This is my first post. I have a 12 year old who has been having trouble for the last 5 (+/-) years. At first I (and my husband and mother in law and almost everyone else) attributed my son's problems to being bored. I blamed it on him not getting along with his teacher (back in elementary school when they only had one teacher). I have heard for his entire school life that he's so bright, if he'd only apply himself. You see, he is VERY bright. I don't say that just because he is my son. He is in honors and advanced classes. His grades did not suffer -- not saying they couldn't have been better, but he has always been an A, B and C student. The C's usually came in the classes where you didn't do "work" but your grade was mostly based on "participation". That is until this year. He is in 7th grade and he has been able to float through up until now. In February I received a phone call to meet with several of his teachers. I was told in one class he was missing 17 assignments about a month into the marking period. We worked hard on makeup work and by the time the marking period was almost over he had another 10 to do over the last weekend. He ended up with a C in that class but an F in English. He has been suspended from school at least 6 times for "behavioral" issues in the last 2 years. Many issues are not major, but the schools tolerate so much less now with all of the threats, etc. in the US today. In any event, everyone (me included) is fed up. I told him his first day of middle school. No one knows who you are. This is your opportunity for a fresh start. Didn't work. There is always an excuse. So about 6 weeks ago, we receive a notice from the school about wanting to put him in an Alternative Learning Center. Basically, anyone who is getting expelled can go there. There are kids there with violent tendencies. He has enough of his own problems, I don't need him picking up other bad habits. We went to see a therapist. He set us up for an 8 week evaluation period. We had our final session yesterday. My son shows signs of having ODD combined with ADHD. The therapist seems to want to try behavior modification before medication. We have been "behavior modifying" since the therapist gave me the advice for the instant reward/punishment program 6 weeks ago. I think we argue more than ever right now. We base what he can do every evening on how his day went and whether his homework gets done. We have been on a behavioral notebook (which doesn't work because he forgets to bring it home or forgets to get it signed or forgets to write his homework in it). So we had our final assessment Wednesday. He shows signs of ODD along with ADHD. My husband and I have decided to try the behavior modification along with medication. Any suggestions, comments on meds? Are we taking the easy way out by medicating? I think I need meds most of the time... Thanks in advance for any advice.

No, you will not be taking the easy way out by choosing to help your child manage his AD/HD with medication. AD/HD is associated with a chemical difference in the brain. Medication may help to adjust the chemicals and help your child live a more productive life.

Please read and learn as much as you can from reputable sources.The fact you are in here is a great start. ADHD is a developmental disorder in that the chemical imbalances involved create delays. Your child will NOT outgrow it and there is NO easy way out. The good news is that the more you learn the better prepared you are to help your child. Please check out..........Taking Care of ADHD.......by Russell Barkley. It's an excellent reference.
Good luck.

Originally posted by Crystal
I have heard for his entire school life that he's so bright, if he'd only apply himself. You see, he is VERY bright.

That's the Number One comment most of us remember from our years in school. ;) It's good to see you here. I agree with the advice you've already gotten. Read and learn as much as you can. He is not choosing to have these difficulties, and you will not be taking the easy way out by treating him. In fact, you are doing him a favor by tackling the problem now, while he's young.

Crystal,

I have a son who was born hearing impaired who was diagnosed with ADD/ODD about two years ago. Due to his hearing impairment the diagnosis was delayed. Prior to diagnosis, positive behavior modification worked but when the impulsivity became so 'strong' then the plans could not work.

It was at this point that medication was tried. For my son the Concerta was not an option since it made him very depressed so we changed to strattera. The changes over four weeks were noticiable to me: getting dressed in the am without distraction, doing homework in 15 minutes instead of 1.5 hours, ...... The changes in behavior were also noticed by the teachers. His grades went from C's and B's to B's and A's.

The strattera has seemed to reduce the impulsivity so that behavior modifications plans can be effective on the ODD. He will still be going to a special school that works with ADD/ODD children. This school was not easy to find...but will start in the Fall.

dmatta

You're not taking the easy way out, Crystal. My parents and teachers always said I was very bright, but never applied myself. They also said that I was often far too sociable, needed to concentrate more on details and had difficulty getting started on tasks. Does this sound familiar?

Looking back over all of my old report cards, it's hard to believe that the diagnosis of ADD was missed, but it was. I'm 34 years old, was only recently diagnosed, and with medication and the helpful support of others (like the great people in this forum), my life is becoming manageable, productive, and enjoyable.

I can't change how my life has unfolded, but if I could, I would want to have been diagnosed much sooner so that I could start living my life. You're not taking the easy way out, Crystal...you're giving your son the tools he needs to succeed in life.

All the best.