Journal FortKnox's Journal: A bit distracted today.... 30
Yesterday, my clever son figured out how to fake an illness to get out of preschool. Suffice to say, when I heard the news, I was livid. But the teacher emailed my wife asking her how Joey was and told her there were other concerns with Joey.
As a parent, the last thing you want is for your kid to be different... for your child to have to bear a burden 'normal kids' don't have to. I knew the problem. I've known the problem but ignored it hoping it wouldn't come around or no one would notice and he'd just be a little different, without a diagnosis or word associated with it.
We got another email today. This time with specific concerns (emphasis mine):
Joey really has a difficult time following directions at school. He has his own agenda and needs directions repeated 2 to 5 times. Even with the daily routine of taking off his coat and hanging up his backpack - he needs one on one adult supervision to complete the task. He has a difficult time sitting for any group activity and blurts out off topic comments. He also has trouble transitioning from one activity to another. He demonstrates limited eye contact, is easily distracted and is restless. He has a difficult time waiting his turn. He also places classroom materials and toys in his mouth[...] He is not able to sit in a chair without moving - he sits on his foot, on the edge of the chair, etc.
My son is in a special program. Its a preschool program run by the school district for children with minor disabilities like speech problems. They also add in a few 'normal' kids to be 'models' for the other children. Joey came in as one of these models. Probably will finish as one of the kids needing some extra attention. This is actually a good thing. They have about four dozen different types of therapists that help with everything. Joey had a phase where he stuck everything (mostly his thumb and shirt) in his mouth. They worked on it, and he doesn't do it nearly as much (still his thumb, but I was a thumb sucker for years... at least my mother says I was). The teacher also included different techniques she is using to help him with the issues, but I already know whats wrong with him. Just like I said before. The emphasis was what stuck out like a sore thumb to me.
My son has ADD. Why do I know? Cause his Dad does, too. He just learned it when he was in college...
So now comes the part where the teacher will meet with us tomorrow afternoon, will express the concerns, will suggest we take him to a shrink. The shrink will do the ever fun six hour test on Joey to find out he has a minor form of ADD, and I've got to feed the poor kid brain pills for the rest of his life.
I think I'm going to try and opt for a non-drug solution if I can. Maybe occupational therapy or something...
I guess I'm kind of overreacting to all of this, since I haven't gotten a diagnosis, but from someone who has it and studied it... it sure seems like a honest to goodness case for ADD.
As a parent, the last thing you want is for your kid to be different... for your child to have to bear a burden 'normal kids' don't have to. I knew the problem. I've known the problem but ignored it hoping it wouldn't come around or no one would notice and he'd just be a little different, without a diagnosis or word associated with it.
We got another email today. This time with specific concerns (emphasis mine):
Joey really has a difficult time following directions at school. He has his own agenda and needs directions repeated 2 to 5 times. Even with the daily routine of taking off his coat and hanging up his backpack - he needs one on one adult supervision to complete the task. He has a difficult time sitting for any group activity and blurts out off topic comments. He also has trouble transitioning from one activity to another. He demonstrates limited eye contact, is easily distracted and is restless. He has a difficult time waiting his turn. He also places classroom materials and toys in his mouth[...] He is not able to sit in a chair without moving - he sits on his foot, on the edge of the chair, etc.
My son is in a special program. Its a preschool program run by the school district for children with minor disabilities like speech problems. They also add in a few 'normal' kids to be 'models' for the other children. Joey came in as one of these models. Probably will finish as one of the kids needing some extra attention. This is actually a good thing. They have about four dozen different types of therapists that help with everything. Joey had a phase where he stuck everything (mostly his thumb and shirt) in his mouth. They worked on it, and he doesn't do it nearly as much (still his thumb, but I was a thumb sucker for years... at least my mother says I was). The teacher also included different techniques she is using to help him with the issues, but I already know whats wrong with him. Just like I said before. The emphasis was what stuck out like a sore thumb to me.
My son has ADD. Why do I know? Cause his Dad does, too. He just learned it when he was in college...
So now comes the part where the teacher will meet with us tomorrow afternoon, will express the concerns, will suggest we take him to a shrink. The shrink will do the ever fun six hour test on Joey to find out he has a minor form of ADD, and I've got to feed the poor kid brain pills for the rest of his life.
I think I'm going to try and opt for a non-drug solution if I can. Maybe occupational therapy or something...
I guess I'm kind of overreacting to all of this, since I haven't gotten a diagnosis, but from someone who has it and studied it... it sure seems like a honest to goodness case for ADD.
i'd be distracted too (Score:2)
i try to never think about all the things that could possibly happen to my kids because i just get paralyzed by it all.
I wish you the best. (Score:2)
don't sweat it man. (Score:1)
He is 5 and has to be very detailed and careful with all of his school work.
The teacher's primary complaint is that he spends way too much time on projects getting them perfect.
fortunately we are working with him at home to not get so uptight.
I'm really against labeling these little guys so early.
They are boys. they are boys without an outlet for their energy in todays wor
yah. (Score:2)
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Same here. The Confessor's a pretty active kid, too, often a handful. No way in hell I'd want to medicate him just because he's active. I love him the way he is.
Even if a kid does have ADHD, I'm not convinced that medicating them is the answer. Seems like a bit of a cop-out to me. Often the best way long-term isn't the most convenient way, and pills are just a crutch that don't solve anything.
Cheers,
Ethelred
Dairy products (Score:1)
She has gone through some major hoops in keeping dairy products out of my gr-nephews diet (you wouldn't *believe* how many products contain dairy or dairy by-products) and it made a considerable differe
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You just reminded me that she acts this way when she has corn products. Also when she has corn products it gives her intestinal problems.
Thanks for the reminder.
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Glad to hear you come through with another side of the coin.
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Even if he does have ADD, there are advantages to it... hyperfocus and the ilk.
I dunno... just worried my kids going to get a label.
I'll sit and wait to hear what the teacher says. Last thing I want is for a diagnosis that requires me to take h
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put the wife on drugs, save the kid.
yeah kids his age can sit still. but some kids his age cant. BFD.
Like I said, I have 4. the first 2 had no problem sitting still, the last 2, not so much. But we aren't worried about it.
Even if he does have ADD, there are advantages to it... hyperfocus and the ilk.
I'm so afraid of how it might mess me up that I refuse to go to a shrink.
I beleive It's only my quirks that keep me driven and able to provide for my family the way I do.
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I don't want him medicated unless I feel it is absolutely necessary. Neurological meds are serious business to me.
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Oh, and he and his sister have yogurt for breakfast nearly every day.
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I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was in the 3rd grade. Couldn't sit still, not listening, not following directions, wouldn't shut up, never walked but ran... the works. My mom and my physician decided to stick me on Ritalin for a couple years to see if it would help. It was one of the most horrible experiences I remember from my childhood yea
Pills (Score:1)
I can understand part of the frustration. I recently got a diagnosis and got assigned the brain pills. Since then, I've been doing so much better but I really was bummed. I told my girlfriend that I never wanted kids because I didn't want to give them what I have. I still don't tell many people all of the details, including my parents. I'm afraid I would break their hearts by telling them.
Good luck with
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She started on them because of post partum.
She didn't start on them until the 3rd kid.
but she doesn't like them. She can't even describe what they do to her.
Without the brain pills no work gets done around the house till i have time for it. but I work 60 hours a week so nothing gets done around the house.
but on the other hand she writes more, is easily aroused, and not so uptight with the kids.
With the brain pills she's superwom
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My only side effects are that I've gained some weight because I crave sweet things and it takes me longer to learn things, like stats, because I don't have a steel
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theres other issues that required some chemical help that i won't go into.
Christopher is in a program like that (Score:2)
I wonder (Score:2)
Since you say he was brought in as a model for the other kids, maybe he was ignored my the teacher, not given extra attention, etc., like the other kids?
If a kid can figure out that pretending to have a tummy ache can get him a day off, he can figure out that acting up like his peers will get him attention like his peers.
I'm not saying the teacher is wrong, but this should be ruled out. If he's mislabeled, the way he's treated and conditioned from
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ok (Score:2)
I'm with you (Score:2)
My son has turned up with PANDAS--essentially strep caused OCD, google it if you want more particulars. The good news is that like Rheumatic Fever, maintenance doses of antibiotics (mostly) contro
Check the diet (Score:1)
My cousin had a similar problem with red dye in foods when he was young. There was a huge difference when his diet was changed to avoid those foods.