New Here-Child w/Multiple Handicaps - ADD / ADHD Message Board

Sapphrina · 09-14-2003, 11:26 AM

I think that I will start here, since the ADD is prominent after the legal blindness...first, a quick summary of my step-daughter who is 10 yo now...
Born at 4 1/2 months, at 1 lb. 5 oz. One of a twin. Brother was 1 lb. 4 oz. They didnt breathe for 28 min., born w/bleeding in brains, heart problems, jaundice, etc. Heather had enlarged heart, Kenny's was much worse and died 5 days later. Heather had operation for valve and went down to 15 oz. She was in hosp for 4 mo., pure oxygen for about 3 mo. Mom and Dad split up, she went to IN w/Mom and spent 6 yrs w/her and arrived here 1999. I took her to eye dr. for glasses, classified legally blind. Took her to Dr., was then sent to Neurologist, had MRI, then sent to psychologist. Diagnoses are: ADD, mild form, non-progressive CP and ended up taking EEG and was diag w/Seizure disorder.( she would zone out in car) She was on tegretol for about 2 yrs and has been on Ritalin since 1999. She is now on Ritalin LA and I think she is hitting puberty...she seems to be regressing in behavior...my question is, could the hormones be causing the Ritalin to not work as effectively? She is doing very badly in school now, the classic ADD child even tho she is on meds. I believe that the Ritalin LA is not good for school for her, she did terrible on Concerta before. I believe that the 3X a day dosage works better for her. Any advice, suggestions etc, please???? Also, Mom has mental problems-diag w/Bi=Polar manic depression and Borderline Personality Disorder and Grandmother(Mom's Mom) has depression issues also. I believe that Heather is having depression issues too. Mom frequently doesn't see her, esp. this past weekend because of flare up w/Rage issues(MOM had this) that was blown up because Heather has regressed AND she also has a 2 yo sister that does get to live w/Mom, which may be an issue all by itself! She starts group counseling at school in 2 wks.

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WildAngel · 09-14-2003, 02:15 PM

Hi. Sounds like a tough situation. Listen, she most likely doesnt have true ADD, just ADD symptoms. The symptoms are most likely caused by her other problems. Since it is not true ADD then that means other treatments would probably be more effective. Ritalin is sometimes used for children who have brain damage but not a lot. All the trauma she went through during her birth (not breathing, heart problems, etc) are probably the cause of these ADD like symptoms. Also bipolar disorder is often times misdiagnosed as ADD. Stimulants are bad news for bipolars. They usually work on bipolar kids for a while but then lose effectiveness. It would be my guess that she is probably suffering from brain damage caused by oxegen deprivation and that along with depression or bipolar could look like severe ADD. (Doctors throw the ADD diagnosis at almost every child who has any problem at all) Borderline is also sometimes misdiagnosed as ADD. If there is no family history of ADD then it is pretty unlikely that she has it. Like I said this is more likely other problems looking like ADD. Considering her history and the problems she could have genetically inherited from her mother I would say ritalin(or any stimulant medication) is not a wise choice at all.

Sapphrina · 09-14-2003, 03:57 PM

Thanks for the info!! I had discussed the issues w/my next-door neighbor who has been such great help all these yrs. since she is a school teacher and has taught special ed classes before which was made up of ADD children. She told me that she did not think that it was entirely ADD because she also had a chance to work w/her at school as a substitute aide or inclusion teacher that they have for the special needs children that are mainstreamed and she told me that she doesnt act like the other two children. One was ADD and the other was slightly MR and she was totally diff. than both of them. She even borders on OCD at times. She also has observed her at the house when she goes over to see her 6 yo daughter from time to time. But, Heather does not play w/Kebra, she wants to watch her tv or play on her computer only. I always thought that she fell into the Austistic spectrum. My question is who do we discuss this with, the neurologist, the regular dr. or let the counselor see her for awhile? She has been regressing(not wiping after going to bathroom, not washing properly,she has to be reminded to do things over and over again and it is getting frustrating), which we thought may be because of her little 2 yo sister getting attention...she craves one-on-one attention w/adults constantly. The school has been working on her wanting to hug every adult that she comes in contact with and she wants hugs after things that she accomplishes instead of praise. we also have to get after her about the kissing all the time. She craves affection and it is not like we don't give it to her...

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cymomtx · 09-14-2003, 07:34 PM

I live in Houston not too far from you. I would look into the childrens clinic at University of Houston and/or The Learning Support Center at Texas Childrens Hospital. At TCH you can schedule a 90 minute initial evaluation and from that they help guide you in the right direction.

I have used them for both my son and daughter.