For Moms Who Have a Child Who Was Diagnosed with ADHD at a Young Age....

Now... I have ADHD, do its a little different as I know the ins and outs. I did it just like houses. We can do things other people can't do, and other people can do things we can't do. Different house different rules... Different people different likes (some people hate broccoli, some people hate birthday cake). People are all different... Different strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, talents, passions, blahs. Different families (2 parent hetero, 2 parent gay, divorced, grandparents raising, etc.). Different social needs (introvert, extrovert, shy, outgoing), different academic needs, different physical needs.

We're all very different from each other. Laid out that foundation, then went to the strengths of ADHD, then went to the 'improvise, adapt, overcome' aspect of life / problem solving.

We didn't until our son was in kindergarten and became best friends with another boy with ADHD. At that point, we talked about how Andrew had ADHD, which is a medical condition that gives them extra energy and makes it hard to control their bodies and follow directions. At that age, we used very simple terms and just connected the information to the things we felt he'd understand. We explained this wasn't a bad thing, that it's just a condition that some kids have. We then talked about how some kids need glasses to see well and for him, medication helps his brain to work the right way.

He was good with that until first or second grade, when he wanted to know more specifics about ADHD. There's a good book called Cory Stories that's written for kids trying to understand ADHD.

My son (who has ADD) was fortunate enough to have a really perceptive teacher who was also the parent of a grown son with ADD. She recommended a great book to me called ADD - A Different Perspective by Thom Hartmann.

Hartmann has a way of normalizing ADD and ADHD so the person who has it doesn't feel like there's something wrong with them - just something different.

I highly recommend that you check out this book before you talk to your child. It might also help you to see your child's situation in a different way.

Good luck!

there is a book about this designed to explain it to young children i think it is called The Boy Who Burned to Brightly or something along that line. I bought it for my cousin when he was diagnosed at age 7 and it really seemed to help him understand

My son is 15 and we never told him about his ADD diagnosis. Recently we watched a show on public T.V. called ADHD and loving it. It stars a member of one of his favorite shows-the Red Green Show. It was a good way to introduce it. He accepted the info and was a lot more willing to take his supplements after that. We didn't talk to him earlier because we didn't think he could handle it and were afraid it would just become an excuse for not trying. He has Aspergers also and makes good grades, but has always thought that everyone else has the "Problems" not him.... I would find a good show that discusses it at his age level if you want to tell him.

My son was diagnosed in 1st grade and he did not want to take the medicine. I had some very good mentors who were kind and sweet and I read some great books (The gift of ADHD and some others about different learning styles such as The Way They Learn, etc.)

My son and I always read books at bedtime (along with his older sister) and I used that quiet time together to explain to him how everyone's mind works differenty and that his mind is usually moving faster than his hands and mouth can move. Nothing bad about ADHD, but that medicine would help him pay attention in class. He wanted to do that becusae he didn't like being singled out. I reminded him of different people we know who take medication for different things (dad for cholesterol, etc.) and that helped a lot.

Be prepared that he'll go through times in his life where he won't want to take the medicine. We had a period of time in 3rd grade and again in 5th. Sometimes it was becuase he was certain that it made him different and no one else in his class was taking medicine. I assured him, as did his teacher, that there were more than a couple of kids who took medicine for different reasons. I think he wanted to exert some control over his life and I understood that. He also didn't like how one of the medications made him feel so the doctor tried something different which was a better fit. He actually stopped taking it for a few months in 3rd grade and it was a tough time for him in school - and he realized it after it was done.

He's now in 7th grade and doing well. He still takes the medication, and although he's much bigger than he once was his dosage is only a tiny bit higher - he doesn't need that much and probably didn't need even the lowest dose when he was only 6. Some people are more sensitive to medication than others.

Also - keep in mind that ADHA often goes hand-in-hand with minor learning diificulties. My son has language based learning disabilities and had a huge struggle learning how to sound out words, he needed speech therapy and still hates to write anything! But I petitioned the school for testing and special ed and he got it. it was greatly needed. But now at 12, almost 13 he's at grade level and doing really well. He'll never be an author - but he's very bright and may end up being an engineer or builder.

Help your son find the things he's good at and that he likes to do and he'll just blossom before your eyes. My "baby" is now taller than I am - he's 5'10" and will still come in the kitchen and give me a huge hug and a kiss. Love those boys!

I can honestly say we never had a discussion. As they asked questions I answered them. What they need to know evolves as they get older. The beauty of it is they know what they need to know and they will ask.

My daughter talks to her kids about their ADD/ADHD but I don't think she should. I think they use it as an excuse not to try or to explain bad behavior that they could have and should be controlled.

Dear Abbie,

Most moms are not aware there is a natural way to give our children what is needed to prevent or change symptoms in the body. Our little bodies need the same as adults and most of us are out of balance and that is why we show so many symptoms. ADHD is a symptom and can be changed naturally. I put my nephew on a program just recently and my sister didn't believe me it would make a difference and it has. He is so happy now and so is my sister. My nephew doesn't need his medicine because he is now balanced and feels the difference. There will be a panel of doctors sharing this information on May 12th in Pleasanton if you are interested in learning more. Just email me and I will send you the info if you are interested. If we take care of the challenges when our children are younger they will not grow up with them.

Have a good day.

N. Marie
____@____.com