I have a 14 year old son with ADD and possible ODD. He has recently started taking medication (Strattera 60mg once a day). I have noticed a little improvement at school as far as remembering to write down his homework and have teachers sign "blue card" (disciplinary tactic). He's also been doing better with homework - doing it when he gets home instead of waiting till bedtime and completing most of it.

What I haven't seen much improvement in is his general behavior at home, i.e. frustration with baby sister, interrupting others when speaking, constantly bored and does not know what to do with himself, still needs reminding to take out garbage, take a shower, change underwear! (no kidding)

My question is this: Is the medicine only supposed to help in an academic or structured setting and if so, what else can I do to make things smoother at home? If not, does he need a higher dose maybe, is it wearing off by the time he gets home?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! Renee

Medication will not change your son's personality as far as him keeping a clean room, better hygiene, etc. That is just part of being a boy - ask any parent that you know who has a son that is the same age as yours. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif Best of luck to you and your son. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

OMG....she just described my 11 year old son. If i didnt remind him to bathe and brush his teeeth I honestly dont think he ever would. My husband thinks that he doesnt do these things automatically because I am always there to remind him so he doesnt have to think for himself. He forgets to write down homework assignments even though he has a spiral specifically for that. The teachers write the assignments on the board for all to see but for some reason he doesnt do it. He does exhibit some signs of being ADD but makes A's and B's in school aside from two C's this last time due to lack of daily work. I just cant see medicating him for making two C's.

my one son, almost 13 has no personal hygiene. I have 3 boys, one 18, who is very conseious (sp?) of his personal hygiene.My middle son is the one that you cannot keep out of the shower (16 and always wet, ADD and possible LD). My youngest, if you do not remind him to do the underwear thing you might as well forget it.

I agree it is a boy thing. Not all boys, but in general, they don't care. Good Luck http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Susan

My 13 year old will take a showers all the time without me telling him. But what baffles me is he'll put his dirty cholthes back on. Its some of his friend that get to me. One of his friends took his shoes off and my eyes started to water. I really didn't want to say anything but, you can only take so much..

I can not believe you have described my 2 sons ages 16 and 10.It is like pulling teeth.I am also curious is this medicine Straterra 40mg effects one's behavior ie: greater impulsivity,interruptions,and lack of cooperation.My 10yr old is in the 4th week and he seems to be more verbally agressive and obnoxious as time goes on.He was not this way prior to the straterra.Any suggestions.Behavior modification such as charts does not seem to work.Thanks.