parental advice
By dizzykitty
@dizzykitty (65)
United States
October 12, 2006 12:28pm CST
I have a 7 year old who sometimes acts like he is ADHD but can turn it off and on... I am a Christian and do not beleive he need drugs.. Certain things like giving him certain independance has help but sure could use a few more tips on how to help him stay focased at school.. one thing is in class the other kids seem to really distract him without meaning to.. any tips for him to use or for the teacher? His teacher is great and really has worked with me and him and promises to continue too.
1 person likes this
7 responses
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
18 Oct 06
Has your son been seen by a specialist who is experienced with this disorder? If not, then perhaps this is one thing you could consider so you have an accurate diagnosis of his condition.
You do not have to give him medication but instead talk to the specialist and be guided by his advice on the alternatives that are available. For instance cut down on sugar and sweet products, no red or green cordial or lollies due to the colour additives in them. Do not let him watch 'action' films or cartoons or spend lots of time in front of either the television or a computer screen.
Good luck. :)
@dizzykitty (65)
• United States
13 Oct 06
The class is set up with the desk's in groups of four. Last year he did sit in the front row of the class but tended to be more distracted wondering what was going on behind him. He try's so hard and he gets so frustrated when he gets in trouble. The one thing about his teacher is he doesnt center him out like the one last year did all the time.
@swags92 (6)
• United States
19 Oct 06
I to am a chtistian and my son is on medication because all of the behavioral modifications did not get us over the hill. I would suggest that the teacher breaks his work into smaller sections for him. Also a stress ball that he can squeezze is a goo way to get figgity behavior out. When he feels like he can't sit still he can squezze the ball in one hand and continue working with the other hand.
@dizzykitty (65)
• United States
23 Oct 06
My sons teacher is awsome and has really made the extra steps to accomodate Chase. Chase says that he is great he doesn't pick on me like my other teachers did. It seemed like the others always had one eye on the class and the other on chase... if he moved they were on him always changing his card. Mr M really compliments him when he changes his card back to green and focuses on the positive with chase instead of the negative. I really like the idea about the strees ball I will talk to his teacher about having something like that in class. Does this ball seem to bother or disrupt your sons class? He seems to be getting his work done better these days. He is now meeting with a tutor once a week and working on his reading and writing, I have seen a difference in him almost daily. He has even been following directions alot at home the stress level here has been greatly reduced. Thank you for your advice I hope to keep getting more.
@sbeauty (5865)
• United States
23 Oct 06
As a teacher myself, I've never found anything that really helps keep these children focussed. Chances are he'll outgrow the problem eventually, but for right now keep your expectations high and treat him like you would any other child. Find things that really interest him which will help keep his attention, and build from there.
@mamaof2boys (2)
• United States
24 Oct 06
i have a son which is diagnosed as adhd and we had a meeting at the school called a 504 meeting which the school can work with you to make accomadtions for your son so he can do better at school.Like my son can't stay in the class for along time he needs to get up and move so when he gets like that he gets to go visit with a favorite adult at the school till he is not ancy anymore.maybe you could talk to the school about doing something like this for your son.We are also against medications we did try 2 different ones against are better judgement and they only made him worse.
@dizzykitty (65)
• United States
24 Oct 06
I want to let you all know how much I appreciate your advice.... keep it comming. I really like the 504 meeting and it sounds great something I think may be workable with the school. He really likes the teachers and has a few like the librarian he loves and whenever he sees her just gives her a huge hug. Thankyou. I have also added the Our Kids Are Special link on my computer. I'm gratefull, I have thought I did something to turn my sweet child into a kid with no control. I also have been wondering if his sensitivity is conected, he tends to get his feelings hurt alot and with things I don't think he should get so upset about.... sometimes this causes problems with other kids at school, he gets his feelings hurt and then gets angry and well he does at sometimes have an anger control issue. Any advise?
@wahmbuddy (391)
• Canada
23 Oct 06
Hi dizzykitty,
I also have an adhd son. He is on medication, but it is not a stimulant (that made it worse for him). Does your son also have anxiety issues? You say he can turn it off and on. I know for my son - if he is stressed about something it gets 10X worse, just in certain situations. It's not his fault but he can't verbalize how he is feeling and so turns into a bit of a spaz as a way to release his feelings.
I do thinks in some cases it can be controlled without medication and a lot of doctors just have pre-written rx for ritalin that they hand out to anyone. You really need to get him diagnosed by a specialist.
I was playing around making a website last year and it has some relavent info for you. take a look: http://www.ourkidsarespecial.com/adhd.html
hope that helps...
