HI. New Dad here. Not sure ADD?? | ADHD Information

Hello. I am new here just searching for information. Not sure what to do next. Here is my son's story- He is sixteen now and has always been struggling with grades in school but just gets by with C's and D's and has not been held back. He's a junior this coming school year. He has never been hyperactive or caused any issues were the schools have ever called us in any grade and told us of any concerns besides poor grades since Jr. H.S. In past teacher conferences it always my son's grades suffer from his lack of organizing and focusing. I took him in to are doctors office last school year 2008 and related to the doctor of his problems concentrating, focusing, and organizing and his poor school grades. He placed him on Strattera 40mg daily. I did not really like the possible side effects but he tried it out for a couple months. Did not see any change and he stopped taking it. After that, I took him to Sylvan Leaning Centers to see what areas they thought he needed help in. They had him take there educational tests and said he was right at his grade level for most subjects and recommended additional tutoring in Math which has always been his worst subject. No major red flags. He just always gets mainly C's And lots of D's in school.

He is a pretty good kid overall but a little history on some issues. Last summer he tried some different drugs like pot, and escatasy-? with some of his friends and this summer we just caught him doing it again. He's grounded at this time.

This year he said he wanted to go back to the doctor and look into ADD medication again to help him focus and organize. I am not sure what to do at this point. Started searching the internet and came across this site. Does anyone have a child in a similar situation? Any suggestions on what to do, what really works?

Thanks in Advance,

Anthony

Hello, I would take hinm to be tested if he wants too. I know I have read a lot of posts where pot made adult ADDers calmer and they were self medicating with it. If he wants to go I would take him and maye try a different medication this time.

good luck

Hi,
If your son has ongoing difficulty with attention, focus, and organization but is not hyperactive, he could have inattentive-type ADHD. Unfortunately most people think of hyperactivity first when they hear the term ADHD and many, including teachers, are not really aware of inattentive-type. It can be really damaging to a child's self-esteem to be constantly told that they need to focus and get organized when they just don't have the skills or ability to do so, and also to be trying and constantly getting mediocre/poor grades.

My daughter is diagnosed with inattentive-type ADHD. She is 13, but was diagnosed back when she was in kindergarten. She is not on medication for ADHD but takes supplements (multivitamin, omega 3 fatty acids, and phosphatidyl serine) which I believe help her. (Check out the alternatives and complementary meds forum if you're interested.) She also has a 504 plan at school which offers some accommodations such as being allowed extra time for homework and tests and seating near teacher. She is doing very well.

Since your son has asked, I agree that it would be a good idea to take him to the doctor, preferably a specialist, and have him tested, and if he wants to try medication, I would certainly allow him to try it. Most people try several different medications and dosages before they find the one that is most effective for them.

You might also be interested in a couple of books by Dr. Mel Levine. One is called The Myth of Laziness, and the other I would recommend is A Mind at a Time. They are really helpful in understanding how different people's minds work and the obstacles that can impede learning. Since your son will be a junior this year, of course you really want to make sure he is heading in a positive direction ASAP.

Since your son has done some experimenting with illegal drugs, I would be especially aware of the issue of teens inappropriately using, giving away and selling prescription drugs such those prescribed for ADHD. I would even ask the doctor to specifically discuss this issue with him and make sure that you are vigilant about monitoring where the meds are going. Also I think it is especially important for those with ADHD not to mess around with illegal drugs. I believe drugs such as ecstasy affect dopamine production (?) which is a factor related to ADHD. (I'm no expert, though, so I may not have all the facts right.) Your son really needs to do everything possible to help his brain function at its best and get his life headed in a positive direction.

Does your son have interests/activities that he enjoys? I would encourage and promote his interests and talents as much as possible. If he has hopes and dreams, they can pull him in a positive direction and inspire him to do all he can to be at his best.
Best of luck and let us know how things go!

I like inspired's advice to encourage and promote his interests and talents as much as possible.    Just looking at his grades, one would assume a not-so-bright kid, but the educational tests indicate otherwise.  That's not surprising...I know well a guy with inattentive ADHD who did great in elementary school, high average in Jr. High and High School, but then nearly dropped out of college, graduating with a C average.   He didn't get diagnosed with ADHD until he was an adult, well beyond his school years.  Along with the diagnosis, his IQ was tested.  He's in the top 4%--something  you'd never guess by his school grades!

So, please, whatever you do, keep your son's-sense-of-self bolstered by your unwavering faith in him and belief that he will succeed so long as he applies himself to things he enjoys.  Things he enjoys may change...he may cycle through things much quicker than others.... no matter!  he needs to find his own tempo and get to know his own style of learning...something schools stifle. 

Thanks for the advise and updates.  I am going to look into a specialist for an more accurate diagnosis .  My son has not been involved in sports because of his GPA.  He was a skateboard fanatic but has outgrown or stopped since driving .  I supported him it that for years.  He has always been a great artist and does some great drawings which he still does.  I'll try and keep him busy and positive. 

God Bless All and Thanks again,

Anthony

 

Hi Anthony,

I just skimmed the responses, but being a mother of an adhhhhhd son, I agree with the evaluation.

I also support the medication for adhd if that is what the evaluation reveals. He may even have learning disabilities.

Folks are so afraid of adhd meds because they think it will make the child pursue the illegal drugs, but the opposite is true, they do not impulsively "things" if medicated correctly for the correct diagnosis.

My son also was on strattera for a short time. The depression/suicide side effect took over so we stopped that med.

Please update us how your son is making out. It is hard enough to have adhd, sounds like the innattentive type, and struggling in school. He may have a low self esteem as well, especially being brighter than his grades in school reflect.

Please post us any updates!!

He could be a very strong visual/spatial type learner...sure sounds that way what with his artistic traits and trouble with math...  is there any way you can expose him to more artistic experiential learning activities??? if not regular school courses, adult ed. class or other local evening or weekend courses/clinics?  Feeling really good about something (artistic proficiency) can help bolster one's ability to handle difficult things (like math!) with a better frame of mind.  I suggest that your son, and you, check out the different learning styles such as visual/spatial and sequential if he hasn't been exposed to this concept already.  IMHO, it's the first topic that high school and college kids should be exposed to in order to gain a better understanding of their own learning style. 

see if you can get him assessed for dyspraxia.my eldest son has dyspraxia& he has difficulty with organisational skills,concentrating on his school work,his handwriting is poor,he also has trouble with his spatial awareness.he struggles with mathematics,also.it,s worth a try,to get him tested for dyspraxia.has your son ever been clumsy,when growing up?good luck.