I hope this helps some other family | ADHD Information

I hope this note helps some other family struggling with the decision to use ADD medication.  For months I have read these message boards and many nights cried while doing so.  I read how some medications worked so well and wondered why they did not for my son.  We had tried several medications on my 7 year old son with no positive results.  He was hating school more and more and feeling sad and very frustrated.  Watching him do his homework was heart breaking.  I would pray each afternoon when he got off the bus that there wasn't a note from his teacher saying that he was being disruptive throughout the day.  My doctor finally referred me to a neuropsychologist who specialized in ADD.  He explained to me that finding the right medication for someone is like finding the right amount of sugar in coffee.  Everyone is different and it takes time to find out what the body needs and what the body can handle.  He said to me that he could adjust in monthly but I knew my son better than he ever would and the fastest way and most effective way was at home by me.  He gave me Adderol that I could open and sprinkle on applesauce so that I could use 1/2 or 3/4 of the capsol if needed.  After a few weeks we found the right amount with the least side effects.  My son is happy, doing MUCH better in school and the only notes I get are ones from the teacher saying GREAT DAY.   My son is active, always will be... I dont want to change that.  He may not go to Harvard and thats fine with me... who knows maybe he will.  But I needed him to feel good about himself and love to learn.  I still cry tears, but now they are at how proud I am at his efforts and how proud I am as parents that we went with our gut and stuck it out to find the right answer.   I hope those who are reading this, and can relate to, it know that there are other parents out there who truely know how you feel.  Good luck. 

My son is active, always will be... I dont want to change that.  He may not go to Harvard and thats fine with me... who knows maybe he will. 

Lady29.........my son was so active that he was faster than a speeding bullet. However, by age 13 when puberty kicked in, he went from active to mellow. At that time my sons doctor who was an ADHD specialist told me that there was a strong possibility that this would happen and it did. I cant speak for others and I only share my own experience. As far as going to Harvard, I know two ADHDER's personally that are now in medical school. As a parent, you should proud because its not the medication that deserves the credit, its your son that deserves the credit.. As one very well versed ADHDER I know personaly put it "  the medication is not going to bring home the book, it can allow him the chance to remember"  Kudos to your son

 

 

I want to write about my case and my ideas about the possible solution, but first, let me tell you the 2 cases I know. My cousin was ADHD and He graduated from University of Miami. My ex-boss was (and still is) ADHD, he did not even graduated from high school, but he is making over 0,000.00 a year because he is a "top producer" mortgage broker. 

   I have a child diagnosed with ADHD, his taking Ritalin and he is in ESE (Exceptional Student education). His mayor problem is reading & comprehension. He has improved, but he is not in the level where he is supposed to be for his age & grade. I'm worry that this situation can lower (even more) his self-esteem, for not been able to get the same achievements as other. This is frustrating for students, for parents & even for teachers. Parents are blamed; Children are blamed or labeled. Schools are blamed. This is a neurobiological problem. This is nobody's fault. But, we all can do something, let put pressure in our political leaders so these kids can get more help. I think by preparing a special program/classes for this kind of disability (with psychologists, neurologists, teachers and parents input)Having these kids in a full time (separate) school with a fully trained personal in this matter & where they don't see themselves as “retarded” because the rest are doing great and they are getting D's or F's, will help so much! If the government has money for special schools & programs for "gifted" students, why not to invest in those who are in a "bigger" academic need. In my opinion everyone will benefit from this, even students who are not ADHD. Medication should not be the only solution, after all, they have side effects, too.

Thank you lady - I believe in having no expectations on our children, yet encourage what they do achieve.  The impression I get from many parents is that they want their ADHD child to act normal.  WHAT IS NORMAL.  Even the most normal of the muggles have their dilemmas, crikeys you should meet some normals I know, I would much rather be me and/or my kids with ADHD.

So what our kids may not be Harvard material, or maybe they will be a big mortgage broker, what we need to teach our children is to like themselves and to have faith in themselves, and to learn how to take criticisim and ridicule and still feel okay.

That is the biggest lesson.  Loving unconditionally our kids, so they can choose either to mess up or make their lives work.  That is all we have to do.  We should get them tutors, we should take them to church, we should cuddle them, we should wipe away their tears, and smile at them and wink occassionally.

How hard is that!