Though not yet diagnised, I'm rather sure that my son 6 has ADD. He has massive memory problems thus lots of difficulty with schoolwork, poor speech, lack of concentration except with video games...etc. The pychologist at school says he's normal but i think some of the symtoms you have to experience from having daily contact with him...Anyway i'm hoping to get an appointment with a specialist and find out what we can do to help him...though i don't want him to take Ritalin & co after reading all the horror stories about them. We love him dearly and hope he can have a normal future.The first problem i have is that DH is in denial, especially after the school p. diagnosis. Are there any parents in here who have been through this? Any advice welcome!
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Where to start?
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hang in there hon. The first thing i would suggest is stick to your guns with regard to your son. My daughter was seen my an educations psychologist for about 10 mins, and with that he had a say on her educational future, he didn't see anything of her, and didn't understand her needs at all - how could he after 10 mins!!!!! - you are his mum, and therefore know your son better than anyone else. On the other side of the coin, a lot of parents blame ADD for their childrens lack of response, etc when its not actually the case. I would wonder if he can concentrate on video games then he certainly has the concentration for other things IF he wanted to. Lack of speech could just mean that he will take a little while longer and a little work to get there, i know a few children who have had help to make their speech clearer and more easily understood.ADD isn't the end of the world, and of course he will be able to live a normal life.........a lot of people with ADD/ADHD learn to cope with it as they get older.
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If you really want to know if he has ADHD, give him a caffeinated product, like coffee. If he mellows, then it is a sure bet that he has the disorder. My son has it, and we first started him of Ritalin, then Concerta, then adderall. The best news is that early medications can cause the offending portion of the brain, small in those who suffer ADHD compared to the size of "normal" chilren, to grow to almost normal size, thus the disorder can be "outgrown" in some. My son could not learn had he not been medicated, and monitoring by YOU, mom, of his behaviour is critical. If he takes the meds, and he seems to act the zombie, then he needs to have the meds either changed or toned down. We have found the best results with time release. Understand, that unless he is medicated, he will have very dificult time with social interreaction, doing ANY task and will get into trouble and have self esteem issues. Ongoing counciling will also benefit, if he has a counciler who has a little sense and concern.