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give me some insights into depressed kids....
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<blockquote data-quote="pepperidge" data-source="post: 464970" data-attributes="member: 2322"><p>Insane,</p><p></p><p>We have had two full neuropsychologist testings done, one in 2nd, one in 9th grade. Motor skills issues are definitely way above average, though he did have dysgraphia. The only thing the neuropysch testing has shown is that he has low processing speed, low working memory (like in the 80-90 range) but the verbal part of the IQ was 110-120. Spatial not quite as high. </p><p></p><p>He does find it hard to focus, mostly I think it is hard for him to sustain attention to difficult things like math but he can do it. Like many of you have mentioned he suffers from anxiety (some separation anxiety when younger, always worried about natural disasters, introverted, socially uncomfortable) and I think that just exacerbated the depression and difficulties at school. Neuropsychs have tended to conclude that while he does have some learning challenges, his mood/anxiety issues really exacerbate his difficulties at school particularly when he was younger. Had I understood this all better when he was younger maybe I would have taken much more dramatic action to try to improve the school environment for him then. He really needed some form of alternative education.</p><p></p><p>We found early on that a low dose of Adderall seemed to improve his task persistence and often acted like this switch -he became more talkative, able to access more rational thoughts about future actions, etc. </p><p></p><p>We tried him on various anti depressants when he was in grade school. Not pretty at all--led to a lot of disinhibited behavior.</p><p>He doesn't meet diagnosis criteria for bipolar, but Lamictal has been a godsend. </p><p></p><p>His therapist at the Residential Treatment Center (RTC) said he was one of the most difficult kids to figure out that she has ever had, and I think she was pretty good. </p><p></p><p>He refused to go to school this morning, we got a lot of nobody understands me, nobody know how difficult it is for me, I have aDhd I can't do anything,, school is stupid, you made me go to Residential Treatment Center (RTC) how can I trust you now. We listened a bit sympathethically, but told him that there were lots of people with disabilities who go to school and try really hard, that if he needed further accommodations (school is very good about working with him) he needed to get his butt in there and talk to counselor as he says he is 16 and old enough to run his life), counselor is getting him an internship at local small engine rental and repair place and basically to get over the pity party. Nicely of course.</p><p></p><p>We can't make him do things. All we can do is provide structure and let him make choices and then ultimately make our own in consequence. So we just left him in bed. Eventually got up and took and shower, said he was in a better mood and went to school. One thing that I have thought about is that we need to give him his Adderall about an hour earlier than he is getting now (which is about 1/2 hour before he has to get up) and maybe it will be kicking in by the time he needs to get out of bed.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="pepperidge, post: 464970, member: 2322"] Insane, We have had two full neuropsychologist testings done, one in 2nd, one in 9th grade. Motor skills issues are definitely way above average, though he did have dysgraphia. The only thing the neuropysch testing has shown is that he has low processing speed, low working memory (like in the 80-90 range) but the verbal part of the IQ was 110-120. Spatial not quite as high. He does find it hard to focus, mostly I think it is hard for him to sustain attention to difficult things like math but he can do it. Like many of you have mentioned he suffers from anxiety (some separation anxiety when younger, always worried about natural disasters, introverted, socially uncomfortable) and I think that just exacerbated the depression and difficulties at school. Neuropsychs have tended to conclude that while he does have some learning challenges, his mood/anxiety issues really exacerbate his difficulties at school particularly when he was younger. Had I understood this all better when he was younger maybe I would have taken much more dramatic action to try to improve the school environment for him then. He really needed some form of alternative education. We found early on that a low dose of Adderall seemed to improve his task persistence and often acted like this switch -he became more talkative, able to access more rational thoughts about future actions, etc. We tried him on various anti depressants when he was in grade school. Not pretty at all--led to a lot of disinhibited behavior. He doesn't meet diagnosis criteria for bipolar, but Lamictal has been a godsend. His therapist at the Residential Treatment Center (RTC) said he was one of the most difficult kids to figure out that she has ever had, and I think she was pretty good. He refused to go to school this morning, we got a lot of nobody understands me, nobody know how difficult it is for me, I have aDhd I can't do anything,, school is stupid, you made me go to Residential Treatment Center (RTC) how can I trust you now. We listened a bit sympathethically, but told him that there were lots of people with disabilities who go to school and try really hard, that if he needed further accommodations (school is very good about working with him) he needed to get his butt in there and talk to counselor as he says he is 16 and old enough to run his life), counselor is getting him an internship at local small engine rental and repair place and basically to get over the pity party. Nicely of course. We can't make him do things. All we can do is provide structure and let him make choices and then ultimately make our own in consequence. So we just left him in bed. Eventually got up and took and shower, said he was in a better mood and went to school. One thing that I have thought about is that we need to give him his Adderall about an hour earlier than he is getting now (which is about 1/2 hour before he has to get up) and maybe it will be kicking in by the time he needs to get out of bed. [/QUOTE]
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