NOT TRYING TO BE MEAN BUT...... - ADD / ADHD Message Board

NikiX5 · 12-12-2002, 12:46 PM

Hey what are big signs of ADD. I dont know that much about it, but I think my brother has it. My parents have mentioned something...but were not sure.
Im not trying to be mean or rude, it's just he's getting on my nerves by never paying attention when I try and talk to him and hes always doing something random all the time. I mean maybe I have it all wrong. Could anyone tell me thanks alot!
Niki.

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*~Niki DeVille*~

2mmk · 12-13-2002, 08:17 AM

I understand what you mean regarding "being mean", I have a 7yr old son diagnosed at age 5 with ADHD. Before and until he was properly medicated I would get so angry - trying to do homework or basically anything that required him to stay focused or quiet for any lenght of time was impossible. I would tell him to do two or three things at one time (simple things) and if I was lucky he would maybe do one. I would have to walk away from him and just about cry thinking WHY DOESN'T MY SON LISTEN???? We started out testing through a counseling center where I live, then his family doctor started the medication process. Through our school system I was given a name of a specialist in our area that strictly deals with ADD/ADHD children and adults so I switched to him for a second opinion, there he was put through a series of tests and observation. After attending many classes and given alot of materials on my son's condition, we have learned so much!! Most of all - It's not totally their fault, with true ADD/ADHD - they are so impulsive they don't think what they are doing before they do it. As for my son, he loves to please, and now - after being properly medicated and properly disiplined at home and school, and given instructions (through proper education) he is at the top of his class, and he knows it which makes up proud as well as my son!!! ADD/ADHD is a bad name, after research it is not that bad, and NO ONES fault for getting it. Yes it can be hereditary, as my son's was most likely from me. I was also told everyone's symptoms are different, some may be able to control their symptoms better than others and not be clear as being heredity. Hope this helps, my only big advise would be to get tested!!!, and if possible try and find a person that deals with ADD/ADHD I have seen and been told so much falseness on this condition it is very unclear the best way to go about treating it. But where I go, they have free classes, speakers of adults and children with and without ADD/ADHD, as well as teachers and professors it is so helpful to actually see it not just read it. Hang in there.!!

ddhayes · 01-07-2003, 07:29 PM

Some of the key signs are impulsiveness, can't stay on task, skipping over parts of a school worksheet and not even realizing it, easily distracted, speaking without thinking or constant chattering, etc. Try to have some compassion for your brother. It's hell on the child with this problem because they know they're different and they get tired of getting in trouble and seeing everyone's frustration with them. Ritalin helped my daughter from the 3rd grade until last year (7th grade). By age 11-12 she was able to tell the difference that her medicine made and we could also tell that she was growing out of the ADD. She started weaning herself off last year by working hard with behaviour control on her own. This year, at age 13 she's doing great without it, but on occassion she gets a little wound up and we all just ask her to try to "wind down" a bit and she gets control of herself. Good Luck

Gingerwoman · 01-14-2003, 01:50 AM

Does he lose him stuff all the time? I think this is a major sign that people forget to mention.