Social interaction with friends | ADHD Information

I am new to this message board but I am hoping that someone can help me help my daughter. I am a parent of 4 children and my oldest who is 10 was diagnosed with ADHD when she was 6. WE did the whole concerta thing up until about a year and half ago and now trying strattera. which i see an improvement butI have other concerns. My daughter "K" cant keep friends for very long. I don't know if it is she can't have more than one friend at a time or what the deal but everyday it is something new. Other kids have always been mean to her well that is how i feel anyways but she has never had any real good personal relationships with her and I just don't know what to do Can someone please help me. I don't want her to be an angry person and shut herslef off from other people around her. I will say hta she is very helpful with things but socially she can't function.

Social issues are a problem for many with ADHD. These kids are about 30% behind thier peers in maturity and with impulsivity, they do not quite click with others thier age. My daughter is doing better since she was put on a stimulant and guanfacine. She can actually have relationships with others (other than getting bored and leaving the friend to play by themselves) and she is not so irritating to others.

You might look into social skills classes and/or start coaching your daughter in social issues as though she were a younger child. I kept falling into the trap of thinking "why do I have to tell my daughter these things, she is old enough to know better." I just coach her as though she were 7 and she gets better all the time.

Hi parentndenial, you may want to post in the paents with children with adhd forum. there are lots who will reply to your post.

My son also has social troubles, but we keep him in after school sport programs so he is involved. My son is 9, but immature for his age. So far, he hangs out at school and joins in at  recess and is fine in the classroom. My personal fear is that once he is in middle school and high school, he will be alone.

Find your way over to the parents of children forum. I think you will like it!

Look forward to seeing you there!!

 

Beth

It took many years for my daughter to find her place.  She's 16 and has friends which is great.  Being an self-diagnosed ADHDer, I always remember never fitting in.  I still feel this way at times.  I'm different!!!  My son has only now made a few friends and is happy.  But he is very protective because he has had some terrible issues with rejection.  Your daughter just needs to find her place.  Ten and eleven year olds can be truly awful!!! I read somewhere where this is the time that kids want to all be the same and pick on those that are different.  Bullying occurs at this time to a huge level.  Support her and invite a friend over to play.  Good luck