12 Oct 2006 04:47 AM

Living with ADHD

Two years ago  we welcomed biological brothers into our home. The oldest came to us diagnosed with ADHD and assorted learning disabilities. He had been off his meds for some time and his behavior was a testament to the fact that some kids really need medication to help control ADHD symptoms. A year later we welcomed another new family member who was also diagnosed with ADHD and he was promptly administered meds. Both boys do well on their medications; I have seen a drastic improvement in their overall behavior. Both are able to focus more clearly and stay on task better.  Although it is not a cure all and I must stress, without training to control symptoms, the meds will not stand alone in controlling iradic behavior. I have found that a solid daily schedule, clear definitions of what is expected, and a good routine help tremendously in keeping an ADHD kid focused and on track.  There is no "magic pill" that is a cure without guidelines to assist in strengthening positive behavior patterns. I have also found that discussing the disorder helps the boys to understand why they react the way they do and gives them a bigger picture of how to deal with it on a daily basis. Untreated, a child diagnosed with ADHD can be out of control, unable to deal with life situations and incapable of staying focused on even the simplest task. With the proper treatment, this same child can function well and even excell in many areas. Both of the boys had a history of failing grades in school. The oldest came to us with F's across the board, on his report card and actually told us he wasn't capable of doing any better, he was stupid. He is now in high school and maintains an A and B average, as he did last year. The other child had a similiar grade history, failing the last three years and attending summer school to be able to move on to the next grade, by just barely passing. Because of poor study habits and lack of focus developed over the years, he is struggling with his grades, but maintains a B and C average, which is a tremendous improvement. Slowly and methodically he is learning to organize his work as well as his mind, clearing the clutter accumulated over the years. Our goal for both boys is to keep them on a clear path, teaching them along the way that focus and persistance are the keys to developing life knowledge; they are learning well. 

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