Follow up//upcoming appt.. | ADHD Information

I would first like to appolgize for not replying sooner. This has been the hardest week of my life. (seriously) My kids have been to the Dr. so many times, my classes and finals. To say the least I feel stretched very thin!

Metisrebel

OCD'ers repeat behaviour because 'something bad will happen' if they don't. For example they may touch a doorknob three times. It must be THREE times, not four and not two.

An ADHD'er [or someone under stress] will repeat a behaviour to self comfort. That might include rocking, petting things and if they touch the doorknob--the more often, the better, if they find it comforting.

Does that make sense?

I do see what you are saying and it does make sense. The comfort for the ADHD child makes total sense. But there are things that he does; fixates, if one thing is out of order or you don't do something in precise steps he has meltdowns, changes in schedules are extremely hard for him. I am going to wait and see what the phsychiatrist says and ask him about that b/c what you said makes sense.

Good luck on your finals!

Thank you! (I need it)

What are you taking?

I am taking prob stat, pharmacology, diet and nutrition.

Horsemom-

It sounds like school is really stressful for him. Maybe he isn't ready yet. Did he got to preschool

last year? Is he on the younger end of the age range for his class?

When all of this started I asked his behavioral specialists, his Dr. and the teacher if I should pull him out and they told me no! I do think it is really stressful for him b/c he is not able to communicate with the children the way they all communicate.

I also think he may be learning some of these behaviors from other children in the class.

Lets face it 4k is not when all of your typical students start there are other children with atypical behavior I am sure.

No he did not go to preschool last year.

and "he is a new 4" as the teacher put it.

Spamula

If he is of younger age I would consider holding him back this year. My son now 10, is the youngest in the class. If I had it to do over again I would have held him back in pre K. Now in 5th grade he is nowhere ready for middle school and may hold himself back because of his grades. Now that is a blow to the self esteem

That is what worries me I know his self esteem is lacking.

. Also my son had all his ratings from home and school in the 2-3 area so I get where you are coming from.

I guess you can relate with getting those scores, and even though you as the parent know there is something else going on, it is still painful to see those remarks.

[QUOTE=worleyb]

ADHD children lack flexibility. We depend on outside sources to organize the chaos. When a routine changes, we need 'adapting' time because it plays against the need for external order. Visitors sometimes find my ringing computer schedulers annoying but for me, it is soothing to know what time it is since I have no internal clockworks.

For children, they haven't had the years to understand why they're so upset when someone changes the external signals.

I am taking prob stat, pharmacology, diet and nutrition.

[/QUOTE]

What is prob stat? Probable statistics?

Sorry, yes that is Probabililty and statistics. I am so glad it is over.

I have never been good at math. I started meds during my first math class. I was failing Math 100 (the most basic and easiest math there is) I buckled down and ended up getting a B.

Moved on to Math 101 elementary algebra; Got an A

Then to Math 102 intermediate algebra; Got an A

Then I started statistics...................totally different animal.

When I got my book I opened it up and it was a bunch of words. OH MY GOODNESS I thought.

I will be happy if I got a C. I am just glad it is over and I do not have to take anymore math.

Wow you really worked on the math.

I am envious--I can't do math

Do you need a "C" to pass?
[QUOTE=worleyb]

Metisrebel

If his actions are that unpredictable I can't imagine the storm going on in his head. He sounds like he's freaking out and doesn't know which end is up anymore.

I am wondering if he is overcompensating from feeling so out of control from the ADHD and that is where the OCD has come from; but of course I am not a Dr.

What do you think?

I don't know for sure but here's an idea that passed through my head.

OCD'ers repeat behaviour because 'something bad will happen' if they don't. For example they may touch a doorknob three times. It must be THREE times, not four and not two.

Dee

My son turned four in August. He has always been full of energy but in general seemed happy.

I have really noticed the sadness, aggression and the potty regression since he started 4k in September.

Poor little guy

This is so hard for me to deal with b/c I know he is struggling.

Thank you so much for your replies.

Off to study for finals.

Brandi

[/QUOTE]

Good luck on your finals!

What are you taking?
[QUOTE=worleyb]

I have really noticed the sadness, aggression and the potty regression since he started 4k in September.

[/QUOTE]

It sounds like school is really stressful for him. Maybe he isn't ready yet. Did he got to preschool last year? Is he on the younger end of the age range for his class?
If he is of younger age I would consider holding him back this year. My son now 10, is the youngest in the class. If I had it to do over again I would have held him back in pre K. Now in 5th grade he is nowhere ready for middle school and may hold himself back because of his grades. Now that is a blow to the self esteem. Also my son had all his ratings from home and school in the 2-3 area so I get where you are coming from.

Metisrebel

If his actions are that unpredictable I can't imagine the storm going on in his head. He sounds like he's freaking out and doesn't know which end is up anymore.

I am wondering if he is overcompensating from feeling so out of control from the ADHD and that is where the OCD has come from; but of course I am not a Dr.

What do you think?

Dee

My son turned four in August. He has always been full of energy but in general seemed happy.

I have really noticed the sadness, aggression and the potty regression since he started 4k in September.

This is so hard for me to deal with b/c I know he is struggling.

Thank you so much for your replies.

Off to study for finals.

Brandi

I totally agree with you I know that medication is not the magic solution. But he is not in the mind set to accept behavior therapy at this point. His actions are so undpredictable. What works one time will not work the next. I feel like a fish out of water.

We are waiting for our appt. to see the psychiatrist on Jan 8.

But the therapist had recommended in the meantime we see his pediatrician so we could get things moving with meds so that we can productively begin behavior modification.

Thank you so much,

Brandi

I feel for the little guy. If his actions are that unpredictable I can't imagine the storm going on in his head. He sounds like he's freaking out and doesn't know which end is up anymore. Brandi, how old is your son? I didn't see it, but then I may well have missed it. Many of the things you and your son's teacher look very familiar. We have found that medication + behavior therapy is effective for us, but everyone is different.

Dee

December 3rd

I have to say I felt like a crazy person after I left our appt. on the 3rd. I cried just about the whole time. Not sobbing but very emotional. It felt so good to let it out and actually be somewhere with someone that I know can help my son.

Tommy's Behavioral Therapist tells me things to do for his behavior but I am so tired of hearing do this do that. THIS AND THAT DOES NOT WORK!!!!!

I am tired of being looked at out in public, like I don't discipline my son. I do over and over and over and over, it just does not sink in.

Of course I came in with all of my paperwork, which helped so much because I did not forget anything I wanted to tell her.

We were there for two hours. Yes we actually had two hours worth of concerns to talk about.

So we made an appt. for Tommy to come back on the 5th so she could meet with him.

December 5th

We get to the office at 11:00. I speak with the phsycologist for a few minutes and then she takes Tommy in the back for some play therapy.

They come back and he has done great. She then starts to tell me that she did not see all of the things that Jonathan and I were concerned about. She said I am not saying you are lying but that is a good thing at least that can give you hope, he has so much potential. BLAH BLAH BLAH That is what is going through my head. You have got to be kidding me. She told me that after she talked to Jonathan and I she expected a madman to come through the door.

I KNOW MY SON IS SMART, HAS POTENTIAL, but he does not behave NORMALLY. and I know he is going to be affected in the long run due to his behavior.

All I can say is she should have knocked on wood because just as she was telling me all of this and our session was coming to a close, I saw him out of the corner of my eye in a power struggle with my grandma over wiping his hands off. He had just used the bathroom #2 and he wiped himself and refused to wash his hands. So my grandma tried to get him to at least wipe them off with a wet paper towel.

He shut down.....refused.....no talking to him...........mind somewhere else........all of this on top of not being able to sit still running back and forth between the couches.

At that moment I knew God was there with me!

And it began....... So long story short. She was able to see the behaviors that concern us the most. Running around like a madman. I asked her well is this the child you expected to see and she said "yes". So she was able to see him in full swing for about an 1 hour and 15 min.

At that point after observing him and going off of the notes from our concerns.

She is thinking OCD and ADHD. Does she do the Diagnosing and the psychiatrist just does the meds or will he do his own diagnosis.

She gave me the Vanderbilt for the teacher to fill out and told me to contact his pediatrician about getting in faster and having med prescribed until we can get in with the Psychiatrist on Jan 8.

So then I call his pediatrician and they are booking ADHD appt into Feb. OK thats fine. I immediately called a pediatrician that my friend had referred me to explained my situation and asked them if they could help me. She gave me there website told me what papers to fill out and what to bring with me and they would see me next week. THANK YOU!

I have been dealing with this for my son's whole life why does it seem like it is becoming unbearalbe at this point. Is it b/c we are so close and all we can do it wait.

I would like to post my sons vanderbilt assessment from his teacher and anyone that is familiar with this let me know what you think.

Frequency code 0=never 1=occasionally 2=often 3=very often

1. Fails to give attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork 0

2. Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or activities 3

3. Does not listen when spoken to directly 3

4. Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand) 3

5. Has difficulty organizing tasks or activities N/A

6. Aboids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort. 3

7. Loses things necessary for tasks or activities (school assignments, pencils, or books) N/A

8. Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli. 3

9. Is forgetful in daily activities 3

10. Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat. 3

11. Leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected. 3

12. Runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which remaining seated in expected. 2

13. Has difficulty playing or exgaging in leisure activities quietly. 3

14. Is "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor" 1

15. Talks excessively 3

16. Blurts out answers befor questions have been completed 3

17. Has difficulty waiting in line. 3

18. Interrupts or intrudes on others (eg butts into conversations or games) 3

19. Loses Temper 2

20. Actively defies or refuses to comply with adults requests or rules. 2

21- 28 are all 0

21. Is angry or resentful

22. Is spiteful and vindictive

23. Bullies, threatens or intimidates others

24. Initiates phyical fights.

25. Lies to obtain goods for favors or to aboid obligations

26. Is physically cruel to people

27. Has Stolen items of nontrivial value.

28. Deliberately destroys others' property

29. Is fearful, anxious, or worried 3

30. Is sef-concious or easily embarrassed. 2

31. Is afraid to try new things for fear of making mistakes 2

32. Feels worthless or inferior 3 This one breaks my heart.

33. Blames self for problems feels guilty 0

34. Feels lonely, unwanted or unloved complains that "no one loves him/her" 0

35. Is sad unhappy or depressed 1

Classroom behavior 1 and 2= problematic 3= average 4 and 5 above average

Relationship with peers 1

Following directions/rules 3

Disrupting class 3

Here are her comments;

Very demanding- If he sees his shoes untied- he will interrupt the lesson and demand to have it tied. Will not let it go until he gets what he wants.

Fixates on a concern and can't move away from it-even after repeated reassurance.

Fixates on activities - "I want to do that again"

Always feels and says "I can't do that"

Blurts out everything his is thinking about or getting ready to do. " I gonna eat now","I gonna go bathroom not"

Does not really play with peers. He plays in centers with peers, but doesn't connect with them through conversation or actions.

Very disturbed by any change in routine- Does not handle change well.

Well does this look familiar to anyone elses teacher review. Please give me some words of encouragement. This was so hard for me to read even though I have known it for a long time, it is still hard to see that someone is seeing the same things and that he is suffering in so many different areas.

I guess I just don't want to get my hopes up what if meds don't work for us. THEN WHAT.

When I go to see the Dr. next week do you think he will try meds or do you think it will be a drawn out process? I am scared to death of meds for my son but if it will help them I am for it 100%.

Brandi

First off, it might take a bit to get the correct meds/dosage. You've gotten this far and are now at least, on the right track. So be patient if the first one doesn't work. Something is likely to help. It's not a total answer, either.

It is likely with the assessment that your doc will attempt meds. If s/he does not I suggest getting a prescribing psychiatrist or ask the therapist if there is someone there that can prescribe.

I agree some common behavioural techniques don't work--and they especially won't work on an unmedicated ADHD kid. Other techniques *are* helpful. Kids don't come out of a cheerios box all the same and what motivates one, doesn't necessarily motivate another. The trick is to find the leverage points with YOUR kid.