ADHD Parents Unite!

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19 Comments

Comment by Amanda Gray on October 9, 2009 at 9:10pm

I just added a blog post about helping children with the transition to school or high school. I would love your feedback :)

Comment by Eileen on September 7, 2009 at 9:33pm

Hi! I see there haven't been any posts since January in this group, but with school starting up and my and my son's ADHD in full swing (stress always makes it worse) I'm hoping maybe that will encourage more contributions.

Right now I have a few initial concerns:

First and foremost, can I maintain the organization that I've just worked so hard to initiate? I cleaned out the desk, labeled folders, pencil boxes, bins, etc. to help my son keep his homework and other school papers under control. But I need to stay with it too otherwise he definitely won't.

Next, I'm concerned for him being in sixth grade. In VA, 6th grade is the end of elementary school so he will start middle school next year. He is EXTREMELY intelligent but has yet to really demonstrate what he can do academically. I understand how hard it is for him so my goal is to find ways to help him manage so that the academics are his focus and staying organized, paying attentions, etc. are taken care of. That sounds like a job for a miracle worker, I know!!!

I'm also quite concerned about the social aspect of his life. Over the summer, he seemed to become quite a bit more interested in girls. He's very open with me about things, which is good, but sometimes disturbing. He's starting some pubescent changes and he's becoming much more interested in being with friends. I know this is all normal but I want to stay on top of things. For instance, he is so impulsive, I worry he would do anything on a dare, like jump out of a tree or smoke something crazy, or take his clothes off. I hope to GOD he knows better, but I remember being a little rebel...maybe not that bad but just very impulsive and certainly stubborn. Don't ever dare my son to do something unless you want to be certain he does it.

So, all those things are on my mind as my kids went off to sleep tonight. I do also have a 7 yr old daughter, but she as yet shows no signs of the disorder and, as a single mom that is even more of a relief. I don't think I could handle TWO of them on my own!!!

Good luck to all of you ADHD parents and kids in this coming school year!!!

Comment by DANA on July 16, 2009 at 1:50pm

Does anyone here cyber school their ADD/ADHD kids?

Comment by Sally on July 15, 2009 at 8:36pm

You guys might want to check this new book out for your kids.

newsletter@amenclinics.com

Comment by Amanda Gray on April 10, 2009 at 12:22am

I wrote an ADDerworld blog opening discussion about medication and its effects on schooling. Maybe I should have posted it as a discussion here... but if you are interested in adding to the comments already made on the blog, visit http://adderworld.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-do-you-have-to-say-about

Catch you later!

Comment by Joshua Alexander, MBA on March 17, 2009 at 12:08pm

I don't have any kids but i was diagnosed at 12 and remember the problems children with ADHD face. If any parents need to understand please let me know I don't want parents to misunderstand their kids and the stigma ADHD can bring. It truly is a gift if you allow it to be one.

Comment by summscott on March 8, 2009 at 8:22pm

good afternoon. I just wanted to say that I just stumbled onto this website and I thought that it might be interesting to join.
So I wanted to say that I am a parenting teacher of a program that is designed just for the adhd child. from diagnosis all the way through to teens. I also have six children four that are diagnosed adhd. I have also read almost every kind of book dealing with the subject.

Comment by betsy davenport, phd on February 3, 2009 at 6:30am

This is for Kelly. Something that might be useful to keep in your back pocket ready for the perfect moment to say it is this: When you try the medication, you don't have to marry it.

People seem to think it's permanent. I tell the reluctant who I think ought to give it a try that, a.) you don't have to marry it, b.) it only lasts a few hours anyway, c.) you can not make an informed choice unless you have tried it, d.) the child might like to see what the choices are.

Of course, all that has to be said in a completely noncombative way, and not be perceived as someone trying to persuade them of anything. Nearly everybody resists being pressured. Is it your daughter who has ADD? If so, her brain-based denial may be in the way of her understanding.

(For more on that and other valuable aspects of ADD read "Is It You, Me, or Adult ADD?" by Gina Pera. I have never read such an excellent book that clarifies so much about the real difficulties in ADD and offers good explanations of dealing with denial, finding a very good doctor, how the medication should be handled -- every doctor should read it -- etc.)

Comment by DANA on February 2, 2009 at 9:35am

Kelly, what if you discussed the option of having your grandson evaluated for learning disabilities to help him in school? Do you think that your daughter and son-in-law would try to request an evaluation? This way, it would benefit your grandson to be evaluated. During the evaluation, the school psychologist just may "pick up on" the ADD symptoms, too!

Comment by Kelly47 on January 24, 2009 at 8:17pm

Hi everyone. My concern is not my kids, ages 25 and 27 but my 6 year old grandson. He is totally ADD. In fact his teacher had a very stern talking to with his parents two weeks ago. Telling them if they do not get him some help he will not go into 2nd grade . His reading is very behind and he's difficult to deal with in class. I've discussed MANY times his ADD symptoms with my dtr and SIL. They refuse to believe he is add and worse then that they refuse to even try the meds because they feel he'll become a zombie. SIL's nephew is on so much medication that he's "out there" . I don't believe it's the meds causing the nephew to be "out there" they have a lot of family issues on that side of the family and the child is somewhat isolated. I explained to my SIL and dtr that it could only help and if they don't jump on it he will be so far behind it's unfair to him. Argh. I'm so angry right now over their ignorance.

Sigh
kelly

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