ADHD

[Kevin]

I was diagnosed in grade school back when the diagnosis was fairly novel. Had to see a psychiatrist all the way up in Tulsa (grew up in Edmond, just north of OKC). Was one of the only, if not the only child in a large school district who was both in the gifted & talented program who also had an IEP.

The meds (ritalin) did help in school and did help with some of the impulse control. On the downside, I think it took its toll on me as a social person. Off the meds, I was a troublemaker, on such good terms with the Principal that we kept a running chess game going for when I was sent to the office (which was frequent). That of course, made me one of the most popular kids in school... On the meds, I ended up being pretty much a loner who wrote programs in BASIC for fun. I was one of those.

At the age of 14, entering high school, I started refusing medication and still do. While the doctors offered analogies like glasses being used to correct vision and medication being used to correct ADHD, I didn't and don't buy it. ADHD is just who I am and who I was meant to be.

So I'm a disorganized, impulsive trial lawyer which means I will always have to have a good assistant to help me keep my stuff together. I've adjusted rather than medicated. As a parent, I'm pretty likely to pass on this condition (and I probably deserve to, but my wife is innocent). I tend to favor medicating children until they are old enough to decide for themselves.

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I was diagnosed in grade school back when the diagnosis was fairly novel. Had to see a psychiatrist all the way up in Tulsa (grew up in Edmond, just north of OKC). Was one of the only, if not the only child in a large school district who was both in the gifted & talented program who also had an IEP.

The meds (ritalin) did help in school and did help with some of the impulse control. On the downside, I think it took its toll on me as a social person. Off the meds, I was a troublemaker, on such good terms with the Principal that we kept a running chess game going for when I was sent to the office (which was frequent). That of course, made me one of the most popular kids in school... On the meds, I ended up being pretty much a loner who wrote programs in BASIC for fun. I was one of those.

At the age of 14, entering high school, I started refusing medication and still do. While the doctors offered analogies like glasses being used to correct vision and medication being used to correct ADHD, I didn't and don't buy it. ADHD is just who I am and who I was meant to be.

So I'm a disorganized, impulsive trial lawyer which means I will always have to have a good assistant to help me keep my stuff together. I've adjusted rather than medicated. As a parent, I'm pretty likely to pass on this condition (and I probably deserve to, but my wife is innocent). I tend to favor medicating children until they are old enough to decide for themselves.

My husband is ADHD and also doesn't medicate for it. He favors not medicating kids until they are old enough to choose for themselves. That's the tactic we're taking with our youngest, who has been DXd with it.

Youngest DC has such a huge, charming personality that I'd hate to squish it. I also have concerns about the long term effects of ADHD meds on the brain, whatever the industry says about its safety. That risk/benefit analysis is something every parent has to weight for themselves, though. I don't think there is a clear right answer.

BTW, there are enough gifted kids with LDs that we now have a label for them: twice exceptional (2E). You weren't the only one, just the only who was identified and getting appropriate school and treatment. Your parents were doing a good job.

Thanks for the chess story. Both of my kids spend too much time in the principal's office. The downside to having crazy, genius children is that they're crazy.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I tend to favor medicating children until they are old enough to decide for themselves.

Originally Posted by KDCat

My husband is ADHD and also doesn't medicate for it. He favors not medicating kids until they are old enough to choose for themselves. ...

That risk/benefit analysis is something every parent has to weight for themselves, though. I don't think there is a clear right answer.

This reminds me of the back-and-forth my husband and I had about how to treat our daughter. We wanted it to be her decision (whether or not to medicate), but we also knew it was our responsibility to help her succeed.

It was obvious that she was having difficulty maintaining focus in school - well beyond the "oh, she's just a kid" type of behavior. The teachers were great about working with us, and supported us in our initial decision not to medicate (until she could decide for herself). But it began affecting not just her academic progress, but her social progress as well. It was at that point that we decided to try meds. The first one we tried (Vyvance) pretty much zapped her personality, then progressed into teenager-like moodiness. (Aack!) We're now on extended release Adderall, which is nice since she takes one in the AM and then is done for the day.

KDCat hit the nail on the head when she said there's no clear right answer. It has taken us years of working with teachers, doctors and pharmacists to figure out what's best for our daughter. (It was a pharmacist who suggested we talk with the doc about a weekend caffeine regimen - we never would have even known to ask.)

amIblue?, I think it's great that you're getting feedback from others who have dealt with this, but I'm glad you've set up an appointment. The appointment itself is a big commitment - be prepared to spend an entire day (if not more) talking with the evaluating doc. If you don't spend a significant amount of time there, I would recommend a second opinion - this type of diagnosis just can't be made in a couple hours. I hope you find the doctor that's right for you!

[KDCat]

Reading material that may help you understand ADHD:

"The Mislabeled Child" by Brock Eide and Fernette Eide. (It's about learning disorders in general, but has a good section on ADHD.)
http://www.amazon.com/The-Mislabeled.../dp/1401308996

ADDitude Magazine:
http://www.additudemag.com/

ADDitude Magazine podcast:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/...668174671?mt=2

Science Daily: (They run a section just with the latest research in ADD/ADHD)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/min.../add_and_adhd/

[KDCat]

I forgot the best one! This book is a picture book that has a great explanation of ADHD:

All Dogs Have ADHD:
http://www.amazon.com/Dogs-Have-ADHD.../dp/1843106515

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by KDCat

I forgot the best one! This book is a picture book that has a great explanation of ADHD:

All Dogs Have ADHD:
http://www.amazon.com/Dogs-Have-ADHD.../dp/1843106515

Slight tangent, but there is a great companion book to that one: All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome. We used it as the way to tell our son about his diagnosis; he read it and kept saying "that sounds like me!" and "that sounds like me, too!" At the end, he closed the book and said, "Well, it looks like I may have Asperger's, too."

I wonder sometimes if it's one reason he loves cats.

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Slight tangent, but there is a great companion book to that one: All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome. We used it as the way to tell our son about his diagnosis; he read it and kept saying "that sounds like me!" and "that sounds like me, too!" At the end, he closed the book and said, "Well, it looks like I may have Asperger's, too."

I wonder sometimes if it's one reason he loves cats.

Aw! That is super-cute!