Ask:
My 15 yr old is a freshman, he has really struggled through school for the last few years, I am beginning to think he has ADD. He is very unorganized, can't follow simple directions, he also has trouble concentrating. His teachers call about missing or incomplete assignments, but they all talk about how nice and polite he is.
I've done a little research on ADD and he has all the symptoms, most of them are also the same symptoms for normal teenagers too. Where do I start to find out if its ADD or rebellion? I am waiting on the school counselor to return my call, I have a list of questions ready to ask her.
Please don't think I am making excuses for my son, I just want to help him.
Answer:
We thought my daughter was ADD. She had all the symptons you discribed. She really wanted to remember things but just couldn't. We took her to her doctor and she perscribed Stratera. We waited 8 weeks and there was no difference. Her doctor wanted to switch her to a different med. My Dh did NOT want her on meds to begin with so we went to another doctor. We found out she has a peanut allergy. Peanut butter is her FAVORITE food. This child would eat a 7 lb. jar of peanut butter every 2 weeks. As hard as it is for her to go without it she can feel the differnece when she eats it. Since taking her off of peanut butter her grades have gone from struggling C's to A's.
You may want to rule out allergies. There are several other things that mimic the symptoms of ADD.
Answer:
My sister just found out that her son, a 3rd grader, will be held back this year...unless he goes to summer school, and then try again to pass the Florida "Apptitude Test" they give them down there. He barely failed it, yet had "good enough" grades throughout the year to pass 3rd grade.
She's taken him to be checked out, and was told he MAY have ADD...however, she REFUSES to put him on meds, because she's heard that these can cause suicidal tendancies.
Thanks for mentioning that it could be something as simple as allergies!! I've never heard of that before!! I'm calling her RIGHT NOW!!
Thanks again!!
Answer:
If you have concerns, take him to the dr and discuss all the possibilities. Also, talk to his teachers and see what they think.
I hope you get some answers soon!!
Answer:
I had a appointment with DS's doctor today, he asked me to describe DS to him, I did, he also thinks DS may have ADD. DS is seeing the Dr on Monday and then we will be referred to a Child Psychologist and go from there.
The school counselor was completely useless, she was absolutely no help at all.
Answer:
You did the right thing - the first step is the doctor. I wouldn't start right away on meds, but try other things first because there are so many other factors - if it's mild, very mild, therapies can help - using tools and thoughts to help focus. Meds may be needed, yes, but do try some other things first, with your doctor's backing. Occupational therapy may help - your Dr. can hopefully recommend something. It sounds like your Dr. isn't just going to write you a rx anyway and send you on your way. That's good.
A child psychologist is good.....but, my first stop would be a developmental pediatrician who can measure the degree of the ADD. Call both and see if you can talk to both first to see what the best path would be. Your insurance company can't refer you, but they can tell you who is on their plan.
You are not making excuses for your son....you know him best and see areas of concern. So many people simply call their kids lazy, when the kids truly have an organic problem. Until you've been there, you don't really understand it. I have an adult friend with all the symptoms you mentioned and she IS ADD. She is on meds, and they have totally changed her, making her more productive. She sees a little of it in both her daughters, and is watching them closely.
As for the suicide issues, from the research I've done, the meds affect those that way who also have other issues, such as Bipolar and depression. I haven't seen any cases where it caused the tendency or thought. But it can magnify what is already there. That's why a parent needs to watch their children so closely, to see if antidepressants need to be part of the plan. If so, some antidepressants can help with depression, but some depression meds help with mild ADD. (About.com has some great info and links)
Answer:
DS had a appointment with his Dr. this morning, I think it went very well, DS seemed to listen and he asked a few questions, the Dr. spent a lot of time with him explaining what ADD is and how its treated. Now DS will have an appointment with a child psychologist who will administer the battery of tests to determine if DS does have ADD.
I asked the Dr. if the school had to be notified if DS did have ADD, he told me that was up to me, if I wanted the school to know, I could tell them and he would give us a written diagnosis if necessary. I do not want the school invovled unless its absolutely necessary. I do not want DS labeled.
The school counselor finally called me back after I left her two messages and sent two emails. She was no help at all, she told me she would talk to DS's teachers and get back to me but I haven't heard from her yet. I had already emailed 5 of DS's 7 teachers asking about DS's behavior during class, the 3 teachers who responed all said DS is easily distracted and has trouble staying on task, he doesn't do his work during class time which causes him to have lots of homework.