It’s backward-ness and wrong-order-ness that I’m worried about with Natalie.

My daughter, Natalie, has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and since her diagnosis several years ago, I’ve learned quite a bit about the condition. Now, I think it’s time to focus my attention on learning more about learning disabilities. Natalie was quite delayed in both her physical and mental development when we adopted her from Russia six years ago. Her potential for learning was a...
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Does (ADHD + delayed gratification) x (impulsivity + hyperfocus) = formula for trouble in your household?

Sometimes kids with ADHD find it hard to delay gratification; to wait for something they want or need. Hey, we all fight that battle, right? Take me, for example. I’m wishing I’d delayed the gratification of buying this new laptop I’m using, and replaced our trampoline instead! If a person like me, without ADHD, has trouble waiting for what I want, then consider how having ADHD might...
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Nat could be jumping on a new trampoline while I relax, but instead, she's looking to me: Entertain me! Stimulate me! Make me happy!

Natalie’s been telling everyone she sees her sad news: "My trampoline is gone!" For a girl with ADHD energy to burn, and for the mom who counted on it to keep her happy and busy, this loss is a biggie. The trampoline, a gift for Natalie’s fourth birthday, lasted through several broiling Iowa summers and harsh Iowa winters, before caving in just two weeks before...
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It's good to be reminded that not everyone achieves the side-effect-free, positive results from ADHD meds that Natalie enjoys these days.

My post, “No ADHD Med Vacation for Us”, about whether or not to give children with attention deficit disorder a summer medication vacation garnered a few comments. Parents, thanks for reminding me that not everyone achieves the side-effect-free, positive results from ADHD meds that my daughter Natalie enjoys these days. It’s good to be reminded to be thankful! Some commenters said that taking medication flattens...
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A school schedule change sounded like a nightmare for kids with attention deficit disorder--until I did my homework on it.

A group of Ames, Iowa elementary school principals, charged with finding a way to address the district’s flattening scores on standardized tests, proposed abolishing recess. No, that’s an exaggeration. But judging from my initial reaction, and that of many community members in our oh-so-involved-in-school-politics city, you’d have thought that was the case: evil administrators who care about nothing but test scores want to creates a...
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Now that school’s out for the summer, I can relax about all-things-IEP and other ADHD-at-school worries, right? Wrong!

In the envelope with her end-of-the-year report card, Natalie brought home an official notice that she’s enrolled in the district’s Accelerated Learning Program (ALP)/At Risk summer school session. Long-time readers of this blog may remember that I was less than thrilled with (nearly psychotic about) Natalie’s summer school experience last summer. “This isn’t special ed! She can’t be here!” I’m angry all over again just...
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For some kids with ADHD, summer vacation brings a break from ADHD medications. Not at our house!

Today is the last day of school for my children. They gain their freedom this afternoon, and I lose mine! Sigh. No, it’s okay. I’m really looking forward to this summer--my first ever, as an adult and as a mom, that I won’t be working outside the home. I want to lavish attention on my kids, spend endless hours at the pool, be a cool mom...
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Everyone in our family benefits from time away from the demands of parenting a child with special needs, to rest and recharge.

As parents of kids with ADHD, we try to reinforce positive behavior by catching our children being good; making good choices, behaving in a positive manner. Since I’m sometimes quick to criticize the individuals or institutions that work with Natalie, I thought it was time I caught them being good too! So, in that spirit, I’d like to commend the developers of Iowa's Children’s Mental Health...
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The triggers, and therefore the treatments, for ADHD acting out are probably as diverse as the children who experience them.

I appreciate the comments, both posted and private, to my post, Reacting to ADHD Rage. Rob recommended articles by a behavior therapist. A friend recounted privately via e-mail that for her child, Risperdal did the trick. And did you read Jaydra’s comment? She’s a child behavior expert, but when her own son flipped out she wasn’t able to reach him. Jaydra says that low blood sugar...
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