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Post by jwm on Jan 18, 2005 15:11:42 GMT -5
Hi everyone. My son wants to share how he is doing with everyone. I tell him about this forum and what a great group of people are here. He wants everyone to know how he feels. Hope you dont mind us sharing.
Hi my name is Chris. I am 10. I am in 5th grade. I have inattention ADHD. My mom is jwm on here. I wanted to tell you what I have learned about ADHD and what its like.
I used to think I was stupid. I hated school. I cried inside a lot because I thought I knew the answer and then it would be wrong. I was mixed up and confused.
I didnt know how to do my homework because I would forget the directions. I thought something was wrong with me and I hated it. I tried so hard and still failed. No matter what I tried it didnt work.
My mom and Dad told me that I was going to start a new medicine to help me focus and it would help me in school to straighten out my thoughts.
I couldnt wait! When I started the Adderallxr, I couldnt believe how much better school was. I had a hard time after school and didnt know why. I couldnt sleep and was not hungry. My mom called my doctor and he gave me Concerta instead. I could finally follow directions. I didnt look out the window all the time. I really felt better. I can tell when the medicine isnt working very good. I tell my mom and we write things down in a notebook. If it still happens she calls my doctor and he will change the medicine to a higher one. I am taking a new medicine now Metadate CD. I like it a lot. I am very hungry and eat all my lunch at school. I eat snacks and supper too. I can sleep too. I did not eat very much on concerta. I am happy. I stopped taking my medicine for 2 weeks to see if I could do it. It was so hard. I was very tired and sad. I told my mom I needed to take my medicine again. I am not ready to stop my medicine and that is ok. I need it and I am doing real good in school. Someday I wont need it but I dont mind taking it now.
I still do not like math at all but I am doing better than before.
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Post by Mayleng on Jan 18, 2005 15:58:55 GMT -5
Hi Chris, thank you so much for letting us know how you feel. It helps us understand how our kids feel because some kids are too young to tell their parents how they feel. I am happy that Metadate CD is working for you and you are eating and growing. You sound like such a good person, and I know, like my son (he is 9, and is in 3rd grade and is inattentive like you) you try very hard at school. School is hard for everybody but harder for ADDers. But guess what, some day school will be over, and when you grow up life will be alot easier because you have learnt to always try your best. If you have problems with math, ask your mom to try and explain it to you in a different way (by drawing it out so you can see it for eg). My son is good in math, but I explain to him in a way he understands. He "gets" concepts and does not do well with memorization. So once he understands something it stays in his mind, if it makes sense to him, it is easier. for example, he does not memorize his multiplication tables, he understands the concept and does a mental calculation in his head- 6 x 2= 12 is 6 two times (6 + 6) = 12. and so on and so forth. He does mental calculation very fast. He hates writing though. Do you know that the founder of Kinko's and Jet blue are both ADHDers too. Here's a link, if your mom is interested in reading about it: www.schwablearning.org/articles.asp?r=968I am glad to hear you are doing well. I hope you will continue to update us. Listen to Mom, OK? from Michael's Mom |
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Post by dmom32002 on Jan 18, 2005 17:25:34 GMT -5
Hi, Chris
I wanted to say what a good job you did
explaining it all.
donna
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Post by angel on Jan 18, 2005 19:27:21 GMT -5
Chris, I am so proud of you for writing to us!! We all learn from each other by listening to what our kids are going through. It is wonderful to hear it from you! Your mom has kept us updated on your progress and it sounds like you are doing great! Just think of all of the people that you will be able to help since you have been through it. You will be able to inspire other kids (and parents!!) that are dealing with add. Keep up the hard work! We are all rooting for you!!! angel  |
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Post by d on Jan 18, 2005 21:56:03 GMT -5
Way to go Chris.
I'm trying not to sound like a boring lecturing grown-up but I can't resist - that happens when you become a mom and it's very hard to help it. One of the most important things you can do for yourself throughout all areas of your life is to be aware of how you feel and think - like how you described how you felt before the ADHD diagnosis and how the medicine effects you. Those are very important feelings and reactions that you handled very well with a lot of maturity. I'm a grown-up with ADHD who was dx'd after my daughter was. I wish I was dx'd at my daughter's and your age b/c that would've explained a lot about my life. I hope that makes sense to you.
(As for math, my daughter who is 11 doesn't like it either.)
Way to go Chris!
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Post by LurkNoMore on Jan 19, 2005 11:00:06 GMT -5
thanks for sharing your story with us, Chris. My son is also named Chris and in 5th grade...he is ADHD though (Has the hyperactivity part). I'm going to show him your story and see if he sees any similarities in it. Maybe, he'll post something too.  |
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Post by JV on Jan 19, 2005 13:02:05 GMT -5
Hi Chris, and Welcome! Thank you for your very articulate description of what it is like for you with ADD. My son is 12, in 7th grade and has ADHD. (he has the hyperactivity). I am going to ask him to read your post, and see if he might like to reply also. Thankyou again, JV  |
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Post by ohmama on Jan 19, 2005 16:38:36 GMT -5
Hello Chris and welcome. My boys are twins, 11 yrs old and both with add and adhd. They wanted to send you this message... Have you seen the website www.sparktop.org/explore/brainpop.html It's fun for kids! |
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Post by Mayleng on Jan 19, 2005 18:13:12 GMT -5
Ohmama, that's a great site for kids. It is set up by the schwab people.
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Post by jwm on Jan 19, 2005 19:48:00 GMT -5
Hello everyone, I would like to thank you all for responding to my sons post. He was happy to tell his experience. He said he wants to try and help others who have ADHD and more importantly those who dont. He has come a long way. Today he came home from school, did his homework and cleaned his desk and room without being asked..... He said he really likes the metadate CD !!!! y*y I showed him all your responses and he was smiling from ear to ear. Thanks for the website. He sent it to his email address and put it in his favorites. You are all such kind people. I am so happy to have you all. |
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Post by Mayleng on Jan 19, 2005 19:54:10 GMT -5
jwm, he sounds like such a great kid.
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Post by jwm on Jan 19, 2005 19:59:48 GMT -5
I think we all have great kids. Sometimes when we are caught up in their "attitudes", and moods its hard to see it.
I really appreciate all your help with the metadate CD.
I am glad we gave it a shot. I really notice a change in my son. He seems less uptight. He really is calmer and like your son he just seems more loving. He wants more hugs now!
I also cant get over his appetite!! I need another job to support my food bill now!! LOL!!!
Have a wonderful evening Mayleng!!
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Post by JV on Jan 19, 2005 22:21:22 GMT -5
Hi Chris I am JV's son and I am happy that your medicine is working for you. Although I don't take Metadate CD I take Strattera. Strattera allows me to see things a lot better now I understand things much better than what I used toand I sleep better.
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Post by Mayleng on Jan 19, 2005 22:43:33 GMT -5
JV's son, welcome to the board. I am happy to hear that you are doing well on strattera.
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Post by Mayleng on Jan 19, 2005 22:46:38 GMT -5
I think we all have great kids. Sometimes when we are caught up in their "attitudes", and moods its hard to see it. I really appreciate all your help with the metadate CD. I am glad we gave it a shot. I really notice a change in my son. He seems less uptight. He really is calmer and like your son he just seems more loving. He wants more hugs now! I also cant get over his appetite!! I need another job to support my food bill now!! LOL!!! Have a wonderful evening Mayleng!! My son is less uptight too. Doesn't get angry as often, and when he doesn't want to do something and he starts to fuss, he is able to pull himself together and just do what I ask and not have a bit meltdown. Tomorrow we see the ENT about his nosebleeds. |
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Post by angel on Jan 23, 2005 15:57:26 GMT -5
Hey, This is great!! Maybe we could add a board for them?? angel |
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Post by jwm on Jan 23, 2005 16:06:15 GMT -5
Hi Angel, not a bad idea.
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Post by Mayleng on Jan 23, 2005 16:36:30 GMT -5
Sorry Ladies, I don't have the time or resources to moderate a kids' board. But www.sparktop.org/explore/brainpop.htmlis a wonderful board for kids. They can chat with each other and it is moderated by the schwablearning.org people. You should have your kids check it out, it's really cool. For those who have problems reading, I think they even have an audio feature. This is a board for kids who LDs/ADHD etc. |
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Post by Shandawn on Jan 23, 2005 21:32:56 GMT -5
Mayleng is right & Sparktop is wonderful!! My DD 10 LOVES it! There are all sorts of games, creative things to do , kids chat, etc. Just a note, if you are on dial-up, the site loads slow so be patient! I recently switched to cable internet & we couldn't believe how much faster it loaded!
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Post by jwm on Jan 24, 2005 19:32:12 GMT -5
Hi my son loves that site. Thanks for the info on it.
this will come in very handy this week since school has been cancelled through Thursday here in Plymouth Ma.
I wouldnt be surprised if they didnt cancel Friday too at this point.
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Post by lovemykids on Jan 27, 2005 19:09:14 GMT -5
Wow, I am literally sitting here with tears streaming down my face...Thank you so much Chris! Lovemykids |
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