Boarding School ?????? | ADHD Information

Has anyone had experience with boarding schools for high school students?

My son, now 15 years of age has just completed his first year of high school and has a GPA of less than 2.0.  He cares about nothing, is not motivated, does not have good hygiene and most recently was so angry over an incident involving inappropriate behavior on the web that his dad called the police.  My son was not arrested but he has seen several therapists pver a 6-7 year period and none of them have been able to help him long term 

The sad part of the whole situation is that he is otherwise a very bright young man and a very considerate and empathetic person.  However, since he was a toddler, he would have outbursts without warning and now that he is less than 3 years from becoming an adult, I am very concerned that he is going to be in significant trouble. 

Last year he attended a residential Wilderness Camp for 4 1/2 months and did very well there because of the structured environment.  He was a different person and they were able to eliminate his Concerta altogether.  He is now taking 300 mg. of an antidepressant daily and 10 mg. of Abilify (mood stabilizer) one time per day.

Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

Np's rule out all disorders are what's Mom WI point. I would have this done before the boy turns 18. If it is Aspergers sadly he missed out on early intervention.

Thanks so much for both of your comments.  We did see a neurologist but not a neuropsychologist.  I will check into this further today. 

When you're a mom or a dad, I don't think you ever feel like you have ever done enough even when you believe you have gone down every road available.

If anyone has more suggestions, please provide them. 

I so appreciate any and all replies. 

 

 

He isn't being treated for ADHD any longer and does better on mood disorder meds. Has his diagnosis changed? If so, he needs to stay on his meds, as is. I don't know if boarding school will help or not. Even with a mood disorder, life isn't structured and he is close to 18. Once he's out in the world, he'll have to deal with chaos. IMO the best idea is to stablize his disorder on meds and see if it improves his ability to deal with lack of structure. Just for the record, Abilify is an atypical antipsychotic, not a mood stabilizer, nor is it as effective OVER THE LONG TERM in stabilizing moods as a real mood stabilizer. Mood stablizers are: Lithium, Lamictal, Tegretal, Trilpetal and Depakote. There are, of yet, no other first line bona fide mood stabilizers. Anyways, nobody should need to structure his/her day all the time or else there could be serious issues. Since he has so much trouble structuring time, and his bright and usually sweet, I would even question a mood disorder. Before he turns 18, I highly recommend seeing a NeuroPsych, who does intensive testing, to see if he really has Aspergers Syndrome, which is often misdiagnosed as both ADHD and bipolar disorders. This would especially be significant if the child has no social skills at all and seems like an "odd duck--bright, but strange." I wouldn't let this one slide by without checking it out since adulthood is so near. "Leave no stone unturned."MomWI38902.9166666667Oh, dont' feel bad. I'd never heard of NeuroPsychs until my son was 11. He wasn't diagnosed on the Spectrum until then. All other professionals, including a Neurologist, missed it mostly because they don't know much about high functioning ASD. It's fairly new that we understand it at all. In the past, it would pass as ADHD and often the kids struggled for life because they got no help. Even the brightest can flounder in life with ASD. They have many life skill and social skill deficits and need help. Good luck :) MomWI38903.2594328704I agree with everything MomWI said.  I would also recommend having him evaluated by a board-certified child psychiatrist to confirm/rule out whatever mood issues are going on.  You might also want to contact an educational consultant to discuss options for therapeutic boarding schools, which can provide med management, therapy and academic help.  Good luck.Neuropsychologists can frequently be found at university and children's hospitals.

Thanks again to everyone for your help.  Of course, I have a few questions.....

How do I go about finding a neuropsychologist?  His father and I have appointments scheduled with his psychiatrist and his therapist.  My son has been under the care of a child psychiatrist for several years. 

Aspergers Syndrome has never been mentioned but I am definitely going to inquire about this.

If you have any other suggestions, I am open to any and all.  Thanks much!!

 

Does the university have a hospital?Thanks.  We live near a large state university.  I will contact them tomorrow.I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE  WHO REFERRED ME TO A NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST.
MY SON HAS AN APPOINTMENT THIS SATURDAY AND I HAVE TALKED WITH THE DR. AT LENGTH ABOUT MY SON - HISTORY, ETC. 

I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD EVER WISH THAT A DR. ACTUALLY FINDS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY SON BUT I AM REALLY PRAYING THAT THIS DR. IS THE ONE WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR.

IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR YOU, WE WOULD NOT BE GOING DOWN THIS PATH.

THIS COULD BE THE ANSWER TO MY PRAYERS.

KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS.

THANKS MUCH!
I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS ON SATURDAY!