Re: Is the effect of caffeine similar to a stimulant medication?

[Anonymous]

Scattybird, thank you for the bit about his cocaine exposure. That is a primary reason I really do not want to try Ritalin. Given his prenatal exposure, I am afraid he is a sitting duck for addiction later in life. I believe in the theory (or has it been documented?) that we have prenatal memories, and he would have memories of a “cocaine high”. I know that in the local school system, some young people crush their Ritalin and snort it. I don’t want to start this child on something that could end up being a worse problem when he’s a teenager.

Your experience with caffeine would explain the reaction I saw.

Robert, what kind of specialist? In the school, we used behavior profiles (filled out by parents and teachers) and if the scores were in a particular range, the parents were asked if they wanted to do a med trial. One week was a placebo and the other was Ritalin. In ADHD (or ADD) students, it was easy to see the difference.

I’ve done the behavior profile. He scored such that in the school, I would be asked about a med trial. He had a 5 hour evaluation (in one session) by an OT. She did not recommend medication, but did recommend vestibular stimulating and other physical exercises, which we are doing. The child psychologist spent 4 hours with him (one hour sessions, spaced a week apart) and recommended stimulant medication (which I have put on hold, as far as a decision). Our family physician only makes referrals, but he would be the one doing the prescribing if I request it.

Tea, thank you for pointing me to Dr. Barckley’a website. There is a lot to explore.

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