Hi,
I have an adopted daughter (biological grand daughter adoped at 2 1/2.) I have a wonderful supportive husband who is very involved in raising her. She was an only child as our other children where on their own. Of course when she was little we knew she had ADHD as she was bouncing off the walls. We had to deal with meds in kindergarten to keep the teacher sane. She was on Ritalin in the younger years. She is a very sweet and caring girl. Of course she is immature (but I heard it is not unusal for them to be a couple of years behind). She is on Vyvnase (?) and 3 months ago decided we were "pusing pills on her". she stopped cold turkey and after about 3 weeks the nightmare started. During this time she also started attending a public school. We have always been very strict with her and even tho she is 16, she has only socialized at youth group and church and those activities. After the meds wore off she became depressed. She would tell others (not us) that she wanted to kill herself etc and that the meds were causing these thoughts. BUT it was lack of meds. After the teachers told us she was having to be "led" to even take out her book and paper etc, we made her continue her meds, and also started counceling and started on an antidepressant. She then started cutting /harming herself (superficial) and then one night at 230 am she ran away. The weekend had been very active for her with cookouts etc and birthday parties etc, so we were shocked to find her gone at 6 am. She did go to a shelter and thank heavens all was ok , but because of her arm burns or cuts she ending up staying 5 days in a psych hospital. They increased her anti- depressant (zoloft) etc. For the life of us we can't understand how she thinks. It has been more frustrating for us. She has no learning disability (teacher says she can do the work and is bright, but lazy) We sent her to a special school for learning differences for 3 years. she got A's. 6 to one with students and teachers, but very expensive. I am wondering if anyone has experienced changes when the kids are teens etc. She has been back on the meds now for two months, but still we are trying to separate what is ADHD and what is rebellion. I know she is compulsive, and if I tell her to use the computer only for her school work, she will still go on facebook etc. Even tho she knows I have a program for monitoring her. Her memory is horrible, but still there has to be punishment for disobiedence. We have tried charts, rewards, etc. One shocking instance is when it was storming. a lot of lighting etc. I was on my way to get her and she rode home on her bike not even "thinking" of the danger from all this. It is like she has to be told literally 100 times till it clicks. Then this frustrates her as well as us. I am not even thinking of a college as she is having a struggle getting thu HS. She has an IEP but still she is dragging her feet. I know many people are successful with having ADHD, but I am having a hard time having faith all will work out ok. She really needs a life skill program. She knows a lot about different subjects, but when it comes to the basics of things she is lost. It is liek being reminded to takeher meds, reminded to feed her cat. She loves working in the nursery with the younger children at church and has a talent for it. She refuses to go to the YMCA with us and wants nothing to do with excercise which I know will be good for her to do for energy.I can't hold things over her head all her life trying to get her to do what she needs to do. . I am worried as she is getting older now. I know a lot are genes from her parents but there has to be a solution. , Sorry this is long but I need anyones feedback that has similar problems.