Parents of Children with ADHD Support Group
This community is designed as an open forum where the parents and guardians of children with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) can give and receive support, as well as discuss ideas, techniques, concerns, surprises, and challenges they may face with their children.
HI, I'm new in this group but I've been around DS for years (its a Godsend for me). I joined this group as I have an almost 13 yr old stepson with ADHD. His Dad has full custody so we deal with his behavior full time.
He has been medicated for a number of years (before I came into the picture) and was always on ritalin. This year, since he was starting Jr. Highschool, his doctor changed him to Biphentin so he wouldn't have to take meds to school (ritalin is a hot commodity on the streets here). After 3 weeks on Biphentin his teachers were calling almost every day, he was kicked out of classes most days and finally the Vice Principal called as he had gone too far. He knowingly caused a severe allergic reaction to a child in his class who had to have epi-pen administered and go home for the rest of the day(due to his impulsive behavior). His meds were changed back to Ritalin and he is back to his 'normal' which we can all work with though he is anything but 'normal'. It is nothing for him to be walking through school and just kick someone for no reason or smack someones head off the brick wall as he walks past (he did this to a 2nd grade girl last year and another child)
He is impulsive, overly talkative, speaks of violent and gruesome topics constantly, blurts out off topic, and is just nonsensical - he seems to spend much of his time in some strange fantasy world where everything is real to him. He is always asking us ridiculous hypothetical questions and actually expects us to take him seriously and give him an answer. He shows very little emotion and when he does its out of place and inappropriate. He comes off as very rude and disrespectful which is so difficult when you take him out. He is 12 but acts like a naughty 4 yr old most of the time.
On the other hand he is brilliant. He has top marks in all his classes and completes his work in record time. He loves facts and information and remembers everything (if it interests him) However he can't remember instructions or what you asked him to do 5 minutes ago.
It drives his Dad and I insane as he seems to think only of himself and at his age we expect more. His sister is 10 and so much more mature and sensible than he is. We try to enjoy his quirkiness and creativity but it is tiring. When asked what he wanted for Christmas he said he wanted a huge plastic turnip that was hollowed out so he could sit inside it - where does an idea like this come from??? He's almost 13 and he knows such a thing doesn't exist but he says it in all seriousness. When we ask him to come up with something reasonable he has no ideas.
Well I'll stop there, I'm writing a book. I could go on and on but that's the thing - I need somewhere to vent because he is a sweet kid and I don't like feeling so negative about him. He is loving, always asks for hugs and can be helpful when he wants to be. So much of his behavior overshadows that sweet kids that we forget he's in there. I guess I'm wondering if others have a child of similar age with similar issues. I know that here, you will understand what I mean. Thanks for letting me get this out.
ssLisa
He has been medicated for a number of years (before I came into the picture) and was always on ritalin. This year, since he was starting Jr. Highschool, his doctor changed him to Biphentin so he wouldn't have to take meds to school (ritalin is a hot commodity on the streets here). After 3 weeks on Biphentin his teachers were calling almost every day, he was kicked out of classes most days and finally the Vice Principal called as he had gone too far. He knowingly caused a severe allergic reaction to a child in his class who had to have epi-pen administered and go home for the rest of the day(due to his impulsive behavior). His meds were changed back to Ritalin and he is back to his 'normal' which we can all work with though he is anything but 'normal'. It is nothing for him to be walking through school and just kick someone for no reason or smack someones head off the brick wall as he walks past (he did this to a 2nd grade girl last year and another child)
He is impulsive, overly talkative, speaks of violent and gruesome topics constantly, blurts out off topic, and is just nonsensical - he seems to spend much of his time in some strange fantasy world where everything is real to him. He is always asking us ridiculous hypothetical questions and actually expects us to take him seriously and give him an answer. He shows very little emotion and when he does its out of place and inappropriate. He comes off as very rude and disrespectful which is so difficult when you take him out. He is 12 but acts like a naughty 4 yr old most of the time.
On the other hand he is brilliant. He has top marks in all his classes and completes his work in record time. He loves facts and information and remembers everything (if it interests him) However he can't remember instructions or what you asked him to do 5 minutes ago.
It drives his Dad and I insane as he seems to think only of himself and at his age we expect more. His sister is 10 and so much more mature and sensible than he is. We try to enjoy his quirkiness and creativity but it is tiring. When asked what he wanted for Christmas he said he wanted a huge plastic turnip that was hollowed out so he could sit inside it - where does an idea like this come from??? He's almost 13 and he knows such a thing doesn't exist but he says it in all seriousness. When we ask him to come up with something reasonable he has no ideas.
Well I'll stop there, I'm writing a book. I could go on and on but that's the thing - I need somewhere to vent because he is a sweet kid and I don't like feeling so negative about him. He is loving, always asks for hugs and can be helpful when he wants to be. So much of his behavior overshadows that sweet kids that we forget he's in there. I guess I'm wondering if others have a child of similar age with similar issues. I know that here, you will understand what I mean. Thanks for letting me get this out.
ssLisa
We had an article on aspergers and it fit him to a T but when Dad brought it in and asked the doctor about it She said almost every kid could fit the criteria and it is just the 'flavor of the month'. I wasn't impressed but she is the only specialist we have in our little province so there is no one else to go to.
Oh well, even if there is something else there isn't much we can do. We work on his behavior and trying to teach him to take responsibility for his actions, its the best we can do. Right now our struggle is to find some form of discipline or punishment that will work on him. No matter what we do he just goes 'Ok' and accepts it without emotion... its like it has no effect and he doesn't learn anything from it. We're exasperated.