Posted by grapebubblegum on June 27, 2001, at 9:42:06
In reply to Re: The Bipolar Child, posted by Sulpicia on June 26, 2001, at 21:38:02
It sounds like it will be really helpful to me; a lot of this stuff I did not know and I do appreciate your "showing me the ropes." I'll comment on only a few of the items:
> make sure he gets enough sleep -- lack of it makes every child behave worse.
> make sure he eats a good breakfast before school and has a lunch that he likes --
> hunger/low blood sugar makes for bad behavior.Yes, I have three kids and I figured this out on my own. ;o) But you're right, it is even more obvious in a child with marked mood and behavior problems.
> If he is diagnosed with ADHD, avoid the unproven alt. med treatments. All are hazardous to your wallet
> some can actually harm children,Yes, I'm already pretty skeptical by nature, but I do appreciate knowing I'm not the only skeptical one.
> If he isn't learning to read, get a tutor from outside the school.
Thankfully, and I am very grateful for this, he seems on the other hand to be gifted, already reading on his own without benefit of any instruction from anyone, exactly as I was at the same age. (yes, I'm bragging a bit on his behalf there. ;o)
> Investigate any and all private schools w/in 1 hour of your home; don't be dissuaded by price because at least 40%
> of the students at any given private school receive financial aid.
> Just learn what your options are in case the public school system doesn't work out.I'll keep that in mind, but I have already paid for the best Episcopal school in my area for my older son and while it was an excellent three years' worth of education, even with financial aid I simply can't afford it anymore for one child let alone three, which brings us to the point you mentioned about wealthy public schools. Since I could not afford good private schools anymore, I did the next best thing and strategically planned my relocation to plant us squarely in the best and wealthiest award-winning school district in the Baltimore metropolitan area. I even hand-picked the school for its reputation to catering to various needs and I am very pleased with it and the people who run it. Pretty smart if I do say so myself, huh? :oD
> And realize that both ADHD and bipolar disorders are highly treatable. the greatest single predictor of ADHD or bipolar is
> family history, and more strongly for bipolar that ADHD.Yes, my father struggled with bipolar disorder his entire life including several hospitalizations, and that family history is what influenced the diagnosis my son has received at such a young age.
Again, thanks and I did check out the links you posted. I appreciate the support!
poster:grapebubblegum
thread:248
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/child/20000813/msgs/253.html