[magnolia]

Kimberley,

I want to add something to what has already been stated. My son was on meds and we took him off of them over a year ago to see if he was at a point he could come off them (he's 16). I just took him back in on Friday to get meds started back. You need to go by his pediatrician's office and ask them for the forms for teachers to fill out for ADD. They will give you enough forms for each of his teachers (if he has one teacher and an assistant, get 2 forms). They will also give you a form that you and your husband fill out. It's questions that are asked as to his ability to stay focused, is he fidgity, etc. Don't be surprised if your answers are different from his teachers cause, as you said, you can handle his behavior at home and let him be himself where there are higher expectations in school. When you give the forms to the teachers, and they ask if he's ADD, tell them you don't know, you're just getting the forms filled out to take to the doctor. DON'T tell them when the appointment is - this is very important! The nurse will "score" out the sheets and his doctor will give you the results. IF he scores out and needs to be on medication, again, DO NOT tell his teachers! Why? This is the important part to you as his mother (and his doctor will need to know as well) - you don't want to give them any "advance" notice - let them tell you if they notice a change in him! Usually, the doctor will want to see him back in 2-3 weeks to see how he's doing. A few days before you take him back, ask the teachers if they've noticed a difference in him (provided they haven't already told you). Take that info back to the doctor with you. If you tell the teachers he's on medication, then they are going to look for a change automatically where it may take a few days or so to really take affect in his system. At least, this is the advice my pediatrician gave me (and the psychologist who tested him a few years later - she's the one who diagnosed the dyslexia). You want honest feed back and you may not get it if they know ahead of time he's on medication.

There are different ones out there, some that are time released and he only takes once a day, and others that need to be taken in the morning and again at lunch. His doctor can help in determining the medication best for him provided he needs to be put on medication. Don't view this as a bad thing!!! I did but I realized that if I didn't do all I could to help my son, I was only hurting him and his potential in the long run!

Prayers headed your way! Keep us posted!
Suzi