Re: ADHD
Jo L Gaines (jogaines@JUNO.COM)
Thu, 7 Aug 1997 09:56:23 -0600
I have never posted a message on Scouts-L but I have been reading the
postings for a while now and find it very informative. I felt obligated
to write concerning the ADHD/ADD and Ritalin issue. My 8 year old son (a
Wolf) was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 5 years old. His problem is
dealing with normal boring stuff (eg. in school--the normal work such as
reading). Most of life goes too slow for him. When he is doing
something active he is fine. He can work on motors, fix bikes etc.
because it is active. He made 1 good bike out of pieces and parts of
several old bikes all by himself last year. He loves to do mechanic work
but hates reading...it's boring.
He has been on Ritalin during school for several years now. We made the
decision to take him off for the summer to see how he responded. He has
done pretty well most of the time with a few reminders of how he's
acting. He even made it through Cub Scout Day Camp without meds. We
have several boys in our pack who are ADHD and I find the most important
thing is keep them interested and involved. If they have a job they're
doing they are active and not as likely to be causing problems. They
just require a little additional help to keep focused.
Also keep in mind if a boy is taking medication try to keep it as low
profile as possible. My son is begging to not take Ritalin at school
because it is embarrassing to him. The same goes for any kind of
medical condition. Kids don't want to be seen as "different" in any way.
Just be sensitive.
Concerning the boy who punched the SM. Sounds to me like he has some
additional problems. My experience is that most outbursts happen when
they're frustrated.
To me, the bottom line is please please give these boys a fighting chance
and be sensitive. When you get to know them, they are often extremely
funny, highly intelligent boys. Just remember too, the parents live with
these boys. It is the most frustrating and most rewarding experience.
Some days are good and some days are bad and that's just the way it is.
As my son says, his only problem is that his brain never quits working.
Just my thoughts.
Jo Gaines
Pack 212
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