After this Long and I am lost AGAIN | ADHD Information

Rae,

Thanks for sharing this story. My DS is 9 and we've been on meds since 5. It's a daily struggle, but this message board shows me that we are not alone!

I like to think that our children our gifted with ADHD. I had a Psyc explain to me that DS's brain is constantly thinking!

When he is not on the meds his esteem is VERY high and he could care less about the fact that he is crawling on the floor or laughing out loud. He is living his life and happy. I can't wait for him to grow up and get a profession where he can focus on what he wants to and FOCUS on and just being happy.

Miranda234

Damian is now 10 and entering year six. He is on 2 x 2 x 1 tablets a day and doing very well.

Things are working out, and we are adjusting to his behaviours ... he is turning out great

I did try him again this year without meds. by day 4 it was evident he needed them. What a huge difference they make .. i am coming to accept it now after this many years that it is going to be part of his life.

Well an update after all these years i guess. Damian is now 9.7 years old and he is doing well after placing him on risperdal and ritalin together.

we have accepted there are other comorbities and perhaps not a clear ADHD diagnosis.

but things are going well atm - cross fingers things stay that way.

Wow, thanks for the update! This thread really illustrates the thought process through the years! Again, thanks for sharing!

Hi Rae,

Also gone for a while and glad to see ya got med stability. Remember though it's a transient thing so enjoy it while it exists. I've also had similar challenges with my guy. As a result we are also using Risperdal and Focalin. The doc did not want to use Ridalin, adderall or any of the other meds in that group in case there was that "bi-polar" effect. So far so good. Enjoy the calm we are.

Paul

Hi Rae

I have struggled with having my son on meds and, as I'm sure you have done also, have explored many alternatives. He went through a particularly rough patch recently and he was losing his friends at school and life at home was very stressful. He was so stressed, his chest was tight, his jaw and head would ache and had lots of stomach aches. He would explode at the smallest thing and trying to discipline him was a nightmare.

We have had a hair analysis done and determined what he is sensitive to. As you would expect, he is sensitive to additives, preservatives, sugar, wheat etc. We have all changed our way of eating to fresh and unprocessed foods and he has been on some homeopathic remedies for the past 6 weeks. With the help of a very supportive teacher (she is fantastic, we are very lucky) and much effort and behaviour monitoring, we have a new boy!

He says he feels much better and he is so much calmer. Our household is much more tranquil and he is loving school and has regained some special friendships. Don't get me wrong, we still have our moments but things are much more in control. Even his face has changed, so much more relaxed and happy.

He is still on meds for school only, his behaviour is quite manageable, it is purely for his attention. We are hoping that in time we can take him off the meds altogether, but for now, they are an integral part of his self esteem and sense of achievement.

If you haven't tried this alternative, I urge you to give it a try. I know it isn't for everyone and the success rate varies but we have had fantastic results. We weren't expecting miracles when we started and we didn't get one, but it has made a huge difference, definitely worth the effort.

If I can be of any help, please let me know. I wish you all the best.

I took my daughter off ritalin for the first part of last school year because I went through what your going through many times. I always lost sleep wondering what kind of damage am I doing to my child. I was told by the school that she needed to be back on the medication and I felt I was forced to put her back on since they would not give her an IEP to help her in the school work and they were sending notes home saying that she was possibly going to fail the forth grade. I wish so much that my daughter did not have to take the medication but I'm affraid that if I keep her off the school will fail her before they finally figure out that the child would need an IEP with additional help while not on her medication.

I wish you luck and I support your decision since I wish I could do the same with my daughter.

Tammy

Rae - is there a different med without such serious side effects that you could consider for your son? Even if a different med was only moderately successful, it may be a worthwhile compromise.

I try to think that everything in life is not black/white, go/no-go. There are compromises and concessions that can be made to minimize the risk and maximize the benefit.

You bring up a very good point though. I have wondered recently what long-term side effects - that have not yet been discovered - will show up as my son gets older. It seems like everything has side effects - it just takes a long time for some things to materialize. My son is on Straterra - which is relatively new. So my overactive imagination constantly brings up "what-if's". What if Straterra causes fertility problems? Birth Defects (like thalildimide did - unbenknownst to the thousands who took it thinking it was safe)?

For my son, the answer comes to me pretty easily. I want my son to LIVE to be an adult - something that I wonder if he'd do if he went untreated. I know that sounds dramatic - but I saw the depression and the low self esteem that was caused by my son's experience in 1st grade - with untreated ADHD. He is happy and proud of himself now, and when he did really good in Hockey recently he told me how it felt good to be the boy that was the best at something.

Good luck to you and your son, Rae. Whatever you choose - it is out of love and concern for your son. How can anyone ask more of a parent?

thanks razzl, my heart is very cracked about this decision. It is one of those crossroads in life, where what decision you make changes your destiny.

Experiences in life is what makes up our minds for us. For example, when I was 17 I lost a very dear friend to leukemia. He hated school and was a bit of a rebel and was a bit of a problem to his parents. I decided then that no matter what is happening in life, if you have love and are appreciated by someone for who you are then if you die tomorrow, your life was a good life. But this fellow, spend his childhood and adolescence in trouble then he died. What was the point.

Except maybe for us to learn that we have to appreciate our children, no matter what they are like and let them learn to like themselves somehow.

Rae - If I could, I'd fly over there right NOW and give you a big hug! It's so hard to know what to do, when to do it, how to do it. When it's our precious children, these decisions weigh on us like many tons of bricks.

Maybe I'm lucky because my son had so many side effects that we felt there wasn't a choice, so the decision was easier. Maybe not so lucky, because it's hard to deal with the pain he feels when he is excluded, rejected by his peers. But then again - we have never seen the depression either, so maybe we are more blessed than we ever realized. I wish for the magic wand and I pray hard every night that God will send my son a true friend, who will be his friend because of the wonderful person he is, regardless of his implusive nature.

Discuss what your concerns are with his teacher and work up a plan on how to handle it at school. When we took my son off of his meds, we sat him down and had a very serious discussion with him. We told him that he would not be allowed to use ADHD as an excuse not to do his work and then we laid out our expectations. Then we took him and met with his teacher and did the same thing. Just knowing what is expected seems to have helped him a little bit, and we use it again when he really gets off base.

You love your kids Rae - that is so obvious. I have no doubt that your son feels your love everywhere he goes. Keep on working on it.

mrsquack - Pass on my congrats to your guy. Thats so great to hear that he know he's the best!

At the moment, I have printed out the documents that Rosina has suggested above, but changing the ideas to suit us. For instance it is recommended in one of these articles Abuse it - Lose it. I agree a little with this, but I have used this technique before, with minimal success. Damian would not clean his room, so I removed his toys from it. When i gave them back to him, after he successfully cleaned his other stuff away, the toys were the problem again. Removed them again, etc etc etc....... eventually I just never gave them back for a year. Now he has them again, and although he messes his room, now at least when I ask him to clean it up, or his toys will be taken, he will clean it with minimal fuss.

This is a win. But this article was suggesting for school, if the child misbehaves - send him home - no arguements he abused the school room, take it away. This would not work for me, but I thought that if he misbehaves at school, then the school can call me and I will go down there and remove him myself until he is choosing to behave and give it another go. I have also chosen to attend the school in lunch hours and sit with my son in the library and catch up on what he falls behind in. Because being behind, makes him angry and causes him to have outbursts.

I am deciding to be very active in his problems. Give concise choices. Strong consequences. Plenty of time to talk to him about how he is feeling. Let him know he does not have to do this alone, but I will help him. Teaching him that a new day is a new chance. Teaching him to forgive himself for his mistakes.

Who knows I might even quit smoking to show him by example that self control is possible .

I have plenty of ideas, but I have trouble keeping the energy up and the momentum going. That is my challenge.

Good for you!! I feel the same as mrsquack. You never know what "hidden" side effects there are w/ the drugs. The only thing meds seem to help w/ my son is the impulsivity and the focus. He never seems to be happy & suffers from low self esteem & I also think w/ depression. When I take him off of them he has emotional outbursts (withdrawals) & is somewhat anxious. I don't give him meds on weekends or the summer. He has gone 2 days w/out the meds now & I'm hoping to see the withdrawal symptoms go away soon. I am thinking of trying another approach. Not sure what yet. What exactly do chiropractors do for ADHD? Someone else told me that & it just sounded absurd but of course this person didn't go into detail. So, what method are you going to try & keep me posted if it works.

I hope all goes well!

Rae:

Maybe some of the behaviour problems will go away soon because they may be due
to withdrawal effects from the drugs, or him not being
used to the non-drugged state and needing to adjust/find coping skills, or him using being off drugs as an excuse for misbehaviour. These things may be short-term. Of course other
aspects may be longer term.

I'm glad you're taking him off drugs! I hope it goes well!

Use all the natural treatments. Treat him with respect, etc. Find creative ways to get along with the school. Luvmykids0239097.587025463

I made a decision to take my son off meds due to all my research and discovering things about long term side affects such as - see my thread 'Brain Atrophy'.

I am so scared at the moment. It has been 2 days off the meds and both days my son has had very bad experiences at school within the classroom

The teacher wants him on the meds, but I cannot justify to myself any more that I am doing the best thing for my son.

Being able to focus in the classroom and socialise more successfully

Shrinkage of the brain, stomache pain, possible addiction

How does a parent choose. I am quite beside myself tonight.

Hey Rae, it is a tough choice. i would just do whatever your heart is telling you to do, because it's usually right.

You must be so relieved that he has a great teacher! It makes such a huge difference!

It could be a combo of the excellent teacher and the meds that have made his first week so great. Although he's had one day off the meds it's not enough to really know how he'd go long term. The only way you'll know is to give it a go.

See what his teacher thinks.

Myboyisspecial38382.7512384259I am currently exploring alternatives to medication. I am looking into a more holistic approach. My son started seeing a chiropractor and we are meeting with a Nutritionist tomorrow. I have heard some positive outcomes from other mom's. I will post more information when I have it. Hang in there!

Okay guys I am a little backwards again.

As I have said in another post "Damian & Blake", Damian is now asking to go off his meds, because he feels he is better now.

He has had an excellent 1st week at school, one of those days unmedicated.

Do you think I should give it a go again, considering he has matured heaps since i started this thread and also because he has a much more excellent teacher.

Or do you think I would be just plain stupid.

I just think he is entitled to have a go. Last time I took him off them, I decided it - he did not want to. But now he wants to.

Today, 20th October was a very bad day. It has been 3.5 weeks of discontinuing the meds, excluding one day when I caved.

Today the teacher called me, my son had his hands around another childs neck and he also threw his homework to the floor and refused to do any work the teacher asked him too when it was given to him. When I arrived the entire class looked 'in shock'. I made my son apologise to the other children that he had hurt and we left.

Things are not going well. I brought him to the Principal and made him tell him what he had done. The Principal recommended I take him to a chiropractor - because he had heard good results. He also told me children dont want to be naughty. He also told me that as they reach 8 boys behaviour problems can become worse.

I spent some time in the library with him trying to get some work done and now he is back with his class for the school assembly. I will be picking him up again in an hour.

I have lost the forms I was spose to fill out for the new Pediatrican I am seeing - It is all getting on top of me. I feel like just putting him back on the meds.

When I went to the school to pick him up after his hell day. The teacher told me she will not phone me again to come and take him out of school, because she felt it did not help. I feel like the teacher does not want me involved in this process, except to be able to complain to me about what he does wrong. When I took pro active action in this matter (ie coming to the school and making him do his work in the library), there were complaints from the librarian that we were too distracting.

I said to the teacher, teachers normally complain that parents dont support them and participate, here I am putting my all in and it is still not the right thing to do.

[QUOTE=Free] When I take him off of them he has emotional outbursts (withdrawals) & is somewhat anxious. I don't give him meds on weekends or the summer. [/QUOTE]

Just a quick question but if you give him meds all week and them take him off them on weekends isn't he experiencing withdrawal every single weekend. I know from personally experience that withdrawal is hell. I'd much rather be on them or off of them but not the constant rollercoaster ride.

Plus this is just a personal feeling but if your kid only needs medication while he is in school then he probably shouldn't be on medication at all. For ADHD to even be diagnosed the symptoms need to be present in multiple situations not just at school.

[Quote] This is a win. But this article was suggesting for school, if the child misbehaves - send him home - no arguements he abused the school room, take it away. [/Quote]

I don't know how much a deterrant sending kids home when they misbehave is. Sounds like just the thing kids would want a day off. I know when I got in trouble I hated detention or In-school suspension but if I was suspended and sent home for the day it was great. Just one less day I had to deal with all that school BS.

MafiaKiddo38280.1146527778

MafiaKiddo,

My son not only needs meds while in school but also outside of school. I can deal w/ this problem & his behavior. It seems that teachers can't. As for withdrawals, he seems to only experience them when he goes a week or more w/out meds. Also, my son & I compromise. He HATES taking medication (and I hate it for him) even though he admits that it works. We don't take it at all during the summer because, like I said, I accept him for who he is & don't expect him to be any different. Also, I don;t want to keep changing meds yr after yr because he becomes immune to it. This just seems to work for us. Did I mention that he loves the summer time?

Rae- hang in there. When my daughter comes off the Concerta for the summer she has an adjustment period- (starts about 3 days off the meds and lasts about a week) where she has trouble functioning normally. He may need a little time to settle in to a new routine off meds.

I am starting to accept that my son may never gain a good education, and what I need to prepare him for is - how to be a happy person and like himself regardless of the inability to succeed.

Don't give up. When you get overwhelmed with trying to help him, trying to get the school to help... just take a break. Say, I am not going to deal with ADHD for 4 days. Rent a comedy film or do something else to help you get out of your head dfor a while. Then when your 4 days "vacation" is over- back to the grindstone.

Rae.. check out this website... www.vaxa.com. My son is on Attend for almost 7 months...believe me..it works. Prior to that being suspended was a way of life at school. He is currently in 2nd grade.. not one phone call.

Rae70 I feel for your struggles. I went through the same sort of thing about 3 weeks ago, and you conselled my to listen to myson, let him be more proactive in the decision making process with all the difficulties we were having while he was on meds. I listened to you, and am eternally grateful. He said he didn't "feel right" on the meds, and was always "feeling angry and I don' t know why". We weaned him off, but the withdrawal was a nightmare, he got worse behavior wise before he got better. I cracked down on the consequences, but with lots of love and clear direction before hand. I also put him in Tae Kwon Do martial arts classes 3 times a week.

I have seen changes I could only dream of. He is responding to the discipline of martial arts because of the rewards system they have-instant recognition of improvement in behavior and/or technique. They focus as much on the behavior and attitude as the technique, so it keeps him focused. I pray that your son's situation improves, and that he is happy.

see, your own advice worked !

You listened to your son-and he's happier !

carlita, they are the only ones that know what they are feeling, we are just spectators, and if we are going to medicate our children, I feel we need to educate them from the start, regardless of their age, to communicate about their bodies and what affects the meds are having on them. It is frustrating as a parent to know if we are doing the right thing, but I think we underestimate these kids some times, in how much they can contribute to their own wellbeing, they are bloody smart!

Thanks carlita, luv to ya. Rae

I made a decision to take my son off meds

It has been 2 days off the meds and both days my son has had very bad experiences at school within the classroom

Well after the 3rd day off meds, my son has failed to accomplish his school work even his most favorite - maths. The teacher is beside herself and looks like she did prior to his medication.

Rae90,

After reading your postings above I will venture the following which I'm sure won't make me very popular on this site, but as the husband of a teacher I have to say it......

I really feel sorry for the other kids (and their parents) who are also trying to get an a fair access and education from your child's teacher. From your postings you have the poor teacher being subjected to blind tests (today we medicate, tomorrow maybe not). Imagine any teacher anchored in a classroom for 8 hours with an unmedicated, clinically diagnosed, ADHD child who is try to function with the world around them. There is no 1 on 1 support, only an over worked, underpaid teacher who is also trying deal with 20 or thirty other kids (as well as their parents.)

If your child is that disruptive (and I'm only going off of your postings) , and you feel that strong about meds, perhaps its time to explore home schooling. The 1 on 1 support, care and love that maybe necessary to sustain your child can only come from his mother.

Paul

Paul,

don't forget to read the following 3 pages, you'd be surprised how much progress can be made in just 3 days on this site ! Unfortunately, there is no one expert when it comes to each child's up and down ADHD experiences. Sometimes meds work, sometimes they no longer do, or side effects crop up after a while. This why we sometimes have to "play" with the meds; ie, dosages, different mixes, or drug holidays. Speak to a pediatric neurologist or psychiatrist and they would pretty much agree.

It's hard to parent an ADHD child, there are no hard and fast rules, and he teaches me as much as I teach him. Being a teacher nowadays is much more demanding, I think because of all of the above, and I thank God for every one of my son's, for being part of my team. It takes a special person to teach, but an extraordinary one to lovingly teach. We are blessed to be surrounded by these exceptional pieces to our puzzle. Without them, nothing would fit quite the same.

Understand, not everyone can home school, each person's circumstances are unique. So the burden is shared by all, unfortunately. or fortunately.

Your absolutely right Paul, it was more about me than about my son. It was my fear of the medications that led to the decision of stopping meds. I acknowledge that. I do feel for the teacher, and I feel sorry for my son.

But my responsibility is to my Son, and I have to decide what is the best thing, even through trial and error and frankly bugger everyone else at this point. My problems are more important, than worrying about other peoples kids and teachers, they already have people worrying about them, and the teacher has been great about the experience, and supportive emotionally, although disagreed with me.

It was not my deliberate intention to hurt the teacher or other children, and although I acknowledge I did. My son, teacher and classmates have benefited from this situation, because I have become better informed through it and will not do it again, and now understand how important meds are.

And Paul, you're still popular

Rae

Medication is not the best option, if there is another option (that really works), but I guess we have no-choice for now, maybe in a near future, they find a better alternative. Let's all pray for that to happen!! Good Luck to all of you!!!!

When your child is happy to be on the meds, and know it gives him a better quality of life, it makes the decision that much easier. Damian must be very smart to be able to work all this out for himself, and I am so proud of him, he such a little Man.

Well done rae. I am seriously considering putting stephen back on medication now after reading your story. I dont like tablets etc but when it comes to quality of life, well thats what we really want for our children isnt it!

Love debbie

Hi all, had our pediatric/psychiatrist appointment today and I am a little less lost . The dr explained to me damians problems in a way that I could accept. He told me that in the state my son is, his brain is developing all the areas that are causing the bad behaviour, because these are the parts that are being used. A bit like body building, work one part of your body and it increases, dont exercise and your muscles atrophy, this is the same for areas of the brain.

He explained that without the medication, he will not develop the parts of the brain that he needs for processing. He will just become worse. But if the meds allow him to use parts of the brain he hasnt used, then they will become stronger.

He also diagnosed him with Sensory Dysfunction, and said the dex was helping him control himself, but also the sensory issues were depressing him - hence the bad side effects (chest pain, anxiety, talking to himself, and obsessing) He will be putting him also on an antidepressent for this.

I cried my eyes out, you guys know how upset i have been over one drug, but now 2. . But he also said he would not rule out bi-polar, my brother has this disorder.

I am a little more at ease because I feel that I am doing the right thing to medicate. We have so many high ambitions for our babies, and this is a bit of a blow (the extra diagnosis). But if I stick to the meds and have regular follow ups with this doctor, i believe the management of his condition will be a positive experience, compared to his current situation.

Thank you all for helping me cope through this overwhelming and guilt ridden last few weeks.

My son is so happy that I am putting him back on the meds! He had his first today and 10:00am and we had the first peaceful day for a 3 weeks.

Rae, I'm so sorry you are sad, and I understand your feelings

I am a bit confused, is Sensory Dysfunction the same as SID (sensory integration disorder)? If it is I thought it didn't need meds, just occupantional therapy.

What are the meds he has put Damian on?

He hasnt yet we go back on Tuesday for more evaluation. He is recommending risperidone.

He has concerns that Damian has bi-polar as this is a family disorder.

And yes about the SID, same I think.

He is giving him meds for the depression not the SID. He belives because he has SID and is taking dex, this is causing the depression.

He is treating the depression not the SID. The SID will be treated some other way.

And I am feeling a lot calmer now - not so sad. Because Damian was so happy that I was putting him back on meds, so I feel happy for him.

Rae7038282.2156365741

Rae- I am so happy that things are back on track for you and your son. This is such roller coaster for all of us. You know when you are doing the right thing.

NOW EXHALE!

Well last week was a whopper for me. I have had bad Asthma all week and my 4 kids all have the flu. I consider this winters Death Throes, as it is now spring.

I took my son to a Neuropsyche and he told me that not only does Damian have ADHD, but severe ADHD. He is up high in the unattentive spectrum.

This all helps me understand and forgive my sons transgressions.

Rae,

Do you really have Winter 'down-under'? Hope that you and your family are recovering. All of us 'top-side' are still clinching awaiting for the flu to hit and many have not had access to the vaccine.

By the way, for those of you in the U.S., you don't have to wait in line for the vaccine nor do you have to threaten your child with a shot. Merely have your doctor call a prescription into your local Drug Store for the Flu Nasal Vaccine. The cost varies and it's not covered by insurance but if you are really concerned and don't have access to the shots (because you are over 8 and under 65) this is a way to get the vaccine without depriving someone in the critical group. Call the pharmacy before calling your doctor since not all pharmacies have the vaccine in Nasal form and are trained to administer it (simple nose drops). Sorry Rae, it sounds like its too late for you, but maybe for some of our other posters there still maybe time to take advantage.

Regarding your son's latest diagnosis...sorry about it being so severe but now there is no longer any doubt as to what you are dealing with. This should also galvanize you and your husband's decision on future course of action/treatment.

Please keep us updated.

Paul

Rae-
i , too. have agonized over the decision to put my son on
adderall. My husband and I are doctors and I feel that we
"know" too much. We kept him off of medication until he turned
12. I attend every ADHD conference that I can and because I
am a psychologist, I am able to access the cutting edge
information. I recently attended a conferrence with russell
barkley who is undoubtly the most recognized authoirity on this
subject in the country, if not the world. he basically told a room
full of psychologists that no treatment intervention other thatn
medication was shown to be very effective in reducing the
symptoms of ADHD and ADD. I have used 3 criteria in
recommending medication to my patients and with my son -- 1)
when their intellectual abilities and academic performance and
extremely disparate 2) when their sef-esteem is affected 3)
when they begin to have social difficulties because of their
ADHD. I realize as a professional and as a parent that living a
life with repeated failures in school, in socializing and feeling
poorly about one's self leasd to many other more debilitating
problems. Adderall and Ritalin are some of the most
researched medications on the market. I am not saying that I
would give these medications lightly as I am well aware of the
side effects but I think a lot of them are overexagerrated in the
press (note the recent MTV tv show "True Life" which featured
adderall and an adolescent who became addicted to
methamphetamine - any parents' worst nightmare). The people
that I see in my practice who are addicted to an amphetamine
usually don't have ADHD. Remember, the stimulants work
differently on an ADHD brain than on an non-ADHD brain.
Anyway, I hope that helps you make a decision and one that
you can be peaceful with. I know that my husband and I have
thought this issue into the ground and I know that whatever
happens, I made the very best decision that i could with the
most accurate, up-to-date information and I made it with the
most important criteria - that I love this child with every fiber of
my being.

doctormom wrote: I recently attended a conferrence with russell
barkley who is undoubtly the most recognized authoirity on this
subject in the country, if not the world

Indeed he is. Below is a bio about Russel Barkley. Thanks for such an articulate, educational post.

http://www.aifa.it/documenti/biografiaBarkley.PDF

Hi myboyisspecial,

Can you tell me about what a hair analysis is and how you would go about getting one done? I know that my sons ADHD seems to be triggered a lot more when he eats sugars, a lot of carbs, juices. So I was just wondering if there was a way for me to get that done to him.

Rae,

I hope what I have to say comes as encouragment to you. My husband was first on Dexedrine and then Ritalin. From the time that he was seven until he was 16. Today he is in his early 40s, has a post graduate degree, is highly successful in his field and is a great husband and father.

He says that because he had to take pills as a child, when he was offered drugs as a teen he wanted nothing to do with them. He had lots of friends who experimented with drugs but the very thought disgusted him.

As far as his brain goes, I have never seen it first hand but if the drugs did affect it, it is only for the good because he is mostly too smart for his own good. The same is also true of his phyical stature. If the drugs did stunt his growth, it a good thing because he is 6'4". Than again it could be all the coffee he drinks.

All that to say that in one isolated case, the drugs he took did him a world of good and there was no ill effects.

Be encouraged!

Louise

Thanks all for your encouragement. Monday, we have the IQ test underway.

Keep you all informed

Dear Rae70:

I know what you are going through. I have been in that situation so many times...Your decision to take him for IQ test is excellent. His behavior can be for other reasons besides ADHD. Do you remember my message about: Special schools. Check my new message out: What every parent must know... I shared some info I found about my school district that I did not know. Maybe, one of those school could help your son. They are regular schools(NOT FOR ADHD) but they funtion a little bit different. Check these out:

School # 9. Offers a program that emphasizes Global Literacy. Instruction is based on multiple intelligences approach, which recognizes that the students have many different learning styles. Do you remember my message about the 7 ways of learning?

School # 10:It is a professional developmental laboratory school. The school focuses on Math and Science. The school features an ESE(exceptional student education) inclusion center.

School # 7. This one offers students a foundation of basis skills needed to succeed in today�s world, as well as character development and the opportunity to develop individual talents (excellent for ADHD)

By the way, I changed my son's neurologist recently. I'm so happy. He even told me that my son may not need to take Ritalin anymore. From the other one to this one, is like day and night. You can see he wants to analize what is my son real problem, not only medicate him like the last one.

In refernece to the teachers: My son's first grade teacher was always "pushing" for medication. I told her once: It is very easy to take that desicion when you are talking about somebody's else child. This is my son. There are lot of side effects that I have to consider. I'm sorry if he is to difficult to deal with, you picked this profession(of dealing with kids), I didn't pick my child's problem.

Good Luck with your son and keep trying to find an alternative (if it is possible) to medication.

Oh! before I sign out. Next time, you take your son to the doctor ask him to check: How his thyroids are working (blood test) and also if he can send him a test to check if there is any neurotransmitters in short supply. They have very similar symthoms of ADHD.

Well after the 3rd day off meds, my son has failed to accomplish his school work even his most favorite - maths. The teacher is beside herself and looks like she did prior to his medication. Which is very .

I have made an appointment with a psychologist to have an IQ test done and some brain scans etc to ensure the diagnosis was correct in the first place, as he never was tested properly. (in my opinion)

I have called hospitals, universities, government organisations and there is no subsidies for ADHD as ADHD is considered a development problem and not a mental illness. Therefore ADHD slips through the cracks. We have to wait until their ADHD causes so much distress in their lives that they do become depressed or mentally ill and then we can access help from these organisations. This is ridiculus. The medical professionals were apologetic, but they could not help because he was not hurting himself or others.

I am starting to accept that my son may never gain a good education, and what I need to prepare him for is - how to be a happy person and like himself regardless of the inability to succeed.

my husband refers to meds as false economy - which i think is a good analogy

we give him the meds to help him learn, but in the process we are hurting the brain, which is the thing we are trying to improve

thanks mlopez for the advice, but I have checked all schooling options here in australia, and ADHD slips through the cracks here. We do not have a IEP plan as USA does and ADHD is just classified as a development problem and not a mental illness therefore they do no apply for any specialist help for their emotional problems if they are not hurting themselves or others.

Australia does not have the same opportunities as USA. Also, parents are not allowed to sit in classrooms with their children and therefore I cant even go down there an help.

Yesterday Damian started on Strattera. Crikeys this a merry go round.

He wont swallow his dexamphetamine and he was on slow release (so in my stupidity), I was allowing him to chew them up - his behaviour at school was out of control. Chewing was bad! didnt know.

Anyway - because of his sensory problems - the Dr decided to start him on Strattera - we are going to start him off with a third of a 10mg Tablet for 3 days and build him up on it till he improves.

The poor kid! I am getting tired of this and only like a lifetime to go till it is over!

Sheesh!