How much research is being done for the causes of adhd?

Michelle - posted on 06/08/2010

thankfully my child was diagnosed early so we did not have the confidence issues that you are having my son used to feel like I didn't like him and I explained to him that it wasn't that I didn't like who he was I just had the same problem as he did and so when he was out of control mommy couldn't cope

Priscilla - posted on 06/07/2010

Oh well, the school it seems was full of empty promises. Still waiting for a meeting with the teachers! It is teacher/parent evening tomorrow (by invitation) and I havent been asked to come and speak to his teachers!!! Excuse me while I tear my hair out. We have now met a Dr who specialises in ADHD and is one too. He says he will come and speak to the headmaster and teachers if they are open to it...I feel like they are putting their heads in the sand and hoping our kids will just go away with time!!! Well, I think I am now going to be getting in their faces! My child has no more confidence when it comes to school. He is hating it...

Andrea - posted on 05/01/2010

Hi. My 6 year old daughter Mattea was also diagnosed with moderate ADHD. I haven't given her any meds yet, still in the process to see how she gets on. Unfortunatlly she seems to be heading that way. She has lots of problems at school with her teacher and with her peers as well. The school have applied for an LSA but here in Malta it takes an eternity . Meanwhile I have noticed that her self esteem is getting worse. She thinks she's no good and that everyone is trying to avoid her. At school she needs someone who can understand her and not someone who shouts at her all the time . She's not happy at school and every morning it's a struggle for her and it's heartbreaking for me.
On my side I always try to praise her even if once in a while she throws a paper in the bin instead of leaving it on the table cause I know that she struggled to that. And as you wrote above a big tight hug helps a lot.

Catherine - posted on 04/26/2010

I didn't see it as a disability.. I saw it as a challenge.. in doing that I saw problems that we needed to over come, with the ever present thought that I had to teach them to be able to function in the real world outside of school.

ADHD kids are some of the brightest minds ever created. they just have to learn to focus. that often means meds or supplements. I started with meds.. and later moved to supplements. Fish Oil, Tyrosine, Vit B complex, magnesium and calcium. surprisingly basic.. but they work.. amazingly well. You MUST however adjust the amounts you give to your child according to weight and age. if anyone is interested.. I can help you ball park starting amounts.

once he has the ability to focus you can then teach him to thing.. it is a long road.. it is a lot of work.. but I have two grown kids.. DD is ADHD extrEEEEM ... and most don't see it in either one of my kids. they grew up knowing they were adhd.. but they also grew up knowing it wasn't an excuse for not doing.. and for sure it was not an excuse for bad behavior..

raisingADHDkids is work.. and always being on the ball.. but it can be done..

for thoughts like your son is having.. I would have put a positive spin on it.. first you have to get over the poor thing mind set.. he is bright.. but as long as you believe.. that ADHD is bad.. he will feel it no matter what you say to him..

kids with ADHD are great kids.. a lot of work.. but great kids. Ihave to get to work.. and can't access this thread at work.. so .. let me think about this.. how I would have spun it positive with my kids. it was never negative at our house
.. so I didn't have this problem.... one thing I always did was no matter the issue.. or problem at hand.. there wasn't anything we couldn't face together.. and it still holds even today.. my kids know they can come to me and We can do it. but I don't get to help them as much.. they are fearcely independent.

catherine

Debbie - posted on 04/24/2010

I am glad to hear that the school is being supportive. Here children who are identified with anything that affects their learning have what is called an IEP or Individual Education Plan. This plan helps the teacher plan for the child, it identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the child and focus' on strengths. My son saw a neurologist when he was first diagnosed, now we just visit our family doctor every third month.

Priscilla - posted on 04/22/2010

Thanks! I had meeting with school and therapist and it sounded very positive. They are now prepared to have his exam and test questions read to him and we will see if that improves his marks as he has no comprehension of what he has read or he only reads half of the question. Have also got an appointment with a neurologist (earliest end of august)! Will have to hang in until then!!!

Debbie - posted on 04/22/2010

Wow South Africa! I am in Canada and things are very different here. I wish you the best of luck!

Priscilla - posted on 04/22/2010

It is very scary to think of what happened before ADHD was given a label! No, we have not gone for counselling. That will prob be the next thing on my long list of things to try. Having a meeting with out therapist and the school ( all his teachers) this morning to see what they are prepared to do to help my son. Wish me luck. Our education system, the mainstream schools, here in South Africa are not very flexible for kids with problems and we cant affored the private schools that can cope....

Debbie - posted on 04/21/2010

ADHD has always been around, we just did not have a name for it! Before diagnosis, counselling and meds, these children were labelled as bad or even worse mentally retarded! Parents sent their ADHD children away to live in group homes. I have done a ton of research and it is really sad.

ADHD is hereditary! My brother is 30years old and I believe that he is, undiagnosed, ADHD. He did not have alot of friends growing up, and was often bullied and labelled as bad. I see alot of my brother in my son (diagnosed at the age of 7 with ADHD/ODD). There is too alot of misdiagnosis out there too. Remember that your child must have the most of the symptoms for consecutive 6months and in more that one setting.

Once question, has your child gone for counselling? My son and I both went for counselling to help us cope. We went to the same youth counsellor, separately for about 4 months. I was told by all Drs that drugs alone will not work, that children with ADHD need to have counselling too to help learn to deal with changes.

Priscilla - posted on 04/20/2010

I have the same question? Have asked myself over and over if it was something I did or happened when I was pregnant? Or is it the additives in our foods? Why are there more and more kids being diagnosed (and why some and not others?). Is it because we are more aware of it now and our kids are not just being labelled "the naughty ones" as possibly happened in the past? No one has any concept, other than those going through it, of the energy and worry it takes to try and make life as "normal" as possible for these kids. It breaks my heart when I see my son (11 years) struggling through life and school with little self confidence, few friends and depressed. I am trying to get the school to help, with the assistance of our occupational therapist, but the wheels are turning sooooo slowly and he is just slipping further and further backwards.

What answers are out there???

Amy - posted on 04/19/2010

awwww, poor guy! My son ... how do I say... "likes" his meds. We tell him they just make it easier for him to behave and concentrate. He's on Concerta. When we went to the first Med Eval, he said to me in the car "Mom, I'm just better at EVERYTHING!" He was so excited, though it took a good month for him to start feeling better about himself.



It would be nice if the kids at school (and some of their parents) would notice the changes in him... he still struggles with friendships. This is what breaks my heart the most, I think.



I wish there was more information out there, too.