Hi, I'm a mommy of 5. okay here's some history.

My eldest daughter (11 1/2) has severe adhd (she's been assessed), she's been on meds (ritalin) since she was 5 3/4, she has always had to take the maximum dosage possible per weight and has still always has trouble to focus at school,home, etc. She's had resource,special ed, been in the special class they call the "learning center", she's had counseling. She's always had bad marks although she is very smart and scored well for her I.Q. (not a genious but high average to low superior range)
Okay, now the second eldest. My son (8 3/4) is adhd (not as severe) but also has CAPD (central auditory processing disorder). He also was assessed, he is also medicated (ritalin) at a more normal dose. He was doing horrible in school (they felt he should repeat grade 1 but we let him go up to grade 2) We started medicating him a year ago (middle of grade 2) and then things just started to make more sense to him and and he started being able to read 3 letter words,etc (it was a start!) This school year I am proud to say he is enjoying school and homework! He's becoming more and more independant in trying to do the work without help. Last year the school wanted me to transfer him to another school so he could receive full time resource in their special class but I refused because then I would have 3 in 1 school and 1 in another.(he's sort of insecure and is definetly an anxious child so I didn't want to seperate him from his siblings). He is receiving part time resource this year and things are looking great so far. (He just finished reading his first chapter book - Stuart Little by E.B. White, WE'RE SO HAPPY AND PROUD!)

So here's where I need opinions, my 3rd child (daughter). She is 7 1/4 and in grade 1. She never stays still, very fidity (to the point where she falls of the kitchen chair - many times over the years). She is extremely annoying to her siblings in many buggy ways, ex. standing in front of the t.v., touching things of theirs, it's kind of hard to explain because I know kids do this to each other but with her it's extreme and she won't stop (even with punishing,time outs,etc) She doesn't do as she is told at home, at school, at swimming, at sparks (girl guides) or at Grandma's house, SHE JUST DOESN'T LISTEN AND OBEY! At school she is very popular and has many friends - no problem socialy. The teachers says she doesn't do her work when she's told to until they really hound her, she fiddles around in her desk instead of listening when the teacher is talking to the class, she stares in class, she doesn't always come when the bell rings that recess is over and after they whistle at her a few times they literaly have to go get her. I think by now you get the idea. Now here's the killer part she's got top marks - A's across the board, she has always learned things very quickly and retains them well. As much trouble that the teachers have to actually get her to do her work once they get her going she doesn't take long to complete it and in fact they told me she's at least 5 books (little 10 page readers) ahead of the other children. This is a bilingual english/french school and she does equally as good in both languages!
So any opinions on whether she too may be adhd? there IS a big history of it coming from both parents sides of the family. All opinions welcome - please help! Thanks!

mommyof5

Mommyof5,That's similiar to what we're going through,except the school part.He's is preschool and I asked his teacher about how he is doing,and she said that he's really came a long way.That's it.But at home it's his way or no way at all.As for not listening and doing what he's been told,same thing,his way.I don't know.Mabe read my post on "is this normal behaviour"and let me know what you think.Seeing you've been through this a couple times.Thanks

Hi Mommy of 5,

I'm no doctor, but it sounds to me like your daughter definitely has ADHD and/or possibly ODD (oppositional definance disorder). How crazy is it of me to say that I envy your situation in the regard that she gets great marks in school? That really is a big positive in the picture. Of course, you know the routine, the tests, the diagnosis, etc.

thanks for your replies. Report cards are coming out next week sometime and this term there usually aren't pareent/teacher interviews but I will be requesting one (probably for all 4 school age kids, the baby is almost 3). if the school could do a pycho(sp?)-educational assessment it would be a lot faster than going through the hospital (at least a year waiting list)

mommyof5

Just wanted to update everyone on my daughter. the 4 school age kids have all been home for the last 5 days (2 ped days, the weekend and an "ice day"). I did a medication trial (7.5 mg ritalin) on my daughter over these 5 days. This is what my hubby and I noticed:

-One of the most dramatic things we noticed was the lack of fighting between her and my almost 9 year old son. He usually can't stand her because she is "always in the way", "a nuisance", "always buggy", etc.

-She seemed to focus longer on things. Ex.sitting down to longer eat , sorting colored beads until we finished, organizing what ever she was doing for longer amounts of time.

-Here's another "BIGGY". The 4 older kids' bedrooms are in the basement and she won't go downstairs by herself, she always asks (or tricks) the 6 year old to go with her just to get something (a toy, a pair of socks, etc.). Well over the past 5 days I would ask "where's Angie?" and the response was "downstairs". "by herself?" I would ask, "yes" was the response. I would go down and check out what she was doing and she would be happily playing alone with something either in her bedroom or the familyroom (which has a t.v. but it wasn't always on - you would think she would have it on for company!).

she still did some things that were impulsive but when I "caught" her and asked her to stop she listened better or if I asked her to do something she responded to the orders much quicker.

Dear Mommy of 5; congratulations on what sounds like a good mediation trial. Don't be surprised by daughter still doing some impulsive things. The Ritalin is wonderful, but it isn't magic. Our kids all learned behavioral responses without meds and it will take some time (and perhaps much guidance from you) to re learn a more appropriate response. In any event, your experienes sound similar to our families with the use of Ritalin. I wish you all the best.

Mommy of 5, WooHoo!!! That's good news for you, your daughter and your whole family. I'm sure things are at least a little easier for all of you -- and I have no doubt that she is also enjoying more peace and quiet. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif