ADHD Meds seem to be working

pjlippert

Cathlete
So, I started my son on the Daytrana patch yesterday and it seems to be helping him focus without turning him into a zombi! I volunteered in the class yesterday so I could keep an eye on him and his teacher noticed a difference. It was incredible to see him stay on task. He still struggled with some of the material, but he stayed in his seat (instead of wandering off) and asked for help.

The other good news is that his teacher and I went over the ILP for next year and he will be working with the Reading Intervention Coach - who knew there was such a thing!! He won't have his own Para because he is not quite that extreme. He will also still get the full battery of tests at the beginning of the school year - no use now since there is only a week left of this school year!

Such a relief!!! Meeting with the Psychologist was such a huge blessing. Looks like all the research, meetings and interviewing professionals has paid off!! Randy even said he felt great and had a great day at school!! Haven't heard that for almost the entire year!

Thank you ALL sooo much for all of your support, advice and encouragement! You really helped to get me moving in the right direction when it all seemed soo incredibly overwhelming and heart-breaking! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! Big hugs to all of you who were there for me!! I love this group!

Happy Friday!
Pam
 
It is thrilling to see your child finally be able to focus for the first time -- really focus, I mean. I'll never forget the difference in my son. Congrats!
 
That's great to hear Pam! I know you've got a lot on your plate right now so I am thrilled that you have something postive happening!
 
So, I started my son on the Daytrana patch yesterday and it seems to be helping him focus without turning him into a zombi! I volunteered in the class yesterday so I could keep an eye on him and his teacher noticed a difference. It was incredible to see him stay on task. He still struggled with some of the material, but he stayed in his seat (instead of wandering off) and asked for help.

The other good news is that his teacher and I went over the ILP for next year and he will be working with the Reading Intervention Coach - who knew there was such a thing!! He won't have his own Para because he is not quite that extreme. He will also still get the full battery of tests at the beginning of the school year - no use now since there is only a week left of this school year!


Happy Friday!
Pam

Hi Pam,

I'm so glad your son had such a positive experience with the medicine!! Isn't that such a relief?? It really is amazing what a difference it makes. The formulations are very different from 20 years ago.

I highlighted your comment that they don't want to test him until the next school year and would suggest you have him tested over the summer BEFORE the start of the school year. The testing takes awhile to schedule. There will be meetings and conflicts and someone may be gone because of some family situation and things get delayed. The tests have to be evaluated and a determination made if other tests are required. Then, before you know it, it's late October before any changes actually get made!

Your school district should have people on staff over the summer who can administer the tests (at least most of them). I had my son tested over the summer so they could start the school year knowing what he needed from DAY 1, not Day 68 or whatever.

If you do it during the school year, they will have to pull him out of the class to take the tests. That may make him self-conscious--not to mention the work he'll miss that he'll have to catch up on.

Just some food for thought from a mom who's been there....
 
Thank you all very much!! Joan, I'll check with the school about getting him tested over the summer. Thanks for the advice!

I'm sooo thrilled. Randy got in the car today after school and was soooo happy!! He said he had another awesome day and a great time at school!! :D:eek::D:D

Thank you again!

Pam
 
My nephew went from straight D's and suicidal to straight A's and happy with the meds. It can be a good thing.

Use any offering you can get from the schools. Also listen to your son. My daughter was put in the lowest reading, and the very, very lowest math in 5th grade to help her. After 2 weeks she came to me in tears saying the reading was way to slow and she did not belong. I emailed the teacher who said, yes, she did not belong in there, and the next day she was moved into a regular class. If she had not said something and I had not politely inquired, nothing probably would have gotten done and she would have been very frustrating.

In math, she ended loving the class and she and the teacher bonded really well. Because she actually has a learning disability in math, and is not 'slow" when taught certain ways, she gets the material quite well. So the teacher had her tutor the other students in the class, and she got a much more solid foundation that way. One of the nicest things that teacher said to me was that my daughter was one of the students that she would love to follow through her life and see how she does. I hope she was in the audience at the musical to see my daughter sing and dance her lead.

Good luck, sounds like things are looking up.
 
Pam, I'm so glad things are moving in a positive direction! I also agree with Joan on trying to get the testing done over the summer.

And..word to the wise from many years of experience....do what you can to find out who his teacher will be in the fall and then get in touch with that teacher ASAP. If not now then FIRST THING in the fall. Schedule a meeting (just a casual one) and sit down and tell this person about your son, who he is, what he loves, what his strengths are, and then establish regular communication with the teacher(s).

My district has email and this works very well.

There is a phenomenon (and it may or may not happen to you) that each fall you will need to pretend like you have just moved in and that not.one.soul.in.that.school is aware of your son's needs.

But wow, having him so happy must do your heart the world of good. I'm happy for you both!
 
I agree. I always contacted my daughters teachers, explained the situation, and they were always very willing to help out and make her succeed in anyway.

We went on our first college visit together, she has come a long, long way!
 

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