Our 11 year old daughter has mild ADHD. It manifests itself in severe lack of organization and forgetfullness. She is also extremely socially challenged in that she has difficulty with friends/relationships. She is likes to be the boss and speaks her emotions in an overly frank way. She thinks in black and white. There is no grey area, there is no maybe in her perspective.
These are all issues we have been working on with her for many years. Recently however, her frustrations from them has caused her to start lying. Over the most simplistic things. Especially in school. On some level, I don't believe it is all intentional. But rather another manifestation of her forgetful nature. She often truly believes the lie she is telling. IE: She will get in trouble from the teacher for not turning in an assignment. She will have done it and truly thinks she has turned it in. Only to find it buried in her desk or crumpled at the bottom of her bookbag.
Any suggestions?
The definition of a liar is when one intentionally tells a untruth. Due to ADHD, your dd has short term memory problems. If she doesn't have recall its what she believes to be true. As far as mild ADHD, if the behaviors are mild then its not considered a disorder nor would the behaviors cause such a struggle in everyday life situations. The problems your dd is encountering are far from mild and unfortunately, she's being chastised for behaviors she has no control over. What type of treatment is your dd getting for ADHD? More information would be helpful.Two years ago she went through the testing and was found to be borderline. Soon after we tried Adderall. She did horribly on it. Even on a very small dose, (5mg.) she was severely lethargic and just sat and stared.
Her doctor determined that she wasn't a good candidate for medication. That behavioral therapy was a better choice. We also incorporated a change in diet and schedule.
She has improved in many areas with this, but the forgetting, inability to focus well, and consequent lying are lingering problems.