Positive stories on ADHD kids | ADHD Information

Toward the end of my daughter's first year of preschool (at age three), her teacher spoke to me about her lack of focus and attention. At the time I thought the teacher was nuts; after all she was only three!!

Then, the next year, with a completely different preschool and teacher, the same issue came up, so I began to worry.
Kindergarten did NOT go well. The teachers complained about her "lack of motivation,", lack of focus and attention and inability to get work completed (in kindergarten!), and my daughter was unhappy, wanting to revert to babyhood rather than attend school.

We had her diagnosed with inattentive-type ADHD, but since she was already taking a number of medications for allergies and asthma, we worried even more than usual about starting ADHD meds.

We decided to transfer her midyear out of the highly-academic charter school that her brother attended and into our local public school.
This was a much better fit for her and we managed, with struggles, some great teachers who made accommodations, and LOTS of time with me helping her at home (like Jessica described), until fifth grade.

Fifth grade was a disaster!! This teacher didn't "get it" at all. My daughter was CONSTANTLY behind in school and buried in homework that we spent hours on each night and she was close to failing in several subjects. Finally, 3/4 of the way through the school year, we were able to get a 504 plan which saved us and put my daughter in a good position to begin middle school the next year.

She is now in 7th grade at a arts-oriented charter school that she loves! She gets good grades, is liked by her teachers, has great friends, is happy and feels good about herself, and was recently invited to apply for the National Junior Honor Society. Like Jessica said, I now expect that she will go to college and lead a normal life.

Now, I know that since she has inattentive type and has never had the behavior issues that many struggle with, we've had an easier road to travel than many. But if you'd asked me back when she was in 5th grade, we were completely overwhelmed and despairing.

We have not used ADHD meds and at this point it is unlikely that we ever will. We did start Omega 3 supplements back at the start of first grade, and last year, after I discovered this message board, we switched to the high-EPA Omegas and added PS (check the alternatives forum if you're interested). I do believe these supplements have helped my daughter, along with accommodations and a wonderful school that offers her something to be excited about and gives her an opportunity to shine.
Absolutely!

And what precisely is "success"?

Who's more 'successful' Lee Evans or Madonna? She's more famous, driven, wealthy and divorced how many times now? Lee Evans has been married more than 20 years to the same woman. He loves his kid completely and no scandals have ever been attached to him. Lee Evans has high-end ADHD.

Bing Cosby had wealth and all the power and fame Hollywood had to offer. His wives hated him. His kids were terrified of him. Everyone thought he was a major b-tard. My Dad, on the other hand was severely dyslexic. He could barely read or write. He stayed married to the same woman from the age of 18 until he died at 83. Everyone loved him and he could fix *anything*. Hundreds turned out for his funeral and nobody outside his circle even knew who he was. At 18 my weekly paycheque was bigger than his.

So, what is "successful"?

Every day on this board I see moms who went to bat for their kid and got something changed in the education system so kids won't suffer.

Every day I read about an ADHD person that learned to do something they never could do before--even if it's something a normal person can do easily.

Every day on this board there's someone listening, really listening, to someone else who's been hurt by the rough and tumble of life and they support that person to carry on for just one more day.

Every day on here at least one parent will write and tell us something "special" their kid did today. It might not light the world on fire but it was a big step for that kid.

If that's not "success" I don't know what else to call it.

I think that you tend to spend time on the board more if you are experiencing difficulties, so the sucess stories don't tend to appear here.

Jessica N39778.4007523148

I feel like so much I read is negative, about all the issues these kids will face, their immaturity, difficulties in school, high drop out rates, and other problems.  I need to hear good stories and successful outcomes.  School and education are really important to me and I have always assumed my kids would go to college, get good jobs etc..... and live the "American" dream.  I would love to hear any such stories! 

Thanks!

Kim

Well - My son, adopted 2 years ago at age 6, is ADHD. We waited 18 months before medicating b/c we wanted the transition to be more settled before throwing meds in mix. We tried a lot of alternative therapies & behavior modification.  We waited a bit too long to medicate and he developed ODD. For a few months there is was really bad.

However, this March we stared with Concerta - first 18mgs and then quickly bumped up to 36 mgs with 1/2 of tenex (which is was already on when he came to us) And the difference is great! His self-esteem is better, his social issues are almost gone, his grades are great. He is reading above grade level. He is in after school programs like Math, computer and chess clubs.

I, at first, felt like a failure giving into medicating but quickly changed my mind when I saw this happy, easy going, enjoying life little boy. I felt like I was meeting the real him for the first time. The success for us was realizing meds do help and perhaps some day he won't need them but for now it is the best thing b/c it allows him to see his full potential and what a great kids he really is.
My dd is 6 and has adhd. She is on Metadate CD (a long lasting stim) and
doing great! I just had her conference at school and she is reading above
grade level and has a 99% in math. (She's only in 1st grade though!) Her
behavior is perfectly fine. Her teacher says she is on task and very caring
towards other students. Jillian is also on the swim team at the Y, and
while practices are early evening when her meds wear off, she is still
doing pretty good. She really doesn't seem any different from some of
the other 6 yr olds. Overall, we are very pleased with way her meds work
for her.

Also. my dh works with a woman who has adhd. He "gets" her because of
our kid, and I have to say that I, too, am much more empathetic and tend
to "click" with special needs kids and their families. Adhd is definitely a
challenge, but it shouldn't be used as an excuse to reach one's potential.
I wouldn't change my kid for the world because while I love her as she is,
she has also made me a better person.          ; chinamom:

Absolutely. I was recently on a politics debate board when I realized I was so frustrated, angry and that it seemed so vicious.

Here, the folks are far more kindly to each other and sensitive about the pressures of coping.