I'm unable to change the font on my thread, unfortunately my eyesight ishorrible and I cant read this as i'm typing.
I would appreciate any input, I don't know what to think about this situation. My son's teacher has sent us a note that he's concerned thatmy little one is adhd. NOw, his teacher last year raised the same issue and we spoike to our FP (my dr since my teens) and she dismissed it as he is probably bored.
Now this teacher is raising the same concerns but with backed up information....ie...impulsive behaviour....low concentration..etc. My thinking is he's a typical 8year old boy---he would rather be out playing than sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher drone onabout math etc. But at the same time I don't want to be one of those parents that sticks their heads in the sand and ignores legitimate concerns. What do I do?? I have to be honest that I don't want to go my family and friends with this as they dismissed it last year. I don't feel they gave me (us) an objective response.
Where do I go from here? Part of my concern is his grade 2 teacher suggested he may be adhd and I worry that it's on his "record" and it will be used as an excuse when he doesn't perform as his teacher sees fit.. I'm at a complete loss.. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
I hope thisis legible...as I've said my eyesight isn't the best and unfortunately shoving my face into the computer screen really isn't helping.
lookinkg forward to some insight
2blues
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First off I would like to thank everyone for their responses. Now that I've had a few days to sit back and think about this I'm feeling much calmer.
We'll be contacting our Dr. for a physical and referral to a pediatrician for further testing, and we'll see where that takes us. In the meantime we'll do some research on ADHD. Thank you fsb49 for those websites.
Dustbunnydiva, thank you for the information about the glycemic index I'll be looking into that as well. I have to say the idea of what they are putting in those packaged and processed convenience meals is horrifying. I try to cook whole natural foods as much as possible but sometimes I'm just too darn lazy and out comes the Kraft Dinner.
Hot Chocolate and Lore thank you for your input from a teachers perspective we have an appointment booked with the teacher for a sit down discussion.
Kipper little bells went off in my head when I read your post about the boy standing over his desk to do his work. Growing up I begged and begged for a desk for my room. I didn't ever actually use it (except to hold school supplies and pictures of all my best friends) I hated it. I'd always end up doing my homework on my bedroom floor...my homework sprawled from one end of the room to the other. Desks are way to confining. Next time I find myself telling my son to "Sit still at the kitchen table and do your homework" I'll have to give myself a little pinch...maybe a different approach would work with him.
Thanks again everyone.
2blues
how does a doctor determine if a child is ADHD? What are the physical symptoms?
My niece is ADD
The Ontario school system provides testing within the school. Contact your principal to have this testing done. Now this may not be conclusive. You MUST have your child seen by a pediatrition for testing of all possibilities....it may not be ADD. Once testing is done have your child referred to an expert (medical background) in this field if in fact it is ADHD
You are in Ontario. A teacher cannot just add a note or something to your child's OSR that s/he thinks your child has ADHD. They can make a note in whatever personal files they keep on their students, but not the official record.
First step, talk to the special education resource teacher at your child's school. There are a number of checklists for teachers and parents to fill out to take to a pediatrician to aid in diagnosis. It is the Spec. Ed teacher that coordinates this. They are also your school's resource person for learning difficulties. You may find that they are more knowledgable than the principal.
Next, go to a doctor and make an appointment to discuss this. A teacher CANNOT diagnose ADHD (and as a Spec. Ed. Resource Teacher, I would have been furious if a teacher at my school had had this conversation with a parent!!). A teacher can only point out the classroom difficulties they see. In order to diagnose it, ADHD sympoms must be present in more than one location - therefore, outside the school environment!
Now, I must add to MikeD's comment about teachers looking to make their lives easier. Honesly, I don't think that is a fair generalization. Teaching is NOT an easy profession, but most of the people in it are genuinly there because they want the best for their students. If they wanted an easy path, there are a million better careers to find it in. 3 out of 5 new teachers in Ontario leave the profession. It is hard, long, and all too often, unappreciated work. Comments like that remind me why I'm one of the 3 and not one of the 2.
Hey All!
I've been teaching 7 & 8 year olds for about 8 years. Whenever I notice that a student may be struggling with i.e. staying in her seat, controlling impulsivity, physical aggression, attending to the teacher and/or task my first response is to implement a behaviour modification plan AKA incentive plan. The idea is to reward the child for her positive choices and help her to recognize how her actions affect her and people around her. Most teachers are familiar with incentive plans.
However, this kind of intervention can be quite time consuming for the teacher. The teacher will have to spend time preparing the incentive program, meeting with the parents and student and implementing the program. Program implementation is the most time consuming because in addition to instructing the class, the teacher must be monitoring the child on the program. Depending on the intensity of the programs it could be monitoring at 15 minute intervals. Unfortunately, some teachers find that this is too much work. I have had lots of success with these sort of plans. It often takes longer to see results but in the end I like to know that a child is controlling her behaviour on her own accord without the help of medication. Ask your son's teacher if he/she has tried something like this.
I also always ask parents to bring their child for a physical examination. Lots of attention problems are due to hearing or sight issues. You many want to have your child see his pediatrician.
Diet and physical activity also do have a role to play so begin to monitor those things and see what sort of trends you notice.
Have I ever done all of the above and it has not worked? Yes!!!! Have I ever had to encourage parents to persue medication? Yes!! However, to me meds are the last resort.
That's my two cents!
Cheers!
HC
ADD seems to run in my family abit. My mom had the hyper part too while I have the couch potato type (there are two different energy levels). Anyway it all came up last year, with my mom in her 80's one of her helpers mentioned it and I spoke to my brother who said he's been diagnosed with it and when I found a test or two on the Internet, sure enough I fit the pattern too. Here I always just figured my report cards saying I spent too much time stareing out the window just meant my teachers bored me to tears (which I still believe but it tends to be typical of ADD)
Anyway, my brother went to his normal doctor and was given some drug or other which he said seemed to help but then he stopped taking them when he started going to my doctor. He tends towards extremely impatient (well I do too, but he is much more so and drives me nuts because he can never let anyone finish a sentence. Nothing like two impatient people in the room at the same time I tell you.).
I went to my doctor who is holistic and as per usual, he said it was a diet issue and rather than being a separate issue was my same one...insulin sensitivity. I totally believe this as he has been right about everything else I've seen him about (and unfortunately for me, it's always the same answer for me when I keep hoping it will change). Besides, we are all insulin sensitive and totaly sugar/starch hounds as that is the way my mom fed us. Anyway, for me, all the pieces yet again fit together when my doctor explained it.
So, here's the theory as I understand it (and there is a book that is out there about it but I'm afraid I can't remember the title. I think it's written by a female and is red... if that is any help.). Anyone who has attention issues, is overly hyper or overly inactive (by energy level) is generally ultra sensitive to sugars. That means all sugars, added sugars, naturally occuring sugars, things that the body sees as sugar. For instance I am not supposed to eat any sugars, no fruits except berries (and then very limited amounts), no underground veggies, no corn, no starches, no grains as they all turn into sugar in the body. My body (and apparently the rest of my familiy's which is no surprise) can't process it properly so my insulin over reacts, that triggers other hormones and such and before I know it, I'm feeling the effects. Almost anyone can feel the effects if they eat too much sugar, but for those of who are sensitive, we feel them much faster and on less sugar than the average person. For us it is a chronic issue too rather than one just brought on by overdoing it on occassion.
If you want more clues, look to your family and see if there is any diabetes, hypoglycemia (that would be me), obesity (particularly it shows as a spare tire or apple shape), arthitis, asthma, heart desease or alcoholism. Those are all conditions that have been linked to being insulin sensitive and the new research links them all to sugar. Diet wise, those people tend to eat a lot of starch and sugar in various forms from processed foods to junk foods. It also comes in the form of breads, potatoes, corn, carrots, pasta. I can tell you if I ate the amount of fruit the food guide says to, I could be in a coma as it is way too much sugar for me. One banana for me is as bad as a chocolate bar so unless you learn about foods you often can't figure out why you seem to be eating right and still suffering the effects. Besides, they sneak that sugar in practically everywhere so it's very hard to avoid.
A person who is sensitive tends to crave/love starches and sugars. Typically we would rather give up anything than our bread, pasta, or fruit. We also tend to like caffeine (although your son may not have ever experienced the stuff).
I can tell you that the estimates are that the average person has gone from eating about 10 lbs of sugar a year 50 years ago, to eating their own weight or more a year now (one can of coke has 11 tsp of sugar if that is any indication). With the amount of processed foods (all contain sugar or processed grains which the body sees as sugar) people eat now, combined with the amount of extra sugar, it's no surprise that conditions like ADD are suddenly becoming more common. The graph for high sugar food consumption and ADD are parallel so it's not such a leap to see the link. The more crap we eat, the more people get diagnosed as ADD.
Meanwhile, if you want to test your son before going through a lot of appointments and such start monitoring his food and behaviour. Feed him only fresh, whole foods and cut the sugars out for a couple of days and then let him go back to what he normaly eats and see if his behaviour changes on the usual foods. Read the labels on things to make sure there are no sugars, words ending in 'ose', or starches. For instance, ketchup is more sugar than anything else. All deli meats have sugar. All 'low fat' products have added sugars...to take the place of the fats. Even salt has sugar in it. The stuff is everywhere which drives people like me nuts. I pretty much have to shop the outer isles as it seems like if it's in a can or box, it's got sugar in it now.
I can tell you that for me, if I eat properly I feel the difference instantly. The world is just a happier place where I can focus, get things done, and carry on as per any normal person. If I eat sugars I get tired, cranky, confused, impatient, and generally have a harder time in the world. If I eat well, then eat badly, I can crash within an hour. If I am really bad, I absolutely can't eat and of course that makes it worse but I have to force myself even though I feel quite sick at the idea of eating. What I get is called low blood sugar, and oddly enough the symptoms of that are also the symptoms listed for ADD. So it's the same deal, but heaven forbid the powers that be would actually advise people to just eat properly since they don't do it now anyway...another beef of mine I won't get started on.
Back to your son....If you want to get an idea of what foods are high in sugars (or the body sees as sugar), look up the 'glycemic index' on the Internet. There are a few GI lists, but take a look so you get the idea. It may surprise you to see how many foods we are told to eat that are actually rated as very high on the index. Pure proteins pretty much rank as 0 on the lists.
If you want to see if your son is actually sugar sensitive, make sure he eats only foods that rate under 50 on the index and that he eats proteins with all meals. He shouldn't have any white flour, processed cereals, or concentrated sugars like fruit rollups and such. You can't hurt him by having him eat whole foods for a couple of days (although he may act like a junkie who just had his drugs taken away...believe me I know) and you can see if he is more focused or changes his behaviour in any way. It may give you a very real picture if it is his diet that is causing this. BTW, if he wants something sweet, anything sweetened with Splenda is okay. It is the only artificial sweetener which has not been shown to bother insulin. It is shown on labels either by name or as sucralose. It is also the only sweetener that holds it's properties when heated so it can be used in cooking or baking just like sugar.
One thing is certain, if he is diagnosed by a normal doctor, he will probably be given drugs. It really is worth trying the diet option first to see if that works before adding pills into the mix.
BTW, you are not alone in finding the font in the posting area too small to read. We asked before if it could be changed, but so far, it's still the same. You can hit the "preview post" button to read your post before submitting it. That makes editing a little easier as the font is bigger in preview.
to hear about the troubles with your son and the school...i totally agree, the gun is often jumped too quick to say a child is adhd...too many kids are on meds for this and likely a good amount of them dont need to be. A teacher can tell you what your child is doing but by no means can they make a diagnosis. I would have your family dr refer you to a peditrician that specializes in child behaviour. This was the route they went with my niece, and there was a list of many questions to be answered done over a period of time with close observation by the parent as well as the teacher and then the questions went back to the specialist to be reviewed for a proper diagnosis. I agree it is not good to be in denial if your child truly has adhd as the child does suffer and like many here have said, get many opinions and do alot of research...all the best to you and your son
smiles
janetc
I'm glad to see we've all chipped in with some great advice.
I agree, a second opinion from a specialist is definitely in order. Hearing and eye exams should also be performed.
Reno-vator also made a good point about food allergies being a trigger for behavioral problems. I think if all other appointments don't give definitive answers, then a referral to an allergist would be a very good idea.
I agree with MikeD, it seems a lot of the time kids are being labelled with this disorder, when it's really something a different approach at school and/or home would fix.
The principal at my childrens' school was talking about different approaches to figity behavior in class in our last Home & School meeting. He mentioned how one child uses a "stress ball" to squeeze when he's working at his desk. The repetitive action of his left hand serves to pacify his figits so that he can concentrate on writing with his right hand.
Another child stands at his desk to write. He finds sitting too constrictive and cannot concentrate to write. Just by standing over his work, he's been able to settle himself enough to complete his work in class.
My heart goes out to the parents and children who have to deal with a true diagnosis to this disorder. It must be so difficult to try and fit into everyone else's round hole when your brain is functioning as a square peg.
Hopefully your son doesn't have a positive diagnosis for ADHD, and hopefully it can be resolved with some different approaches to his problem areas.
Speak to your family doctor again, and get those referrals. Try and relax until after your appointments. There's not much you can do until you find out for sure. In the mean time you may want to research ADHD and Hyperactivity online (try Health Canada for reliable information). The better you understand it, the better advocate you will be for your son.
hope this helps, and I wish both of you all the best,
kipper
there are a few websites as well that will give you more information:
[URL=http://www.adhdcanada.ca/]http://www.adhdcanada.ca/[/URL]
[URL=http://www.chaddcanada.org/]http://www.chaddcanada.org/[/URL]
[URL=http://www.adhdfoundation.ca/]http://www.adhdfoundation.ca/[/URL]
I would like to know why a teacher would put on a child's records that he "may" be ADHD ???
The teacher is no expert in this field ! It is often MISdiagnosed too often now . Gee a kid does not pay attention and he is now given the ADHD tag !!!
This makes me so annoyed to hear this....
Make an appt. with a medical person familiar with ADHD and tell the teacher to take that off his record until someone with the medical knowlege diagnoses the problem>
and even 3rd opinion; ADD or ADHD can be terrible to have, but there are treatments other than ritalin ! Also, do what you can to find out what you can yourselves about these and other learning-type disabilities, their treatments; some people suggest that food dyes and sugars and certain additives may be a cause, some suggest certain disciplinary/lifestyle "makeovers" can make a huge difference without the use of drugs.
Also and probably first get your son a full physical - I can name at least two people who were branded as troublemakers - until they got prescription glasses in grade 4 or 5 or so ! Also have a friend whose brat of a kid was diagnosed with up to 80% hearing loss - and improved dramatically with the use of a hearing aid !
Anyway, best of luck to you and all your family !
I would get a second opinion, from a medical expert. Ask you family doctor for a referral to an expert in these sorts of conditions. I wouldn't trust the teacher completely -- they're not experts in medical conditions. They just want their classrooms to run smoothly, and an active boy or two can really mess it up for them. Nothing like a little ritalin to calm the boys down, eh! I really think there should be more male teachers at the primary level to provide the boys with roll models. Part of the problem, I think, is that the world of 8 year old girls is different from that of 8 year old boys, and the women teachers quite naturally respond to the girls better and more naturally than they do to boys; so the boys can end up getting labeled as ADD, or trouble-makers, or something like that. One thing you can do is observe your son's behavior at home? Is there anything or any activity on which he can or does focus -- video games, computer activities, particular tv programs, his buddies and their skateboards, drawing/colouring, etc? If the answer is yes, then you have real evidence that he is capable of focus and paying attention. Perhaps like so many boys his age he's interested in his interests and not those of the teacher. This is why boys need at least some men for teachers at this age. Men sense this about boys better than women (sorry for making gender-based generalities, but many years of observing both genders have led me to the conclusion that there are differences between males and females :-). ) Anyways, generalizations aside, I think I would look into an ADD specialist. Even then you have to be a little bit careful because doctors like everyone else tend to take the easiest way out (for them it's prescribing drugs).
Does the school have a Dr that they use for this kind of testing or i would ask my Dr to arrange an appointment with a Specialist. I really think it is worth getting a second opinion as then you can have it taken off his record at school or if it is true you can the extra help he needs. I have a nephew that is parents kept saying it wasn't so until he was kicked out of school for good at 14 and as an adult has a very difficult time holding a job. I know there is help for him and it is still early for him. Boys will be boys but they also must sit and learn so if he isn't able to sit and learn they will start to look for a reason.