How we deal with ADHD
December 21st 2006 20:11
So Mike is now homeschooled, and the summer goes by without incident. First grade starts, and all is well for a few weeks, and then I get called in after class to learn that Mike was not able to sit in his chair, was not able to sit still, and was not listening to the teacher. I asked Mike about it, and he said he was creating Pokeman, and he could do both things at the same time. We made a new rule that day! School is for school, and Pokeman is for home!
Anyhow, that seemed to be an isolated incident, although a few weeks later, it happened again, and then again, and then again. The culmination occurred when Mike and I were in wood shop, and he thought I was trying to do his project all by myself (without his help), and he started screaming at the top of his lungs. Nothing I could say or do calmed him down, so we had to leave the classroom with Mike screaming and crying all the way. He called me names too, and he hit me.
Suffice to say, we consulted a doctor again, a different one this time at Kaiser. She said we needed to go through an evaluation process with Mental Health, which would include ADHD parenting classes, and an evaluation class for Mike. We also filled out forms on Mike's behavior, so he could further be evaluated. I liked how the process was so detailed, because as the doctor said, "We need to find out what it is, and what it isn't," because ADHD symptoms sometimes mimic symptons of other things, like depression.
Mike still has incidents, like described above though. He has very intense emotions, and has trouble controlling his emotions.
Here's what worked for us:
Lots of exercise. Give him an outlet! (We love taking him to the playground, and letting him play as long as he wants, which is usually about two hours.)
Keeping him busy.
Also giving him time to himself in his room where he can do whatever he wants within reason. (This helps us take a break too!)
Letting Mike be in charge once a while, again within reason.
Giving him responsiblity, like a new chore or challenge.
Praising every step along the way.
Encouraging.
Also need to let you know that we discovered that caffeine and diet do not affect ADHD symptons, so you don't need to pump up your kid with coffee (we tried that -- Mike hated the taste, and it didn't affect his behavior anyway), or try to give him a all natural diet. The doctors we consulted confirmed this.
Anyway, there's always hope, and we're trying to get there. It also helped us to have Mike go to his grandparents' house for a week. When he gets back, hopefully, we'll have a fresh perspective!
Have a great day!
Anyhow, that seemed to be an isolated incident, although a few weeks later, it happened again, and then again, and then again. The culmination occurred when Mike and I were in wood shop, and he thought I was trying to do his project all by myself (without his help), and he started screaming at the top of his lungs. Nothing I could say or do calmed him down, so we had to leave the classroom with Mike screaming and crying all the way. He called me names too, and he hit me.
Suffice to say, we consulted a doctor again, a different one this time at Kaiser. She said we needed to go through an evaluation process with Mental Health, which would include ADHD parenting classes, and an evaluation class for Mike. We also filled out forms on Mike's behavior, so he could further be evaluated. I liked how the process was so detailed, because as the doctor said, "We need to find out what it is, and what it isn't," because ADHD symptoms sometimes mimic symptons of other things, like depression.
Mike still has incidents, like described above though. He has very intense emotions, and has trouble controlling his emotions.
Here's what worked for us:
Lots of exercise. Give him an outlet! (We love taking him to the playground, and letting him play as long as he wants, which is usually about two hours.)
Also giving him time to himself in his room where he can do whatever he wants within reason. (This helps us take a break too!)
Letting Mike be in charge once a while, again within reason.
Giving him responsiblity, like a new chore or challenge.
Praising every step along the way.
Encouraging.
Also need to let you know that we discovered that caffeine and diet do not affect ADHD symptons, so you don't need to pump up your kid with coffee (we tried that -- Mike hated the taste, and it didn't affect his behavior anyway), or try to give him a all natural diet. The doctors we consulted confirmed this.
Anyway, there's always hope, and we're trying to get there. It also helped us to have Mike go to his grandparents' house for a week. When he gets back, hopefully, we'll have a fresh perspective!
Have a great day!
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