Posts by tgarrison

I agree with Karen.  I also have a 16 year old son who is ADHD.  I'm also a speech pathologist and worked with kids who were ADHD.

Lets put it this way.  When Joey was 6, he was diagnosed.  In school they got "Superstar" (1 nominated by the teacher each week) for good behavior or improvement in some area.  They try to not make it strictly academic so every child in the classroom has a fair shot at being Superstar each week.

The week Joey got Superstar, he got it for completing his assignments, keeping his desk organized, staying on task.  If that's not ADD, I don't know what is.

Also, girls are not typically hyperactive like boys but are often labeled "daydreamers." 

Karen is right that the school should have inventories you can check into. You can also bring it up with her doctor.  They have inventories as well.  How did this come up?  Did the teacher bring it up?

And not every child needs an Individual Education Plan.  It depends on how she does in school.  Joey just has a 504 Plan.  504 refers to the federal law responsible for making classroom modifications, which is what a 504 Plan is.  Basically, for Joey, they give him preferential seating away from distractions, extra time to complete assignments, that sort of thing.

Medication is not the end of the world and every person doesn't need the same amount for the same length of time.  Some just take it for school work.  Others need it every day including weekends.  Now that my 16 year old is driving, I'd hate to think of him driving without his medication.  

I have heard of research that is showing a high protein, low carb diet does help.  So does physical activity.  Bouncing, swinging, and spinning releases chemicals in the brain that help us attend.  Thats why recess is really important for kids and why we want our rug rats to run around and get rid of some energy before we put them in the car for long rides.  Also, Baroque style classical music effects the brains ability to attend.  There are therapies that utilize it to increase attending time with children.  Want to know more, send me an email.

Tammy