Positive ADHD stories please

[BrainLife]

I may be being unreasonable worrying about my 5yo, however he almost definitely has ADHD. Lots of issues at school and home and I have a meeting scheduled with the sendco. They are going to make a referral.

I am worried about him.

Can anyone share any positive stories about their children who had ADHD that was very disruptive and quite severe, that are doing well now? Not looking for those who became rocket scientists. Just those that are happy.

My 8yo DS has been on medication for ADHD for just over 2 years now and he’s so settled. He’s come on so much at school and is just generally so much calmer and more easy going. We still see the traits before his first meds in the morning but nowhere near what he used to be like. He’s a very happy little boy. Mind you, he was never an explosive ADHDer, more the daydreamy, danger to himself and unable to focus on anything type.
He is on quite a high dose - 40mg atomoxetine and 3x15mg methylphenidate daily, and it did take a while to get that right, but it’s helped him and us so much.

My son was diagnosed at 6, was an absolute nightmare always getting in trouble at school, calls from the school, exclusions, meetings and then when he went to high school got worse! Meetings again, phone calls home, detentions, exclusions, fights and went to a part time table for 3 years! At home he would vandalise things, hit his brothers, threaten physical abuse towards me, called me every name under the sun, my life was a living hell from the age of 11-13 I was soo low and depressed and mentally and emotionally drained from it all, I had family solutions involved, police involved, he would steal and lie compulsively, to the point I would catch him doing something and he would argue til he was blue in the face that he didn't do it. He stole from shops, refused to come home from school, missed the buses deliberately would walk round town asking people for money as he was starved the lot!!! Make lies up to the school, make out I was abusing him. There's prob more but I've forgotten.

He's now 14 got an EHCP in place and is now in a specialist SEN school, meds have been reviewed and changed and I've seen a massive difference. Yes I get attitude and back chat usual teen crap but he's a lot better than he was. I think puberty was a main cause from the ages of 11-13 and being adhd and not knowing how to regulate emotions and all the hormones at once just made him an absolute nightmare.

There is light at the end of the tunnel! I've been through soo much with him and I tell you what I still stood there and fought for him with the school because I knew he wasn't coping with a main stream school. It took 3 years but he is finally where he needs to be and is supported how he should have been years ago!

The new school is giving him therapy sessions and isn't full on, which is soo much better for him as he can't cope with it all and gets easily frustrated and angry, he was also diagnosed with dyslexia too.

In the last year his sleeping has been rough and I managed to get the consultant to try him on melatonin which has also helped his sleeping.

You've just got to keep pushing and pushing and not give up, your their voice and they need that to help get them the support needed. My son was failed by his last school badly! His education has been shot because of it as they just kept putting him on part time tables and excluding him. I am hoping his education can be salvaged with this new school because he is a bright lad and I want the best for him like all mums want for their children.

I hope this post has helped 😊

Many issues throughout school - very disruptive. Late (14) private diagnosis. Too late for school to do much (although they didn’t actually try to implement any of the recommendations). Left school last June, had a week in bed, and literally fell into a job (had absolutely no idea what he was going to do). Still in the same job now, brought a car, passed his test, found a new friend group and is at a party tonight. Very happy, loving boy 🤣💕💕. Things do change, they find their groove! A school environment can be especially challenging for ADHD.

My 22 year old dd has adhd. She did well at school (despite making little effort she's just naturally clever) she has a degree now and is working towards her career. She's in a relationship has friends. A bit of a drama queen and likes to be in control but is a lovely kind, generous, empathetic person. She's the best person.

Not my child but my student. Finding the correct medication has turned him from extremely challenging, violent and disruptive, to the most beautiful little boy who is a pleasure to be around.

You are doing the right thing by finding him support at this age. It's so much harder when they've lost years of learning due to inability to focus and regulate their emotions.

I’ve taught children with ADHD. One in particular comes to mind. He found it extremely hard to concentrate in lessons, behaviour was being dismissed as him being “naughty” etc. A diagnosis and and EHCP with extra support made all the difference. With a plan in place and some adaptations, he was a very happy boy - funny, cheeky and truly a pleasure to teach.

My then 8 year old masked at school but totally lost it at home. His temper was frightening and his emotions were all over the place. He self harmed and tried to run away from home.

Diagnosed and treated at 9 he is now 13 and absolutely delightful. Happy, full of energy and has loads of friends. He still has anxiety but is much better at verbalizing it. I am so proud of him and the progress he has made. But I am also proud of myself because I had to fight for every bit of support and treatment but I never gave in. Even when DH disagreed I kept going and DH has since admitted that I was totally right.

My ds (16) is the best kid. He has a great group of nice friends, has good reports from school, his GCSES went well and his family love spending time with him.

He has medication, has worked hard at CBT therapy and takes responsibility for his diet and exercise.

It is hard to believe at times how much he has grown and matured

Push for the right support, find a school that fits him, get a good therapist and meds.

Mine was diagnosed with ADHD at 7yo (diagnosed ASD prior). Combined type but hyperactivity component with capital H. Has been on medication since then, which works extremely well for them. Even though bright, settled on medication they were average in school until the senior years when they got to do specialist subjects that interested them, then they did extremely well. Good uni course, good job.

Now, without medication (have had a couple of unfortunate incidents where we have been away and they thought I was packing them with the rest of everyone’s meds, I thought they were doing it…) what. a. fucking. nightmare. Utterly horrific for us and them.

@BrainLife

DS1 diagnosed ASD at 7, ADHD at 8. Couldn't concentrate in school and kept falling off his chair. Was emotionally overwhelmed and used to rage at mistakes. His executive functioning was all over the shop.

He's just got almost full marks in his SATs and has made a flying start at secondary. The difference has been medication (at school only).

My son was diagnosed at 8, seemed to get worse with age. Regular phone calls from school, exclusions etc.

Lockdown was awful, rages at home, I've lost count of the number of things that got smashed up at home.

At 14 he's finally started to calm down. It's been months without a phone call from school. He has a regular friend group and seems much happier

Mine is just about to finish her PhD. Always remember when things seem at their worst that it isn't over until the fat lady sings.