discrimination against adhd

Selina - posted on 05/15/2013

I totally agree and have fought for my daughter for years and will keep fighting. it breaks my heart to know how much she hurts over how she is treated. one of her teachers at her old school made her stand up in class and tell everyone she had adhd and that she wasn't normal. I snapped that day....I turned the car around and let that woman have it. I have thought of homeschooling but sarah loves going to school with her sisters. her grades are awesome and shes in band. im so tired of teachers saying shes a problem when she has all a's shes in band and now does not disrupt class. she looses focus and sometimes don't finish her class work. but she is made to go to the office to finish and others in the classroom take it home to finish because that's the classroom rule. I ask why she is treated different but never get a straight answer.

Phaedra - posted on 04/19/2013

In my daughter last school her first year in jr high even and a small town they was trying to send her to a school for troubled teens like ones that steal do drugs ect. She weighed maybe 85 at the most all because she was acting out. They just didnt want to deal with it because the teachers just dont seem to care anymore. I went in a told all her teachers that she was diagnosed with adhd and just starting to take meds for it. we put her on a iep and a behavior plan. so they could say that they followed the rules but next thing i knew i was in juvenill court and i thought it was getting better cuz i stopped getting notes and calls. to me teachers are just there for a check thats it.

Jessica - posted on 04/15/2013

Yes I agree with the comments people need to get on board with ADHD just as they do Autism and other disorders. Our children are shunned away as if they are trouble makers but they cannot help themselves their brain is moving to fast for them to think about their actions. We as parents with children and this disorder need to speak out about it. My son feels like no one likes him and that he has no friends. This hurts me to my heart. I don't want my child growing up a social misfit because these people refuse to understand him. My son is a loving and caring person that just wants to be accepted by all.

Emily - posted on 04/15/2013

I have to comment on this from personal experience.

When I was young, I was a nightmare. I was actually expelled from PRE-SCHOOL! It wasn't until I was 7 (and already despised by all the 'normal' children in school) that my parents took me to a psychiatrist. They were very much against believing that anything could be wrong with their child. Don't get my wrong, I don't resent my parents at all. It just isn't something that was accepted 20 years ago. I was diagnosed with ADHD and ODD which when together, mimic bipolar disorder.

I loved my parents, I loved my brother's and sisters, and I loved everybody around me. However, there would be days that I couldn't control it. Unfortunately those days were almost every day. I would get bullied at school for wearing hand me downs, being different, being "crazy" and what not. I would react. I would get so mad! It literally feels like something has taken control of you. You see yourself going crazy. You see yourself screaming and hitting and running away and there's nothing you can do. The second you do something bad, you regret it and you feel bad and you want to apologize. You just can't. You have to keep control and you have to be right about your actions. You can't admit fault. It's a horrible feeling. To this day I feel bad about the things that I did.

I was suspended from school so many times. My grades were terrible because I was bored out of my mind and couldn't even hear the teacher speaking. I was in my own world. Even when something wasn't my fault, I was the problem child so I would get in trouble and get suspended. I had a girl punch me in the face (which she had threatened to do the weekend before. I had even told my dad she threatened me). I went to the nurse with a bloody nose. The girl told them I swung at her so I got suspended for a week. In middle school, I had a girl swing at me and I grabbed her fist. I didn't realize how hard I was holding her hand and I ended up digging my nails into the back of her hand. I was suspended for a week. I changed schools 4 times in 3 years. I have a vice principal inform my entire class that I had forgotten to take my meds and that was why I went crazy that day. I went to school the day after that and my best friend told me what had happened. I called my dad, and he came and picked me up. That was my last day at that school. Fortunately, I started going to a creative and performing arts school where everybody was a bit different. I learned to control my outbursts and had a relatively normal high school experience.

Even to this day, ADHD and other mental disorders aren't recognized like others. Autism and such are treated with care. When you have a child with ADHD, you can feel every one staring at you, wondering how you screwed your kid up so badly.

I apologize for ranting...but I definitely agree with you. Something needs to be done.

Sherry - posted on 04/10/2013

Terra, I feel like your words could have came from my mouth, and agreewith everything that you said and I feel like I could have written your post. I have also learned alot from these boards, and glad I have a place to go to ask questions and get support. It also breaks my heart when my 6 year old little luv muffin of a boy, who gasps in agony anytime anyone gets hurt because he literally feels their pain... has problems with other boys not wanting to play with him at school, and how much he wants to be a friend, but yet can't seem to do the social behaviours that make other kids accept him as a friend. It breaks my heart that a 6 year old with wisdom intelligence and verbal ability way beyond his years can't sit still for more than two minutes to practice writing his ABC s and 123s. I agree that a walk/marathon or some type of awareness for adhd would make a difference. People don't even know what ADHD is.. most people think it just means that a kids is sensitive to sugar. Honestly, before I did my research and before my youngest son was diagnosed I didn't know what add or adhd was, I didn't know there was a difference between the add/adhd, and I actually thought that ADHD was basicly a label for children who ate to much sugar and didn't have enough parental dicipline :(
Some of my closest friends and family still don't get it, they think that I should just be more strict.

Terra - posted on 04/10/2013

I love this group and I love these topics. I have picked up some great tips while reading through. I have also learned that I am not alone as a mother dealing with this. Many other children have it just as rough, or maybe even more so. Thank you all for sharing your stories. I used to be one of those people who believed this was made up and parents needed to do a better job. I know that my husband and I have given all we have and continue to do so. ADD/ADHD is a very sad disease. It breaks my heart to hear my 7 yr old tell me he is out of control. It breaks my heart to hear my 7 yr old tell me that no one wants to play him, even when he asks them nicely. It breaks my heart that 7 yr old needs a scheduled to go to the bathroom. It breaks my heart that my 7yr old has extreme anxiety over food on his plate touching. It breaks my heart that 7 yr old that is the “trouble maker” even though he will tell you how much he loves everyone or how much he prays for everyone.
This disease isn’t worse than any other, but it so much more misunderstood. How about a walk to cure ADD/ADHD. How about a marathon, a telethon, a bake sale…

Sherry - posted on 04/08/2013

Thanks Beverly, your post of healthy advice would work perfectly on my first son who DOES NOT HAVE ADHD, , but for my second son that DOES have adhd, none of your advice will work. No matter how much punishments, consequences and clear boundaries and guidelines we give him, he would still do the same thing, and have 10 times worse self esteem because of the constant diccipline and negative attention. adhd is actually real, and yes there are probably alot of cases of misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis, but for those of us with children struggling with adhd we know that it is real, not caused by sugar, junk food, bad parenting or fatherless homes. Thanks for your advice, but unfortunately it just wont cut it for me, or for most of the other parents here who know that adhd and add are real neurobiological issues that often make it a struggle for our children to follow rules, directions, or sit still for more than 5 minutes. ADHD is a highly misunderstood neurobiological difference which affects the way the brain, handles and stores information and affects behaviour. Having routines, such as bath time, story time, and less tv and video gamesx along with healthy foods and consistent loving parenting will definitely help any child and will certainly benefit a child with adhd, but unfortunately it will not fix or cure adhd.

Gail - posted on 12/21/2012

Yes, this is a very nice and helpful group. Wish they were around when Robbie was younger. But will help with challenges from here on out..

Stephanie - posted on 12/20/2012

I think we as parent need more support in how to manage them in the ways we need. I currently attend a special needs support group not much information but i have been reading a few books trying to gain better knowledge so i can avoid the medication route and iv passed the details of the book to the person who runs the group just so other parents can get some clues to what they are doing and the things they are going through as a parent and a person its a struggle i try to give advice on my own experiences just to at least help in some way and to say you are not alone i knw how frustrating it can be and hopeless it seems when you just want to give up you are not alone even if there isnt alot available in the form of groups the internet and esp on her are great sorces of information so least that better then nothing im only doing all this for my son and our family it doesnt take away his problems but i can at least help him and guide him through as well as i can as well as myself and his sister

Gail - posted on 12/20/2012

I agree although Robbie was on Ritalin for about 3 years.Then my husband heard about a boy who had a heart attack while on Ritalin. So we just stopped, not that Robbie minded, she didn't like the med anyway. So we just dealt with her issues then. But it would have been nice to have a support group or something. Nothing like other peope who have gone thru what you went thru.

Stephanie - posted on 12/20/2012

I totally agree with you my son has a whole range of problems and iv tried looking for groups that can help none instead i have to read books there isnt much support now they r saying medication but i dont want that for my son i think there need to be more groups to help instead of being dumped with no advice and having to fend for yourself its not on and being put on meds more support is needed not just for the children but the parents

Sherryl - posted on 12/19/2012

After reading most of the replies, I too have a six year old with ADHD, I am at relief that I am not the only one with this problem! We, as mothers (and fathers) do our best to help our children and it is such a pain when there are SO MANY teachers and principals who do not want to "deal" with children with any type of issue. It is such a hearbreaking issue. Why are there so little teachers and principals who want to actually help our children. There is no such thing as "normal" for children and it is so sad that ADD/ADHD children get pushed aside and labeled as the "bad student" regardless of academics. (This coming from my own personal experience with two different public schools.) Why aren't teachers trained to teach children with ADD/ADHD more often? Why is this such an issue to where our children are pushed aside? You would think with the times this wouldn't be an issue, especially with how many children are as unique as ours.

Stephanie - posted on 12/10/2012

Had to comment im new to all this so here goes lol i knw what you mean my son is 6 he has adhd amongst other thing and is a challenge everywhere i get tuts stares not alot of people understand any of the special need alot of people have nowadays like my sons granddad on his side said there is no such thing my son is just hyper i need to do more things with him like i dont already and he cant even handle my son for more then a few hours i wish they would see how like many others like my son who struggles with the way they are they already know they are different and i try my hardest to shield my son but it isnt easy and you can see it hurts like i i tell my son everyone is different be no fun if we were all the same how boring. I think more help should be given they are not all what people think my son is a very loving caring biy when he isnt in a bad mood but find it hard and when people r tutting and making comments it just makes it worse they need to be understood and help not sneered at or made to feel they are not important cos they are and they need to wise up and see it and give us more help then there is out there and iv tried to find stuff about how to help my son but hardly anything to help sorry rant over just what was on my mind hope you find the answer your searching for only you knw what is best for your son and your family. Stephanie Xx

Jessica - posted on 11/19/2012

My 5boy year old has adhere and pddnos and they are threatening to kick him off the bus ... I don't drive so how would I get him to school?

Kristin - posted on 11/11/2012

Trust me I understand completely I'm a mother with a child w/ADHD and I'm also an adult who is suffering with ADD. I was diagnosed with ADHD, in the early 90s, and it is funny how people automatically call you a troublemaker or someone with parents who can't parent. My parents were very strict with me growing up (Military parents), but if people who talk like they do about the "stigma that is ADHD" and walked in the shoes of a child or an adult suffering with it, they would be quiet and know that the illness. I"m 32 yrs old now and haven't been on meds working on 11 yrs and everyday is a challenge trying to keep my focus on things at work and life, but after almost 22 yrs of practice and loving parents and now husband who helped me with my disablity I've learned ways to be able to work w/o meds, such as making lists and focus points at work. Most young children can't have the kind of focus when their minds are going a mile a minute they act out in ways that only a child can by being hyper. What I see is a way to get their minds to settle is by letting out a lot of steam. Trying to focus is a nightmare and I would love for people to have to deal with the nightmare that is ADHD for one day and then see how fast their tune will change on the illness that is ADHD and that its not a made up medical condition.



My favorite line is when people say in the 40s to 80sthere was no ADHD, well their was no PPD or PTS either, but they are now and considered legitimae illnesses. Also back then ADHD was considered juvenile deliquents or trouble makers, b/c no one assumed children could get these kinds of illnesses and it was the homelife these children have. Also back then they didn't have internet and other ways for news of other children acting like this to spread like they do now. Sorry I just get so upset reading when people say ADHD/ADD is a made up or we are bad parents when most of the time its none of that. Yes there are kids out there who are being misdiagnosed, but with every 2 children being misdiagnosed there is 1 that isn't. And that one child should not be treated horriblely or its parents for trying what they can for their child!!

Marie - posted on 11/08/2012

well said, i have twins age 10 both with ADHD and ive just had to take them out of school because the head teacher treated them just like everyone else and didnt give them the one to one support they were meant to have.

Diane - posted on 10/27/2012

Wendy----

I sometimes think it may have something to do with all the chemicals and preservatives we have in our food these days. Back in the 40's, 50's, 60's there was not the "fast food places" and not as much pre packaged convenience foods in the grocery isles. And you never heard of ADHD back then....It may have been around, but I don't think it was as prevalent as now. who knows...I just think all our so called conveniences may come at a huge cost to us.

Kirsten - posted on 10/26/2012

Mom's with ADHD need to unite and quit letting others make us feel like bad moms responsible for a behavioral problem Mom's need to address this as a disability. It is an uphill battle. I relate. Hang in there.

Wendy - posted on 10/07/2012

When I was young I had never heard of ADHD and did not know anyone that showed any signs of it. I don't know what has changed from then to now, but something has. I do believe that some of the issues may be single parent house holds, but only in some instances, I believe that if a child acts out any shows any sort of a sign of having ADHD, such as having outburst then the first thing that doctors and teachers do are to suggest medication. That is an easy fix for some parents that don't want to parent or a teach with a class full of hyper kids. But then you have children that really do have ADHD, ODD or some other form of physciatric disorder. They all seem to get lumped in the same group as being "trouble makers" and their school mates, teachers and basically everyone else seem to shy away from them. When really what they need is their friendship, guidance and love. There is not enough of that going around now a days..

Nani - posted on 09/27/2012

my son has adhd and oppositional defiant disorder and . they teachers hate him. he is always getting introuble for the dumbest things when he talks they get him introuble if kids pick on him first he gets introuble i am sick of it!

Sandra - posted on 09/26/2012

I understand what you mean nikki. Three of my other four child have ADHD too. I could take them anywhere and they would be so good. I was a military wife and often knew no one in the area to watch my children so they went everywhere that I did. My 5 year old that just got diagnosed is another story. He is awful in stores and restaurants. My mom thinks its because they were very shy and he is very outgoing. They were also good at school and he has been having problems. Hang in there it is hard to wait but you wouldn't want to get the wrong diagnosis.

Monica - posted on 09/26/2012

i have a son with adhd and a son with austism and people look at them all the time when they have meltdowns it is very tiring and challanging at times and they dont like sleep and they both have ocd about food and clothing and smells i,m a single mum and dont get no rest bite from them so i,m tired most of the time as they dont like sleep so it is a challange everyday x

Monica - posted on 09/26/2012

my son was diagonesed with adhd two yrs ago my ex partner and freinds said there is nothing wrong with him hes on meds i am doing the best for my son and learning about his conditon and how to help him today a child at school was calling him names and punching him with a teacher just stood there and watched but when my son hit the child they tried to restain him the school knows he has adhd so why havent they put support in for him x

Nikki - posted on 09/25/2012

poor beverly bet she wishes she never opened her mouth!! im still going through the process of my 4 year old being diagnosed which is getting on my nerves because at least when I know then I can deal with it but with out knowing for sure I can't pinpoint her behaviour and it just looks like shes an uncontrollable child. I get all the looks from people when she acting up but to be honest i dont really care what anyone else thinks even though I could cry on most occasions!!! im glad i found this site as i dont know anyone else who has a child with adhd or suspected in my case these children are very trying to say the least and everyday is a challenge. I have 2 other daughters who are now 13 and 19 and they were angels I could take them anywhere and I do tend to compare which i shouldn't i know i just wish id have had her first when i was younger and had more energy to deal with it!!!

Nakoda - posted on 09/24/2012

I truly agree with you Heather! My son is 5 years old and he was diagnosed with having ADHD last fall. It's like I am begging the school system to provide my son with the "special services" he needs (and are entitled to) but I am constantly being told that I have to seek outside services. At what point does the system help me and my child? Why aren't there teachers equipped and trained to deal with children diagnosed with ADHD? My child is place in classes with these teachers who have no understanding nor patience to deal with an disorder of such so our children has to suffer for there lack of knowledge of ADHD. It's unfair and unjust! There should be laws for this type of matter.

Danielle - posted on 09/23/2012

I don't think people necessarily discriminate against children with ADHD but more so do not try to understand it. I for the longest time thought it was just another label and this time for out of control children. When I met my stepson I found this was not the case and that it is in fact a disability in some cases. We have been lucky enough to have had teachers who understand and sympathize with our son but the behavioral issues are endless and stressful. I think this is the negative about children with ADHD. Regardless of being born with it and not being able to control it, many people do not have the capacity to deal with the everyday struggles of raising a child with ADHD. I struggle every day with him, even though I love him, there are times when I just want to disappear. As for respect, I too wish society understood the severity of this illness.

Monica - posted on 09/20/2012

My son is 6 and he was diagnosed this summer with adhd. We have him on medicine but we're still trying them and seeing what works. He was just on one med that gave him tics.. long story short, we have him playing football, and during the medicine change his football coach actually told my husband and myself that he didn't want to deal with my son, it got so bad with the football coaches picing on him that we had to remove him from the team.

Amy - posted on 08/29/2012

AMEN!

My 7yr old's first grade teacher last year was AWEFUL. At the beginning of the school year I thought she was going to be great, b/c her husband has ADHD. Well, it was just the opposite. Since her husband was medicated, she thought my son should be medicated and held it against me...and HIM for not doing so. Really made me MAD! She essentially BULLIED us. She treated my son aweful, and called me constantly, telling me now great medication was and how I should try it.

I HATE today's school system. The teachers are horrible, and they DO treat ADHD kids different. They act like these poor kids can help the way they act!! It's a neurological disease. They cannot control their behavior! And it's NOT poor parenting. I take away my son's TV, toys, play time with other kids, and all other priveledges when he is bad at school. I do not EVER let him play video games, watch violent or inappropriate cartoons or read inappropriate books. I am a GOOD Mom.

I know how you feel, Heather. It is so dissappointing. My son is the one who has to pay the ultimate price.



Amy

Diane - posted on 08/14/2012

Oh Beverly Thompson....

Gee...How I wish I could have talked with you BEFORE I went through all the many Doctors, Psychologists, Phsychiatrists, Pediatricians etc. all of whom have various degrees beside their names and have all confirmed that ADHD does exist and that my child does indeed have it.



Who knew that an arrogant, narrow minded, head in the sand, ignorant, uninformed, naive, unknowledgable, insensitive, self-righteous, self-satisfied, pharisaic, sanctimonious, pompous, supercilious, holier-than-thou woman ......on the WRONG forum...

..could have taught me how to be a better parent and saved me from all my heartache!!!!

Julie - posted on 08/09/2012

Because the medical condition is mental and not physical. Most Mental medical conditions are NOT treated with respect, and ADHD is one of them. There is much controversy over the diagnosis because it is being OVER diagnosed in children, and UNDER diagnosed in adults. Lack of Knowledge is the main reason for the discrimination.

Donna - posted on 06/26/2012

I need help. My son who has been diagnosed with ADHD/ODD was attending an afterschool daycare program at the Towns Parks and Recs dept. Because of his misbehavior I was being called to get him from work. Then one day, he was being disrupted and throwing things they banned him from coming on Mondays only, Mondays seemed to be the worst day of the week. Well I wanted to sign him up for a summer program and was they basically balked at me.

I am wondering if there is discrimination laws that protects him against public community programs?

Samantha - posted on 06/17/2012

I wanted to tell you this is how it works in schools, I have had ADHD all my life and teachers have always acted this way. I suggest you do what my mom and what I am doing for my son. I now do home school with my boys and it has been great and we do loads of feild trips and school work online through PBS.com and www.time4learning.com and a few other programs. We go to the libray 3 times a week and do cooking as part of adding and science. To make math fun we bust out the nerf gun, I draw on the windows with a dry erase marker and he shoots the diffrent numbers and then adds them together. We also work on letters by drawing on the window with the markers. Homeschool is fun.

Amy - posted on 06/12/2012

My son, who is now 19 and doing well has had a rough time of it for the last 18 years. He has ADD and high functioning Autism, not Aspergers though. The parent needs to be the advocate for the child. The parent needs to know the rules of the special needs programs at school. It is like parenting 24 hours a day, giving your child the rules in writing, over and over, etc. You also get the great opportunity of learning your child's interests. Sports without formal rules are difficult. My son did great at Tennis (a sport with rules and social guidelines.) We watch tennis and learn from watching it. Now he is a ball kid for two tournaments. The successes are different, but exciting and joyfull for your child and your family. We also learned American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate across a room, field, pool, and anywhere that you can see your child. He then took ASL in High School as his language. How do you learn ASL? Take a class at a Community College. The more you use it, the more you know.

My son is a wonderful addition to our family, and is a wonderful member of society.

Gail - posted on 06/11/2012

My child has ADHD + several other things. When Robbie's kindergarten teacher couldn't handle her; we pulled her out and I homeschooled her. I figured I could give her what she needed.

Ingke - posted on 06/09/2012

thank you guys for this post . I had difficult times myself when my son was about 2 years old . I kept saying something isnt right . He is great in school specially maths but there are issues with things like concentration and he is getting distracted so so easily . Ask him anything and he has an answer and he is clever in his head but getting it to paper is a huge problem and always has been . In his old school i talked to the teachers and they didnt seem to think there was anything wrong with him talking to himself and fiddling with things all the time . I found the reading sessions we had difficult as he was fiddling with something all the time and reading fluently was impossible , but holding his hand seemed to help and his reading got so much more fluent . Now in his new school he is being looked at on the autism spectrum as teachers there have noticed too . I am so glad about this as it would explain a lot . He has been bullied for the way he is and it made me feel helpless as i couldnt say why he did things but if we find there is something it would help us help him as he is a lovely boy and clever .

Shari - posted on 06/07/2012

After reading many of your posts I realize just how blessed I am with my son who has ADHD. His school has been wonderful. He has had an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) since the very first day that he started school. The various therapists and IC educators have been wonderful to work with both in and out of school. There are a few things that we have implemented at home as well that have worked well for our son. I like that someone stressed that every child with ADHD is very different and needs to cope in different ways. Find what works best for you and your child. For our family it is a combination of medication, behavioral modifications, inclusion especially in team sports, and detoxifying our home. I have noticed a huge difference in just removing the toxins from our environment makes the biggest difference of all. I feel that my child is well on his way to a happy , healthy and productive life someday without medications. Thank you all for sharing your successes and failures it is wonderful to learn new strategies in this struggle.

Tiffiney - posted on 05/10/2012

I have a classmate who insists all special needs kids should be institionalized and had nerve to say i was being unfair to my 'normal' kids by keeping my high functioning autistic son in my home... then at the store the other day my son was talking alot(as most 10yr olds do) and a guy behind me said good luck...i said oh hes autistic and this is nothing and kinda laughed because i was impressd how well my son was doing at the store.. the guy had nerve to say he felt sorry for me.... OMG I wanted to punch him.. and if chick in my class doesnt shut up(its a daily thing) im gona beat her in the parking lot..Im 32 mom of 4 and one is special needs..for her to say what she does is beyond repulsive
tho she has given me a topic for my English essay.... Discrimination against special needs kids and their parents

Lindz - posted on 02/03/2012

I also feel that ADHD is just handed out as a way of saying oh he is just hyper or something like that, I also agree that society doesn't understand or realize that ADHD come in different severity like other disorders. the way i like to explain it is... would you teat someone who has a physical disability like you are treating or looking at someone who has ADHD. It is a legitimate disorder that has its own types of challenges..

Louise - posted on 02/03/2012

Crystal, I do not buy into the fact that "you have to" tell everyone. Not at all. I believe that if you have your adhd child on meds that are working, then you should allow this child to go on and have a normal environment without a label stuck on him. People DO treat them differently when they know. Every single movement the child does will be judged and reviewed. They could be acting every bit the same as non adhd children but it is a problem because they have adhd. I don't think it is fair that this child's personal medical information is subject to public knowledge a scrutiny. They deserve their privacy to be protected. That is what I have done. My child is now in grade 7 and I have been dealing with this in the manner I described since he was in grade 2.

Sofia - posted on 02/03/2012

SOunds like you're going through a difficult time, I'm sorry to hear that. Can you give us more info about your situation, like your son's age and what particular difficulties you are facing? Is he having trouble at school? Is he taking medication for ADHD?

Unfortunaley my experience with this is limited but as part of my job I have worked with some families that have children with ADHD. I can see that it can be very difficult for some. Others have found the perfect combination of medication and disciplining techniques that help their child manage their own behavior.

I hope you find something that works for your family.

Daina - posted on 02/01/2012

Beverly, ADHD is real. Very, very real. If you are ever curious and don't believe a parent telling you about ADHD, come look into my beautiful blue eyed 6-year old son who has ADHD. He would tell you the reason he can't sit still is becuase of the "race cars in his brain." I was blown away the day he told me that. For all parents of ADHD, you have NO IDEA what it is like to want to comfort and do the things every parent has dreamed of with their child but, can't becuase their baby has ADHD. Beverly, my son is awesome and has faced more obstacles in his little 6-yr old life that you obviously have. Go away and let the rest of the awesome moms here handle the big stuff!!

PATRICIA - posted on 02/01/2012

Responding to Danielle comment:: My grandson is getting treated the same way we live in Texas. Even if your kid is being good for a day the other children know all they have to do to get something started in class is get him aggravated and he will ultimately be blamed for everything. The first time I had a meeting with his teachers and vice principle (sic) I explained that Ethan was abused by his father and has the ADHD..and poss ODD.The principle's comment was "be that as it may he still needs to behave in class" when they say stuff like this I don't even know what to say. Some times I think our ADHD is only half the problem and the school systems everywhere spend more time punishing a child than teaching and helping...and you know how patience we as parents and guardians have to be when we see a melt down coming I have walked in the school office to get my grandson for a Dr. visit and he was already in the office and every female in there ware running around hysterical because he had told one of the office lady's to shut up,,,now he only does this when he feels trapped and and so frustrated that he just wants all of them to stop talking to him....either these teachers have never been taught how to defuse a situation with these kids or they just flat out don't care.....you can NOT go after a child verbally and not expect him to blow up....

Danielle - posted on 01/30/2012

i don't understand it. It is really aggravating as a parent because in the last 2 years my son is on his 5th school. We are still getting him diagnosed because his pcp does not want to listen. But people who don't know my son are always treating him like he is either stupid and just doesn't want to listen. People often forget it is a medical condition and not a choice. I really don't understand teachers,like his last teacher, who told us that she did not have time for my son. His new teacher is great and is making progress with him though. I just don't know why people would become teachers if they don't want to help ALL kids

Crystal - posted on 01/27/2012

That's the one thing that I hate.. Having to let people know about my son's ADHD because they treat him SO different!! My heart hurts because of that!! He's stereo typed and is blamed for everything because he known to have ADHD. Just sucks!

Kim - posted on 12/02/2011

Heather Blackie, Madiha Jav and all that should be included.......



I can understand if they pass you to another school because they don't provide IEP classes but just to pass you on due to a child possibly having additonal issues that can go with ADHD children is against the law.



Some kids can have ODD, some are Bi-Polar...etc.. but, if he hasn't had any type of issue that you had to bring to the table ...to your child's Pediatrican.....and they try to pass him off to another school...you would want to first.



1. Have your child checked out to see if they do have other issue's so they can be cared for properly



2. If there are no other signs, and said child is found clear of additional issues then you can go to the school board...if that doesn't work then find a lawyer. Not all these children have additional issue's..if they do they are usually something that like, anxiety, heart issues etc..



I haven't found any proof that ADHD is the cause for ODD, Bi-Polar etc... The educational systems in many places truly lack the education with children that are ADHD. These children are looked at with a disablity/disorder/handicapped...the only reason to me that a child with ADHD has a disablity/disorder/handicap is because some teachers, some family doctors and the public aren't given nor do they pass on the truth about these children.



We have been blessed to have a wonderful Pediatrian, his son has ADHD (which is full grown now)..our son's pediatrian did exstensive research on ADD/ADHD in order to help his son. He gave me some pretty good info. He asked me..."Did you know that over 90% of our surgens have ADHD?", "The reason why we give them stimulants is to slow their brains down, they are thinking beyond what we consider average, this way they can retain the info they are given." "Stimulants have the reversed effect on children that they do on adults." , "Most love to play with anything that has small pieces", " You will know where their interest lie, because they will want to do it all the time.", " The most important thing is to keep a routine, and start early teaching organization...you will more than likely have to go through the same motions day after day for a while but it all will stick in time", "It is very important that you keep communication with their teachers to listen for signs the medication may need to be revaluated." "Schools are their to teach to the masses, it is very important that you make sure to push for the IEP classes, to give them the best chance at learning...so they can function in the real world when they come of age."



Yes a lot of those things are nothing but common sence but it is easy to look past those things when you have others making you feel you have a child with leporsy...or as one lady said to me one day ..when she over heard me talking about our son with ADHD..."Oh aren't those the crazy kids that go nuts and the medication avaiable makes them sit like a zombie?" I about passed out...it was the biggest slap in the face, to realize how little the public really knows about these children. Most of them test to be advance...years beyond the average child (ex: my son tested in 6th grade at a 9th grade level 2nd sem in reading...8th grade level 2nd sem in Math..he had 100% of the geometry correct! We are thinking of putting him the advanced classes)...they get board...they need challenge (but not overhelmingly).



Sorry, I am very passionate about the subject at hand..hope this might help others pass the word and re-educate the public!

Madiha - posted on 12/01/2011

i know what u guys r talking about , i can feel it , i was in mental disturbance for 2 weeks , my son is going to new school for kindergarten n school was not taking him because he is adhd , board of education gave us that school for special kids ,he goes like adhd r aggressive ,suicidal , sub suicidal can harm kids and teacher . they interview him ,observe him for 5day from 8 - 1 . they took my interview and his previous school , after that they accept him but with warring that if he ever did any thing they gonna kick him out .he is hyper but not aggressive i m in tension all day until he came back home .

Louise - posted on 10/19/2011

I understand how you feel uncomfortable about medication. I felt the same. Then when I was blessed with a son with ADHD, and after trying every other route including diet, cranial massage, biofeedback, play therapy, theanine supplements, I had no choice. My son could not function properly at school and home was a war zone. It is an actual disorder. For anyone to think otherwise it is only ignorant to believe we just want to drug our kids.

Donna - posted on 10/16/2011

My kids dont have ADD nor do they have ADHD. But honestly the idea of drugging up children just makes me uncomfortable and seems kinda unhealthy

Donna - posted on 10/16/2011

My kids dont have ADD nor do they have ADHD. But honestly the idea of drugging up children just makes me uncomfortable and seems kinda unhealthy

Angelique - posted on 09/10/2011

Hi I wish at this moment in time all those jugemental moms people teachers family members out ther could just have one day with there own children having ADHD. They are so full of ideas, jugement, nasty ideas ect but they never realise what we go threw everyday, as we try in our own ways to help our children with ADHD. Its never easy what ever road you take to help them, with meds or no meds, different dissapline procedures, occupational therapy, extra love and affection, understanding, acceptance,different foods,different vitamines. MY SON HAS ADHD I LOVE HIM MORE THAN ANYTHING IN THE WORLD. I chose not to medicate him and try my best with other things, eg; diets vitamins occupational therapy ect, It works alittle but it sure would be easier if there was more support out there. THE LORD MADE HIM AS HE IS SO WHO AM I TO JUDGE........