What is now named Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (or ADHD) has been recognized, and perceived in many different ways, for probably hundreds of years. Stimulants were used for treating it more than seventy years ago. But I still believed about fifteen years ago that there really wasn't such a thing as ADHD and that it was probably just a way to excuse lazy parenting.
But then, in spite of my denial, my first two kids from my second marriage developed into pre-teens and developed problems in completing their school assignments, even as otherwise excellent students. These two children had always resisted doing anything they didn't like doing, and they had never cooperated by doing their fair allotment of the household chores as my older ten children had. Their floundering at school, though, was what caused me to belatedly get them in for thorough assessments, resulting in positive diagnoses for ADHD and ADD.
My daughter, the younger of the two, had ADHD, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Many parents with ODD children apparently give up on them, letting them ultimately be in charge of themselves. Though I felt like it, I refused to let my daughter be in full charge of herself because that would have increased her risk within the community. But she resisted every effort I made to be in charge of her.
My son's ADD didn't involve hyperactivity, and his symptoms weren't as much "in my face" as my daughter's were. Now that he's an adult, he doesn't think he's had ADD. I had ten non-ADHD kids in my first marriage, though, and because these two children were diagnosed after thorough medical assessments, I'm convinced they've both been afflicted with this ailment (as has been their father). I was so frustrated with all of the challenges these two children presented that I was quite willing to medicate them. They tried the whole gamut of medications but didn't like the side effects, and they wouldn't take them.
During one particular chat I was having with this son when he was a teen (when I was exasperated with his behaviors) I offered an observation. Because he didn't laugh, I assume he didn't appreciate the humor embedded in my rather emphatic remark, "You're the second most annoying person that I ever gave birth to." He was, for sure. And his younger, ADHD sister was the first. For quite a few years I despaired of the two of them ever learning the life skills I was trying to teach them. But they are both doing quite well at present.
Growing up, my ADHD children weren't different than my later non-ADHD children with temper tantrums. My first five babies all threw tantrums...and yet my last eight didn't. My fifth baby, at fourteen months old, was cured of his temper tantrums about a week after I figured out what to change in my parenting. What I learned with this baby about preventing temper tantrums worked as well with my ADHD babies as it did the rest of them. You can have a tantrum-free lifestyle with your ADHD child as well.
But then, in spite of my denial, my first two kids from my second marriage developed into pre-teens and developed problems in completing their school assignments, even as otherwise excellent students. These two children had always resisted doing anything they didn't like doing, and they had never cooperated by doing their fair allotment of the household chores as my older ten children had. Their floundering at school, though, was what caused me to belatedly get them in for thorough assessments, resulting in positive diagnoses for ADHD and ADD.
My daughter, the younger of the two, had ADHD, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Many parents with ODD children apparently give up on them, letting them ultimately be in charge of themselves. Though I felt like it, I refused to let my daughter be in full charge of herself because that would have increased her risk within the community. But she resisted every effort I made to be in charge of her.
My son's ADD didn't involve hyperactivity, and his symptoms weren't as much "in my face" as my daughter's were. Now that he's an adult, he doesn't think he's had ADD. I had ten non-ADHD kids in my first marriage, though, and because these two children were diagnosed after thorough medical assessments, I'm convinced they've both been afflicted with this ailment (as has been their father). I was so frustrated with all of the challenges these two children presented that I was quite willing to medicate them. They tried the whole gamut of medications but didn't like the side effects, and they wouldn't take them.
During one particular chat I was having with this son when he was a teen (when I was exasperated with his behaviors) I offered an observation. Because he didn't laugh, I assume he didn't appreciate the humor embedded in my rather emphatic remark, "You're the second most annoying person that I ever gave birth to." He was, for sure. And his younger, ADHD sister was the first. For quite a few years I despaired of the two of them ever learning the life skills I was trying to teach them. But they are both doing quite well at present.
Growing up, my ADHD children weren't different than my later non-ADHD children with temper tantrums. My first five babies all threw tantrums...and yet my last eight didn't. My fifth baby, at fourteen months old, was cured of his temper tantrums about a week after I figured out what to change in my parenting. What I learned with this baby about preventing temper tantrums worked as well with my ADHD babies as it did the rest of them. You can have a tantrum-free lifestyle with your ADHD child as well.
About the Author:
Learn more about preventing tantrumsin ADHD children . Visit Leanna Rae Scott's site to learn how to help ADHD children.. Free reprint available from: ADHD Children: Tantrums Are Optional.
No comments:
Post a Comment