What is Parents of Children With ADHD
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Medication & School issues
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I am so frustrated.. don't know what to do. I don't know who to believe anymore, the school or my son! First; My son is 12 was dx with ADHD in June. Has been on Concerta and we (his family) and the school does not think it’s working!! I’ve been reading good reviews about Vyvanse.. is there anyone out there who’s tried both and is one better than the other?
Second; He’s just started Junior High and his emotions are always up and down with being pubescent as well. The Principal called me at work today to say he’s chronically late – either before school starts or even between classes. Says she finds him wandering in parts of the school where he doesn’t need to be (ie. the grade 9 area). Says he doesn’t have any friends and that most of the kids think he’s “strange” b/c of his impulsive, silly behavior. The guidance counselor, who’s also his science teacher won’t even answer my calls or e-mails about him – however e-mails me when she has a concern (ie. homework not being done and his lack of organizational skills) but doesn’t reply to my answer or other questions. We had similar problems at his last school.. and I don’t know what to do!!! The school wants to take him out of one of his options (that of course he enjoys) and put him in a “special class” for helping kids get organized. Although I think this would be beneficial I don’t think that if he’s not on the right meds that it would be at all productive. So he comes home today to me being mad at him for arguing and being defiant with the principal and office staff about whether or not he’s “technically” late (he arrived in class while they were taking attendance) and locks himself in his room crying that no one understands him. To top it all off my husband and I argue constantly about how to “discipline” him … I favor short term groundings and he feels we need to be “more harsh” to “get him out of this stage”. I am looking into counseling.. for all of us but in the mean time feel like I’m losing my mind some days! Any thoughts?? Posted on 10/15/09, 09:10 pm |
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Junior high is a difficult adjustment for any child let alone a child w/ ADHD. My neice is having the same difficulties and her meds are working for her. First you need to fix the medication. Talk to the doctor and tell him what's going on. My son who is 6 was on VYVANSe when we started the meds last year and he became evil!! It was scary. I heard another story where a child was older and he was fine. Every med is different for every child!
The class sounds like a great idea. Can he do something outside of school to make up for the class he likes? Karate is a great area to look into. Also try to help him w/ being organized. Give him an agenda, or make multiple copies of his schedule. These are some ideas friends of mine have done for their kids. Does he have an IEP? If not look into a 504 plan where accomadations are made for him in classes. As for the teacher who can't return calls, contact the principal. I am a teacher and a mother of a child w/ ADHD, so this annoys me when teachers only call to complain!! Also counseling either for your son or family is a must. Punishing a child w/ ADHD is difficult! One book that I used (and was recommended to ) is 1,2,3 Magic. Hope this helps! 
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My son is 11 and was on vyvanse it it caused him to have severe uncontrollable tics so he had to be taken off of it, but like the previous comment every child is different and how they will handle the meds, it also may be that it needs to be increased not changed to something else.
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I've had an opposite experience with Vyvanse. My son is 5 and has been taking it and is doing wonderfully. He feels great and is able to focus much more. He never had any deviant or tantrum issues prior to the medications so I'm not sure if that matters. He just had major restless, loudness, and impulsivity issues. Like people are saying, every child is different and I think it's a game of trial and error. I feel fortunate to have an excellent doctor who listens to us and responds immediatley. I hope things get better. I'm just starting in this journey and so far it's been a difficult one.
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I completely understand where you are coming from. I have a child who was diagnosed at age 3 with ADHD/ODD. We have had the same problems with school as well. Some years you will have teachers who are actually there for your child's needs and understand and you will have teachers that if your not like everybody else then they don't want to be bothered. This is very frustrating to me as a parent as well. Teachers must realize that every child learns differently and especially a child with ADHD. My daughter has been on Concerta since 3. She is on 54 mg and is has been the best one yet. We have tried other meds but not Vyvanse. Every child is different though when it comes to meds so you must do what works for your son. Maybe his dosage needs adjusted. If you don't already I would reccommend a psychiatrist to follow his meds because sometimes pedatricians are not as specialized as a psychiatrist can be. I just started counseling for my daughter to help with the ODD since meds will not fix this problem. Hopefully this will help with issues in school as well. I agree with the other parent that stated about an IEP or 504 plan as well. This will help your child for school and the school must follow it. It sounds like you are doing what you should with the school just keep going and be your child's advocate.
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