Hi my name is angie.I have two children and they are three year old girl and a five year old boy who has adhd.The struggle with adhd is at times very hard to deal with at times.It seems like there is not light at the end of the tunnel.You just have to remember this is my child and I love him no matter if he is jekyl or mr.hyde.The biggest trouble for me personally is school.He just started kindergarden and he has already been suspended and has a lot of social problems.I go on and on about adhd.I live in alton and it seems there are no support groups around here or at least none that I know of.So anyways,I just wander what other ppls stories are about and to let them no they definetly are not alone.
Ok Angie I found this website and it can give you some of an idea as to where support groups are in your area. I have a list of a few that are actaully in St Louis. If you want more info on the groups let me know and i will send the date and times of the meetings to you. here is the website that can give you more info on it. http://www.chadd.org/AM/CustomPages/home/CHADD_Home.htm?CFID=5772798&CFTOKEN=86055814&jsessionid=f230559641193351965046
Angie and Katie,
Hello, I'm very new to this site. I realize I'm late to this discussion but I have a 41/2 year old boy who is not only adhd but an explosive child. He was recently asked not to return to school because of his explosive behavior. Most of the time I have a very endering child who wants nothing more than to spend time with someone or give some kind of phsyical affection (hugging or kissing). But when he is in the explosive state he doesn't understand what is happening or what he is doing. I thought for along time that he was behaving this way because of something I was doing wrong, but I have learned that this condition is something he can't control. It has nothing to do with parenting. I would be interested in joining a monthly support group if anyone is interested.
Amber
I was diagnosed when my youngest son was diagnosed with ADHD. Out of 4 children, three have this diagnosis. I traced it back at least one more generation by symptoms too. Except if you think about it, what kind of person would cross an ocean not knowing what was on the other side, if they didn't have ADD? No one has said anything about meds, but they were a life saver for all of us. With my own diagnosis I also take meds and am able to complete tasks at home, instead of starting 12 things and not finishing anything. (No it doesn't work as a diet pill, I was so disapointed!) Orginizational skills do not go with ADHD! I found that my kids schools were just not structured to handle kids with ADD, or ADHD, generally. My kids needed to get up and walk around, have shorter time periods for subject matter, have subject matter given in different forms (hands on, lecture, etc.), have shortened assignments, test out of class. They also needed teachers who knew about this diagnosis --something that I only found rarely, (but many who were willing to listen and learn.) They also need to understand that these kids are not broken, they don't need to be fixed, just accomidated.
We were offered peer group counceling, but since my kids social skills weren't bad, it didn't seem to help us. This is also an option for kids. At least one of mine also had LD and auditory processing difficulties. Special school helped with pull outs from class, but how effective it was depended on the teacher. Just an ADD or ADHD can get you help with school accomidations, under 'other health impared' through a 504 plan, I believe. Just remember, this isn't a 'curable' disease, it's the way their brains function, or short circut, depending on how you look at it.
I also read everything and followed my heart. We looked for a good conselor, who worked well with my child and specialized in ADD-- that may take time. I was told so many times at school, that it was behavior issues, he's out of control, he's hard headed and doesn't want to follow the rules. But when you have a 7 year old keep asking you what's wrong with him, you know it's not his choice! Patience, understanding, breaks, lots of TLC, and a little luck, and you all will be fine.
One more thing, sports helped my kids: Soccer - not goalie; baseball- catcher only; hockey; and swimming - but be careful of the 'down time' these kids tend to be a bit impulsive!...and did I mention that you tend to ramble when the meds are wearing off?