Is there a medication for Learning Disabilites

[cureld]

Hi:

I have a daughter 20yrs, with severe Learning Disabilites and ADD. She tried post graduate school twice, but could not handle it. She is currently trying to work but struggling


I am trying to find medications that might help her, but she is tiny.


Any suggestions is greatly appreciated

Thanks  

[healthy11]

cureld, welcome to Millermom's forum. My own 20-something son has dyslexia (reading problems), dysgraphia,(writing difficulties) and ADHD. so I understand how challenging school can be. In his case, math and science were strengths, so he wisely chose a major (engineering) that used those. What are your daughter's strong points/subjects?

Since you mention that post-graduate school has been a huge struggle, I know your daughter must have completed her undergraduate degree. Is she trying to get her graduate degree in the same major? Was she attending the same university for post-graduate studies? Can I ask what her LD diagnoses are? Did she use any support services at school while she was enrolled? Was she diagnosed with the LDs and ADD while still in grade school, or later, and by whom? Does she still see that practitioner? Has she ever tried to use medication before?

I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but it's really difficult to give you pertinent advice without knowing more details. As far as ADD medications, being tiny doesn't rule out the possibility of being able to try one. Very young children are sometimes prescribed medications, but there is no "one size fits all" brand or dosage that benefits everyone. Even two kids with similar diagnoses and body size might not respond the same way to a particular medication, due to their metabolisms and other factors. In any event, "Pills Don't Teach Skills." What is meant by that statement is that while there is no "cure" for Learning Disabilities, if a person is able to attend better, then they are generally able to apply necessary strategies to learn more effectively and accomplish their goals. I'm guessing that your daughter may struggle the most with "executive function" types of tasks... www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/executive-functioning-issues/3-areas-of-executive-function

Your daughter is fortunate to have such a concerned parent as yourself "on her team." I'll check back and try to give you more information once you've had a chance to respond to my other questions, and hopefully some other members will also share their thoughts.