How to tell your other children? | ADHD Information

I did not tell anyone anything. They asked why dd was using Daytrana and i said" it is to help her concentrate" and that was the end of it.Sounds like you did a good job and when they ask more details you can give more explanations maybe even purchase a book for kids to read to them.

I gave my 12yo non-AD/HD son (then 11) the book "My Brother is a World Class Pain" written specifically for siblings of AD/HD kids - found it online.  It explains why they do what they do, meds, etc.  I told him he has to keep it under his mattress so his younger brother won't see it, and he's been very good about doing that (I was worried about hurt feelings).  When things get rough, I remind him to "take out the book again."  It's helped us.  Good Luck!

 

My son  Tyler has AADHD.  How do I tell my other kids about it?  How do I make them understand they can't pick on bubba or try to make him mad?  How do you explain the medacation he has to take and tat he can't miss a dose?  How do you do it and make them understand?  Thair ages are 11,5 and 2.

Hi there, welcome to the board.

My guess is that they will learn about the medication just by watching it happen.  My hubby is diabetic and my kids have grown up with him taking 4 injections a day and they just accept it as normal.

Not picking on him or making him mad ... I don't know if this is 100% possible as this is something that all siblings do regardless ...

I wouldn't make too big a deal of it actually. Just tell them this is something he has to do to help him with his concentration and that they mustn't tease him about it.  You could build in the whole thing that in general teasing is unkind and that everyone has particular challenges to face, they wouldn't like it if he teased them about one of their challenges.

As for the "not picking on" thing, I would think that it should just be a house rule that you all don't pick on each other or anyone else.  We have a zero tolerance policy in our house.  If someone decides to break that rule, they are reminded that your family are the people that will always be there for you just as you are, and that we all have things that could be picked on or criticized. And of course there are un-fun consequences: you clean the other person's room for a week, the other person gets to pick the "waiting for the bus" morning TV show, etc.

We teach our children that there are things and places that are private: your body, the bathroom, etc.  I think that medication should also be one of those things. Not in a dirty, hide-in-the-closet kind of way, but in a this-is-no-one-else's-business way. And if the others ask, tell them that it's private.  They'll learn to accept that.