We first diagnosed and treated the youngest because she was in crisis last year. Because of successful treatment for her, and me educating myself during this journey, I recognized the potential for inattentive ADHD in my older daughter.
She had always done good in school, but lacked organizational skills and would fall apart the last trimester of every year. This year, she started falling apart in the 2nd trimester (losing papers, not completing work) and was showing some anxiety. Rather than wait, I started her through diagnosis and treatment.
She now says that she can "hear" the teacher better (she gets all of the instructions now) and she has not missed an assignment since starting meds. I know realize that alot of her education has been self taught because she was not getting alot of what the teacher was saying. She is bright and could compensate for the ADHD until the school demands overwhelmed her coping skills. She is going into honors next year and has everything in place to live up to her potential. She is more at ease and really loves school.
I guess thats it, his demands are getting much greater and the trouble starts. And it wont get easier. Was it easier for you the second time? First time tore me up even though there was no choice with him. Cameron doesnt seem to care, almost excited with realizing its not ALL his fault.
After watching her younger sister go from Ds and Fs to As and Bs, and seeing no real side effects, my oldest was happy to try meds to see if they would help her. The doc has had some discussions with her on how the meds help her achieve her potential and that it is up to her to take it the rest of the way. Next year is middle school with multiple teachers and classrooms so I am glad we got treatment started this year before things got way over her head.
Also, if you see no response after getting to an effective dose, you can always stop-this is not a permanant decision.
vickie39205.6947337963 I havent posted in a while , but here I am again. I have a 6 year old with severe adhd and aspergers dx. He is doing very well with ritalin and concurrent therapies at school. My new problem is my 8 year old son having more and more issues at school. Grades slipping, hitting other kids, talking all the time. He is a great kid with a heart of pure gold and was just dx with adhd. Im not surprised, but you all know the difference between not being surprised and acually hearing the dx. I would like to hear from anyone with a similar situation. Do you medicate the older child if he seems ok with exceptions. I know its a personal choice, but I would like input. My 6yo is severe, there is no question regaurding medicating, but Cameron isnt severe. BTW I also have very "active" 5yo daughter with the same actions. Genetics are a bitch. My husband is adhd, my brother, my cousins,etc.