OT: A.D.D.

[Slynky]

Well, ADD or ADHD (or pick your term) is a mystery to me. I can't understand it. But, I can tell you pills ARE a solution.

Our daughter has it. Yes, it seemed she was full of energy. And it seemed she suffered from what a lot of children suffer from, disinterest in doing things they don't want to do (and therefore do not hear it) and too much interest in doing what they want to do.

Sugar, we thought, was the problem. Not. Certainly, there is something wrong with a girl in the first grade who continually, during class, gets up and walks over to a window and looks out. Or gets up and walks over to another child and begins talking. Repeatedly throughout the day. Who brought home red and yellow lights (a conduct code rating for behavior) every day.

We started punishing her for her behavior marks. Loss of TV. Restriction. You name it. For a while, she had no TV privilages for 3 or 4 months. We were at our wits end. Her grades ranged from C to D. So, we decided to talk to a doctor. Tested her. Filled out a huge questionaire.

Now, she takes a pill every day. Adderall. Her behavior "lights" changed immediately. Her grades improved very noticeably. In the 2nd grade, she almost made the A honor role for the year (only making a few B's).

Sometimes, we forget her pill. And the teacher knows within the first hour of class.

Does the pill turn her into a zombie? No. She is still energetic. Full of life and still can't sit still while we play Uno. But, she is learning what she needs to be learning, staying out of trouble, and is NOT being punished for something she cannot help any longer.

I hope she grows out of it. I don't like pills either. But, I don't see how she could be learning what she needs to in school without it.

So, I have to disagree with some of the remarks in here about popping pills at the drop of a hat.