SIAH

I can really relate to you situation, I have a son who I adopted at birth. He was born premature, extremley early, at 28 weeks gestation. He was 2 pounds 13 ounces at birth and very sick. He spent 2 and a half months in the nicu before coming home after his birth and it is a miracle and a blessing that he survived. He has developmental delays in all areas of functioning and has been receiving services (special ed, ot, pt and speech therapy for most of his life).He is 4 and a half now and is in his second year of preschool,he is in an integrated classroom, and will be heading to kindergarten in September. I have been feeling pressure from the school to try a trial of adhd meds. After much research that I did on my own , I have decided I will not put him on meds. My son is bright, continues to learn and is a relatively healthy child. He does suffer from asthma but we have learned to cope with that and it is just a normal part of our lives now. I am a single parent,and as I am sure you can relate, raising a child with adhd along with other disabilities can be very challenging. At the same time,I would never want to change a thing about him. He is who he is , and in my eyes he is just perfect...as I am sure you feel the same about your children. A teacher of his once remarked to me that when my son is older if he were to be on adhd meds he could be bringing home a's and b's instead of c's and d's..I calmly told her a's and b's are not my priority for my son ...I am most concerned with his happiness. My research on the meds really helped me come to the decision that I do not want to take the chance of any possible problems the meds can and may cause at a later time in my son's life.I have in a round about way been told that for kindergaten my son will not succeed in an integrated classroom without medication yet he is much too bright to be in a self contained classroom. My plan is when I have his school district meeting to discuss placement for kindergarten I am going to ask for a 1 on 1 aid for my son. Initially it will probably be denied and then I will ask for a hearing.. I am sure I will have a "fight" on my hands to get what I want for my son. My advice to you would be just listen to your heart and your instinct when it comes to deciding for you child. You are his/her mother and any decision you make will be out of love and you must trust that it will be the right one! I have learned that my son's only advocate is me...I am it... I know it will not always be smooth sailing...but in the end I will be able to say I made decisions for my son ...no one else but me! Best of luck!