1st visit with family doctor for ADD eval

[bunny]

The doctors visit went OK . He respected my knowledge and concerns.

We talked about DS, and he looked over the connor's tests from school psych, as well as report card comments. These couple of things combined with my opinion, had him agree that DS is most likely ADD-inattentive (no H at all). He didn't offer to do any additional testing. Should that concern me? Told me that he didn't want to rush into meds since DS is still young (71/2yrs), and grades are still good. He suggested trying out the new teacher for a semester, and work on behavior modification things. If we still feel that there are attention issues affecting DS with school and homework, he would then try Straterra on him.

I have really been waffling about whether it would be better to start him on meds now and try to get proper dosage worked out before school starts, or wait longer, even though I feel like I already know this is just how DS is, and he won't change.

My husband said he isn't crazy about starting meds, so I decided to go ahead with the plan to wait a semester. I'm also going to try and get DH to work on homework with DS more often so he gets a better idea of the magnitude of frustration for both DS and myself. I think that DH only sees a small percentage of what is really happening. Hearing about it is never the same as experiencing it ;D.

So, overall, I think that we are on the right track. I'm not so sure if further testing is really necessary... I already know how DS is, it's been getting more pronounced every year of his life (although I didn't recognize it as ADD until this past April). I will explore more options with the school psychologist (last years is retiring, and I'm waiting to see who gets hired), and I will also work more with the teacher this year. With or without meds, I would be working more on behavior modification, making lists, and rewards...

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

[HooDunnit]

Hi bunny. You have covered so many bases there, that I think you are really doing a fine job. You seem to be a person of patience and wisdom. I think that if your husband was able to spend more time with your dear son, then he would know better what you are talking about. But you are quite right to follow your intuition.

Two things that you might consider are exercise and natural supplements. I don't have too much experience with natural supplements, but catatonic and ohmama and others are very knowledgeable in that area. But I found exercise very helpful for my son.

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0942679261/qid=1090689500/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-7573276-7261569?v=glance&s=books

My son was in Hapkido for five years, from about ages 10 to 15. Prior to that, he was in gymnastics, but a martial art can be begun around the age of 7 or 8. An after school class worked well for us. It would increase his focus and concentration for three to four hours in an entirley natural way. It is also good for self-esteem and making friends. I found it helpful to watch the classes myself, and that children who tended to perservere had parents who watched the classes.

Barry

[bunny]

Thanks Barry,

I have, in fact, been trying the supplements and natural foods, etc., this summer. I have been doing that to a degree for one of my other sons (dye sensitive), and decided to crank it up a few notches for the enitre family. We eat pretty healthy, much to their dismay at times .

The supplements do not seem to make much difference, but I'm keeping it up anyway (can't hurt...). My DS does get plenty of exercise, in fact he's on the skinny side (which has me concerned about meds side effects... loss of appetite , we can't afford that!), but I found your suggestion of karate type activity very interesting. I hadn't thought about the focus end of that. I will seriously consider that as one of his extracurricular activities. He played baseball this summer, then swim lessons, starts soccer in the fall, and then we usually take winter off. We might try the karate then (I only allow one activity per child per season, otherwise I would go nuts with my three active boys ).

[brookesmom]

Bunny,

Your doctors recommendations sound good at this point if your son is still doing well with his grades.

My dd was just dx with ADD-innattentive. She has several years of poor academic achievement. My doctor has recommended further testing and meds to begin several weeks after schools starts to give dd and teacher a chance to get to know each other and then work through med adjustments. Doctor felt strongly about delaying meds until then because dd's struggles are with school work and homework. I liked the cautious attitude.

My hubby has had a taste of the homework battles. He would spend hours with her on math and end up frustrated and yelling. Her dx will benefit him in the long run because he can finally understand that she is not doing this because she is lazy.

I wish you much luck this school year!

Chris

[finnmom]

Bunny

When you decide weather to start with med´s or not, I think the main question is; how is he doing without them, with adjustment´s If he does well AND feel´s like he is worth of something and satisfied with himself, then you could wait and see. But if he is struggling, feeling bad, has low selfesteem of not being good enough, then you should try it out now.

I know my ds had very low selfesteem and feeling bad not succeeding as he should have. He thought he was stupid Med´s helped him to create new confidence of his possibilities He got all that inteligence out of his head and could work with it.

We had the same struggle with homework; frustration, anger, crying... it all stopped by med´s, now he just take´s the homework´s and does them

I´am not saying you should start right away, or at all. But take a good luck at the big picture and deside after that. Good luck!!

[bunny]

Thanks for everyone's input. I am feeling better about my decision to wait a semester and then re-evaluate the meds issue. This way I can know that I have explored many different options, and may possibly find something that works before medication.

If we do try the meds, at least I won't be wondering "what if we had...", because we already did everything I could think of. I just want my DS to enjoy school and be a nice kid , I think that is a pretty universal wish for our children.

Three and a half more weeks of summer vacation. We are going to enjoy every minute of it!!!!!!!! ;D

[finnmom]

You lucky one We have only week and a half before THE DAY Enjoy!!!