I know I haven't been around much, and I'm sorry. With the end of the school year here, I haven't had any time to myself. I haven't had any time for quilting, which bugs me to no end, let alone any time to get on here and post and chat and look at all the great wonders you have all created.

I didn't know who else to turn to for support. I've looked for ADHD messageboards, but they just don't seem right to me. So I come to you all, my quilting/sewing friends for some support and advice.

My 10 year old DD has had trouble in school from the start. She's always had problems focusing on her work, working alone, not disturbing others by talking, she constantly interupts conversations, takes hours to do homework when it should really take no more than an hour, and so on. I knew it was ADD or ADHD, but I thought with the help of teachers and persistance, we could work through it without meds.

On Tuesday I took Angela for her 10 year checkup. I told the doc about stuff above and she said it's definetly ADHD and that she recommends trying meds. She says all parents feel the same way about the meds and no wanting to do them, but then they do and they see a huge improvment in weeks. So with the last 3 weeks of school ahead of us, we're trying the lowest dose of Concerta, 18mg. She took the first pill this morning.

I'm praying this works. I do not want to have to go through a bunch of meds to find the right one. I'm also so sick of homework and effort being such an issue every day. I've struggled long enough and so has she.

I had ADHD growing up (I'm sure I still have it too) and I remember when I started meds, Ritilin back then, and my grades soared after that.

Does anyone have expereince with Concerta or ADHD in children? I'm interested in the stories of other parents and what they have had to go through.

Thanks for listening and being a support system for me.

No i don't know anything about concerta but I do know that if the child doesn't eat junk food (kind of like a diabetic) everything sugar free, fruits and veggies for snack they settle down and work. THe hard thing is getting the teachers to understand this.

My oldest, now 25, was diagnosed borderline ADHD. We did not put her on any meds, at the Dr's direction. Our biggest problem was getting the teachers to not give her pop and candy. We finally had to change schools and were able to work with those teachers. LDD never did do very well in junior high or high school.

Now.....she's grown up, been through the Air Force, is in the National Guard, goes to college for Air Traffic Control, and has a bright future.

I have a sister, also an ATC, who is flaming ADD. She has been told that ATC is perfect for kids with ADD, but if you are a medicated ADD, you are disqualified for the job. That was 10-15 years ago, so I don't know if it has changed. Why it is a perfect job is that it's so much like a video game, and we know how all these kids can stay focused on those games.

I also know that I would be considered ADD. When I was a computer programmer (before Windows software allowed you to have more than one program running at a time), I would have multiple computers running in my office at one time. We were going through layoffs, so I'd go grab extra computers from the empty offices. Because I always had multiple projects going on at one time, I was very productive, and was one of the last hit in the layoffs (only the department supervisor was left in the end)

I think that we need to treat ADD as a 'gift', not a curse. By teaching the kids to go from one needed project to another needed project, they can learn to be more productive. I know that it has been helpful for me!

Jen-I am sorry to hear that your daughter is having such a rough time in school. I too raised a child with ADD and he was not diagnosed until 8th grade. By then, not only had his grades suffered, but so had his self-esteem and interactions with others. School and homework were a constant battle. And I suffered from horrible "mother guilt".

I know that it is difficult for you to have to put your child on meds at an early age, but remember how much better you did in school and how it will help her too. Once you find the right medicine for her she will feel so much better--will be able to concentrate and complete tasks in a timely manner---thus raising her grades AND self esteem. If she had a physical illness that required antibiotics or insulin, for example, you would not hesitate to give her the medicine she needs. Do not feel guilty about doing what is best for her in this circumstance too.

I have no experience with Concerta, but your doctor should be able to provide you with literature and answer any questions you have concerning it. The Internet is also a great place for reading more about ADD and its treatments. I hope it works out for you and your daughter.

As an educator, let me be the first to tell you to talk to your daughter's teachers, guidance counselor, etc. for ideas, tips, etc. Your doctor should also know of support groups, etc.

I have ADHD, was not diagnosed until I was an adult. I do not take meds (probably should!!). To help stay focused I stay ultra organized. I keep a planner and EVERYTHING gets written down. I also have to watch my diet--especially the caffeine, sugar/sweetners and food dye's. You might want to talk to your daughter's doctor about a visit with a nutritionist. Routines/schedules/behavior modification has also helped.

There are advantages to having this much energy as an adult. She needs to learn to channel it in the right way.

Rose Hall

I don't have ADHD, nor do I have children yet, but I do have a friend who has ADHD. For him there is quite a noticeable difference when you compare the days he takes his meds to the days he forgets to. One thing I know that really helps him aside from the meds is having a set schedule that he follows everyday so that he knows he has to concentrate on getting through the things he has to get done.

My boyfriend's son has it, he is 9 yrs old. It is a difficult situation as the son lives with his Mom, who is happy to have him on meds all the time, and when he is he is rather spaced out and not himself, but calm.

When my boyfriend has him on alternate weekends, he does not give him the meds and keeps him under control with good food, exercise and organisation and schedules. He is highly energetic but my bf feels happier because he can teach him how to control himself without being zonked out by the drugs, and he is 'himself' when not on them.

I have no opinion, from what I have learnt I hear it is a matter of striking a balance between what you eat and what meds you take, as well as vital support from the child's school. Read up on all you can and fight for the support you both need, you can do it! Don't despair, I'm sure there is plenty of help out there :wink:

As a retired Special Ed. teacher, I aplaud you for being sensitive to your child's needs and taking an active role in helping her.

Medication works but it is important to monitor as the dosages sometimes they need to be adjusted. (and at the present time, there are several different drugs that are being used) Find out how long it takes the meds to kick in as well so you can give her the medication at the appropriate time before school.

Never forget that you are child's best advocate and don't hesitate to talk to her teachers and let them know "how" your child works best. A sensitive teacher (one who allows for individual differances in children--ie. lets them walk around after ten minutes of work, allows them to "play" with a fidget (spiked ball--there are lots of differant kinds) for the calming effect it gives them, allows them to sit on a large ball instead of a chair, etc.) can make all the differance in the world.

As it has been pointed out, ADHD adults can become dynamic, high energy workers who can make their ADHD work for them not against them. We had a Speech Therapist with ADHD who was incredible---she could get lots done and focused well (was busy all the time, I might add)And, you should have seen her with all our really "hard" children! Wow, let's just say I learned a lot from her.

Don't despair, embrace the ADHD---you're doing a great job and let your daughter know she is doing well, too! Everyone one learns differently and she will learn strategies for dealing with the ADHD.

I don't know anything about that drug, but my grandson had the same problem and whatever he was on helped. He is now 15 and has outgrown it.


Hang in there, it is always hard on us as mothers when one of our children is having a problem. If you trust your Doctor, then do as he says and read all you can to educate yourself to the problem.

I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts.


Ninnie

One thing that really helped my daughter was to take a good look at her class schedule. Example: Math, gym, history, lunch, english, art/music, language. This way she did not have back to back classes where she was mostly just sitting...it really helped her be able to sit and focus better. I would have to go in each year as soon as the teachers came back in Aug to set up her schedule. The schools were great in helping me with her schedules.