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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by love2shop on March 14, 2001, at 10:49:51
I am an adult with ADD. My son who is 11 also has been diagnosed ADHD. He is beginning to have problems in school. He has ALWAYS been a straight A student, but now, in 6th grade, his grades are dropping because of his forgetfulness and disorganization. I have tried over and over again to talk with his teachers with no help. The school GRADES HIM ON ORGANIZATION!!! I am sure you have a vague idea of how frustrating that can be to an ADD child??? I am little help. I constantly "forget" to check his assignment book or make sure his work is done. I also have 2 other daughters 3 and 4 so, I can't even have him do his homework at the dining room table. I just heard about section 504. If he would qualify, would the teachers then be required to "cut him some slack" and maybe not be required to be graded on his organization? all his test scores are A's but he received low B's and C's for the first time in his life. His self esteem is plumiting and he is actually in danger of failing Math even though his test scores show a 97 average. Any help would be appreciated.
Posted by Sulpicia on March 14, 2001, at 11:21:17
In reply to Son has ADD and so do I...How do I help him??, posted by love2shop on March 14, 2001, at 10:49:51
>Hi -- love your screen name.
All I can say is, me too. Yes your child qualifies for an Individualized Education Plan under
the ADA laws. This is a set of academic accomodations and goals that you devise with the school
hopefully with the input of your child's pdoc or an educational psychologist. Since this works
thru the school district it's accompanied by a bureaucratic thicket. Your best bet to navigate this
is to try the Wrightslaw web site and the ADHD forum at Mass General Hospital Neurology webforum.
In a nutshell, it involves testing, diagnosis, classification, and then the development of the IEP.
It can take *quite* a while, tho perhaps less for you if they will accept his diagnosis immediately.In the meantime [i.e. for the rest of the school year], what treatment has he had so far? The best results
according to the most recent comprehensive study [the MTA study, 1999]come from medication and therapy.
Have meds worked out for him?If you could tell me a bit more about his prior treatment, perhaps I could be more helpful.
my own solution: adderall and a gifted pdoc. It's kept me in graduate school and doing well.
my daughter, who also has bipolar II, has the same regime, tho a bit more caution w/ the pstim
dose because of her bipolar.
Post back with more info?
S.
Posted by love2shop on March 14, 2001, at 11:49:36
In reply to Re: Son has ADD and so do I...How do I help him?? » love2shop, posted by Sulpicia on March 14, 2001, at 11:21:17
Hi.
I am not currently on anything for the ADD, i am currently on Effexor for Post Partum Depression. I am dying to try the Adderall as I understand it could possibly do wonders!!My son was on adderall for a short time. He comes from a VERY short family (I am only 4'9") and he seems to be following along that same path. I am concerned about the stunting of growth.
All I really want from the school is for them to just cut him some slack. recognize he is not just lazy and messy. He doesn't forget his assignments purposly. All I want is to be NOTIFIED of ANY missing assignments and about any Long Term Projects that are assigned. Also, not to grade him on his organizational skills...can you imagine!!! Or if they need to do that, give him extra time to get it organized, buddy him up with someone who can help. My son was in tears when his progress report showed a 70 in Math, when ALL his tests were 97 and ABOVE. Thanks for any suggestions.
PS... We have had ALOT of insurance problems in the last year which have prevented me from finding a permanent Ped. Neurologist. Next month it should all be straightened out and I can find a good one who can help me further.
Posted by Noa on March 29, 2001, at 16:17:07
In reply to Re: Son has ADD and so do I...How do I help him?? » Sulpicia, posted by love2shop on March 14, 2001, at 11:49:36
Is your son documented as having a disability that would entitle him to modifications/accommodations? Call the school counselor to ask about how to initiate that process. Also, you could take a look at the book, Negotiating the Special Education Maze.
Posted by Sara T on March 30, 2001, at 1:30:54
In reply to Son has ADD and so do I...How do I help him??, posted by love2shop on March 14, 2001, at 10:49:51
> I am an adult with ADD. My son who is 11 also has been diagnosed ADHD. He is beginning to have problems in school. He has ALWAYS been a straight A student, but now, in 6th grade, his grades are dropping because of his forgetfulness and disorganization. I have tried over and over again to talk with his teachers with no help. The school GRADES HIM ON ORGANIZATION!!! I am sure you have a vague idea of how frustrating that can be to an ADD child??? I am little help. I constantly "forget" to check his assignment book or make sure his work is done. I also have 2 other daughters 3 and 4 so, I can't even have him do his homework at the dining room table. I just heard about section 504. If he would qualify, would the teachers then be required to "cut him some slack" and maybe not be required to be graded on his organization? all his test scores are A's but he received low B's and C's for the first time in his life. His self esteem is plumiting and he is actually in danger of failing Math even though his test scores show a 97 average. Any help would be appreciated.
I love to shop too. I also am an mom with ADD and my son, age 9, has Asperger's Syndrome, which looks alot like ADHD at times. Basically, he is a creature of the moment and has no organizational skills. Zip, less than zero. Even on 40 mgs of Adderall a day he has severe attentional and organizational problems and a 130 IQ.I can tell you from my experience, go for the IEP not the 504. The 504 provides for classroom accomodations, but it really has no teeth. The IEP is more binding. And good luck trying to get teachers at his grade level to cooperate unless you have something to hold them to.
You may have to get some coaching for you and your son. Organize and schedule yourselves. Put up lists, train him to check his own lists. Also there are watches and organizers on the market designed specifically for persons with ADD. There are alot of good books on ADHD and parenting, special education, and even one for Moms with ADD.
Of all the things I do, though, I think writing out a schedule and posting it to follow have been the most helpful.
Do try the About.com ADHD site too.
Sara T.
Posted by Noa on March 30, 2001, at 7:41:49
In reply to Re: Son has ADD and so do I...How do I help him?? » love2shop, posted by Sara T on March 30, 2001, at 1:30:54
There is a book called Beyond Ritalin that provides what I think is a balanced view of stimulant medications as one aspect of an overall approach to helping with ADHD, but they talk about what else beside the meds is needed, too.
This is the end of the thread.
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