I'm new here. My son was diagnosed w/ ADHD at 7 (he's now 9) and started taking Focalin XR. (Posted our story on the story thread on pg-118 if you want to read it) I didn't explain to him at the time that he had ADHD. (he may also have a mood disorder and takes Zyprexa as well. Actually switching to Abilify tomorrow) I didn't tell him bc at his age and his level of understanding I didn't think he would listen, care, or comprehend. I know, you're thinking a 7 yr old should, but I honestly don't think he would have been able to. He has known that he's different and has problems with his emotions and behaviors and that I've been getting help for him for it. He knows thats why he takes medicine.
Well, today at the Pyschiatrists office as we were waiting for her I decided to talk to him about ADHD specifically. He got upset and said he didn't wanna talk about it bc it meant there was something wrong with him. I tried telling him lots of kids have it and even a friend of his Jacob does. He put his fingers in his ears, growled at me, and just wasn't having it. Was I wrong not to have tried to explain it before now? Even if I was, can someone help me with explaining it now or give me any references to reading materials he may find helpful in understanding it? Thanks so much in advance for your help and time.
Sarahbell39905.9310069444I'll be watching this thread. My son is almost 7, and he doesn't know. I don't think my DS would comprehend, but I want to be prepared. He knows he takes his meds to help "the racecar in his head slow down just a bit", but not much else. My fear is that he will become self-concious, or, tell people about his ADHD. I'm very limited in who I tell about his ADHD because of the stigma attached to it. Good Luck!
You know this post made me think. I told my son probably as we were taking the pills in the mornings, but a little bit at a time. He would ask questions and I would always answer truthfully.
What helped is when he did a project in school and chose Thomas Edison. We had been out to Cali and went to the hotel that he installed the electricity in Coronado, read books about him, and we found out he too had ADHD. I tell my son he is in an elite group, as well as with Henry Ford - Edison's best friend. This has helped my son handle it. I also tell him about people alive today who have it.
Now he says, " I know mom you told me" when I may repeat a person who has it, but I always want him to know he is just as smart and will be just as successful as those who do not!!
One question he does ask is do I have to take the pills forever, and I say YES and then we have another conversation. My son is right now in need of an increase so I can see the difference with and with out meds. It is tough right now but we are hanging in until it gets really bad. I just don't want him medicated in order to deal with things, if you know what I mean!!
Best wishes.
We told my son who at first fought it really hard. he refused the medication for 1 year, he would even hear of it. Then one day when he was 81/2 he just starteed accepting it. He now owns it and tells people all the time. So he was a little older than yours, he is 10 1/2 now.spamula39906.1792361111Could be that WHERE you decided to discuss this with your son was not a great place. This is a daunting thing for kids to try to understand. Even we, as parents, have trouble accepting this dx of our children. S0 our children may not be ready to discuss or accept this. Perhaps you can talk to your child's doctor and have him discuss it with your son or perhaps you two can 'write' a book about adhd together. Just a few simple sentences of how it makes him feel, what it is etc. Finish up by having your son illustrate the pages with how he feels about knowing he has adhd, how he feels when the adhd controls him, and how he would like to feel.
My son is now 9 and we have several journals of his journey through the world of adhd. he still hates having it and still asks me if he can be 'fixed'. I always tell him yes to both and we are working on it together with his doctors and can't he tell that he is starting to control himself much better. This encourages him instead of discouraging him.
My son is 9 and I have not told him. The child psychiatrist did, and always discusses his attention issues, but really, he does not get it. Only in the past month did he realize that one of his pills is for concentration. I have not told him because of the privacy issue. I think he needs to be at an age when he can decide what information he wants to share. If I told him when he was 6, he would have told everyone, and you cannot undo that since you continue on through the school years with the same children/parents. I want to tell him only when he has the ability to make a decision regarding privacy issues, and when he understands that adults will not necessarily respect his privacy. I am worried about middle school and high school, and self-esteem, for the most part.