New to ADHD | ADHD Information

Hi!

I'm very new to ADHD & am looking for some extra support!  Hope I can find that, here!

Our 7yr old son was diagnosed with ADHD almost a year ago.  We've run the gamut on emotions, treatment, etc.  We've tried counseling, changing routine, & are now trying meds to help.

It's been a very challenging few years & this past year has been the most difficult.

I'm very confused & feel like I'm running in circles, trying to research everything.  And, our support is very limited.  My parents & my husbands parents are split on not only the diagnosis, but what approach is best, so it's been an interesting battle.

I'm really hoping to find some much needed support from people who have "been there/done that," & I am hopeful that I can gain some knowledge & can begin to cope with & understand what's going on.

 

[QUOTE=CrewMom]

Hi!

I'm very new to ADHD & am looking for some extra support!  Hope I can find that, here!

Welcome aboard!

Our 7yr old son was diagnosed with ADHD almost a year ago.  We've run the gamut on emotions, treatment, etc.  We've tried counseling, changing routine, & are now trying meds to help.

And how is that going? Any better?

It's been a very challenging few years & this past year has been the most difficult.

I'm very confused & feel like I'm running in circles, trying to research everything.  And, our support is very limited.  My parents & my husbands parents are split on not only the diagnosis, but what approach is best, so it's been an interesting battle.

Hubby does/does not agree with the diagnosis?

I'm really hoping to find some much needed support from people who have "been there/done that," & I am hopeful that I can gain some knowledge & can begin to cope with & understand what's going on.

 

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You have lots going on there. You're running around in confused circle and it sounds as if you aren't getting much in the way of supports, either.

On this board we have parents,who can explain to you what it's like to parent such children [and some strategies] and ADHD'ers who can explain to you, what's rocketing around in your kid's head

If you can break down into a specific question or so, it's easier to get a specific answer.

Again, Welcome Aboard the Love Boat [hee hee hee...oops, wrong board]
[QUOTE=CrewMom]

Hi!

I'm very new to ADHD & am looking for some extra support!  Hope I can find that, here!

Our 7yr old son was diagnosed with ADHD almost a year ago.  We've run the gamut on emotions, treatment, etc.  We've tried counseling, changing routine, & are now trying meds to help.

It's been a very challenging few years & this past year has been the most difficult.

I'm very confused & feel like I'm running in circles, trying to research everything.  And, our support is very limited.  My parents & my husbands parents are split on not only the diagnosis, but what approach is best, so it's been an interesting battle.

[/QUOTE]

Hi, and welcome. I'm new here myself and have found a lot of support and information just in a few days.

Wow, our timelines and stories are very similar. My DS is 7, officially diagnosed a year ago, and is treated with a combo of medication (Metadate) and behavioral management (routines and schedules are our friends!) I'm also having a tussle with my inlaws, while my father is unconditionally supportive. DH is a very good dad, fortunately.

How is your son's school/teachers? We found that the school was the *lynchpin* in getting good support and help with behavior management. Ian is in a regular homeroom 4 days a week and goes to a gifted program 1 day a week--along with art, PE, and music. Right now, we don't use an IEP/504 plan, but we know that's always a possibility if needed later. We simply talked with his teachers at the start of the year--and found them to be knowledgeable about ADHD already. They use Terry Alderson's discipline plan at the school--it's very much a reward/consequence based program, with a visible rules marker. Schedules and rules are clearly posted. We've found that very helpful. It's a public school, and we're very happy with it.

It can be really hard with a limited support network. Does your son have siblings?

Dee

Thanks for the warm welcome!

My husband is actually the one who suggested we have him tested & he was right!!  While is accepts the diagnosis, he's like me.........LOST!  We've had some issues between us, as far as schedules, routines, & discipline. We're going to have to start from scratch!

My inlaws are alright with the diagnosis(although we don't get along.......long story, but my husband is not my son's birth father).  My Dad is a silent supporter...he doesn't say much.  My Mother is a totally different story!  She doesn't agree at all!!  But, fortunately, all of the grandparents live out of state.....that's a blessing, sometimes.

We do have 2 other children.  A 4yr old boy & our daughter just turned 6mos.

We've recently moved to a new state & are very, very pleased with the school & their response.  His teacher is amazing & the school counselor is involved, as well.  They do a reward system & it helps.

We started our son on Ritalin, after it was clear that therapy alone wasn't going to help.  After we moved here, we noticed a change & the doctor here recommended uping his dosage..........A NIGHTMARE!  He's become violent & verbally abusive, but only at home.  Today, the dr. put him on a morning dose & an afternoon dose.  We'll see how tomorrow goes.

Thanks, again, for the welcome!

[QUOTE=CrewMom]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Oh you're welcome! Sometime in the next couple of days I'm sure the parent's welcome wagon will come zooming by

My husband is actually the one who suggested we have him tested & he was right!!  While is accepts the diagnosis, he's like me.........LOST! 

Well, boot around here a bit--get some directions

We've had some issues between us, as far as schedules, routines, & discipline. We're going to have to start from scratch!

Yeah, there's definitely adjustment time. It all takes a bit of getting used to

My inlaws are alright with the diagnosis(although we don't get along.......long story, but my husband is not my son's birth father).  My Dad is a silent supporter...he doesn't say much.  My Mother is a totally different story!  She doesn't agree at all!! 

Unsupportive grandparent problems happen a lot around here, unfortunately.

Stuck on Freudian "it's all the mom's problem" and "s/he just needs more discipline." Blech.

But, fortunately, all of the grandparents live out of state.....that's a blessing, sometimes.

We do have 2 other children.  A 4yr old boy & our daughter just turned 6mos.

Whoa! Buckets of fun stuff going on then!

We've recently moved to a new state & are very, very pleased with the school & their response.  His teacher is amazing & the school counselor is involved, as well.  They do a reward system & it helps.

Excellent! We can use all the happy school stories we can get around here!

We started our son on Ritalin, after it was clear that therapy alone wasn't going to help.  After we moved here, we noticed a change & the doctor here recommended uping his dosage..........A NIGHTMARE!  He's become violent & verbally abusive, but only at home.  Today, the dr. put him on a morning dose & an afternoon dose.  We'll see how tomorrow goes.

Ritalin isn't the best choice for some kids. If he's better before the drug wears off dosing him more than once a day may help.

I suggest a medication diary with date, time, dose and any noticeable behavioural pattern notations. It gives you a sort of neutral ground to discuss with the doc. I have mine on a word doc right on the computer desktop. It helps.

Thanks, again, for the welcome!

[/QUOTE]

Hey, we're a strange lot around here--but you've found a spot to voice your concerns, get some support and some pretty creative child-rearing and coping tactics, too.