you can find on the subject of ritalin and anything else when you enter your son's symptoms. Try also finding a support group perhaps in Yahoo Groups where you can discuss things. Have a chat with your GP or district nurse. Maybe obtain a second opinion or go back and chat to the special;ist. All the best.

Off the top of my head I would say no to ritalin. I think there are better ways to deal with kids than drugging them up and sitting them in the corner. I am not a mom so maybe I can't totally comprehend but I think in this world doctors are too quick to prescribe drugs to people and kids. I have also heard that doctors get paid by the drug companies to prescribe their drug. I would try everything before I resorted to a chemical. Taking chemicals can't be good for you, of that I'm sure. When I was growing up I only knew one kid they called "hyper active" Nowadays it seems all these kids that are acting out are put on drugs and then they don't bother the teachers. I think it is the easy way out at the cost of the kids. I think we are setting ourselves up to have a bunch of drug addicted zombies running the world in about ten to fifteen years as this current generation grows up. This is just my opinion, didn't mean to offend if I did.

I would use ritalin only as a last resort. Kids are hyperactive, and as hard as it is to deal with, try and find things to keep him busy, get his energy out. On another note, did the specialist say why he was recommending drugs for him? What exactly is his diagnosis and what are the alternatives? Is he simply recommending it cuz he doesnt know what else to do? Is it for the actual benefeit of your son, or for your peace and mind? Whatever you decide, I'd get a second opinion first and be sure to ask the tough questions.

Well from reading what you wrote about him I doubt he needs ritalin. He doesn't sound like he's ADD or ADHD. I would though suggest you get him assessed by someone other then just the school counselor. If you can get him into a psychiatrist who specializes in kids. It does sound like he has some problems that need to be addressed but I don't think its ADD or ADHD.

Of course the first person you should talk to would be your child's physician. ADHD seems to be the catch all these days for nehavior problems. Schools tend to push it because even if it isn't nessesary, it makes their job easier if the kids are calmer. even if it is drug induced. I'd be hesitant about an adhd diagnosis. They tried to pin one on my daughter when she was in kindergargern and first grade. She was a very busy, energetic and sometimes inattentive kid. We never even considered one mi9nute medicating her thouigh. She eventualy matured and is now a sophmore in highschool, gets great grades, is setting up nopw for college, she wants to be a midwife. She has a band she plays bass in and sings for. And she is still as energetic and fun as ever.

I personally don't believe that Ritalin is the answer, and can back that up because I have seen its effects first hand. My brother has autism and is and was extremely hyper. At first he was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder or ADHD, and later changed their diagnosis to Autism. With that said he was given Ritalin for about 2 years and you could just see the drug take an effect on the poor kids body. When he took the pills he would just stare, he was like a zombie. When he was taken off of Ritalin he gained quite a lot of weight, because the pill messed with his metabolism. He now is off of Ritalin, and is a top prospect in high school football right now. His weight is back to normal, and not a day goes by that my mother does not thank god that she took him off of Ritalin. I don't recommend this pill for your child. I think there should be alternative methods that you should seek. I hope that everything works out for you and your family.

I would get a second opinion. If both doctors agree then put him on medication. I would also ask the doctor if there are other medications beside ritalin and tell him your concerns about ritalin. If he still pushes it then do like I said before and get a second opinion.

No I would not put your child on ritalin. That is all the doctors want to do now, drug your kids up. Your child is not the only one that acts like that. I think he just wants to see how far he can push you. But dont give in, if he dont want to clean his room dont do it for him because he will want you to do it all the time.
The doctor wanted to put my granddaughter on ritalin so she could concentrate better in school, but her mother did not do it.And she is just doing fine.