For parents with children who are ADD or ADHD

[kandb]

My ds is 6 years old and has some learning disabilities. He gets extra help in school for OT and needs attention due to hesitation to do work that he does not want to do (this was in kindergarten). He loves to read and can read just about anything however his writing is very weak and now we have to do some math, he cries for around a half hour because he finds it very difficult and gets EASILY frustrated. He does have attention issues but doesn't seem to be very hyperactive. It is hard for him to wait and to focus (especially if it's something he has no interest in). It's hard for him to go with the flow sometimes if he is not doing something he doesn't want to do. I am really worried about him starting first grade because it is a lot of work and he doesn't like to do work. He is an angel when he is doing what he wants but when you make him do math or writing he very much resists. He will sit and read books with us whenever we tell him to. His pediatrician said he will speak to his teacher after he's in school for 3 weeks and they we will get him evaluated by a neurologist for ADD and if need be put him on medication. I am not anti-medication because I see how frustated he becomes with doing things that don't come easy to him. Any good websites/readings on ADD/ADHD? Thanks, Linda

 

[poegirl30]

http://www.addresources.org/adhd_websites.php

Here's a website that has a list of great resources. As a mom of an ADHD kid and an ADD kid, it is helpful to be as informed as you possibly can before an evaluation. Good luck!

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi! As a 1st grade teacher, I want to thank you for being such a caring, supportive, and AWARE parent. I wish you and your DS a wonderful year!

 

[stacy6552]

The ADD Answer is a great book resource.

Google ADHD and your area. novachadd.org is a good one in the DC area. celebratecalm.com is another good one.

Something you can try in the mean time is Cola in the morning. The caffine is a stimulant similar to low dose ADHD meds. Kids with ADHD are equated to a car that cant shift into a higher gear and the stimulent helps them upshift to work on things they don't want to.

 

[515_renae]

I would recommend any of the ADD/ADHD books written by Dr. Thomas Phelan or Russell Barkley, PHD. Their books are full of great information and have been a great help to me.

 

[southernbelle20]

http://www.adhdnews.com/forum/default.asp

This has been my lifesaver!! There is alot to read through, and it is overwhelming, but there is very helpful info on that board. Good Luck!

 

[honugirl]

As an adult with ADD, what really helps me in terms of school is making everything hands on. I don't grasp concepts, especially in math, if I can't visualize it. I actually had to take like M&M's and move them around for addition/subtraction. For fractions I had to get a pie and cut it up to understand it. I don't understand verbal instructions well at all, I have to see it for it to make sense. I loved science because I could get my hands into what we were doing. History was fun when I could build models and stuff. Music class was a total bust for me because I can't see an A or an F sharp or G. Drama was really good for me because I was moving. My foreign language was sign language which made sense because my body was moving, regular languages I can't comprehend. I hope that helps. good luck! It's tough, but getting movement into things really helps!

 

[cyesutis]

My daughter is the same way--she actually has a diagnosis of hyperlexia--meaning that she loves anything related to reading, reads at like a 6th grade level, but has a very difficult time focusong on non-preferred activities and sometimes, sitting still.

We put her on an Omega 3 and saw major improvement. We use Nordic Naturals fish oils, but I know other moms that use flaxseed oil as an Omega 3 as well. I didn't really think it would make a difference, but I figured "it couldn't hurt to try" so we did and I'm so glad I gave it a chance!

 

[happymommy]

I highly recommend talking to your pediatrician to get the name of a good psychologist. You need to get an evaluation to find out the correct diagnosis, and this can be costly. It is worth it, though, and then you can determine the proper treatment. All of us who have kids with ADHD and ADD have similar stories, but each person is different. You need to find out what is best for your child.

The testing can cost a lot; our insurance did not cover it, and it's been $2,000 or so for the whole two days of psychological and educational testing. It really helps the doctors and the schools, though.

Wish you the best!

 

[momof3+twins]

My ds is 6 years old and has some learning disabilities. He gets extra help in school for OT and needs attention due to hesitation to do work that he does not want to do (this was in kindergarten). He loves to read and can read just about anything however his writing is very weak and now we have to do some math, he cries for around a half hour because he finds it very difficult and gets EASILY frustrated. He does have attention issues but doesn't seem to be very hyperactive. It is hard for him to wait and to focus (especially if it's something he has no interest in). It's hard for him to go with the flow sometimes if he is not doing something he doesn't want to do. I am really worried about him starting first grade because it is a lot of work and he doesn't like to do work. He is an angel when he is doing what he wants but when you make him do math or writing he very much resists. He will sit and read books with us whenever we tell him to. His pediatrician said he will speak to his teacher after he's in school for 3 weeks and they we will get him evaluated by a neurologist for ADD and if need be put him on medication. I am not anti-medication because I see how frustated he becomes with doing things that don't come easy to him. Any good websites/readings on ADD/ADHD? Thanks, Linda

Have you ever thought of homeschooling? Really, don't think it is impossible. You could do it. And then you could go at his pace. All kids learn at their own pace. And I know a wonderful little boy who was on meds in school and his aunt is homeschooling him now. It was to get him off the meds. He is bright, funny, just adorable. And I had him in a class at church and he was the best kid in the class!!!! PM if you think this is an option and you are at a loss where to start. I have homeschooled for 7 years (on my 3rd child --with his own disabilities at 6 yrs also). GOOD LUCK whatever you decide!!

 

[momof3+twins]

As an adult with ADD, what really helps me in terms of school is making everything hands on. I don't grasp concepts, especially in math, if I can't visualize it. I actually had to take like M&M's and move them around for addition/subtraction. For fractions I had to get a pie and cut it up to understand it. I don't understand verbal instructions well at all, I have to see it for it to make sense. I loved science because I could get my hands into what we were doing. History was fun when I could build models and stuff. Music class was a total bust for me because I can't see an A or an F sharp or G. Drama was really good for me because I was moving. My foreign language was sign language which made sense because my body was moving, regular languages I can't comprehend. I hope that helps. good luck! It's tough, but getting movement into things really helps!

See, homeschooling would be perfect for this.

 

[momof3+twins]

Hi! As a 1st grade teacher, I want to thank you for being such a caring, supportive, and AWARE parent. I wish you and your DS a wonderful year!

You sound like a wonderful, caring teacher. Please don't take my homeschooling comments to heart. Nothing against teachers!! If teachers had the time, they would give every child that individual attention that they needed!! It is sad that their are usually 20 to 30 kids in the class. So, the teachers hands are tied!! I respect teachers, I don't know how you teach that many children and get them to sit still all day!!

 

[millerpjm]

CHADD.ORG

www.help4adhd.org

ADDITUDE MAG.COM

All of these sites are great....my DS was diagnosed last spring and I have gotten a lot of information from these.

 

[kandb]

Thank you all for all the great resources and advice. Linda

 

[minnie2]

My DS(7) was dx'd with ADD last school yr(1st grade), HE was not hyper at all he just couldn't stay focus for anything and he was so slow moving. The way we saw it what his head was like and orchestra with no conductor.
It got to the point where his teacher couldn't understand why he was doing what he did because he always tries to be a good kid but some how failed in doing a lot of things. He was advanced in reading and math but was suffering in the friends area because of some of his issues. After talking to her we had him evaluated. His ped was great. His ped had even noticed signs of ADD a few visits prior but was waiting to see if we brought it up 1st. Once he had all the info he dx'd him. At this point we chose not to medicate we are doing some behavior modification. His teacher last yr used it and it worked wonders!
His kind of add is often over looked so I am thrilled we got him dx'd so young.

 

[princessmom29]

My daughter is the same way--she actually has a diagnosis of hyperlexia--meaning that she loves anything related to reading, reads at like a 6th grade level, but has a very difficult time focusong on non-preferred activities and sometimes, sitting still.

We put her on an Omega 3 and saw major improvement. We use Nordic Naturals fish oils, but I know other moms that use flaxseed oil as an Omega 3 as well. I didn't really think it would make a difference, but I figured "it couldn't hurt to try" so we did and I'm so glad I gave it a chance!

Probably a psychosymatic response. Diet has NOTHING to do with ADD, ADHD. Any doctor who really knows what is going on will tell you that true ADD is a nuerotransmitter defict that nothing you eat or dink can make better or worse.

See, homeschooling would be perfect for this.

Homeschooling in not always the answer and is doubly difficult to do RIGHT with an ADD child. The structured environment offered in a school is often much more helful in actually mamaging ADD symtoms and learning to cope than pulling them out of that structure and trying to accomodate them at home. They end up avoiding situations where they have to cope with it totally and developing less coping skills than children in schools unless a homeschooling parent is hypervigilant about challenging their limits daily.

 

[5 for WDW]

Best of luck, OP.

My son is starting 7th grade and has ADD. He was diagnosed in between 2nd and 3rd grade. The more reading and learning you can do the better. It has been a few years for me but, I still read everything I can get my hands on in regards to ADD. It helps both my son and I.

 

[syncsk8mom]

Just my 2 cents....

My daughter with ADD and Dyslexia just graduated from HS and has started her Freshman year at Ole Miss!!! SO PROUD...

Anyway, school was a struggle. We tried all kinds of different things, meds, tutors, public school, private school, christian school....nothing worked until we sent her to a small Military Based boarding school....

It was like a fish to water. The routine, the hands on learning, the ability to expend ALL her energy day in and day out WORKED. She went from D's & F's to graduating with a 2.89 GPA. This was HUGE and she got into college AND she regained her confidence and love for learning......

All too often these children get lost in the shuffle...it's not the teachers fault it really becomes the parents failure. (sorry if I make anyone mad). You have to know your kids...you HAVE to advocate for your kids and you have to be flexable and willing to try new approaches. Monitor closely at all times, tyr to get to the heart of the problem and set realistic goals for your child.

By the time we sent off our daughter to boarding school all we really wanted was for her to regain her confidence and for her to feel as though she could succeed.....the bonus was everything else!

Oh and another thing that helps....reach out to your family, friends, teachers....you are not alone.

Just my 2 cents