lvnmyboys
03-06-2002, 02:54 PM
My nine year old son exhibited ADHD-inattentive signs at the age of 5. In order to keep in public schools we medicated with Ritalin. He just started taking Adderall. Up until now he has been an average/above average student.In Jan we noticed sneaky behavior, like sneaking and eating outragious amounts of candy and lieing. He has lost a great deal of weight and become very combative. I have removed him from school a total of 5 days, because the teacher was so frustrated with him. He wouldn't do seatwork and she was just couldn't make him. His psychologist and psychiatrist have diagnosed him with severe depression we tried Zoloft and now we are trying Welbutrin. I have noticed recently he can accomplish his work even after his ADHD medication has worn off. We are still waiting for the Welbutrin to take it's full effect. Could he possibly have been depressed this whole time instead of ADHD? I am not eager to take away any meds now due to the school. His last report card was honor roll and five weeks later his interim report was had
3-C's, 1-B, 1-F, and 1-D! My next problem is why our teacher never let me know how this child was failing so fast! She doesn't hesitate to call me when he can't pay attention in class. I have found some other mothers in our area who have struggled with this also. Hopefully, we can institute a system for dealing with ADHD children. So far there are no behavioral modifications in place to teach my son for example how to organize his time and work.
Is there anyone out there who has the same questions and problems with public schools. We live in Virginia.
3-C's, 1-B, 1-F, and 1-D! My next problem is why our teacher never let me know how this child was failing so fast! She doesn't hesitate to call me when he can't pay attention in class. I have found some other mothers in our area who have struggled with this also. Hopefully, we can institute a system for dealing with ADHD children. So far there are no behavioral modifications in place to teach my son for example how to organize his time and work.
Is there anyone out there who has the same questions and problems with public schools. We live in Virginia.
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MaggieB
03-06-2002, 09:21 PM
I'm with you on this. I also have a nine year old with ADHD and a mood disorder NOS and have had lots of trouble with school. The teacher will call and go into great detail about his rotten behavior (all of which I have heard many times before). My first thought is always, "What am I supposed to do about it?" I have no control over him when he's in school so what do they expect? We all know that discussing it with your kid after school is completely unproductive. It's too late. Finally, my school offered to do a "case study" to determine if he qualifies for special assistance because if impairments (which ADHD is considered to be). The school will, then, provide what they call resource teachers who are assigned to specific kids all year. This teacher will sit with the kid in the class, if necessary, and can help organize the kid to bring home homework materials, plan for projects, etc. They determine how much or how little assistance each kid needs. This is provided through fifth grade, after that, it's the behavior disorder classrooms which are to be avoided as much as possible. I don't know if your school system provides something similar but my understanding is that public schools are required to provided assistance for all children with impairments because of their federal funding. Ask the school social worker about this. I'm pretty optimistic about this system. Good luck. Maggie :bouncing:
lvnmyboys
03-06-2002, 11:51 PM
Thank you so much. Since he is my first born I am new to recognizing problems quickly. I have a meeting with the principal, teacher, and counselor tomorrow. I am interested in the 504 plan for my son. Moreover, I am concerned with our school system. Our teachers are overwhelmed with the number of students, ADHD problems, uncooperative parents, etc... Some teachers may have 23 students and 4-5 are ADHD. Heck, I have problems managing one ADHD/depressed child. That does not excuse the phone calls discreetly requesting more medication and complaining that they can't handle my child. I pull him out when this happens for his benefit. What good is a frustrated teacher? I don't care about their feelings. I only care about my child. Apparently our school is under scrutiny right now. If enough parents make waves maybe someone can educate the teachers on how to deal with ADHD children, because in our area there aren't alot of options for an ADHD child with an above average intellect.
Thanks for listening MaggieB. I wish the best for your son too.
Thanks for listening MaggieB. I wish the best for your son too.
mlgable
03-07-2002, 10:20 AM
As I have often said before.....your schools are legally obligated to provide whatever help your child needs as ADD/ADHD is covered by the american disabilities act. If you are not receiving adequate info on your childs progress or lack of it or additional help if needed then talk to the schools and remind them that they must legally do this. As for the possibility of your son having been depressed all along and not ADHD..........what testing was done on your son to make the diagnosis of ADHD? Without proper testing I would never let someone tell me my child has this or that medical condition. For me they need to be able to show me in black and white that this is truely what they have. Lets face it you wouldn't let someone tell you that you have a bad heart and need to do something about it without proper test results to prove that this so please be sure you have the proper test results to prove or disprove that your child truely has ADD or ADHD. Good Luck.
Babernethy
03-07-2002, 12:15 PM
In a lot of these children the craving for sweets is very high...you stated that he is consuming huge amounts of candy..why is that do you think?
I have said so many times to so many people, much of this disorder stems from what the kids are eating...they are not getting the nutrition that they need. Unbeleivable advances can be made by regimenting the diet of ANY child exhibiting these symptoms. They need good quality, natural food, with NO aritifical colours, flavours or preservatives.
I work in the education field, so does my wife. She teaches a special Ed class and I work in a special Ed school. She has some ADHD kids in her class and can TELL when they have eaten a poor quality breakfast. She does not allow ANY of these kids to eat junk food for snacks, just as we don't at home. The results have been remarkable. All the children in her class have accelerated this year. The last teacher used to give the kids Twizzlers when they were good...they would be off the wall by 11 am. Sugar, red dye and artificial flavour..GREAT CHOICE!
Regiment thier diets with good nutritional food, organic if you can get it. Substitute the sweets for natural ones from the health food store or a german delicatessan. Germany has the highest food standard laws in the world for sweets.
You may also want to test the kids by checking what seems to set them off...dairy could be a concern. Water intake is also important (they need to have MORE) and supplementing with Natural Vitamin B, and Essential 3,6,9 which is a combination of Essential oils including cod liver oil.
You will notice a differnce in less than a week...we have seen it MANY times. Remember the old adage 'You are what you eat'...I go by that and 'You are better, if you eat better food'.
B
[This message has been edited by Babernethy (edited 03-08-2002).]
I have said so many times to so many people, much of this disorder stems from what the kids are eating...they are not getting the nutrition that they need. Unbeleivable advances can be made by regimenting the diet of ANY child exhibiting these symptoms. They need good quality, natural food, with NO aritifical colours, flavours or preservatives.
I work in the education field, so does my wife. She teaches a special Ed class and I work in a special Ed school. She has some ADHD kids in her class and can TELL when they have eaten a poor quality breakfast. She does not allow ANY of these kids to eat junk food for snacks, just as we don't at home. The results have been remarkable. All the children in her class have accelerated this year. The last teacher used to give the kids Twizzlers when they were good...they would be off the wall by 11 am. Sugar, red dye and artificial flavour..GREAT CHOICE!
Regiment thier diets with good nutritional food, organic if you can get it. Substitute the sweets for natural ones from the health food store or a german delicatessan. Germany has the highest food standard laws in the world for sweets.
You may also want to test the kids by checking what seems to set them off...dairy could be a concern. Water intake is also important (they need to have MORE) and supplementing with Natural Vitamin B, and Essential 3,6,9 which is a combination of Essential oils including cod liver oil.
You will notice a differnce in less than a week...we have seen it MANY times. Remember the old adage 'You are what you eat'...I go by that and 'You are better, if you eat better food'.
B
[This message has been edited by Babernethy (edited 03-08-2002).]
ssmfeen
03-08-2002, 10:43 AM
I agree with the statement that food makes a difference. I used to give my son choices for brekfast instead of fighting and I noticed when he would eat high carbs that his activity level would increase even with the meds. I have just started providing vitamins and he knows that if it is a school day he doesn't have a choice of what is on the menu for breakfast. High fiber cereal, OJ, vitamin and some fruit. The rest of the morning routine goes better! In his case his hyperactivity is severe and so this is just a compliment to his medication and it does help.
lvnmyboys
03-08-2002, 04:02 PM
I am very interested in diet modifications. Since I have 2 other sons I have made some changes. Cutting down on carbohydrates, offering fruit, keeping candy and junk out of the house. They get children's vitamins in the morning, but I am worried about supplementing herbs or vitamins due to my eight year olds current medications. Can anyone offer information on supplementing? Once we get the school situation under control or take him out I can start thoroughly exploring other options. A healthier diet would benefit all of us. My main concern right now is finding out why these schools do not have/use some format for ADHD children. Medication isn't the only answer, behavior modifications have to be instituted in the classroom right away. We have requested a child study asap to explore a 504. The school has never suggested a child study during the past 41/2 years.
Wish me luck. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Send any iformation you think may be helpful concerning diet modifications.
Wish me luck. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Send any iformation you think may be helpful concerning diet modifications.
lvnmyboys
03-08-2002, 04:07 PM
mlgable-my son has been tested three different times by different doctors. The first said he showed signs, but was also a 5 year old boy. The second said yes and the third said yes. It was just strange that he could accomplish a homework assignment neatly without help and the only medication in effect was the Welbutrin. I just wanted to know if anyone else has ever had a ADHD diagnosis when in fact depression was the problem.
Just curious.
Thanks!
Just curious.
Thanks!
cdkime
03-29-2002, 09:52 PM
I am so glad I came upon this board.. My 11 year old son has been struggling since the 2nd grade, and has been in resource since then. I have done some testing as well as the school, what they would call there ADD
checklist, and he has been observed in the classroom, and school phycologis, and family doctor. It has been a struggle for some time, right now he is crying in school, refusing to do work, throws his papers, and just tells me he is stupid, I have been very supportive towards him, we have tried vitamins, he is
has a very hard time swalling anything big, and just
flips out, we tried the pill in the(Unsweetened)applesauce, but it didnt work, acupuncture, scared the
hell out of him, and me.His teachers are very supportive. I dont want to put him on real meds, but then I feel very quilty as a parent if I am holding him back from what his life could actually be for him,
he gets depressed and calls himself stupid, he knows
that he has problems and that everyone else isnt the
same as him ,I try to explain to him that everyone is
different and that he is not stupid, he just thinks a
different way. When I sit with him and see he tear up
because he tells me he cant think, it breaks my heart.
I need advice.
checklist, and he has been observed in the classroom, and school phycologis, and family doctor. It has been a struggle for some time, right now he is crying in school, refusing to do work, throws his papers, and just tells me he is stupid, I have been very supportive towards him, we have tried vitamins, he is
has a very hard time swalling anything big, and just
flips out, we tried the pill in the(Unsweetened)applesauce, but it didnt work, acupuncture, scared the
hell out of him, and me.His teachers are very supportive. I dont want to put him on real meds, but then I feel very quilty as a parent if I am holding him back from what his life could actually be for him,
he gets depressed and calls himself stupid, he knows
that he has problems and that everyone else isnt the
same as him ,I try to explain to him that everyone is
different and that he is not stupid, he just thinks a
different way. When I sit with him and see he tear up
because he tells me he cant think, it breaks my heart.
I need advice.
mlgable
03-30-2002, 12:26 AM
You state your son was tested 3 times but what tests were run on him for ADD/ADHD? Without proper testing and the results in black and white on paper I would be leary of a doc or psychololgist/psychiatrist saying yes or no my child has ADD or ADHD. Yes it is possible your child was depressed all the time but then how did they arrive at the diagnosis of ADHD in the first place instead of a diagnosis of depression? ADD/ADHD has very clear cut testing involved usually and just by looking at the results on paper you can see whether or not it is truely ADD or ADHD. Hopefully if they get his depression under control you may be able to stop his other medications but many children need more than one medication to contol their problems. Good Luck.
travis000
04-09-2002, 03:43 AM
could i ask what is ADHD?
aipearson
04-09-2002, 12:34 PM
Hi! I just wanted to respond to some of the things I read about ADHD kids. I am a Special Education teacher and a mom of a 7 yr old boy with ADHD. He takes Concerta daily and it helps him a great deal. He is able to concentrate and do his work without any problem. Well, maybe on occasion he drifts a little but it is usually due to the boring teacher and her worksheets. These kids, any kids, get bored just doing worksheets. There are many ways to get kids more involved in learning, therefore, paying more attention.
ADHD and ADD are not covered under IDEA, but it is covered under the Rehab 504. This provides that students may be given accomodations or modifications to assist in their learning. 504 does not provide as much support as being covered by IDEA and I think that is where most teachers and parents are frustrated.
On another note, someone wrote about their child eating lots of sweets. My son does the same thing, I would find empty candy wrappers under his bed. I thought that was so strange but did not think it was related to the ADHD. It is good to know that someone else has this problem.
ADHD and ADD are not covered under IDEA, but it is covered under the Rehab 504. This provides that students may be given accomodations or modifications to assist in their learning. 504 does not provide as much support as being covered by IDEA and I think that is where most teachers and parents are frustrated.
On another note, someone wrote about their child eating lots of sweets. My son does the same thing, I would find empty candy wrappers under his bed. I thought that was so strange but did not think it was related to the ADHD. It is good to know that someone else has this problem.
redd123
04-13-2002, 11:01 PM
Just a reply about the sweets. My 9 yr old son who is mildly ADHD will get a candybar and only eat a portion and save the rest.He can make a Hershey Bar last for days. Most of the time we end of throwing out sweets from holidays because he never ate it and it's old. My younger son (7 yrs. old) who is not ADD will eat as much as he can get!