Advertisements
Our 10 year old is having trouble in school. Had a talk with two of her teachers today and they both say the same thing, not paying attention, gets out of her desk too much, doesn't finish her work, doesn't stay focused, etc. .... Everything that I have read about ADD/ADHD seems to decribe my child. I have made an appointment to have her tested, but the Dr. cant see her till Dec. 10th. Her grades in Math and English are F's. She has B's in other subjects. Her IQ is 130 and I know she is smart. SHe tells me she cant concentrate and the her "mind wanders". She tells me this herself. I guess I need support, I am at my whits end! Hubby and I have tried EVERYTHING to try to help her with her school work. If she needs meds then so be it. I am getting alot of flack about that from my sister (who is an RN) and says that everybody is medicating there kids instead of making them mind. ( She only has a baby so she hasn't faced this yet.) But she is making me feel like a bad parent because I said I am taking my daughter to have her tested. She says just take the TV away! Yeah right, tried it and it didnt work.
Just need to vent and get some suggestions. Please help!
Like
Share
Is this a new problem? Can changes in hormones be causing some of this? Your sister is actually correct about the tv-it does make ADHD worse and my kids with is that don't watch tv don't need the meds. Carbonated soda and red dye can also aggrevate the problem. Is she sleeping enough? Trouble sleeping can contribute to concentration. Is she getting enough exercise? My kids use to run before school and bike after and it helped as well. Would she use Yoga or meditation? It might help her learn to self calm when she is having trouble concentrating.
If the child needs meds, then she needs them. Some kids do, others don't. You might try some of the other stuff while waiting for an apointment. Limiting sugar and white flour may also help.
Advertisements
Are you taking her to a psychologist that specializes in ADHD or just her PCM? Before you decide to medicate, you should probably have her tested by a psychologist
My son had the same type of problems that you described and for almost two years we medicated him based on a doctors diagnosis of ADHDŅwhen the medications stopped working after a few month wed change medications҅and after doing this for almost two years, I finally put my foot down. I had him tested by a specialist and come to find out, he didnt have ADHD after all. ThatҒs two years wasted!
Anyway, my point is try to find a specialist!
Also, you might talk to your daughters school about drafting an IEP for herif she is having problems in class and its affecting other students, she might do better with a plan in place where she can do her œproblem subjects in a smaller class.
My son is finally doing wonderfullyԅI mean the difference between now and six months ago is amazingly dramatic
I had my daughter tested but she's actually happier now that she can focus.
The Pediatrician we went to first had her tested like this:
An IQ Test.
A Psychologist Evaluation (they talk to the parents too)
An in office exam with & w/o the child.
Basically they want to rule out everything before diagnosing as ADHD. If they want to medicate first, ask for these things.
My daughter is on Concerta.
She doesn't need to take it on the weekends (since she doesn't need to focus on paperwork).
I"m not that good with the other helpful things (scheduling, etc) but I try.
The Dr. thinks it is genetic but I think it's up in the air...
Good luck
Don't feel bad.
Maia
Advertisements
Our daughter (10 yr old) was diagnosed with ADHD. We go to her Ped. tomorrow for a perscription. She was tested Friday by a specialist. He does not perscribe the medicine though, he wants the Ped. to do that. OUr Dr. does think it is genetic. He said our daughter is very intellegent (130 IQ) and there is no reason for her to be failing some of her classes except that she can not focus. We are so in hope that we will have positive results with the medication. We have tried everything else and nothing has helped.
We dont know what meds. the Ped. will suggest. I am sure I will have more questions tomorrow after the Dr. visit.
Thanks,