Anyone have any info/experience with ADHD - teens??

[DISNEYFANRI]

I am currently waiting for an appointment to have my DS evaluated - this coming after many difficult years of fights and frustration - I should tell you that while in preschool his teacher reccomended him for testing and I refused - did not want to use it as am excuse for bad behavior - thinking he would "grow out of it" and "learn to behave" well as the years go on things have gotten no better - school is getting worse - he just turned 14 and has become a complete air-head - forgets everything!! He also gets stomache aches and migranes - constantly ......I am trying to be very patient with him any words of encouragement would help.

Thanks,
Paula

 

[wdwnutze]

I have lived this and it is tough! My son was diagnosed at about age 4-5 with ADHD. It was obvious to us when he was a toddler that there was something different with him. His behavior was out of control, he had trouble in school, making and keeping friends was impossible, and to top it all off he was labeled a "bad" kid at school. We put him in sports to help use up some of his energy. Luckily we had some understanding coaches because he was a problem on the bench too. He began on medication when he was about 5(ritalin). For him, the medicine helped improve his life. It is a personal choice and you would have to do your own research to find if it is the best thing for your child. His behavior remained out of control through most of his time in school but was at its worst when he was in junior high school. He is lucky that he had no other learning disabilities and maintained honor roll grades with the exception of conduct. In jr. high I think he was suspended 7-10 times. As a mother, my heart broke for him everyday. There were many days when I felt I couldn't handle it anymore. We did go to councelling off and on to help us get through this. All during high school I watched him like a hawk because I didn't want him to self medicate and I knew this was a possibility. Well, he graduated from High School with honors and is in his freshman year of college living away from home. He made deans list first semester. The battles seemed endless at the time and although there were many days I could do nothing but cry, it was all worth it. My son was never allowed to use his ADHD as an excuse BUT he was held accountable for everything he did wrong as well as right. Unfortunately, I am now going through this with my 10yo dd without the hyperactivity. No meds so far but we are getting very structured with her. I also have a 4 yo dd that will probably be diagnosed eventally. It can be hereditary and several people in my dh family have been diagnosed with it. Just be strong and supportive and hold your ground. Set up lots of structur ie: homework right after school, chores etc and don't waiver from this. As adolescents continues, keep communication open with him. Talk to him when he comes home so he won't risk drinking etc because he knows you will be waiting for him. I also worked with troubled teens for many years so I have experience on 2 levels. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions or just need someone to listen. My son can now tell me he knows I was firm with him for a reason and he appreciates it. No mother could be prouder of someone that has learned to deal with a disability.(yes, he still takes his meds at his own request).

 

[fklhou]

My middle child was diagnoised a couple of years ago with ADD. Luckily we have a good friend who is double board certified in Pshyciatry and Neurology who was extremely knowledgeable in the area. Make sure that they do a TOVA (Test of Variable of Attention) on your DS. After the first diagnosis, we found out that my DW and other DD both have ADD.

We were leary of putting first my older DD and then my DW and other DD on medications However, some extensive research got us comfortable with the concept using medication as part of a treatment plan. We have tried various medications for my older DD and have found Adderall XR works well for her with a dose of Focolyn in the afternoon for homework. My younger DD does great on Concerta and my DW uses Ritalin.

Good luck with your child.

 

[momof2OH]

My DS(12) has been dx since the age of 4 with ADHD. He also has BiPolar, OCD, GAD, Migraines, Hypothyroid, Immune Disorder and needs Sp Ed in school.
My DD (14) is ADD, BiPolar and hearing impaired. Also sp.ed
It can be very hard, especially at first. Getting the testing done is very important. Finding a good doctor is also important. Putting your child on medication is a very personal decision and only you can decide if that is what's best for your child. I would recommend that if you do decide on medication that you also use some type of therapy. From my exerience and the research I have done on this you get better results if you do both. With my own kids throughout the years we have tried to ween them off several of their meds and we just have not been able to. Also keep in mind that if you do decide that medication is the way to go, the first med tried might not be the one that works for your child. It can be trial and error until you find the one that works. Hope some of this helps you and if you have any other questions, feel free to PM me any time. Good Luck!

 

[bambii]

and OCD he is delayed in areas and he has special Ed. It is the hardest thing in my life, I sometimes cry. like right now. We have a hour by hour schedule, that we use, At first he had to do everything by the hour now he only uses it once in a while like at 6:20 is his pills and at 7:20 he leaves for the bus, at 5:00 bathtime, 5:30 supper at 6:30 Computer time (that helps him relax) at 7:00 brother goes to bed at 7:15 homework and 8:00 it is bed time. He used to have one at school, but no more. This Spring were are going to go to a program called young teens anger management.

We do use med but this summer we are going to cut him off the Risperdal that stuff i wish we never put him on. The first time we cut him off cold turkey, and he ended up with ticks..so now we are cutting it down nice and slow Right now Im not to impressed with the adderall that lasts all day I want him to go back to what it was 1 pill during the day and one at noon.


We are going to get him in piano and we swim a lot, this Fall he was in Bowling

What im finding out it is trial and error with everything you do.. with doctors at home and at school. And remember to stick up for your child.

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

We finally have our first appointment on Monday. It's the end of the school quarter an my son is doing very poorly - it's almost as if he could do everything verbally or one on one with his teachers he would excel. I think he feels like everything is falling apart - headaches daily from the stress and anxiety. Because he has never been diagnosed his teachers see him as a bright kid who is the "class clown" and chooses to be lazy and as a result they do not like him - causing more anxiety.
As far as "scheduling " goes - I ahve been working with him every night on homework - etc - if I moniter it he does fine - (I feel like we are back to the time when he was in first grade but I see that is the only thing that works for him). I also noticed that I have to tell him what is going on in the day- spontenaity overwhelmes him.
Again - thank you for your posts and I will keep you updated.
Paula

 

[momof2OH]

Paula- You are on the right track...you have the appt. scheduled. You do have to be very specific with these kids. They need lots of consistant structure. At times it can be very hard, but I never stop and I never stop fighting for their rights. Even though I have been dealing with this for quite awhile, I still feel as if sometimes I am dealing with and raising a 2 year old. My son was on 60mg Adderall XR for about 2 years and just recently was switched to Strattera. This is a brand new med for ADHD and is supposed to be a lot better. He still takes 20mg of Adderall XR in the am just until the Strattera fully kicks in. Since being on the meds he has improved so much. He acts like a "typical" 12 yr. old boy. My DD has done so much better too.

Keep us posted on the appt. and your situation, angain any questions...just ask.