I'm SO EXCITED to find this site. I have felt very alone in the world. None of my friends have children with these issues!!
We have had so many ups and downs with our son over the past several years. We have had many different opinions and several approaches. All of the excitement (slight sarcasm) began in his kindergarten year yet he is now in 7th grade. It seems to have gotten worse each year. Over the past year or two, things have gotten much worse with school. Surprisingly, sports (which historically have been REALLY bad) have gotten somewhat better.
Last year, in addition to blurting out and arguing he slept approximately 4-5 hours in class each day. At the time his excessive sleeping was one of the teachers' biggest complaints. This year, however, I think they wish he was sleeping again.
He has been seeing a psychiatrist and psychologist for approximately 4 years and has been on a multiplicity of medications trying to find the right combination. Earlier this year, we took him to a neuropsychologist at a very good children's hospital. Additionally, we had a sleep study performed because of his excessive sleeping in class. Based on the neuropsychologist exam, we took him to another specialist. This week, we took him to a psychiatrist who specializes in Tourette's and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). We now have diagnosis that I have faith is taking us the right direction.
We have had several suggestions over the years... ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Tourette's, ODD, bipolar, Anxiety Disorder, etc. Based upon the latest evaluation, he has been diagnosed with Tourette's, significant ADHD, ODD and possible anxiety disorder. To us, this seems to be the most accurate thus far.
The doctor told us that we definitely have an uphill trip as we learn to help him. Unfortunately, she indicated that he has significant ADHD traits which have often been confused with various other possible situations. Additionally, the ODD is becoming stronger and stronger, which we now need to learn how to modify. She has ruled out the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and told us that his behavior was actually ADHD traits.
Next steps, she is changing his medications, in conjunction with the local
doctors. Additionally, she has given us two books (well, actually we paid for them) to help us understand and hopefully shape his ODD. She has recommended an additional medicine that will help with the ADHD and improve his Tourette's symptoms. With the removal of another medicine she is hoping his tremors will improve. He has been on depakote, zoloft, concerta, abilify and melatonin. She is removing depakote. Additionally she is recommending to his local psychiatrist that he remove the zoloft, increase the abilify and concerta and add tenex. We have an appointment with his psychiatrist later this month.
She also is referring us to a neurologist to evaluate if there are neurological issues contributing to the various behaviors.
We are working very closely with the school. This is challenging each and every day. I do think the teachers are trying but the reality is that most of them do not have the training or understanding to successfully help him. School has been in session 4 weeks. Already, 8 days he has been removed from at least one class. I've gotten lots of emails and phone calls.
Academically he has always done very well. His standardized testing is always in the upper 95%. BUT, the last two years have seen a significant decrease in his grades. Unfortunately, this pattern seems to be continuing this year already.
And, of course, he has the added pressure of three older siblings who have done very good academically. We try VERY hard not to add any pressure like this to him but I know it is there.
The one thing that we have learned over the last several years is to never pass judgement on someone that you see in the community without knowing the WHOLE story. If I had seen my son 10 years ago, not knowing the family I would have thought -- boy, that kid needs discipline, his parents must not make him behave, he is spoiled rotten, they must spare the rod, why don't they get control over him and so on and so on. We face these stares and whispers every day it seems from the ball field to the school to church. We are constantly defending while at the same time understanding where they are coming from....begging people to
please give him a chance and try to understand. We have several times discussed that it might have been easier if he had a visible handicap rather than appearing to be 'normal' (what is normal in today's world?) yet having several special needs that we must learn to address.
We have had so many ups and downs with our son over the past several years. We have had many different opinions and several approaches. All of the excitement (slight sarcasm) began in his kindergarten year yet he is now in 7th grade. It seems to have gotten worse each year. Over the past year or two, things have gotten much worse with school. Surprisingly, sports (which historically have been REALLY bad) have gotten somewhat better.
Last year, in addition to blurting out and arguing he slept approximately 4-5 hours in class each day. At the time his excessive sleeping was one of the teachers' biggest complaints. This year, however, I think they wish he was sleeping again.
He has been seeing a psychiatrist and psychologist for approximately 4 years and has been on a multiplicity of medications trying to find the right combination. Earlier this year, we took him to a neuropsychologist at a very good children's hospital. Additionally, we had a sleep study performed because of his excessive sleeping in class. Based on the neuropsychologist exam, we took him to another specialist. This week, we took him to a psychiatrist who specializes in Tourette's and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). We now have diagnosis that I have faith is taking us the right direction.
We have had several suggestions over the years... ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Tourette's, ODD, bipolar, Anxiety Disorder, etc. Based upon the latest evaluation, he has been diagnosed with Tourette's, significant ADHD, ODD and possible anxiety disorder. To us, this seems to be the most accurate thus far.
The doctor told us that we definitely have an uphill trip as we learn to help him. Unfortunately, she indicated that he has significant ADHD traits which have often been confused with various other possible situations. Additionally, the ODD is becoming stronger and stronger, which we now need to learn how to modify. She has ruled out the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and told us that his behavior was actually ADHD traits.
Next steps, she is changing his medications, in conjunction with the local
doctors. Additionally, she has given us two books (well, actually we paid for them) to help us understand and hopefully shape his ODD. She has recommended an additional medicine that will help with the ADHD and improve his Tourette's symptoms. With the removal of another medicine she is hoping his tremors will improve. He has been on depakote, zoloft, concerta, abilify and melatonin. She is removing depakote. Additionally she is recommending to his local psychiatrist that he remove the zoloft, increase the abilify and concerta and add tenex. We have an appointment with his psychiatrist later this month.
She also is referring us to a neurologist to evaluate if there are neurological issues contributing to the various behaviors.
We are working very closely with the school. This is challenging each and every day. I do think the teachers are trying but the reality is that most of them do not have the training or understanding to successfully help him. School has been in session 4 weeks. Already, 8 days he has been removed from at least one class. I've gotten lots of emails and phone calls.
Academically he has always done very well. His standardized testing is always in the upper 95%. BUT, the last two years have seen a significant decrease in his grades. Unfortunately, this pattern seems to be continuing this year already.
And, of course, he has the added pressure of three older siblings who have done very good academically. We try VERY hard not to add any pressure like this to him but I know it is there.
The one thing that we have learned over the last several years is to never pass judgement on someone that you see in the community without knowing the WHOLE story. If I had seen my son 10 years ago, not knowing the family I would have thought -- boy, that kid needs discipline, his parents must not make him behave, he is spoiled rotten, they must spare the rod, why don't they get control over him and so on and so on. We face these stares and whispers every day it seems from the ball field to the school to church. We are constantly defending while at the same time understanding where they are coming from....begging people to
please give him a chance and try to understand. We have several times discussed that it might have been easier if he had a visible handicap rather than appearing to be 'normal' (what is normal in today's world?) yet having several special needs that we must learn to address.