My 13 year old son cannot take his meds. He has himself believing that he cannot do it. He also cannot make new friends at the school we moved him at the beginning of the year. He talks to a counselor but it does not seem to be working. I really don't know how to help him. Can anyone help me find away to help my son see that he is better than he believes he is?
Does he feel he "physically' can't take his meds?
Sometimes at this age they decide they no longer "want" to take theeir meds for any number of reasons. Could it be He's telling you "he can't" because it's easier to tell you than "he won't?"
Just a possibility.
I had not thought of that. I need to talk to him and see. He needs the meds and I really want to be able to help him understand that. Thank you so much. I have a stupid question. Is it possible to put him in an institution and let them watch him for a bit and see if they can help him? He was told today by the teachers that if he got one more zero they would take him in front of a judge. I am at a lose as to how to help him. Please someone tell me that I am not crazy for being scared that my son is going to wind up in jail or worse if I cannot figure this out.I have never heard such a thing. I would call the teacher and challenge her statement. You can't go to jail for making zeros as far as I know. But then again if he's really worried you can tell him that it sounds like he better "try" to take his meds so he'll do better it so school and not make any more zeros.
If the teacher truly is making these kinds of comments you have to stand up to her but also let the school know the dilemna your facing trying to get him to take his meds. They should be trying to work with you.
That is absolutely ridiculous. The school needs to know what the teacher said.
Is he making zeros because he is not turning things in due to no meds?
Why did he change schools? Does he still have friends from the last school? Could you send him back to the old school for his sake?
Did he take meds up until now?
They can take him to court along with me. They say that it is a reaccurring behavior and it falls back on me. They say it is my fault that he does not do his work. I am really at a loss as to what to do to help my son.Is the school aware of his condition requiring meds. If not you need to tell them because special consideration is made for kids with this condition. But if you don't tell them they can't help..But I still haven't ever heard of a child taken before a judge for not turning in work. That's what grades are for. You need to go over the teacher's head, if that's is the position of the school I would call the district office and talk to the someone in the office of the head of secondary education.Yes the school does know of his meds and stuff. It is part of their individual displinary action. Each school in this district has different rules for the students to follow. One of the ones at this school is to do their work and turn it in. They are only doing this to make him do the work he is suppose to do. I still don't know what to do to get him back in control. I was told by his counsler about it and she told me to let him go in front of the judge and to see what his does for him. I want to have him put in a institution to get him straight but I will not be able to get him the help he needs without giving him up.tnkitten,
Why does your son need to be put in an institution, don't you think seeing a psychiatrist can help him? Or have your tried all that? Are you thinking there is more going on?
You know you are dealing with puberty, age 13. Are there other things going on besides him having anxiety over taking meds? Did he take them and then stop?
How are things for him in his social life at school, any changes?
Are you in public school? Why do you go to court, is this criminal court or something in your private school??
Does he have an IEP?
He is going to a psychiatrist and a consoler but that does not seem to be helping. I also feel that he is down on himself way too much. I do know that he is at puberty and he just does not want to take the pills because he has it in his mind that he will go all mellow and not feel like himself. He has not made any friends at the school and he does not want to be there because they make him work for his grades. We are in a public school and I don't know about the court thing all that much. I just know that it is do to a repeatative thing he is doing in school. I do not know what IEP is so I can not answer that one.An IEP is an "indvidual education plan." when a child is determined to have special requirements supplied by the school system in order to meet his educational needs. This involves teachers, counselors and your commitment to implement.
The problems you have mentioned although overwhelming at the moment, don't seem to require "institutionalizing" or turning your child over to a state-run system. If you think he is down on himself now how do you think he will feel if you give up your parental control to the state?
I once told my child's Dr either he was going on drugs or I was? I don't mean to sound like a med pusher but maybe something for you to take the edge off so things won't seem so desperate. It may help you see things more clearly. Just a suggestion.
I agree. Your son will feel like you are throwing him away.
Do not do that. A doctor who specializes in this can help him. He definetely does NOT belong at this school. He needs to go where they will teach him and build up his self esteem, not destroy it.
He sounds like he is suffering from depression from all this stuff, including maybe puberty. You need to find the right doctor to help him. What about asking his pediatrician who he/she would refer you to? Obviously the one he is seeing isn't helping!
Please don't institutionalize him, he is not mentally ill. He needs some help, just some help. The school is not the right place for him.
What public school has a court, is it legal????? Who is the judge??????? Wht state do you live in?
You need to have him evaluated. Call the special ed department so that things can be ruled out even, like learning disabilities. You need to put the request in writing.
Ask away with any questions, we are here for your son and you!!
Did he change schools? Is that why he hasn't made any friends? Is he hyper, impulsive, disruptive? Why is he having trouble making friends?
Can you call the school and meet with the principal, teacher, guidance counselor?
Have I gone absolutely bonkers or did I just read what I thought I read?Are we talking about institutionalizing or jailing a teenager just for getting "0"s in school?
How is he getting "0"--is he just not turning in any work? Is he flunking every test?
Whatever is going on here is more than a lack of ADHD medication at this point.
First things first...
What is your SON saying about getting all zeros? What is the psychiatrists' opinion?
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