ADD meds for a SPD kid?

Do ADHD meds work for a child with SPD?




It was my understanding that "stimulants" work for the ADHD brain to settle & focus the child; however, "stimulants" would simply stimulate a child with SPD.

Any comments? Has anyone tried this with their child who struggles with SPD?



Comments for ADD meds for a SPD kid?

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Mar 05, 2021
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starstarstarstarstar 		It may depend on the sensory input...
by: Anonymous

I don't have advice for children. However, I (an adult) recently started stimulant med. for ADHD and have been surprised to find that it has dramatically reduced my irritability from audio processing differences.

I used to get "ragey" when my kiddo was loud or when there was more than one sound happening at once (especially when trying to have a conversation).

But now I am able to notice the sound, which I still may not like, without feeling overwhelmed or like I'm going to explode.
Mar 06, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		I wonder...
by: Anonymous

My son is autistic with spd and as a Raul's tends to be inattentive and fidgety. At age 7, we went thru trials of 4 meds and adderall seemed to fit the bill. Smallest dose possible helped him a bit.

Once he entered puberty though, his happy carefree demeanor took a drastic turn. He was angry and prone to tantrums. Very long story short, I stopped the adderall over holiday break and began using cannabadiol (hemp extract transdermal patches).

He became a totally different kid. No more tantrums, very little anger, higher frustration tolerance. I told his high school teachers only that there was a change to his meds and please keep careful eye and let me know after two weeks whether they see improvement, decline or no change. Every single teacher reported, and has kept reporting since, that he is so much better.

Pharmaceuticals aren't always the answer and I am beginning to suspect that stimulants for sensory issues, at some point, make things worse rather than better. Hate to bring this up, but consider Adam Lanza who shot up an elementary school. Autistic, sensory issues and on extreme stimulants.

This needs looking into!
Jan 24, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Stimulant medication and SPD
by: Anonymous

My seven year old has ADHD and SPD. He started stimulant medication for the ADHD one year ago. Life changing. Not only eliminated the symptoms of ADHD but also helped tremendously with symptoms of SPD. We went from tears every morning, pulling at his clothes to the point of scratching up his skin. I wish I had known about his could help his sensory issue sooner. Recently all of his ADHD and SPD symptoms have returned (one year on same dose of med) I am assuming his body has become tolerant of the medication and he requires a higher dose (he is on half the recommended dose) or different medication. I do realize that there are cardiovascular side effects as well as brain development side effects with these medications. For us it comes down to quality of life. I can't watch him struggle and be miserable in his skin. OT, bushing, vests, jumping, it all helps some but not significantly. I personally have chosen a life of medication for him. He is now happy and has friends. And can wear clothing without scratching sores on his skin.
Nov 08, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		SPD, ADHD, ASD, and TICS.
by: Anonymous

I have to honest. I was like all of you. Not wanting to drug my child who is 7 now. I did IGE food sensitivity testing, gave him other non-addictive medications, tried going Gluten Free, Gave him some soluble vitamins, and put him in a special needs school due to not being accepted. Where I live there is a wonderful school for children just like him.....however, he is still the outcast sometimes. Has no boundaries and can't keep his hands to himself. Plus the weird tics don't help. He has had weighted vests, occupational therapy, sensory items, you name it. None of it has been worth a hill of beans. We are now looking into trying different medications and sending him to a neurologist to see what type of meds we should try. What has helped is a $138.00 indoor/outdoor trampoline from Wal-Mart that we have in the house when he is bouncing off the walls. His self esteem has taken such a hit due to always being corrected, redirected, yelled at and punished that I regret not trying meds sooner, that is if they end up working. Anyone else see meds that work? OH, slow tempo music does help as well as a nice smelling oil I have him smell on his arm from time to time.
Feb 08, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		ADHD meds and SPD.........
by: Kendra

For a little back ground - my son was born 2 months premature in 2002. He was diagnosed with SPD at the age of 3, diagnosed with ASD at the age of 8, diagnosed with ADHD at 9. I was really reluctant to put him on any kind of medication for the longest time. But, after trying every other possible therapy and having it only work for a while - I was willing to give medication a shot to rule it out or not as a possible therapy for him.

My son has had a lot of sensory issues and is very easily distracted by any kind of stimuli, has a lot of focusing and writing issues. Essentially everything that goes into have all of the above disorders. He's on a very low time release dose of adderall and he is improving. He is better at not letting everything distract or bother him, and focuses a lot better too. His teachers and therapists have noticed a positive change as well Granted, he still has issues that pertain to being an Aspie, but we're working on that as well. We started the medication in December 2011. ADHD is a neurological problem where the chemicals in the synapses and neurotransmitters are not working at their optimum. What I have discovered with the medication, is that it helps the chemical imbalance out. Weigh out the pros and cons for yourself and your child.

Are there any parents that you know with children that have been or on the medication that you may be able to talk to as well? There is a local support group where I live that I'm able to bounce things off of. Perhaps there is one in your area or near by that you could join in as well.
Feb 01, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		THANKS!
by: Anonymous

Thanks! I will buy the book! I also loved ADHD and Me: What I Learned from Lighting Fires at the Dinner Table. Lots of insight into that type of kid; written from the perspective of a 17 year old, who was diagnosed at the age of 5.
Jan 31, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		RE
by: Anonymous

if you haven't already read this book, Raising Your Spirited Child, it's a tremendous resource. great ideas, stories that can be related to, tips to try for different challenges, etc. my son as i wrote before struggles with many of the things you have all written here in this post. but i am finding other ways around it (at least for now, until i understand & he understands more) aside from medicating. good luck!
Jan 27, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		5 year old that they keep recommending meds
by: Anonymous

my son is very inquisitive and has a large vocabulary. He is very outgoing with adults especially. he struggles with registering input and is VERY easily distracted. Like you I am extremely hesitant to start him on medication at this early age. I liked some of the suggestions that you gave about natural resources. also, we are trying to keep a food journal to see if certain foods impact him. Our doctor also recommended Fish Oil for our son and derma magnesium (since he hates the taste of sour magnesium). Keep the alternative ideas coming. For the mom who is struggling with the school make sure you put your requests in writing. They have a time-frame they must follow when a request is written from a parent. You are your child's best advocate and the more knowledgeable you are the better. I've also found that the more approachable & flexible I am the more success I have getting others to help and understand.
Jan 24, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks for your insight!
by: Anonymous

Thank you for your comments. My 7 year old son is in 2nd grade, and I am concerned now about the social ramifications of his SPD. I am a teacher (9-12), and I see the benefits ADHD meds have on my older kids; however, I am very concerned about medicating such a young child. With that said, I am also very concerned about the social & emotional effects that SPD causes in the classroom setting. My child is now sitting alone in class, due to the fact that he distracts the other children, as well as being distracted by any & all things around him. All the other kids are sitting in groups of 4, but my child is alone. Isolated. Separated. I am currently dealing with the CST on this one, as I feel this is a teacher who is outcasting my child, which in turn gives an unspoken message to his classmates that he is different. SPD sucks. All the way around, the child with SPD struggles. I'm thinking maybe a very small dose of some ADHD med might benefit him in the classroom setting, which would then benefit his social life, and as a result, his self esteem.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

My son is now starting to be harassed (I dislike the work "bullied", but truth is, he is being bullied!) I believe the school & the teachers have had a role to play in this, by outcasting him in the classroom, and outcasting him in the playground. (Another story!) The non-verbal message the teachers send---each & every day---is that this kid is different. That then leads to different treatment from peers. What are your thoughts?!
Jan 22, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		RE
by: Anonymous

i have a 6 year old son with mild spd and through the roof energy levels. :) my strong suggestion is to do some reading on medicating children at such early ages. we must not treat the symptoms only, we must know and understand the root and address that. it's crucial.

many medications change brain chemistry and have unwanted side effects as well. i think it would behoove many of us to wait it out, especially until our children are of an age that they can tell us more about what's going on for them.

there are many natural things that can be done in the way of helping children with spd, add, sleep issues, anxiety, etc.

for example, magnesium cream and epsom salt baths, weighted vests and blankets, there are amino acids that can be added to the diet which do help, yoga is an excellent way to help teach body awareness and self control, as is karate.
here is a link to one product we used for my son:
(http://www.painstresscenter.com/mall/Brainlink.html)

there are programs in many schools and online and through occupational therapist clinics that can help these gifted kiddos in ways that can be so positive in providing tools to help them be successful, happy and that can empower them. a few off the top of my head are:

www.alertprogram.com
www.modelmekids.com
www.thelisteningprogram.com
www.socialthinking.com

oh and there are many more. :) good luck. you're not in this alone, there are many of us traveling this same journey trying to 'figure' things out. :)
Jan 21, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		ADD meds for a SPD kid
by: Anne MacCracken

I am also researching this. My 4-year old son was diagnosed with ADHD and SPD several months ago. We have tried different medications. All had many side effects and the Dr wanted to add medications to cover the side effects. I am hesitant to add medications since my son is so young. I am now waiting to get into a different dr. to see if they have other suggestions. We have been working with a therapist who thinks that my son will benefit from ADHD meds without adding all the other medications for anxiety and sleep problems. We also see occupational and physical therapists.

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