My story & looking for advice | ADHD Information

Hi there, 

I am the mother of two girls, a 4th grader and a 1st grader.  My 4th grader has LD and ADHD.  She is in CMC as well as the Resource Program at school.  My 1st grader seems to be doing well so far and no sure signs of disabilities YET and hopefully never, lol.

However, my 4th grader is a totally differnt story.  We struggle with homework, chores, spelling, writing (it looks like chicken scratch), math problems (the basic math facts) and so on.  This is a battle we go through day in and day out.  Taking medication used to be a BIG DEAL but she has moved past that except swallowing the pills.  We can't seem to get past the point of it reaching the back of her mouth before she freaks. 

I am still learning so much about her education plans, her disabilities and her medication.  She is on Focalin XR 10mg twice daily.  We open the capsule and pour it into her mouth.  I am beginning to feel concerned about the time release of the medication.  We have and appt with her doctor Thursday so I plan to discuss this with him futher and the medication she is on is SUPER expensive.  I need something less expensive but she doesn't have terrible side effects so I'm afraid to switch her. 

Here's where you all come in:  I am looking for ideas to make homework more fun but educational as well (it's a battle nightly to get it done).  I am also looking for ideas on teaching DD to swallow her pills and most importantly how to become better organized to make everyday functions much easier.  Our house is so chaotic DAILY that I'm sure this is just making the ADHD that much worse.

So what tips, thoughts, advice or ideas can you give me?? 

Thanks for your help!!

what is her LD? Just curious, my daughter has ADHD and non verbal learning disorder, quite the combo!

We have not mastered smooth homework routine either, she just HATES it. Shes exhausted after shcool physically and mentally and does not want any part of it. Partly because it is really hard for her. A few things I've done, her homework is modified through her IEP for both amount and content. Then I still break it down at home. There MUST be schedule. It can vary day to day, but there has to be an ok from 4:00-5:00 is homework. Take everything, give her one assignment or even part of an assignment and let her do that, when finished she can get up have a drink and 5 minute break, then back to the next piece. You may still battle, but it will get done. After a few weeks it'll go smoother. My daughter is going into 7th grade, I know right where your coming from.

A few things...

I don't have answers about the homework (even though I've been a teacher for 10 years!) My son battles me too...academically he is very bright, but he hates doing it!

As far as swallowing pills, I can't remember how he started, but what about putting one (especially if it's a small capsule) in a teaspoon full of applesauce and trying to get her to swallow the whole thing at once? Maybe since the applesauce (or yogurt) is thicker than water, it might disguise it a bit. Usually once they do it once, they realize it's easy. Although my 40 year old brother in law still can't swallow pills...he chews his asthma pills, aspirin, etc...yuck!

Also, what is DD? I've seen that in many posts (I'm new here...) and don't know what it is...should I??

Good luck.

My youngest has ADHD and LD. She had horible writing, spelling and could not complete a timed math test (but what she did get done was all correct).

We implemented a positive reinforcement behavior plan for school work. She got a check for getting work done in class and homework done at home.  The points could be traded in for extra game time or other things she wanted. This was pre med and the work was hard and long. We later learned about the marble system by ogram (top thread on the parent's board) and implemented a form of that plan for the work.

As my daughter's meds became optimized, she got more work done in class and homework became easier. The behavior plan gave her the motivation and the meds gave her the ability.

We were then rewarding a marble for every homework assignment that was completed on time, and if she got the work done before I got home from work (without fighting with her dad), she could stay up an extra 1/2 hour. Now we reward for any class or homework with an A.

So my suggestion is that you implement a behavior plan and work with meds to get as much from them as posible.

vickie39323.9016087963some suggestions for swallwing a pill are try other things that are more fun to eat first like swallowing tic tacs. We used yogurt, applesauce even, pudding and icecream forever, it took us a long time to get to the point of swallowing, but with practice got it. I guess there is also some kind of cup CVS sells that helps children swallow pills. We never used it, but otheres here have had success.DD = dear daughter, right? That is what I always assumed it stood for.

Regarding homework - when I used to hover DS wouldn't complete the task - when I gave him specific instructions and walked away he was able to do the work 90% correct - sometimes 100% correct. I would tell him to finish the part of the homework, I would walk away (usually just turn around and start making dinner) and then after a few minutes check his work. This was last year and it really worked.

I now have a daughter that has started kindergarten this year and the minute we get home from school is homework time for all. I am really strict during that hour (4-5) - no talking loud, no making noise, they sit separately so as not to distract each other - same thing applies - do this much and I will be back to check it. Also, if they start goofing off or trying to talk to each other it is a small time out on a chair on the landing - no talking, no moving off the chair, no noise or it will be an extra 5 minutes I use the kitchen timer. 

I try to keep it like school - follow directions, stay on task and try as hard as you can before giving up or asking for help.

This has only been this week but I can tell you that during this hour the house is quiet and calm. ( And as most moms know or call that time the witching hour so this has been a challenge but a nice adjustment to the alternative behavior during that time frame) They have both had to go to the landing a few times and didn't like it so it appears to be working.

Also, I am having a new rule in this house about having to repeat myself too much - the timeouts will be handed out if they don't follow the task. I spoke to my DS's teacher (2nd grade) and that is how she does it - she will tell the class what to do - if she has to repeat it to someone who isn't paying attention the color changes (Behavior chart) and so on. My son is struggling with this but I see an improvement. Consistency is key with these kids - same rules in home and school will just help solidify the message we are teaching them.