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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 2:19:22 PM | I'm looking for peoples past experiences or referrals to websites.
My son (who is now 7) is going in for "testing" .
His Grade 2 Teacher is adamant that he's classic ADD.
He doesn't concentrate well in the class setting, 80% of his homework are pages he could not complete in class. At home he isn't very unfocussed, but I am sitting there with him encouraging him the entire time and trying to keep the 3 hours + of homework at times fun and upbeat.
(and yes I've scoured the ADD/ADHD threads on here as well as every webpage google came up with)
I have always had issues with him lagging behind the class for the first report card, and then he catches right up.
I have always assumed that it is because his bday is December 24. He is always the youngest kid in the class and I constantly doubt/question my decision to put him into JK the year he was supposed to go, instead of holding him back due to age ( born 6 days before the cutoff date for the school board achedemic year)
He's so bright and articulate in person, physically active and polite, well behaved even!
When "not concentrating" on the schoolwork at hand he's drawing pictures all around the edges of his paper (nothing violent) and in Math has quite often come home with all the test questions wrong, because he just wrote down the answer, not the steps to achieve it.
I guess my main concern is.. what if he's brillant? Are they testing for that as well?
I think I've been scared silly by the "Ritalin Zombie " connotation
Any advice is appreciated.. my stress level is creeping up daily
Edit: I would also like to say that I wasn't forced to have him tested.. I just want to know whats going on. Failing a grade can be very damaging to a child as well, and quite frankly I want to know how I can help him in anyway I can, maybe I'm doing something wrong for all I know. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 2:27:04 PM | A lot of children with ADD/ADHD are very bright they just have trouble channeling their energy. Having testing done means nothing. It is up to you if you choose to share it with the school They cannot make you have your child tested and they cannot make you put your child on medication. I have worked with many children with ADD/ADHD and there is no one quick fix. It is up to the parent and what they choose to do with the information. Learning coping strategies are very important for your son to learn in order to deal with the behaviours.
Hope you get a doctor that can explain the results and let you know what to do next.
Good Luck! | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 2:35:13 PM | Good luck with the ADD testing.... If you take him to one of these ADD 'specialists', I can promise you he's got it. My ex insisted that my son was ADD/ADHD. Took him off to be 'tested' (fill in a questionare....there's your diagnosis). He tested positive. When I tried to question this 'doctor' about the results, he seemed insulted that I should be so bold as to question his expertese. I mentioned that on a bad day, I would 'fail' his test and be diagnosed as ADD... His response - "Well, maybe you are". I finally relented and allowed him to be prescribed one day's dose if Ritalin to see how things went. 4:30 in the morning, I'm still up with my son waiting for him to go to sleep. That was the end of that little experiment!
Unfortunately, the teachers aren't much help. They would much rather have a classroom full of zombies... they are easier to teach. I had absolutely no success getting the teachers to put the effort into 'teaching' until I made a problem of myself with the school principals. Once they are aware that you are one of the parents ready to work with the school, 'with' being the key word here - THEY have to know that you will be checking up on what they are doing at their end, you tend to make out a little better. Being a pain in their a$$ actually works.
That being said, brilliant and ADD can (and often do) go hand in hand. Also, ADD doesn't 'come and go'..... they can't pick and choose what they are going to concentrate on. Check his levels of concentration on other things. My son can sit for hours and concentrate on things he is interested in....school just isn't one of them. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 2:36:35 PM | Mae I share your concerns.....I too am NOT ready to have my son TESTED.....which the earlier teachers thought was my Son needed ridalin.......he might....but I personally think he was too young then, and is still to young....he is ten now...and we are doing some testing thru a different avenue...to belay some of the teachers concerns....I did allow my child to go thru a section 20 class, and low and behold.....the majority of professionals realize that he is NOT add.....he actually was having a hard time expressing his emotions.......that the marriage separation, was HIS battle.....and with two different lifestyles of child rearing, he was in a counter balance, with limited resources to accept the changes.......
He has excelled at the section 20 class, and yes it is for children who are experiencing behaviour problems.......at home we did not see the out lashes, but homework was done here with out all of the problems that the teachers and school peeps were complaining about.....Basically, he was bored.....and needed the extra attention of either parent, to either explain it differently.....or sit with them.......Poof.....the homework was done.....sometimes it took hours.....because he really did limit what he was doing at school.......and for sure it is fustrating, knowing that he can do the work.......just chose not to.........
I have no help here to suggest.......still live in the fustration of it.......but be dammed if I am turning my son into a zombie......I wanted you to know........that you are not alone.......and most of the parents in his section 20 class can vouch for that.......hang in there.......and good luck with the battle.....if you find the magic answers.......please share.....
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 2:40:37 PM | Too many doctors and tooo many teachers are way too quick to diagnose children(primarily boys) with ADD or ADHD. Whatever happened to boys will be boys and they are just more hyper and less likely to want to concentrate on school work.
Why not ask the teacher about moving him somewhere else in classroom or getting some afterschool help.
I don't believe in medicating children for the sake of keeping them comotosed (sp?) for the teacher.
Good luck to you.
My heart goes out to you in this very sticky situation as I have 2 very rambuctious boys.
I totally agree with you Fly...my oldest son can sit and play playstation for hours...lol...he just doesn't like school.
I didn't know you could be forced to test your child????? Love to see the day they try that crap with me. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 2:45:43 PM | Well I do not live in Ontario but my sister has a son that was diagnosed with add/adhd and he took medication that made him strange almost mentally challenged. He was not allowed to drink certain things that had certain dyes and yada yada. He didnt do well in school at all.
My sister finally got fed up with this, took him off the drugs and moved him to all year round class .. It has worked out great for him cause they go at a bit of a slower pace and actually ends up being ahead of the class from the students that dont go all year round. He is doing way better in math where before like yourself he was coming home with everything wrong. We all learn at a different pace.
I dont know if that is a possibility where you are at. But could be something to look into... I suggest getting more than one persons opinion on what is going on with your son, read everything you are giving him if he starts any medication and watch for results. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 2:49:47 PM | I had my son tested this past summer, not because of ADD fears, but because he couldn't do his schoolwork unless I sat beside him and kept him focussed. He's in a gifted class and the psychologist confirmed that he is in the 98 99 percentile (ahead of most kids) in so many things, but he also has a learning disability relating to how his thoughts get transferred from his brain to paper. (13 and 33 percentiles). I know he was fidgetty in school and unfocussed, and usually seated "in the hot seat" beside the teacher's desk. Now we are working on the tools and techniques to assist him to thrive, and he's not nearly as frustrated as we all know he knows the stuff, just needs help getting it OUT!
Having your son tested too, may reveal some interesting things, and then the school board must do its best to accommodate your son in class (mine now has a laptop and special programming, and is given more time to do things, esp testing)
Good luck, | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 2:54:39 PM | My kids never had add but my ex and I were concerned about my youngest when she was 4. She was allways so alive and active with everything and had a sparkle in her eye. She would wake up in the morning and would say ahh ha, and go non stop till nap time. She is 12 now and doing very well. I believe she was very lucky to have the teachers she did for the first few years as they knew exactly what my daughter was about and kept her on track I would say.
My other daugher was calm and relaxed for the most part and we never had any concerns or problems. My cousin visited for a month when she was 8 and wrestled a lot with her, winding her up whenever they were around each other. During that time period, her teacher called and mentioned my daughter had become distracted and didn't concentrate well in class. We slowed the wrestling down to a minimum and she went back to her old self.
Maby not the same things as you are dealing with but just my experience with my kids.
I would glady exhaust many other options then to put my child on pills. Some people are quick to lable kids or adults with a condition, it is easyer then working and trying everything else. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 3:07:14 PM | Mae I am one of the kids that started the whole ADHD phenomena ( before it was something common ) .... I was diagnosed ( acurately) in grade one .... I was placed on Ritalin and had to have an EA as support due to my tendency to run away from school when bored. By Grade 6 my mother had had enough of medicating me ... so she had me retested. I had a complete psychological assesment .. that was the way anything was done when I was in elemetary school. No specialist Doctors .... a school board appointed psychologist. The second go round, it was discovered that I was gifted with a learning disability geared towards math. I was still ADHD, but my mother was offered classes to teach me how to cope without medication. There are stragtegies that can be taught to help maintain focus, but mostly to make you aware when it is sliding. I stopped taking medication and became pretty happy all round.
My youngest sister, also was thought to be ADHD, but my mother persued full testing and it was discovered she had Irlen Syndrome ( A disorder the requires an overlay to read with ) and an allergy to red dye #5 ... OVER 3/4 of the children diagnosed with ADHD actually have been found to have an allergy to red dye #5. A simple test with the family Dr. can do. I urge you to do this test before agreeing to Ritalin. I went through my high school years without medication, there are options. I needed it when I was in grade school, but puberty lessened the hyperactivity part of my disorder ..
I can't think of anything else to add. If you have any questions I have no restrictions.
Good Luck ... your a great mother for asking these questions ....  | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 3:10:57 PM | | Mae, you can get him tested to see if he is indeed 'gifted'.. I had this done with my son when he started to be very disinterested in school, being unattentive in class, etc. I believe he was in grade 3 in a 3/4 split class at that time. He was tested at the school, not by a special doctor. It was done through the school board. From that point, he had a specialized program which challenged/channelled him more, and his program was evaluated every year in a meeting between myself and his teacher. Hope this helps. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 3:11:01 PM | I have a friend and her two sons were ADD/ADHD diagnosed. The drugs were not worth it, and the hassles from the school forcing the use of the drugs was not worth it. After a LOT of problems she ended up changing school boards (the one she had her boys in would not allow the kids to attend school if they weren't on the drugs) and finding alternate treatments. Her solution (I believe) was they gave up video games, SERIOUSLY restricted TV, found lots of more creative things to do with their time, and went on an extremely healthy diet. (Nothing processed at all.) I'm not sure what else there was in addition to that, but I know that was the part she told me about and that she felt really made a difference.
The kids in the end managed to change the behaviour enough in school that they didn't have more problems. Both of her kids were very bright, but that one diagnosis was the source of problems for her for at least an 8 year span. From the stories I've heard, no matter what you do don't have it even remotely associated with the school or let them know about anything. Being told that the teachers have the right to give your kids drugs because that's the easy solution would be enough to scare anyone I know. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 3:26:19 PM | | As a mother of a special needs child and a professional in the field - with many years of experience working with children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD etc. I can offer you one very important thing!!! You are his mother and you know best!!!! No matter what anyone tells you - if your gut tells you it's not right, then it's not right!!! Only you know how your child functions best - only you know what is right for your family - you have the right to direct the path on which he will follow - you have the right to ask for all that your son requires - or does not require!!!! Always keep strong and know you are your childs strongest advocate - never let them wear you down!!!! | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 3:42:20 PM |
Mae, you can get him tested to see if he is indeed 'gifted'.. I had this done with my son when he started to be very disinterested in school, being unattentive in class, etc. I believe he was in grade 3 in a 3/4 split class at that time. He was tested at the school, not by a special doctor. It was done through the school board. From that point, he had a specialized program which challenged/channelled him more, and his program was evaluated every year in a meeting between myself and his teacher. Hope this helps.
My son is now 22, but he went through something similar. He was not ADD or ADHD, he just had difficulties. So he was put into a specialized program that readied him to be integrated into a regular classroom setting when he reached high school. He did not pass high school with any honours or fanfare, but he passed. He is very intelligent, articulate, and focused...his challenges is he just hates reading. He is doing well on his own and has a focus for what he wants for himself for his future. He is a capricorn, so I know he will do it.
Mae, I also believed he was put in regular school too soon since his birthday is Dec 28th, but that is bunk. In our situation, my son just had some distractions that affected his learning and school progress. I just wish I had kicked out that distraction years earlier!  | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 3:42:26 PM | Mae
I would recommend doing some research on dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
Here are some links to wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyslexia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysgraphia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyscalculia
Alot of time kid's are labelled with ADD when really they have a learning disability.(Don't like the term because in fact they just learn different then the norm) Not all people learn the same way there is just a high percentage that learn the same way hence the norm.
Individuals with dyslexia:
May appear bright, intelligent and articulate, however their reading, writing and spelling level is below their average age group.
Have average or above average intelligence, yet may have poor academic achievement.
May have good oral language abilities but will perform much more poorly on similar written-language tests.
Might be labelled lazy, dumb, careless, immature, "not trying hard enough," or as having a "behavior problem."
Because dyslexia primarily affects reading while sparing other intellectual abilities, affected individuals might be categorised as not "behind enough" or "bad enough" to receive additional help in a school setting.
Might feel dumb and have poor self-esteem, and might be easily frustrated and emotional about school reading or testing.
Might try to hide their reading weaknesses with ingenious compensatory "strategies".
Might learn best through hands-on experience, demonstrations, experimentation, observation, and visual aids.
Can show talents in other areas such as art, drama, music, sports, mechanics, story-telling, sales, business, designing, building, or engineering.
Have related problems with attention in a school setting; for instance they might seem to "zone out" or daydream often; get lost easily or lose track of time; and have difficulty sustaining attention.
Good luck with your research.
Shayne | |
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*Tee*
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Joined: 9/4/2005
Msg: 15 | |
| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 4:00:22 PM | My son had similar problems to what your son has. Although with my son, it was clearly a learning disability and not ADD. The two can definitely be mistaken for the other.
I had him tested for both, and believe me, it was not an easy thing to read reports, of your otherwise perfect child having a severe learning disability. I suggest if you do have him tested for ADD, you get a second opinion. In rare and severe cases, I do believe SOME children will benefit with medication, but I have always believed that, that was a last resort.Too many doctors very easily prescribe unnecesary medication.Remember to do as much research as you can, and also keep in mind that there are ALWAYS alternatives to giving your children drugs.
The way I see it is....if your son can sit for 2 hours through a movie, more then likely he does NOT have ADD. It just proves that he can focus when he's interested. Alot of times they don't focus because they don't understand the work.
I'm sorry you're going through this Mae, but just be persistent, and remember that you, above any other, knows your child well enough to know what he's capable of.
I can now say my son is a very intelligent and well adjusted 16 year old with a great start to a wonderful career ahead of him. Although we have been through struggles together, I never gave up, and I never let anyone tell me that he needed medication to get through school. Good luck! | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 4:41:13 PM | I have real issues about the way in which kids who are often just kids who see the world differently, have different ideas and interests are now labelled. and a lot of people doing the labelling aren't even qualified to do it.
I was a very unusual kid growing up with unique interests and really different from the other kids. most of the time i was pretty bored in school; i was definately a kid who was outside of the box and nowadays would have been labelled with something for sure...it wasn't that there was a problem, i just had an unquenchable thirst for information which i soaked up very quickly--i needed a lot of intellectual stimulation and the school couldn't provide that for me. I can still vividly remember sitting in frustration in grade 1 reading while other kids struggled with mr. muggs books, being made to follow along when i'd read it before they'd finish the first page--it was torture for me having to endure that. teachers didn't always approve me because of it, i was too head-strong and independent and asked too many questions. I was fortunate because i had great parents who recognized that in me and took me out of school a lot to make sure that my own areas of interest and learning were fostered and never stopped me from being me.
Remember, you are the parent, you don't have to do anything you're uncomfortable with and you don't have to bow to pressure either and sometimes school officials will pressure you if they feel that it is necessary for your son to go on drugs, i've seen it happen.
there are other options you can explore, and i am definately an anti-drug person and have seen amazing things done with just diet, homeopathy, and most importantly, parents who accept their kids for their uniqueness. You might want to pick up ritalin-free kids from the library, really good book.
like other posters have said, be strong and be persistent... you know your child and your son knows himself. talk to him about it, see how he feels, make sure he is part of the process too.
good luck | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 4:49:47 PM | Hey Mae,
My son is 14 now, his bday is Nov 25. I've had issues in school with him every year. I do believe that being late in the year affects him abit compared to kids who were born earlier in the year and are in the same grade.
He was also tested I believe in grade 2 as they thought he had ADD or whatever else they tested him for and nothing was conclusive at all.
He's always struggled throughout all the years and now he's in grade 8. Last year he moved with me from up north and finally, in grade 7 they started doing school testings and continued to do so this year and have just come up now that he has some learning difficulties at school.
He is going in grade 9 next year, and they have figured out he needs to take lower level classes, not special education classes, just modified curriculums and so on in order to help him move along with the other kids. They are also going to try and get him a lap top with some special programs for homework and such to help him keep up. The latest battery of tests he's gone through were called :
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-Second Edition
Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning-Second Edition
Child Behaviour Checklist
Conners' Parent Rating Scale
Conners-Wells' Adolescent Self Report Scale
Feelings, Attitudes, and Behaviours Scales
Your son should also get an *Individual Education Plan* done at the school if he hasn't had one done yet. Don't give up and push the school to ensure they are doing everything they can to help your son with the help they have available to them. In my eyes, the schools are way too quick to say the ADD bullcrap in order to avoid having to do the extra work in order to help the kids who need it. I hope this will help my son now that it's written down in a report and you can be damn sure that I will be bringing a copy to his new high school when I register him to make sure they get on track with this so he doesn't slip through the cracks!!! Goodluck hun! Say hi to the man for me! | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 5:41:20 PM | my son was also having trouble in school focusing and such...............I had him tested to see what areas he was having trouble in.................(was a pschology test I believe)
he is in grade 6 and on some subjects he is at a grade 4 level.............they have known this since kindergarten and have just pushed him on through............I had said to put him behind back then, but they wont fail the kids anymore,,,,,,,,,,,,,,so now they have waited til grade 6 to do something about it..............
oh they wanted me to send him to the doctors to make sure there wasnt anything physically wrong with him.............
my personal belief is that the teachers just arent doing the jobs that they once did..........so worried about the provinces mandate, and doing the curiculuum that i think they have forgotton the students, til of course it is too late.............
they now have my son as an IEP which means an individual education plan which in simpler terms mean they get to grade him differently than the rest, and that he gets better grades...........I personally dont think that is really solving the problem..........
I would have the testing done just to see what they say, talk to your doctor, and see what the doctor has to say............( I am still against giving kids drugs............) my son is well behaved , just has trouble focussing on things that dont interest him...........btw arent all boys like that,,,,,,,,,,,I know they were when i was in school...............had many ask for my notes for school, as they were terrible at keeping notes..............smiling
If I was you I wouldnt get stressed about the homework, I did that too, and it just got so that he would get mad at me, I would get mad at him.............and didnt solve anything........
now it is no more than 30 min ...........after that there isnt much point...........and now we arent nearly as stressed about it............
I just tell him to do the best he can...............(sorry this is so long, and myself on a soapbox , but sometimes, get angry about this) | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 5:45:19 PM | Hi again Mae... after reading all the above posts, I would give the most consideration to what Leeanne has pointed out. YOU know your son the best, and know what is best for him.
Keep on top of the school.... The noisy wheel really does get the grease. | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 6:27:36 PM | Well as everyone has said "I had my son tested too" The teachers at the school were not sure if he had ADD/ADHD or A learning disability. As a Mom I knew there was nothing wrong but to please the school I had him tested for ADD/ADHD , Auditory Processing...others things as well. I did tell them that myself and his Dad were separated(5years ago now) and it was a difficult time for him. He had seen and heard too much from his Dad .After all was done ...he did not have ADD/ADHD but did suffer from sonething else and that was DEFIANCE.....he was bored in school!!! As earlier posted you are his Mom and WE know best
P.S. for awhile the teachers thought I was nuts saying my son was ok.....lol.....take care:) | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 6:41:47 PM | Thanks all this really helps calm me a bit. I am very anti drug... and we do have several members of our immediate family that have gone through various testing and ended up being "gifted" etc, so I'm hoping all this testing is what will determine the real root cause of all this. Who wants to leave it too late? I think the crux is that the provincial testing occurs in Grade 3.. and the conspiracy theory side of me figures thats what its all about. I have had 3 years of teachers telling me that he's fine.. he's just young for the class.. when they test him geared to calandar age he scores just fine.
I am well known at my sons school.. his SK and Gr 1 teachers often get me to come back in and do a talks for the kids. I'm the mom that makes the cool snacks for class parties. I'm also the mom that is in the principals office questioning everything that comes home. At the school I do believe they created the "no visiting your childs classroom or teacher without an appt" rule because of me I have had several run ins with the EA.. I find her particularily demeaning to the students and she made the mistake ONCE of doing it to my son in front of me. Sadly I think the ensuing discplinary action taken against her has been mildly detremental to my son and his grades... but so was her previous behavior.
I have alot of reading to do tonite it seems.. have to really go over the learning disability angle, because that is the key I think. Lord knows he can sit through a 2 hour movie and describe in minute detail every word said.
Thanks Again everyone.. keep the advice coming | |
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| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 6:42:33 PM | I'm lucky to have a very supportive school so far. My son is in grade 2 and well ahead of most of his 2/3 split class. We recently had a meeting with everyone at the school, teacher, resource teacher, counsellor, principal and vice -principal along with both parents. My son's biggest issue right now is channelling his emotions and his lack of self esteem. He seems to have a lot of anger and aggression which he is having a hard time controlling. Some of it is due to frustration and boredom, some due to the fact that he has hyper-sensitive hearing and a lot of noise and commotion is difficult for him to handle, and yes, some is also due to us splitting up. We spent 1 1/2 hours going through his problems, strengths and weaknesses. His teacher is the one who insisted he be tested for enrichment programs to help channel his exceptional abilities and hopefully help him feel better about himself. We all applaud his accomplishments, no matter how small, and every good day he has at school. We have also accessed some programs to help him deal with his self-esteem issues and anger issues. He will also be going through the psychological testing etc. I am open to what they say but I also know my son better than they do so I will have my say.
However, I do have a friend who's son was having major problems at school, not only with behaviour and aggression but with learning and peer relationships. After many months of tests, scans, more tests, MRI's and so many other things he was diagnosed with ADHD (severe), Turrette's (sp?) and one other cognitive disorder I'm not quite sure about. His mom insisted on trying to treat him without drugs - all of the natural therapies, diet changes etc and they were quite open to her trying this. After numerous months though, she relented and tried meds. The first one he was on was okay and he was a much easier child to deal with, not a zombie though as some people fear. However, they put him on a new one at Christmas time and it is amazing for him. If you do have a child on medication don't think the one the doctor gave him is the be all and end all, if you think things could be better, push to try a different one. There are so many out there.
On the flip side, another friend was being bullied by the school over her son's behaviour and they insisted he be tested for ADD/ADHD - she did not believe the problem was that severe and did not want him tested. Instead she went to a naturopath and a supplement was suggested which is available at GNC, I believe, I can't think of the name offhand but it is to help with concentration. She has been using this for 2 years now and her son is doing fine.
All children are different and as Leannne said - you are his mother, you know best. They cannot bully into the testing. Speak to your family doctor as well and research your options thoroughly. Have him tested for food and environmental allergies etc as well. There are many reasons he could be having problems. If you go the route of diet changes, natural remedies etc. Keep a very thorough journal and give each a minimum of 3 months. Good luck!
edit >> it also amazes me that a school/teacher insists that a child be tested for a particular disorder. Never go in asking for that. Explain what his/her issues are and ask about any and all probable causes and ask for each one to be eliminated before there is a diagnoses. Don't be afraid to bring up some of your own research, if your doctor is not supportive of things you talk about, ask him to refer you to a pediatrician who may be more open. | |
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lfrl
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Joined: 3/30/2006
Msg: 23 | |
| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 6:49:41 PM | | Stay away from the Ritalin please!!!!!!!! Maybe talk to a holistic person instead. How is his diet. Actually, come to think of it my oldest daughter has suffered from add and she has a cow milk protein allergy. The list of allergies for her are long but all treatable naturally. Try a diet diary: for one week give him all sorts of different foods and keep a diary of what you give him. Then monitor him like a hawk and see how he reacts to the different foods, beverages. Please try anything and everything before putting him on meds!!!!!!!!!!!!! | |
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fuzzy2
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Joined: 12/22/2006
Msg: 24 | |
| Son going in for testing.. any advice Ontario oriented?
Posted: 3/21/2007 6:55:51 PM | Been there. A lot of the problems these days is not in the kids but the school systems. When my son was in public school, they tested him and found him to be gifted. The one thing they kept repeating over and over was "send him to university". Great, in the meantime, they wanted me to put him on ritalin because they could not control him in class. In short, he was bored, too many kids and too many distractions. I took him to a psychologist who fortunately did not believe in "doping" the kids up. She said he was definitely gifted and extremely bright. He had lots of energy and could never sit still no matter what, he had questions and smiles for everyone.
I refused to but him on ritalin because of the stories I heard. We did work out something with the teachers in the remainder of his public school years but it was very difficult and he did not do very well with his marks.
Once he entered middle school my concern was that since he wasn't learning in school he might be "tempted" into the wrong side of the street so to speak. Having spoke with numerous people, I was referred by someone at work to a gentleman who worked with Sea Cadets and I made an appointment with him and had a long chat. He took both me and my son down to where the meetings were held and showed my son some of the things they did. This caught my son's attention and I decided to enroll him in it, he was 14 at the time however I believe they accept them from the age of 12 on, girls and boys.
Over the years, while his school work never did get better, it helped him greatly by giving him confidence in himself and discipline not to get into trouble. He stayed with them until he "aged-out" at 19. At the time he actually considered joining the real cadets but was unfortunately rejected to a medical problem at the time. He also did not finish high school, but he became a work-a-holic, working sometimes 7 days for months. As an adult he has finally mellowed out and realized what he wants to do and is now working at completing his high school by way of correspondence, this from a kid who couldn't sit still in class and learn. One final exam to write and he has it, along with arrangements to apprentice in his chosen field. In the end, it all worked out and I am glad I put him into the Cadets program, there are actually 3 different ones all over Canada, Air Cadets, Sea Cadets and Army Cadets. Uniforms and all the equipment they use is supplied free and costs absolutely nothing except the time and money to get them there. Even travel is paid by the Cadets as they can be sent by Army transport to various army bases for "training" sessions and competitions.
Got a little off-topic there, but the bottom line is, if the schools tell you one thing, look at all your options, in most cases as I have discovered over the years, it is the school systems of today that are mostly at fault for the some of the learning problems and not necessarily of genetic or medical reasons.
Good luck with your choice and being a mother, you will only make the right ones. | |
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