Adhd Explaining to My Family

Maybe, you could ask the therapist how to explain to the grandparents. I'm sure, the therapist would have helpful advice in making the grandparents understand. Have you thought of adjusting his nutrition as well? It really helps to cut out sugar, food additives, and dies. Those things can wind a child up, making the existing condition worse. I agree with another mama, that family counseling could be helpful. You say you are always mad at him, perhaps the counselor could give you tips to channel that energy. Trust me, I know how easy it is to get mad! However, I don't think most parents want their reaction to be getting mad. Therapy could help you as parents cope and give you tools to deal with the anger. (because we all know it happens!!) Good luck and I wish you the best.

A family counseling session is my recommendation. Nothing hits home more than 7 grown adults sitting in a child therapists office reading the adhd books for children and watching other "active" kids that aren't related to them and being able to recognize similar traits while waiting to have a group session with your son.
His therapist is the best person to introduce the "boundaries", "new rules" and diet guidelines that come with raising an adhd child in a positive nurturing environment. From then on, all you have to do to reign in their over indulgence or negative reinforcement of his behavior is to start each sentence with "His Doctor says.....".

My oldest son was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 5 and I already had the sneaking suspicion something more was going on with his hyperactivity and mood swings. My in laws, who thought all he needed was a few good spankings to set him right, were the hardest to bring into line with what was best for charlie. Having an official source to reference for my rules regarding my son removed my in laws ability to contradict me.

Over the years as his spells would become less frequent and more severe they apologized and started reading books on ADHD. At 5 he just hadn't seemed like a kid with a disorder to someone who saw him 2 days a week.

I know its hard to explain to your in laws but simply tell them that you just had your son to the Physician. It was explained to you that he is not your normal 5 year old. Let them know that he has ADHD and explain what it means to them. Regardless of what they say back. If there is any arguements about it, tell them you will advise them of your next visit and they are more than welcome to come along. This way they are being involved and it will actually help them understand. Perhaps it will have to come from your Physician however it is a good thing. Your being honest and open by letting them know that their are issues' with your son. My grandson has ADHD and between my daughter and myself even at school, we have had a hard time talking to School Authorities. They more or less red flagged my grandson pretty much saying he was a problem child and just didn't want to listen. Pls. make sure your school for your son is fully aware of your child's condition and have your Physician write up a note stating his disabilities. Get the ball rolling before its to late and you start receiving phone calls daily. Its very stressful and the child doesn't understand why he is being punished. Good luck with your in-laws and I do hope they go with you on your next visit. Sometimes they have to hear it from someone of higher authority. All the best!!

You're going to meet resistance from a lot of people. Accepting a brain disorder is not easy. Most think you can just "parent" away ADHD or take a vitamin and all will be fine, and that's just not the case. It's well beyond having an "active boy."

If you haven't already, join CHADD to connect with other parents dealing with ADHD and receive factual information about the condition. ADDitude magazine is another great resource for dealing with the condition every day.

My parents also felt we were just bad parents overreacting to our son's behavior. Well, once he got treatment and started medication, they changed their tune. Medication made such a huge, positive change in his behavior, that they support us now. It also helped to share with them articles about the condition, how it affects the brain and the impact on children. Should you decide to try medication (and be careful with all of the "natural" alternatives out there because they're not shown to work and there are many scams), let your family know that kids with ADHD who take medication are far less likely to do drugs and alcohol to self-medicate as teens.

Remember, in the end, you're the parent and if they don't like how you manage his medical condition, tough cookies. Let them know you're working carefully with medical specialists and making educated choices on what's appropriate.

Best of luck to you as you begin this process!

There are a couple things that can help ADHD.

One is Magneisum. Magneisum citrate or malate. add vit b liquid complex drops under the tounge. Cod liver oil also helps mood. lastly water can help with mod, as dehydration creates aggitation.

The other is detoxing metals. Magneisum can detox some, Alpha lipoic acid and NCD Zeolite also chelate those metals.

Please try these avenues and not meds. Dont let your phsyc doctors talk you out of trying them. Mental illness drugs will eventually destroy your child's central nervous system, creating tics, outbursts, tourettes, and muscle spasms that he wont be able to control.

Also consider that allergy to gluten or cow Milk, or even a sugar metabolism problem can create the ADHD symptoms. Diet should aslo be looked at and rotated/eliminated.

I like the idea other moms give about a family counseling session, and explaining clearly the disorder. I tried both with my in laws and my parents, and they don't even believe autism or ADHD exist, they say its something modern people have invented not to work, like stress or depression!! anyway, I tried for a while, and couldnt convince them so, I stop, I do what I need to do, but I have had to really set my foot down on educating and disciplining him, he is the first grandson for both families, and its even more special because he is the first male, and will carry the last name and blah, blah, so only they can tell you and they will without a doubt or hesitation that he is a well mannered, really calm, and mature 3 yo. I know he is not really rude but he is no mr. manners, and he is not by any means calm!!!, anyway, My advice is inform them about the situation and what you will do about it, and that's it!. Don't let them be complacent to him because of his disability or don't try to convince the behavior into them if they dont want it, hopefully they will be more open minded and understand what it is about and help you with it. Good Luck, loves and hugs to you and your little one!.

If your inlaws are that involved, then they know that he has always had lots of love and attention and firm structure and FIRM CLEAR DISCIPLINE enforced right away without anger-especially from DAD-biggest role moodel-and nutritious food and lots of exercise and lots of sleep and he's still totally unable to control his impulses at 5, then they have no business disputing a Doctor. Hand them a written form by the doctor. It's really not their place to say.

I recommend this book to everyone with an ADHD kid.
" Taking charge of ADHD " By Barkley for you and your family It begins at diagnosis and goes all the way though behavior modification techniques.
Just be warned just the psychologist might not work, just like just medication doesn't help. We tried for a year w/o the meds and had to go with them and it's been a 180 difference. The "natural" remedies for the most part do not help ADHD kids, unless it's not a very sever case. And keep in mind these " natural remedy" are also not regulated by the FDA.
Anyway, with that book get this one for him " Learning to slow down and pay attention. " it explains it to HIM on his level exactly what it is and gives him some tips on how to cope with it.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Taking-Charge-of-ADHD/Ru...
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Learning-to-Slow-Down-an...