What to do?? | ADHD Information

I agree with everyone else so far. To discipline ADHD children, punishments are less effective than positive reinforcements for good behavior. I liken it to training dolphins. Do they spank the dolphins for doing the wrong jump? No! They give them a fish when they do it right!    Ogram's system is a good place to start, and you can modify it to meet your son's needs.

Don't be too hard on yourself for not being an expert at this. You just need to learn what you can by reading about it. Try Barkley's book "Taking Control of ADHD". It's probably in your library. It's a classic and it's full of useful info. Maybe you don't have time to read with 5 kids. How do you do it??

You can google the medication to find out more about it. Remember, it may take a while to find the right med for your son. Some meds may work find at first, then either need to be adjusted or changed. Good Luck!

I just found out that my son Tyler,7 has ADHD.  We started the meds. but I am not sure of the medication he is on.  It seems to be working, but he can become dependent on it.  Is that normal?  What about disapline?  How do you disapline a child with ADHD?  All this is new to me.  I am scard. I feel like I have let him down. I just don't know what to do when the meds waire off.  I need some advice, any advice.  Can anyone help me?  I raise 5 kids by myself and I feel like I have no one who understands what I am going through. I want to do what ever I can to help Tyler understand what is going on.  But How?  PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND!!

I told my 7 year last year when we started meds that his brain liked to go faster that it should and the meds would help it slow down.  The marble system works well, positive reinforcement works better than all negative.  When he is out of control try to stay even headed don't over react.  That last part is the hardest because you have to stop yourself.  It helped me knowing that there is a reason for all his behavior when I deal with him. 

Re the discipline check out ogram's marble system for discipline. (post on top of this board). It works for all kids not just those with ADHD.  To be honest I haven't changed my discipline habits much though. They still need to know that unacceptable behaviour is unacceptable, ADHD or not.

I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say he could become dependent on it.  Considering it is a prescribed med he needs to help treat his condition I would say that dependency is probably pretty normal, as he depends on it to help him cope.  I guess that's why it was prescribed, after all. 

I have days when I feel I have let my kids down too, but my more level headed hubby reminds me that IT"S NOT MY FAULT.

How old is Tyler?  Kids understand more than we give him credit for.  Maybe you could just sit him down and tell him you know he's been having some problems (school maybe?) and you're here to help him and this is what's happening.  I don't know that going into all the ins and outs of ADHD and causes, etc is necessary - they just want to feel better and cope with their daily lives.

Hope it helps!!

Sorry, I see you did say he's 7. I certainly wouldn't freak him out with too much detail at this point.

Thank all of you for ur advise.  Like I have said this is all new to me.  i am trying to understand everything.  It can get so confusing.  But It is all going to work out in the end. 

How do I take care of 5 kids? I don't know.  I just go from day to day.  i try not to plan anything if I can help it. 

Thank you again for all your input.  Is is going to help me greatly.  Keep it coming.