Hi, I'm the mother (5y) and wife of ADDers. Well, it's not even an official evaluation since we don't know where to start, should we got to a physician, psychiatrician, institutes, associations ??? About my husband he fits in 9 out of 10 items on those check list about ADD we could find over the internet. About my daughter the red alarm came from pre-school, she even got already a Bullie who called her "stupid" as she has not been so great at her tests. So, I'm hoping someone will help me find the right professional (we live in Fort Lauderdale, FL), then what cames after? Probably medication, it's there any medication really efficient? Over the internet I found people loving and hating Ritalin, I just found an article about this medication saying very bad things. I know that there's no way out of this, but can someone tell me what's the way thru ADD? Thank you for your time!

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Welcome to the forums! I hope you find a lot of information and support. Try using the search function to locate specific topical information.

My son started his evaluation at 4 y.o. and it was done through his pediatrician, a psychologist, and a physical therapist. I guess for your daughter I would suggest starting with her pediatrician.

As far as your husband, you could also start with the family dr. if you have one. Otherwise try doing some searches for drs., psychologist, psychiatrists who specialize in ADD in adults. This one is a bit trickier because it hasn't been acknowledged as long in adults and specialists can be hard to find.

I am an ADHD wife and mother of two boys (ADHD/ODD and ADD). I can only say that there are a multitude of options. Medications, diet, therapy, coaching. One of my sons is on Concerta combined with normal ritalin, the other doesn't require any medications, and I am on ritalin and effexor. We have had a combination of individual therapies, physical therapy, and family therapy. I am so glad we did all of them. I found support and lots of information and we have all learned better coping mechanisms.

I can only encourage you to take it one step at a time. It's a process that can be time-consuming and, at times, frustrating, but the results are worth it. I look forward to hearing from you here in the forums!

Kim

Kim...

May I ask what physical therapies you and your family use?

Thanks in advance

Yes, you may ask and I will do my best to remember as it was when he was 5-7 years old and he is now 14. :) It was a "play" therapy where they worked with fine motor coordination issues using things like making apple juice - peeling the apple, grating it on a grater, squeezing the pulp through a cloth, and as a treat getting to drink it! They also had him walking a beam close to the ground, basic "tumbling", working with clay, they had a peddle thing that he stood on and balanced and could work his way across the floor by working his legs up and down, etc.

During his one-on-one therapy with the psychologist we also did things like wrap him in a sheet and then take the ends and swing him. He found this extremely soothing. We also would make him into a giant "sandwich" - he would lay on the floor and we would lay the salami up one leg, across his stomach, up the other arm with light slaps and then the other sides, salt and pepper were light finger tappings using the same crossover pattern, pushing with a fist was tomato slices, flicking a finger was olives, etc. I was able to use this often to keep him calm during appointments just without him laying down.

Basically it was all stuff to help him develop an awareness of his own body, better coordination, and ways to help him calm down. As I said, it was quite awhile ago, but these things really helped him and us a lot.

Hope this was helpful.

Kim