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ADHD Top Tips

28 replies

TwoLeftSocks · 07/11/2013 17:50

DS1 (7 yrs old, Yr3) was diagnosed with ADHD a couple of weeks ago, I'm just wondering if anyone has any top tips to share?

Any on getting anything down on paper and reading would be especially great (though I'm going to ask school if he an be tested for dyslexia), and any tips on remembering things / maintaining concentration.

School are great and we're working with the teacher on strategies to help in class - I'm hoping we can between us think up some things that work as DH and I aren't all that keen on the idea of medication if it can be avoided.

OP posts:
TwoLeftSocks · 02/12/2013 14:57

Right, thought I ought to add some of the things we/school are trying, following on from various meetings...

The wobble seat seems to be doing well, DS seems to think it helps in class.

We're doing small bursts of writing/letter formation practice (no more than 5 mins unless he's really into it) that have a reward linked in - things like him making up his own trump cards, and then we play a game with them afterwards.

Positive requests, so 'Please can you sit on your bottom and look at me' rather than 'Don't keep sticking your feet in the air'. Only really realised the difference when a lovely lady from the local support charity came round and pointed out that if you give a 'Don't do this or that' then he might not automatically remember what he should have been doing instead and needs a specific reminder.

His teacher is making up a basket of things at the back of the class so that if he really can't get 'on task' with the class activity, then he can have a quick break with something like maths blocks so that he's still 'on task' with something educational and productive. Continuous provision I think she called it.

She's keeping her marking for his work very short and specific, including symbols rather than words in some cases, so when they look over it to correct it, he isn't spending ages working out what it says.

Visual things round the classroom, eg visual timetable. I also want to look up visualaids.com when my computer will let me.

And I've started making some rules 'Always Rules' that we'll go over in the situations they apply, e.g. not sliding down the muddy bank when I pop in to pick up DS2.

That and getting eye contact before giving instructions.

All seems to be going ok and his teacher's been great

OP posts:
lucjam · 20/01/2014 23:27

Hi two how are you getting on?

Our referral turned out to have been made to the wrong place despite the fact that I rang to check that they have it and TWO people told me it was going to panel on the 5 Dec. I rang just after the 5 Dec to be told that it had to be refered to CAMHS. I asked for CAMHS phone number and they told me that they would ring me with it, I'm still waiting for that call 6 weeks on... anyway I googled CAMHS myself straight after the phone call and found that you can self refer.

We had our intial appt with CAMHS on 5 Jan and are now waiting for an assessment.

I've been recommended to a place locally caled Lanc, hoping our private healthcare might pay for it, fingers x'ed.

DS more hyper than normal last few weks think xmas unsettled him.

Started on fish oils so hoping it might help. Hopingto stay clear ofproper meds if possible.

ccnet · 09/05/2014 18:20

Hi, like others on the thread, I have learned a lot on the ADHD journey with my DS but when I boil it down, the thing that made the biggest difference was the change in MY perspective of ADHD resulting in a fundamental shift in my relationship with my DS for the better. Really sorting out my own head and attitude toward the diagnosis allowed me to make the connection with my DS that has helped us in a multitude of ways to implement a lot of the day to day practical stuff at home, school, etc. We are now in a good place.

This all came about from a workshop my hubby and I attended in the US with Dr Edward Hallowell - a highly respected psychiatrist, bestselling author, noted speaker, etc with ADHD himself as well as two ADHD children. (And he ranks up there with Russell Barkley as they are both cited at the bottom of the Wikipedia ADHD page). His strength-based approach made all the difference in the world for us (as well as his 25 years of experience and highly practical advice). For my family, the Hallowell workshop was no less than life-changing!

And best news of all - Dr Hallowell is now coming to the UK this Autumn 2014 to host a series of workshops in London! See www.addspark.co.uk for detail. Really hope this helps

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