Anybody's kids have ADD?

[zeegler]

Re: Anybody\'s kids have ADD?

Hey Em, my wife says you should try something called omega 3. It's an over the counter supplement that is made of fish oil, and is apparently very good for attention problems, and improves hand/eye coordination.

She also mentioned that food sensitivity could play a pretty heavy role. Food colorings can often alter a childs behaviour.

[Flametop]

Re: Anybody\'s kids have ADD?

For what its worth, my son is on Concerta. There are a lot of different meds out there. The important thing is to find out if they are even needed, then if so, the right one and dosage.

[Emthrax]

Re: Anybody\'s kids have ADD?

[ QUOTE ]
Hey Em, my wife says you should try something called omega 3. It's an over the counter supplement that is made of fish oil, and is apparently very good for attention problems, and improves hand/eye coordination.

She also mentioned that food sensitivity could play a pretty heavy role. Food colorings can often alter a childs behaviour.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm an Herbalist/Nutritionist, that is my profession.
Omega-3 fatty acids, yes. Useful for brain function, among other things.
Very excellent advice. Dead foods such as bologna, sodas, food colorings, kool-aid, plastic cheese... all bad. And yes, they do compromise the central nervous system in a big way, your immune system also.
The nutrition is not a factor in this case, she's healthy that way. But allergies may be involved. We shall see.

[Emthrax]

Re: Anybody\'s kids have ADD?

Honestly, I think just moving out of this goddamned place will do wonders. For all of us.
The environment alone is hideous, we can all hardly breathe even with all the special filters and clean water.
I honestly think she has some sort of chemical imbalance hoopla going on, something isn't firing right.
You can see it in her face, she'll just turn-off.
Snap! Hello! Oh, there you are!
Despite our best efforts, there is not much to do here either, we are all bored.
We'll figure it out and get her taken care of. Just knowing that some of you have found answers and some measure of improvement with your kids is enough to fire me up to look into western medicine. It's hard for me to do that, everything I am trained to do is holistic.
Sometimes though, and I learned this in my schooling, you do need to turn to another form of medicine to find balance.
It goes both ways.

[Jacksonite]

Re: Anybody\'s kids have ADD?

I have ADD and I am on Welbutrin, and it seems to be going ok, I am only on month three, but I seem to have leveled off a good bit... But I am 30, so I ask you to please do everything you can to fix it now, I didnt catch mine till I was struggling in college...
It was aweful, to know you are smarter than everyone around you and to have them all think you are dumb... Teachers would put me in that "slow kid catagory" Even though my IQ was off their charts...
So (now that I have prooven that I am ADD by rambling on and on) please do everything you can to correct it now

[Emthrax]

Re: Anybody\'s kids have ADD?

Hey man... glad to hear that you are finally getting the help you need. I hope that you have much success with the Wellbutrin!
We will definitely do all that we can to make sure our little girl has everything she needs to be able to function and be comfortable with herself.
I can't even imagine being stuck inside like that, I don't want that for her.
I just got off the horn with some colleagues of mine and have an avenue I will try with homeopathics.
It will be a good place to start while we wait for an appointment. I think it will be a good idea to have her diet evaluated as well, I don't specialize in things like this when it comes to nutrition and there may be something I'm missing.

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: Anybody\'s kids have ADD?

I've often wondered whether I myself have ADD or not. Within the past few years, especially since I started university, I've found myself rather easily distracted, mostly when it comes to buckling down and doing my homework. I never had this trouble in high school. I probably just have an issue with concentration, but then again, when I really pick up momentum, I can effectively finish homework assignments. However, I find myself procrastinating to do things, so the effort is usually rushed and intense. I really need to find ways to get motivated EARLIER and SUSTAINING LONGER. I am the worst (or best, depending on your frame of reference) procrastinator that I know.

It really only boils down to serious things that I am easily distracted. I'm supposed to be searching for a job online, which was a task that I set out to do in the summer. I STILL haven't gotten around to it yet. Same goes for househunting, as well as the aformentioned homework. Even working on guitar exercises, I get distracted easily and start randomly playing fun riffs or songs out of nowhere. I've put off learning sweep-picking TOO long now...

I did a quick Google search for the symptoms of ADD, and I find that the distraction thing is the only symptom I seem to be exhibiting. Maybe I just need something that highly motivates me... guilt seems to be the best thing, but it often comes too late for me to do the best job that I expect out of myself. Or maybe I really do have some ADD.

[khabibissell]

Re: Anybody\'s kids have ADD?

Em, it could be possible that your daughter has progressed past the "average" 3rd grader and needs a greater challenge. Maybe you should have her IQ tested to see if she should be bumped up a grade.

[scaristei]

Re: Anybody\'s kids have ADD?

Wow, are you getting some great advice! My son was dianosed with ADD at three different schools and five different doctors and it turned out that he was not ! ! !
Alergys...foods, exersize, herbs, get rid of junk food...therapy (was that mentioned?),and lots of love....are all great things that I would hightly recommend before you go the "chemical" route!
There are also "special schools" to deal with people that don't process information properly...And in CA, there is a state law that states that if the school can not give your child the type of "teaching" that he/she needs, then the school system must facilitate (pay for) that child getting the type of "teaching" that they require....The LA School system paid for my son to attend a school that specialized in teaching children with "learning/processing disabilities". He went from a straight F student to Straight A's in two years ! What a change. He is now 25 years old and attending The Art Center of Pasadena on full scholarship - What an amazing gift from God !
Good Luck!

[Endrik]

Re: Anybody\'s kids have ADD?

My parents put me to the second grade when I was 7 (I've never been in the first grade). I had almost all As in the second and the third grade. In the fourth grade I was a big trouble maker, a very bad student, I missed a lot of classes (about two hundred hours total), I couldn't concendrate on studing. Luckly I got my shit together. I started to get more serious with sports and stuff. It is just a very weird period that will go over. It has happened to a lot of people, most of it is because some teacher is always picking on you, you are her/his target, she/he wants to live all the shit out on you. There was a one teacher who pissed me off, after that I never let anyone sit on my head, If somone had trouble with me I made everything to make her/his life to livin hell.

Emily make sure that no teacher is harassing your daughter, it is a sick world, you never know.

[horns666]

Re: Anybody\'s kids have ADD?

Man , I was only gone a day..busy with stuff at home , and I miss my Sis in NEED!!! [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Emmy my Sis , Kids NEED routine . Man are all creatures of "habbit". Whenever this routine is broken it causes stress. If we had this sort of stress before..if we think that routine will be interupted again , and fixate on it ..then that is anxiety.

There is a lot of things that can cause this break in routine , Change of schools , different teacher , having to make new friends and socialize , establish themselves with a whole new group of strangers.

All teachers are different, as is people , and MAYBE Ko and her new teacher don't gel. NOT saying she's a "bad" teacher but one that your daughter is having a problem connecting with in class. Vinny had that for ONE year , his third grade teacher was a truly miserable woman , dry as left of Turkey ..she had "issue's herself and quit , she NEVER.."smiled".. The very next year same student , same school , different teacher ..BOOM he's on the friggin' high honor roll..nothing else changed....and he was on the honor roll before that...so ther ya go. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Keith is always always leaving for duty , that is "stresseful" on your daughter and to you. Moving is very stressfull , different kids , different schools , everything is always different...that causes anxiety for anyone..we all need "routine"..especialy children.

Also once a child starts to fall behind that is stressful in itself..they becone "overwhelmed"..that's normal..Just as adults fall behind in their job duties and have to play catch up in a job they don't really like..just like the feeling is you fall behind in paying bills.

We all want to find a "happy place" in these moments..The day dreams , the blank stares , not paying attention..they are in that place..we all need "escape"...that's natural thing to do when we get overwhelmed or stressed.

This year Vin was off to a bad start. Like "usual" Vinny wants to put all his effort into asserting himself to be liked ...be funny , tough , accepted ...yada yada. I get this complaint at the beginnng of every school year since Vinny started school. Then I meet with the teachers and get a "gameplan" quickly in action..and its ALWAYS the same exact gameplan. My gameplan is simple . Take care of Biz Vince or else..."or else what"..Well I'm a "fair" Dad and know that Vinny is smart and capable , as does the theacher , as is your daughter. They have established this! So , WE KNOW what they can do...they've done it. [img]/images/graemlins/brow.gif[/img]

I told this teacher to just write this down and give it to the next teacher to save us all some time.. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

I'm a fair dad , I remove privledges when Vin fucks up. I also reward him for a job well done. I'm consistant in this.

The most important thing to do to establish this "gameplan". Get a yourself , Keith , Ko and her teacher all on the same page. I do this by getting the teachers to advise me of how Vin's behavior was that day...it's SIMPLE..She Draws a happy face..with a short comment "excellent day"..A straight Face stating.."OK day , had a problem with him in English , Vinny will explain"...Sad Face..that's what Vin doesn't want me to see..he's immediately grounded..but from what..lets see what the comment says.."he was very disruptive today , I gave him sevaral warnings , he started to get upset that he was going to get in trouble and then camled down and the end of the day."..Awesome , I can deal with that ..that's easy...Get your ass in the house..turn off that TV , Give me your PS2 controllers and get your ass on the homework NOW...then goes to bed around 8:30 ..and if its on a Monday ..No WWE RAW...on a Thursday NO WWE smackdown..his favorite shows at the moment.

Sometimes a "sad face" doesn't always equal "disruptive" behavior..Sometimes it's a blatant lack of effort or doesn't pay attention to the instructions of a particiliar teacher , after being instructed several times...which also can lead to detention.."detention"..???..GROUNDED. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

So this gameplan is on a "day to day" basis..and consistancy of reward and or removal of priveldges. Which also "routine". Once that routine is established ..Vinny always picks up the ball and takes care of biz in school and his effort and schoolwork always improves. This won't happen on it's own...

This is very important. You MUST "assist" and check their homework every night. Not do their homework , like my wife is guiltly of at times just to get it done..because that is enabling him.

I went upstairs to check on them last week with the ho,ewrok. Vinny is laying on the floor watching TV playing with his balls. Val is correcting his Math..but instead of making HIM correct it..she's erasing and doing the work with penicil in hand...So dad went nuts .. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Vin is 10 in 5th grade, and is starting CYO wrestling next week . He already met his coach and had a tatse of the wrestling drills , practice and wrestling other children..he loves it and I know he will do very well..I just bought all his gear to he can do that..and just saved 50 bucks because the coach gave Vinny a pair of wrestling shoes , he sees the same desire and fortitude my little brother has weh he coached him..second in the state Varsity heavy weight....so I can take the new ones back..Cool!

But if this impededes or conflicts with school..No wrestling.

MD.. mentioned Martial Arts , AWESOME idea. There is strict rules , structure..including meditation and focus. Sometimes which includes that a student must remain silent and motionless for exactly 5 minutes while sitting in their meditating postions. If they move..they get to start over again.

Do I think your daugher has ADD..NO , not at this time.

My sisters kid "does" and she turned him into a introverted , almost KANTONIC zombie and it breaks my heart...but ..."he's doing better at school now"..ahhhhhhh fuck her..that stupid bitch and our father agrees and he's more wise than I am..My ritlin was his boot in my ass...it still is. Even if I fuck up now..he's there to tell me I'm an asshole..and he's right..he's always right...He's my dad..he knows me more than anyone..we have that "connection"...sometimes I don't like what he has to say..but he's always right. He's more "blunt" than I am..if you can imagine that...ask John about my ol' man..he's even
nervous around him..but not as much as I am. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Personaly I think they over prescribed that ritlin BS for a matter of convience to parents and teachers and NOT in the best interest of the ones at hand..the kids. [img]/images/graemlins/eyes.gif[/img]

Not saying that ADD don't exist..it does. But jesus tap dancing Christ half the Fn' kids at Vinny's school is on that Ritlin and it cause more harm than good more often than not..so I'm told.

Alot of your problem is Keith leaving for lengths at a time , not being home . Having to move whenever his job requires him to. That's crazy stuff IMO ...that would drive ME nuts and that's not a far drive...

ESTABLISH a Gameplan with the teachers..as simple a day to day Smile/Straight/Sad face with breif note...and go from there.

Because NO news is good news..if you don't get that "sad" face that day..how can you address a problem that you're not aware of.

Love Bill

PM me and keep me posted..DON'T Email me..my email programs suck!

OK , sorry for this long ...whatever this is..but this will be the ONLY post on this forum..just about..I have many things to do today..so I won't be here..

Sorry for the typos..gotta run!!

[Emthrax]

Re: Anybody\'s kids have ADD?

Goodmorning people!
Wow.... Thank you all so much for your awesome replies!!
Just reading all the ideas gives me so much to work with and look for.
Structure... yes, that is key. We do have a gameplan within our own family but as far as a schedule goes? No. Other than school during the week. We simply cannot schedule anything, it is not possible with our current lifestyle.
There is nothing we can do about that right now and that is okay.

Teachers, Khosi's teacher this year is AWESOME! But her teacher last year was heinous. I won't get into it because it involves a racial issue at this school. Khosi was singled out and ignored and had no structure at all from her teacher last year. Khosi's sense of school discipline/focus was severely warped from last year so when she actually had to step up to the plate and perform this year, she freaked out.
This year she has a teacher who is incredibly on the ball, the racial card is not being played this time, and expectations are high. Her teacher is awesome about communicating as we are with her (she actually speaks english and it is her native language, which is helpful). She even called Khosi at home when she was out with laryngitis earlier this week. How cool.
We do the smiley face thing too.

Keep in mind that we live pretty much in Mexico. Oppportunities for more advanced children simply do NOT exist out here. Compared to the schools she was in in the northeast US, this school is about two years behind in my opinion. We did have her tested through Mensa last year and she qualifies, she should be in the fifth grade this year in this area (remember they are about two years behind) but they don't recommend skipping two years like that. There are no Mensa schools in our area (that is laughable even thinking about that).
This is Khosi's last year in this school, there is nothing we can do education wise for her other than feed her interests at home, private school is not an option here.
All we need to do is to get through this one year here, next year we will be able to finally settle down like a real family and have our kids go to a school of our choosing in a neighborhood we are comfortable with.

I KNOW that Khosi is bored out of her MIND. I don't blame her, you should see the homework she gets. It's just drill sheets. Math is one of her best subjects, she is like her Dad and can do it all in her head, but this mindless drill work is like sitting down practicing your pentatonic scales over and over and over when you already know them and can play them like Yngwie.
Science is her other fav subject and she is not stimulated there at all. I'm a Scientist so what she has been exposed to at home far surpasses what she will ever see in this elementary school.
It's frustrating.

Anyway, this is long... [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
We have some ideas now and some avenues to look into, which is extremely helpful. Thank You.
We are extremely limited in resources (there is only one pediatrician for the entire base, for example), but we will figure out something. We are keeping the medical card on the table, but you can bet your butt that that will be the very last one played.
Part of the problem is that she has her Mama's "buck the system" attitude and she is far more stubborn and outspoken than I am. I didn't think it was possible. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Ciao,
Emmy

[Chrisb]

Re: Anybody\'s kids have ADD?

I have ADD and up to college I took Ritalin to help it and it basically helped me to survive. I never got great grades but I went from failing to B's and C's. In college when I was able to pick my classes I got consistantly A's. At that point I quit taking Ritalin and sometimes I have a hard time focusing but I think as you get older you can recognize when you are zoning out and force yourself to focus. When you are in middle school, high school thats just not possible. I don't think I have outgrown the ADD cause I don't even know if thats possible but I can note times when I think its starting to be a problem and resolve it. Plus you can do things to work around it.

Definitely look into the allergy thing though, I have terrible allergies and it can be a massive distraction at times. I'm pretty anti meds, and alot of times nature can cure things just as well you just have to know where to look. My old man has bad cholestrol so the doc wanted to put him on Lipotore or whatever its called. But me and my brother convinced him to start drinking this particular chinese tea and let me tell you that shit does some serious wonders. Its lowered his cholestrol alot without the nasty side effects of medications in addition to the usual health benefits of tea.

[Emthrax]

Re: Anybody\'s kids have ADD?

[ QUOTE ]
My old man has bad cholestrol so the doc wanted to put him on Lipotore or whatever its called. But me and my brother convinced him to start drinking this particular chinese tea and let me tell you that shit does some serious wonders. Its lowered his cholestrol alot without the nasty side effects of medications in addition to the usual health benefits of tea.

[/ QUOTE ]

KickASS!! I love to hear stories like that! [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]
You make some good points with your own story as well, and I definitely will look into the allergies.
I'm glad to hear that you are feeling more on track and able to focus on your own. I think some people do better in college when they can pick their own workload and really have only their own expecatations to live up to. Well, okay, some parents get really involved in college too. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

That reminds me, I read an article recently about how college kids these days are having problems being adults and performing under pressure because they have had Mom and Dad hold their hands through everything. Hovering.
Man, that word has been following me lately. Hovering. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
That is one thing I can't STAND!

[donf]

Re: Anybody\'s kids have ADD?

Ah....the military and ADD/ADHD. Emmy, right down my alley. When I was in Emmy, I was a single parent, taking care of my four children myself. My 3rd oldest son, too started having problems in school and like your daughter, I was told it could be ADD/ADHD.

He was diagnosed, I, in turn didn't want to believe it. (Hell, I was a pain the ass and didn't concentrate on stuff in school, and I turned out ok). Besides, I will try any other avenue before medication. To make a long story short. I did take the long way, before it came around in a full circle (stress along the way included (and depression for my son)), and I agreed to put him on medication.

He did better and Ritalin wasn't a permanent thing (addictive), though it elevates in the blood stream over time. That made me feel better knowing if I didn't feel right about the situation.............bam......stop.

My advice to you Emmy, is to educate yourself! I have a book up in my attic I'll take a look for it cause it really help 'me' out. It educated me on many things, I didn't even think of.

No doubt, military stress plays a part in it, but there are equivalent stress factors that affect children. My son had a boatload. His mom one day, left, and to this day has never been seen by my children (12 years). Dad going away for extended periods of time, every day stress (school, peer pressure, blah, blah).

I'm glad you said that your keeping the medication card on the table, because I took it off the table and after taking the long road, found it was the 'royal-flush' my son and I needed.

Educate yourself Emmy, and be non-partial when reading and observing your daughter. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Ah........the wonders of parenthood too.......