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We did the same with soph son last year around this same time. We already knew of some learning issues and always in the back of our mind had a feeling it was ADD. Finally one of his teachers suggested testing. As we all suspected he had ADD. He had already been in a learning skills class off and on at his school so he had some support with organizational issues. We ended up taking him on a regular basis to an educational therapist who helped him get organized and with homework. We also started him on medication. We had always been resident to the idea of medicating him but after talking to many different people we decided to try it. He was at the time at a private small middle school where the teachers all knew him well. That helped tremendously in determining if the meds. were doing anything. At the suggestion of the Dr and psychologist the teachers did not know he was on the medication at the beginning. That way there observations were not biased at all.
His concentration and quality of work went up. He was able to substain his attention for the duration of the class. They always felt that they lost him at some point in the class period. His grades became much more consistent. Previously any given exam grade could range from an F to an A even if it was the same material.
We started him on Strattera which is a different type of ADD med. that is not a stimulant. It takes longer to work initially but it stays in your system longer. There were many stumbling blocks in the beginning. The loss of appetite in a skinny teen boy was hard to watch. Especially since you got the crankly kid who needed to eat but who did not feel like eating. He also feels at times he has lost a part of himself. We thought of stopping many times in those first few months.
It is still hard to get him to take his med. I remind him every night. I don't know if he will continue to take them once he leaves home. I think some therapy sessions have helped as he has learned about how his brain works. He also has seen the grade results as well.
He made the transistion to high school fairly easily. All his teachers know he has issues. He has a 504 plan that is given to all his teachers which outlines what accom. he is entitled to. But at this point it is up to him to ask for them. Including testing in a quiet enviroment.
We just today received our official accom. from the CollegeBoard today. So we will see in January how that goes.
I don't know how it will play out in the college years. I know of several kids who have gone to schools that have extra services for kids with learning disabilities including ADD.
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