Swede63
11-05-06, 11:32 PM
Last night I pulled out my son's neuro/psych evaluation (from 1995!) I hadn't looked it over in about five or six years. I don't know what is involved in todays testing as far as what kind of tests and how they are administered etc. But it was very involved using a lot of scientific language.
I recalled feeling so overwhelmed trying to comprehend the testing, observations, summary and so forth. I'd read one paragraph over and over trying to organize it in my mind. Finally I would give up in frustration. What I didn't recognize at the time was that I had ADD also and that my trouble comprehending what I was reading was due in part to my innability to organize that information in my brain.
The psychologist was one smart cookie but with a personality of a rock. I asked her if she had children while staring at her long red fingernails. She said she did not. In my mind I was saying "this woman spent a total of 8 hrs. with my son, how can she even begin to think she knows him." I was young, alone and angry and I let that get in the way of what was really important, that is accepting the diagnosis and moving forward to help him succeed academically and socially.
I hated the school and his teacher for suggesting that he be tested. I felt that when it came to his difficulties in the classroom, they just wanted to place the blame on him. It wasn't true. They really wanted to help him.
It was nearly impossible for me to be an effective parent when I had such a severe case of ADD myself. I couldn't focus on him at all. I loved him more than anything but I was so inconsistent. I was constantly forgetting things like therapy sessions and if I didn't agree with what the psychologists said then it was over and I wouldn't take Eric back.
Things eventually settled down somewhat. He grew out of his hyperactive stage I'd say it is more like restlesness now although he is much more layed back than I am. We tried a number of medications. None of them really did anything for him. I tried a lot of alternative methods such as a purely nutritional approach, supplements, homeopathic remedies you name it and piles and piles of ADD and self help books. Interestingly enough the one medication that seemed to work some was Prozac but he didn't want to take it after a while and I didn't force him to. At least he knows what's out there if he ever decides that he needs more help.
Well he graduated from college last May. That was a great accomplishment for him, actually following through and finishing something really important. Now he's sort of floating around working odd jobs here and there. He has always needed a lot of pushing and nudging along the way. He spent this last summer taking care of my elderly mother (undiagnosed ADD I am sure of it) they are like two peas in a pod it's so sweet. I think he will always have trouble sticking with one thing. But he is a smart, caring young man and I'd like to think that maybe I did do something right after all.
I've never really had anyone to talk to about this so thanks for reading.
I recalled feeling so overwhelmed trying to comprehend the testing, observations, summary and so forth. I'd read one paragraph over and over trying to organize it in my mind. Finally I would give up in frustration. What I didn't recognize at the time was that I had ADD also and that my trouble comprehending what I was reading was due in part to my innability to organize that information in my brain.
The psychologist was one smart cookie but with a personality of a rock. I asked her if she had children while staring at her long red fingernails. She said she did not. In my mind I was saying "this woman spent a total of 8 hrs. with my son, how can she even begin to think she knows him." I was young, alone and angry and I let that get in the way of what was really important, that is accepting the diagnosis and moving forward to help him succeed academically and socially.
I hated the school and his teacher for suggesting that he be tested. I felt that when it came to his difficulties in the classroom, they just wanted to place the blame on him. It wasn't true. They really wanted to help him.
It was nearly impossible for me to be an effective parent when I had such a severe case of ADD myself. I couldn't focus on him at all. I loved him more than anything but I was so inconsistent. I was constantly forgetting things like therapy sessions and if I didn't agree with what the psychologists said then it was over and I wouldn't take Eric back.
Things eventually settled down somewhat. He grew out of his hyperactive stage I'd say it is more like restlesness now although he is much more layed back than I am. We tried a number of medications. None of them really did anything for him. I tried a lot of alternative methods such as a purely nutritional approach, supplements, homeopathic remedies you name it and piles and piles of ADD and self help books. Interestingly enough the one medication that seemed to work some was Prozac but he didn't want to take it after a while and I didn't force him to. At least he knows what's out there if he ever decides that he needs more help.
Well he graduated from college last May. That was a great accomplishment for him, actually following through and finishing something really important. Now he's sort of floating around working odd jobs here and there. He has always needed a lot of pushing and nudging along the way. He spent this last summer taking care of my elderly mother (undiagnosed ADD I am sure of it) they are like two peas in a pod it's so sweet. I think he will always have trouble sticking with one thing. But he is a smart, caring young man and I'd like to think that maybe I did do something right after all.
I've never really had anyone to talk to about this so thanks for reading.