medication and learning difficulties
We experienced the same issues with our son.
We had a whole battery of test undertake by the British Dyslexic Society. Reading age, writing, comprehension, etc. It cost quite a bit at £200 but at least we could go to the school and say, well here's the starting point. Where do we go from here.
One problem we keep have though is that yes he is now starting to show signs of faster than average progress. We personally feel he is not putting in much effort. But because he is doing better than before the school are happy with the results.
Their expectation of his ability is so, so low (because they knew him pre diagnosis). Guess what, you don't expect a child to achieve and bingo, he doesn't achieve. I'm constantly fighting the school to push my son.
I have to say I'm fed up with being the bad guy.
Irish Star - ADD and learning difficulties often go hand in hand. I suggest you read B. Jacqueline Stordy's book, The LCP Solution." It's about studies done in universities all over the world where they found a link between a deficiency of certain fats and language processing problems, visual acuity problems, dry skin, asthma and aggression. All the studies were carried out using softgel caps called "Efalex" which is a combination of tuna fish oil and evening primrose oil. (There are other brands out there now). I think it's really a valuable book. I discuss it in my own book which, hopefully, will be published by June or so and which details five natural causes and natural remedies for ADD - Good luck, Linda P.S. drugs never, ever cure ADD - they just control the symptoms.
I have a question for anyone out there who might be able to give some helpful advice. I am a social worker, so I feel as if I should know the answer, but I don't. The things that work with the kids I associate with through my job don't seem to work with my son. He is 13 years old--will be 14 in July. He was diagnosed with ADHD at age 4 and took Ritalin until he hit puberty, at which time we changed to Adderall XR. He is on a 20mg dose, and I feel as if the medication is working appropriately at home. I still have problems with him having a smart mouth, but he rarely acts out and is in general a joy to be around. He draws beautifully, has a wonderful, creative mind (as shown in his daily journal entries for school), is a wonderful, promising athlete, and keeps all of us cracked up all the time with his sense of humor. At school, though, it is like his strengths become his downfall. He cracks jokes to the teachers and smarts off to them at inappropriate times, like when they are getting on to him for something. He "forgets" homework assignments, loses books and papers, makes sarcastic, mean-spirited comments to other children in the class, slouches and does other distracting things in class, and just generally makes a pest of himself. His grades are only okay--he had two D's on his report card. He's wonderful in math and terrible in spelling, although he is a good reader. Anything that requires memorization or intense studying, such as science or history, he tends to fail in. I just cannot get him to CARE that he does so badly in school, or that he has a reputation for being a smart-aleck with the teachers (although most of them genuinely like him, he goes WAY overboard). His teachers and I communicate via email just to help me keep on top of his homework assignments, but half of those STILL don't reach the teacher the next day. I am just at a loss as to what to do to get him to behave in school. I have tried rewards, punishments, going to the school and sitting in the class, and even (yes, I know it's probably a bad idea) flat-out bribery. Nothing works. It seems as if he does these things for attention, but at home he gets lots of positive attention and I try not to respond to bad behavior by reinforcing his attempt to get negative attention, although sometimes I have to address his behavior immediately. Any suggestions for things that have worked when your children are in school? Anyone, anything, no suggestion is unwelcome!hi! im new to this forum. my brother was diagnosed with ADHD when he ws 6 years old. since he started school teachers have been harrassing my parents to put him on pills to help him relax and focus his attention. he is now 12 and my parents have given in against my will to put him on Concerta thinking that it is going to help him do better in school. my brother has agreed because his teachers have filled his head with stories that he is going to be able to learn. the doctor convinced my parents by telling them that he cant get addicted to the drugs. i dont understand how if these drugs are temporaily getting his attention focused how he is possibly going to want to get off them. i dont agree with giving children medication when they are not hyperactive at school. if teachers were to try and help these children rather than just constantly bugging parents that the drugs are the answer we would see longer run results.
Personally from experience (because i also have a learning disability) Im 18 years old, a senior in high school and just had been "diagnosed" with the same problem as your son. now, i am on concerta which is a form of ritalin and personally it helps me a lot. the only problem with it is that it starts to wear off after like 2 or 3 weeks of taking it and you have to up the dose. but it helped my disability tremendouslyEnter Your Email below to claim your Free Book