Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] re: ritalin (everyone's probably sick of this) (long...
[email protected]
In a message dated 4/17/2003 3:47:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
sharonlcate@... writes:
Thank you for you input, it was very informative! I know that ritalin made a
HUGE difference in my younger sons life (currently 18). His older brother
took ritalin for maybe six months or less and we stopped because he was
having problems being excused from class to take it (before the long acting
one came out) so he stopped. He later had a drug problem, not heroin or
cocaine, but after intensive rehab they told us he was self medicating. Is
that a cop out? Who knows, but I hear lots of people who agree with it, lots
who disagree too.
Only my experiences... the one who has taken ritalin for five or six years is
not the one with the drug problem in my family, it's the one who found it too
complicated to work a daily medication into his schedule, but drugs fit? Go
figure!
Thanks again!
glena
glena
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
sharonlcate@... writes:
> The moral of the story: some people REALLY have ADD/ADHD. They'reSharon,
> not just seven-year-old boys who have been asked to sit too long at
> a desk and read "Spot Runs." For some of them, Ritalin may be the
> best current choice, but it does have bad side effects. Other,
> better drugs are coming as understanding grows. The choice is then
> left to the parents and the kids: wait for those better drugs, or
> work with what we currently have?
>
Thank you for you input, it was very informative! I know that ritalin made a
HUGE difference in my younger sons life (currently 18). His older brother
took ritalin for maybe six months or less and we stopped because he was
having problems being excused from class to take it (before the long acting
one came out) so he stopped. He later had a drug problem, not heroin or
cocaine, but after intensive rehab they told us he was self medicating. Is
that a cop out? Who knows, but I hear lots of people who agree with it, lots
who disagree too.
Only my experiences... the one who has taken ritalin for five or six years is
not the one with the drug problem in my family, it's the one who found it too
complicated to work a daily medication into his schedule, but drugs fit? Go
figure!
Thanks again!
glena
glena
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 4/17/2003 3:55:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
zenmomma@... writes:
feel frustrated and trapped and less than, that is probably even worse than a
medication would do to a child. Hard to overcome those feelings in life but
medication can be discontinued fairly easily.
I know I waited a long time for "proof" that my son needed medication in
order to fully be himself. The only proof is AFTER the medication, in my
experience anyway. No one could have made me understand the difference it
would make in my son.
Again, I want to add that he was in no way a behaviour problem. His problems
were with himself and his ability to do the things he wanted to do and trying
to deal with his frustrations and his inability to process and concentrate.
We tried LOTS of things trying to avoid the "medication trap", none worked
for him. I guess it's like the doctor told me you wouldn't deprive him of
insulin if he were diabetic or anti depressants if he were maniac depressive
so why is this different? He then said, if it doesn't work for him, then we
stop it, end of story and look for another way to help him.
What I don't get is the multitude of children who are placed on ritalin or
similar drugs because they can't sit still? I guess in that sense it would
be hard to tell the difference between a normal child with abundant energy
and one who was compensating for not being able to fully concentrate.
It might have been even a harder decision for me if John had also manifested
ADD with a hyper activity component. I would have wondered if they were
really suggesting he was just too active or if John really just had other
things he wanted to do.
Guess I was lucky in that John really is the one who was clear in what he was
experiencing and he was LOOKING for some help of any kind.
Heck, I'm just grateful that it worked for him and there are none of the side
affects I've read about.
glena
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
zenmomma@... writes:
> The choice is then left to the parents and the kids: wait forNo, there are LOTS of choices, one being doing nothing and letting your child
> those better drugs, or work with what we currently have?>>
>
> Those aren't the only two choices.
>
feel frustrated and trapped and less than, that is probably even worse than a
medication would do to a child. Hard to overcome those feelings in life but
medication can be discontinued fairly easily.
I know I waited a long time for "proof" that my son needed medication in
order to fully be himself. The only proof is AFTER the medication, in my
experience anyway. No one could have made me understand the difference it
would make in my son.
Again, I want to add that he was in no way a behaviour problem. His problems
were with himself and his ability to do the things he wanted to do and trying
to deal with his frustrations and his inability to process and concentrate.
We tried LOTS of things trying to avoid the "medication trap", none worked
for him. I guess it's like the doctor told me you wouldn't deprive him of
insulin if he were diabetic or anti depressants if he were maniac depressive
so why is this different? He then said, if it doesn't work for him, then we
stop it, end of story and look for another way to help him.
What I don't get is the multitude of children who are placed on ritalin or
similar drugs because they can't sit still? I guess in that sense it would
be hard to tell the difference between a normal child with abundant energy
and one who was compensating for not being able to fully concentrate.
It might have been even a harder decision for me if John had also manifested
ADD with a hyper activity component. I would have wondered if they were
really suggesting he was just too active or if John really just had other
things he wanted to do.
Guess I was lucky in that John really is the one who was clear in what he was
experiencing and he was LOOKING for some help of any kind.
Heck, I'm just grateful that it worked for him and there are none of the side
affects I've read about.
glena
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 4/17/03 2:10:47 PM, rubyprincesstsg@... writes:
<< No, there are LOTS of choices, one being doing nothing and letting your
child
feel frustrated and trapped and less than, that is probably even worse than a
medication would do to a child. Hard to overcome those feelings in life but
medication can be discontinued fairly easily. >>
Is this an unschooling answer or an answer with school in mind?
It would be really helpful if people who write here and who are talking about
schooled kids or school-based issues and decisions would say so. Otherwise
people who come here for unschooling information will just get what they
could get on other lists.
Sandra
<< No, there are LOTS of choices, one being doing nothing and letting your
child
feel frustrated and trapped and less than, that is probably even worse than a
medication would do to a child. Hard to overcome those feelings in life but
medication can be discontinued fairly easily. >>
Is this an unschooling answer or an answer with school in mind?
It would be really helpful if people who write here and who are talking about
schooled kids or school-based issues and decisions would say so. Otherwise
people who come here for unschooling information will just get what they
could get on other lists.
Sandra
fitzsharonlynne
--- In [email protected], SandraDodd@a... wrote:
I hope I didn't start too much of a sidetrack with this, but I think
it applies to both worlds. Your unschooling ADD child may discover
different paths of learning that work for him/her, and that's
terrific! But for those unschooling kids who *want* to be able to
________ (fill in the blank: program computers, take ballet lessons,
read for hours at a time) and *can't* because of a lack of
concentration, maybe this is one option. It's certainly not the
only option, but it may be the one that allows your child to
function as best fits his/her interests and needs.
I think one has to get beyond the mindset that ADD is all a matter
of environment: if it's not, then a child with ADD may not be able
to explore the world much better at home, then they would at
school. The question then becomes, what do parents and children do?
... okay, I'll stop now. :)
-- Sharon
>> Is this an unschooling answer or an answer with school in mind?<<Hi, Sandra,
I hope I didn't start too much of a sidetrack with this, but I think
it applies to both worlds. Your unschooling ADD child may discover
different paths of learning that work for him/her, and that's
terrific! But for those unschooling kids who *want* to be able to
________ (fill in the blank: program computers, take ballet lessons,
read for hours at a time) and *can't* because of a lack of
concentration, maybe this is one option. It's certainly not the
only option, but it may be the one that allows your child to
function as best fits his/her interests and needs.
I think one has to get beyond the mindset that ADD is all a matter
of environment: if it's not, then a child with ADD may not be able
to explore the world much better at home, then they would at
school. The question then becomes, what do parents and children do?
... okay, I'll stop now. :)
-- Sharon
Deborah Lewis
***But for those unschooling kids who *want* to be able to
________ (fill in the blank: program computers, take ballet lessons,
read for hours at a time) and *can't* because of a lack of
concentration, maybe this is one option. ***
Kids who don't hear every day that there is something wrong with them
don't believe they need to be fixed.
I know kids on ritalin who have been brainwashed into believing there is
something wrong with them and brainwashed into believing if they could
only act the *right* way, everything would be fine.
I knew a woman SPANKED her little boys for touching their OWN penises and
told them so frequently they'd go to hell if they had dirty thoughts, she
had them brainwashed into coming to her if they accidentally touched
themselves or saw a picture or word that was *bad* and asking PLEASE
spank me mommy so I don't go to hell.
Just because you've convinced a kid he's flawed doesn't make it so.
There's a broad range of NORMAL human behaviors that don't fit the neat
little school package of "agreeable, still and quiet".
Deb L
________ (fill in the blank: program computers, take ballet lessons,
read for hours at a time) and *can't* because of a lack of
concentration, maybe this is one option. ***
Kids who don't hear every day that there is something wrong with them
don't believe they need to be fixed.
I know kids on ritalin who have been brainwashed into believing there is
something wrong with them and brainwashed into believing if they could
only act the *right* way, everything would be fine.
I knew a woman SPANKED her little boys for touching their OWN penises and
told them so frequently they'd go to hell if they had dirty thoughts, she
had them brainwashed into coming to her if they accidentally touched
themselves or saw a picture or word that was *bad* and asking PLEASE
spank me mommy so I don't go to hell.
Just because you've convinced a kid he's flawed doesn't make it so.
There's a broad range of NORMAL human behaviors that don't fit the neat
little school package of "agreeable, still and quiet".
Deb L
[email protected]
In a message dated 4/17/2003 6:22:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
ddzimlew@... writes:
the one who kept telling everyone that something was wrong and kept looking
for something to "fix" him.
He knew there were things he wanted to do and that he wasn't able to
concentrate and was too easily frustrated. He knew he wasn't able to process
things he was trying to learn.
He was the one that convinced ME that he needed medication. His behaviors
were not affecting anyone else but HIM and he didn't like it and didn't want
to live like that.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on this subject but I have seen
first hand the dramatic results and difference it has made in my son.
glena
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
ddzimlew@... writes:
> Kids who don't hear every day that there is something wrong with themMy child NEVER heard there was something wrong with him from anyone, HE is
> don't believe they need to be fixed.
>
the one who kept telling everyone that something was wrong and kept looking
for something to "fix" him.
He knew there were things he wanted to do and that he wasn't able to
concentrate and was too easily frustrated. He knew he wasn't able to process
things he was trying to learn.
He was the one that convinced ME that he needed medication. His behaviors
were not affecting anyone else but HIM and he didn't like it and didn't want
to live like that.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on this subject but I have seen
first hand the dramatic results and difference it has made in my son.
glena
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
I sooo agree, I was a psychologist before my son was born and sometimes I
struggled with the fact that just bringing children to my office and
diagnosing them sent and very bad message. Just as you say, you get what you
expect .
Most of the time kids are kids and time is a great healer. I is all about
maturity and age and we all went through it, it is just that there were no
such deseases when I was a kid.
struggled with the fact that just bringing children to my office and
diagnosing them sent and very bad message. Just as you say, you get what you
expect .
Most of the time kids are kids and time is a great healer. I is all about
maturity and age and we all went through it, it is just that there were no
such deseases when I was a kid.
Betsy
**He knew there were things he wanted to do and that he wasn't able to
concentrate and was too easily frustrated. He knew he wasn't able to
process things he was trying to learn.**
Was this when he was in school?
Betsy
concentrate and was too easily frustrated. He knew he wasn't able to
process things he was trying to learn.**
Was this when he was in school?
Betsy
Have a Nice Day!
Ok how's this:
I think unschooling offers these kids a WONDERFUL opportunity because it plays on their strengths and not their weaknesses.
Kristen
I think unschooling offers these kids a WONDERFUL opportunity because it plays on their strengths and not their weaknesses.
Kristen
----- Original Message -----
From: SandraDodd@...
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2003 5:20 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: ritalin (everyone's probably sick of this) (long...
In a message dated 4/17/03 2:10:47 PM, rubyprincesstsg@... writes:
<< No, there are LOTS of choices, one being doing nothing and letting your
child
feel frustrated and trapped and less than, that is probably even worse than a
medication would do to a child. Hard to overcome those feelings in life but
medication can be discontinued fairly easily. >>
Is this an unschooling answer or an answer with school in mind?
It would be really helpful if people who write here and who are talking about
schooled kids or school-based issues and decisions would say so. Otherwise
people who come here for unschooling information will just get what they
could get on other lists.
Sandra
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[email protected]
In a message dated 4/17/03 7:30:12 PM, rubyprincesstsg@... writes:
<< My child NEVER heard there was something wrong with him from anyone, HE
is
the one who kept telling everyone that something was wrong and kept looking
for something to "fix" him. >>
Was he in school?
If this is an unschooling story of an unschooler who said there was something
wrong with him that needed fixing, let's hear it!
If it's a story of a kid in school, let's NOT hear it.
And if someone has just joined the list and thinks it's a great place to
discuss Ritalin, PLEASE read for a week or two. Read archives.
Sandra
<< My child NEVER heard there was something wrong with him from anyone, HE
is
the one who kept telling everyone that something was wrong and kept looking
for something to "fix" him. >>
Was he in school?
If this is an unschooling story of an unschooler who said there was something
wrong with him that needed fixing, let's hear it!
If it's a story of a kid in school, let's NOT hear it.
And if someone has just joined the list and thinks it's a great place to
discuss Ritalin, PLEASE read for a week or two. Read archives.
Sandra
fitzsharonlynne
--- In [email protected], SandraDodd@a... wrote:
archives. <<
And heaven help the person who tries to interrelate several aspects
of life instead of keeping to one "school subject," such as
unschooling or Ritalin. But in deference to Sandra, I will not
continue this thread.
-- Sharon
>> And if someone has just joined the list and thinks it's a greatplace to discuss Ritalin, PLEASE read for a week or two. Read
archives. <<
And heaven help the person who tries to interrelate several aspects
of life instead of keeping to one "school subject," such as
unschooling or Ritalin. But in deference to Sandra, I will not
continue this thread.
-- Sharon
[email protected]
In a message dated 4/17/2003 10:06:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
litlrooh@... writes:
matter where it took place. Learning to play video games, learning to see
the beauty in a bird that nested outside his window, learning, learning,
learning.
Yes, he was in school when he started medication, but I can tell you that at
age 12/13 his biggest priority was NOT what went on in the classroom. His
grades were not the issue, with us anyway. We didn't even look at report
cards after elementary school, basically we found them useless.
He wanted to go investigate NASA, we went to the Space Center in FL. He got
wonderful VIP tours, he felt frustrated that he couldn't concentrate fully to
absorb all he wanted to. There are many other instances of things/events
that were directed by him that left him completely frustrated and feeling
less than in his own eyes.
I recognize that in some instances children are medicated to fit the PS
standards or molds to make things easier for them in the classroom.
In my son's case, even the homeschooling adventures were frustrating for him,
not for anyone else trying to make him fit a mold or pattern or live up or
down to any set standards of learning but to his own self.
So in this particular situation it has to do with children and difficulties
learning/doing ANYTHING they want to absorb and that there was/is a remedy
that works miracles for some people anyway.
glena
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
litlrooh@... writes:
> Is this an unschooling answer or an answer with school in mind?I think it doesn't really matter in this case. This was about LEARNING no
>
> It would be really helpful if people who write here and who are talking
> about
> schooled kids or school-based issues and decisions would say so.
> Otherwise
> people who come here for unschooling information will just get what they
> could get on other lists.
>
matter where it took place. Learning to play video games, learning to see
the beauty in a bird that nested outside his window, learning, learning,
learning.
Yes, he was in school when he started medication, but I can tell you that at
age 12/13 his biggest priority was NOT what went on in the classroom. His
grades were not the issue, with us anyway. We didn't even look at report
cards after elementary school, basically we found them useless.
He wanted to go investigate NASA, we went to the Space Center in FL. He got
wonderful VIP tours, he felt frustrated that he couldn't concentrate fully to
absorb all he wanted to. There are many other instances of things/events
that were directed by him that left him completely frustrated and feeling
less than in his own eyes.
I recognize that in some instances children are medicated to fit the PS
standards or molds to make things easier for them in the classroom.
In my son's case, even the homeschooling adventures were frustrating for him,
not for anyone else trying to make him fit a mold or pattern or live up or
down to any set standards of learning but to his own self.
So in this particular situation it has to do with children and difficulties
learning/doing ANYTHING they want to absorb and that there was/is a remedy
that works miracles for some people anyway.
glena
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
zenmomma2kids
First of all, Glena, let me share upfront that I'm not against
medications for a child who truly needs them. My son Conor takes
Prozac and it was definitely life changing for him. Brain chemical
imbalances are hard. But, for the sake of discussion, I want to offer
a comment here.
the classroom.>>
I wonder what a child with these traits would be like as a teen if
they were always allowed to learn and do at their own pace. If they
were never exposed to the concept of there being one right way to pay
attention or gather information. Maybe their brains would grow and
adapt to itself so that they wouldn't feel frustrated with their
inability to pay attention. They would have just learned a completely
different (from the norm) way of getting and retaining the info they
needed.
I know I've seen some of this in my own kids. Just throwing an idea
out there for discussion.
concentrate fully to absorb all he wanted to.>>
How were the tours presented? Did he get to structure the flow of
information in any way? Was it someone talking and him listening, or
did he get to poke around on his own, asking questions and seeking
information?
I have definitely noticed that unschoolers don't always accept the
first way information is being presented as the only way. They can
actually be kind of annoying <g> in their quest to gather information
in the way they want and need it. They don't feel flawed, they feel
empowered.
Life is good.
~Mary
medications for a child who truly needs them. My son Conor takes
Prozac and it was definitely life changing for him. Brain chemical
imbalances are hard. But, for the sake of discussion, I want to offer
a comment here.
>>Yes, he was in school when he started medication, but I can tellyou that at age 12/13 his biggest priority was NOT what went on in
the classroom.>>
I wonder what a child with these traits would be like as a teen if
they were always allowed to learn and do at their own pace. If they
were never exposed to the concept of there being one right way to pay
attention or gather information. Maybe their brains would grow and
adapt to itself so that they wouldn't feel frustrated with their
inability to pay attention. They would have just learned a completely
different (from the norm) way of getting and retaining the info they
needed.
I know I've seen some of this in my own kids. Just throwing an idea
out there for discussion.
>>He wanted to go investigate NASA, we went to the Space Center inFL. He got wonderful VIP tours, he felt frustrated that he couldn't
concentrate fully to absorb all he wanted to.>>
How were the tours presented? Did he get to structure the flow of
information in any way? Was it someone talking and him listening, or
did he get to poke around on his own, asking questions and seeking
information?
I have definitely noticed that unschoolers don't always accept the
first way information is being presented as the only way. They can
actually be kind of annoying <g> in their quest to gather information
in the way they want and need it. They don't feel flawed, they feel
empowered.
Life is good.
~Mary
Betsy
**I have definitely noticed that unschoolers don't always accept the
first way information is being presented as the only way. They can
actually be kind of annoying <g> in their quest to gather information
in the way they want and need it. **
Hi, Mary --
Have you been spying at my house? <ggg>
I can be annoying about this when my husband is telling me things. If I
get to the point of confusion, I'll frantically wave my arms and screech
at him to stop, and back up, and SHOW me what he means. Once it starts
to sound like "wa wa wa" to me, I'm unwilling to just smile and nod
politely without understanding. (unless he's talking about the Red Sox,
in which case I will fake it.)
Betsy
first way information is being presented as the only way. They can
actually be kind of annoying <g> in their quest to gather information
in the way they want and need it. **
Hi, Mary --
Have you been spying at my house? <ggg>
I can be annoying about this when my husband is telling me things. If I
get to the point of confusion, I'll frantically wave my arms and screech
at him to stop, and back up, and SHOW me what he means. Once it starts
to sound like "wa wa wa" to me, I'm unwilling to just smile and nod
politely without understanding. (unless he's talking about the Red Sox,
in which case I will fake it.)
Betsy
zenmomma2kids
>>Once it starts to sound like "wa wa wa" to me, I'm unwilling tojust smile and nod politely without understanding. >>
That's what I mean. Do we inadvertantly train these kids to accept
that there's something wrong with the way they are receiving
information, rather than training them to question the way the
information is being given. Or to even go outside the norm and seek
out different paths that match their particular strengths better.
>>(unless he's talking about the Red Sox, in which case I will fakeit.)>>
Luckily I've never had to fake it with my husband. <g> He's not into
sports. ;-)
Life is good.
~Mary
rubyprincesstsg
--- In [email protected], "zenmomma2kids"
<zenmomma@h...> wrote:
had a problem learning a certain way. He couldn't focus or
concentrate on anything as long as he would have liked to. Making
EVERYTHING he wanted to do frustrating for him.
Like the NASA thing, he was pretty much in control. We had a NASA
astronaut that was showing him around, he got to touch, manipulate,
talk, ask, do basically whatever he wanted. He was the one that was
greatly interested, so it was lead by him for the most part.
I'm sure there were probably some places that were off limits but it
didn't seem like it, anything he asked about, he got to see and
experience.
After we left the first day (several day experience) he said he felt
like he really wasn't able to "get" what he wanted to from the
experience.
Just like he would choose a book he really wanted to read. He just
couldn't concentrate long enough to read it. Book on tape? Great
for some people, not for him, to him after only a few minutes it
sounded like a forgein language.
So for him there really wasn't another way around this. We tried
LOTS of things. Books on tape being one, me reading to him another,
both his suggestions, both just didn't work for him.
HE wanted something to change, he made adjustments, we made
adjustments, we tried every remedy we were suggested. Finally after
more than a year, we tried the ritalin, I was scared. I had heard
many horror stories, kids crushing it and sniffing it for one.
Finally I agreed to TRY the ritalin. I had no expectations of it
really working. The only kids I had personally known on the drug
were VERY hyper, very high strung and it seemed their mothers gave it
to them like candy almost. Oh, come here and get your
ritalin. "Little Jimmie, you can't sit still today, get me your
ritalin right NOW!". Those types of things.
John was NOT like that in any sense. A very quiet kid, a thoughtful
always seeming in deep thought kind of child. What could this drug
possibly do to help him?
LOTS, for him anyway. I'm not saying that this is the path for
anyone's child but for mine it was right. I feel badly that I made
him wait so long for something that so obviously worked wonders for
him.
He likes putting together model cars and airplanes, he NEVER finished
even one until he started medication. He NEVER had mastered a video
game until he started medication. He had never sat through a movie
at the theater before medication. So many things that once sounded
like wa wa wa wa after a few minutes are now such an enjoyable part
of his life. Because of one tiny pill twice a day.
He did find a way around his problem, a way to learn, a way to be
less frustrated, a way to cope and explore, for him his way was
ritalin.
I still think it's over used, over prescribed and probably for many
wrong reasons but I'm just saying there are some children who it
makes a difference in living in a dull colorless world and a bright
sunny vibrant one.
glena
<zenmomma@h...> wrote:
>offer
>
> First of all, Glena, let me share upfront that I'm not against
> medications for a child who truly needs them. My son Conor takes
> Prozac and it was definitely life changing for him. Brain chemical
> imbalances are hard. But, for the sake of discussion, I want to
> a comment here.pay
>
> >>Yes, he was in school when he started medication, but I can tell
> you that at age 12/13 his biggest priority was NOT what went on in
> the classroom.>>
>
> I wonder what a child with these traits would be like as a teen if
> they were always allowed to learn and do at their own pace. If they
> were never exposed to the concept of there being one right way to
> attention or gather information. Maybe their brains would grow andcompletely
> adapt to itself so that they wouldn't feel frustrated with their
> inability to pay attention. They would have just learned a
> different (from the norm) way of getting and retaining the infothey
> needed.couldn't
>
> I know I've seen some of this in my own kids. Just throwing an idea
> out there for discussion.
>
> >>He wanted to go investigate NASA, we went to the Space Center in
> FL. He got wonderful VIP tours, he felt frustrated that he
> concentrate fully to absorb all he wanted to.>>or
>
> How were the tours presented? Did he get to structure the flow of
> information in any way? Was it someone talking and him listening,
> did he get to poke around on his own, asking questions and seekinginformation
> information?
>
> I have definitely noticed that unschoolers don't always accept the
> first way information is being presented as the only way. They can
> actually be kind of annoying <g> in their quest to gather
> in the way they want and need it. They don't feel flawed, they feelI guess I'm not explaining the problem correctly. It wasn't that he
> empowered.
>
> Life is good.
> ~Mary
had a problem learning a certain way. He couldn't focus or
concentrate on anything as long as he would have liked to. Making
EVERYTHING he wanted to do frustrating for him.
Like the NASA thing, he was pretty much in control. We had a NASA
astronaut that was showing him around, he got to touch, manipulate,
talk, ask, do basically whatever he wanted. He was the one that was
greatly interested, so it was lead by him for the most part.
I'm sure there were probably some places that were off limits but it
didn't seem like it, anything he asked about, he got to see and
experience.
After we left the first day (several day experience) he said he felt
like he really wasn't able to "get" what he wanted to from the
experience.
Just like he would choose a book he really wanted to read. He just
couldn't concentrate long enough to read it. Book on tape? Great
for some people, not for him, to him after only a few minutes it
sounded like a forgein language.
So for him there really wasn't another way around this. We tried
LOTS of things. Books on tape being one, me reading to him another,
both his suggestions, both just didn't work for him.
HE wanted something to change, he made adjustments, we made
adjustments, we tried every remedy we were suggested. Finally after
more than a year, we tried the ritalin, I was scared. I had heard
many horror stories, kids crushing it and sniffing it for one.
Finally I agreed to TRY the ritalin. I had no expectations of it
really working. The only kids I had personally known on the drug
were VERY hyper, very high strung and it seemed their mothers gave it
to them like candy almost. Oh, come here and get your
ritalin. "Little Jimmie, you can't sit still today, get me your
ritalin right NOW!". Those types of things.
John was NOT like that in any sense. A very quiet kid, a thoughtful
always seeming in deep thought kind of child. What could this drug
possibly do to help him?
LOTS, for him anyway. I'm not saying that this is the path for
anyone's child but for mine it was right. I feel badly that I made
him wait so long for something that so obviously worked wonders for
him.
He likes putting together model cars and airplanes, he NEVER finished
even one until he started medication. He NEVER had mastered a video
game until he started medication. He had never sat through a movie
at the theater before medication. So many things that once sounded
like wa wa wa wa after a few minutes are now such an enjoyable part
of his life. Because of one tiny pill twice a day.
He did find a way around his problem, a way to learn, a way to be
less frustrated, a way to cope and explore, for him his way was
ritalin.
I still think it's over used, over prescribed and probably for many
wrong reasons but I'm just saying there are some children who it
makes a difference in living in a dull colorless world and a bright
sunny vibrant one.
glena
[email protected]
I've been reading and re-reading as I often do and I felt I really wanted to
say that I am not suggesting that ANYONE go and put their child on ritalin.
I just want to be clear that it has worked wonderfully for my son.
I also wish someone had said to me a year earlier, go ahead and try it for a
month and if it doesn't work, just stop taking it. Would have probably saved
a LOT of frustration.
Again, I'm not trying to steer anyone to the ritalin but if you were
considering it and wondering, for SOME people it does work.
glena
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
say that I am not suggesting that ANYONE go and put their child on ritalin.
I just want to be clear that it has worked wonderfully for my son.
I also wish someone had said to me a year earlier, go ahead and try it for a
month and if it doesn't work, just stop taking it. Would have probably saved
a LOT of frustration.
Again, I'm not trying to steer anyone to the ritalin but if you were
considering it and wondering, for SOME people it does work.
glena
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]