What has always worked for us is to meet with the principal and get the principal to understand that you need assistance from the school. You may have a meeting with school staff to explore ideas. You may develop a 504 for accomodations or possibly get IEP. Share your history with principal and what you have done to help your son and what your concerns now are. Hope this idea helps.

Thank you for your feedback. I know the teacher has been talking with our new principal but I haven’t yet. I will try to get into his office. His teacher is going to have the school counciler do some sort of rewards program possibly with him so maybe they can help me with that too. Thanks!

My son also has ADHD. He did have a speech problem which was corrected fairly quickly. I also have ADHD and a seizure history. First get an IEP meeting scheduled and know your rights during that meeting.

He could be having a seizure problem during the day or at night. They could do a 5 day EEG at home 24/7. If that isn’t the case. Maybe he is too far behind and feels overwhelmed. Every teacher is different. I printed reports to go back and fourth every week.

Maybe the dose of medication is too high or too low. Or maybe there is a medication that is longer lasting like Adderall XR. It could wear off in school. So I would find out in the meeting when if its consistant throughout the day or worse in the morning or afternoon.

In second grade my son was held back. This teacher would single him out and yell at him to pay attention. I stopped it or at least got it under control. This can cause problems with bullying. Your son needs a reward system. I don’t know where you are located, but I could find a child psychiatrist in your area.

Your son should be eligible for extra assistance one on one. I don’t know what meds he is on or his social interaction normally. Seems like stress is an issue. If he isn’t normally depressed, investigate and get him everything he is eligible for under the laws in your state. Try another diagnostic opinion. Something is off and my own hand made reports to the teacher helped to figure out the meds.

To nicole4success: I know they have completely ruled out the seizure disorder. He is currently on Ritalin twice a day and his doctor will not reevaluate whether it is still the correct dose. She wants us to go back to the psychiatrist but she wants him to go to this different one. Where would I find out what extra assistance there is available here in Nebraska?

I really don’t have any advise but please know you are not alone.  I can hear your frustration in your words.  Just sit back and take a deep breathe then go in and fight for your son.  Whether it is the school, the doctors, or the teachers just follow your gut and do what it is telling you is right.  Plus I cried alot on the phone to the doctors and I got in quicker (hehe).

First off….sounds like you need a new doctor.  Any doctor that refuses to look at a medication issue that arrises with a medication that they administered is wrong.  Your the parent and you know best.  If your doctor is not listening then you need to find a doctor that works for you and your family.  I will admit that finding a pediatric doc that oversees ADHD cases is hard.  Most often a ped will recommend you to a psychiatrist for medication.  But…if you call around and specifically ask whether or not that doctor oversees ADHD cases and administered meds. it takes finding out at an appointment out of the equation and saves time.  You can also sometimes find a neurologist that will oversee ADHD and administer meds, but they are more medically based and don’t always look at the whole picture, just the medical side.

Answer this: Your initial post you stated that the doc wanted you to go find another psychologist and just above you stated a psychiatrist.  Which one?  I’m asking because they are very different.  A Pediatric Psychologist can work to identify specific problems with the child, do testing and diagnosis, but NOT administer medication.  A Psychiatrist can be used as therapy is can administer medications and multiple medications if needed and regulates that. 

Secondly, I would question the Ritalin.  Is it the correct medicaiton for him.  If you are going through the extreme to medicate your child it should really help. If he is still having a large amount of problems then chances are Ritalin is not the right med for him.  Maybe it is a dosage change or a meds change.  There are many extended release meds that are out there. An extended release medication doesn’t have the severe “drop-off” effect.  It is a more gradual delivery into the system.  My daughter is on an XR in the morning and tablet in the afternoon.  The XR does not usually last all day if you want to get through homework, sports or a dinner without craziness.  My son takes an XR in the morning and XR in the afternoon because he has some aggression issues that play a part and it is what works for him.  You also have to look at what type of medication it is and what it is made of….for example….stimulant meds have different combinations of salts that help create the drug.  Some have more and are harsher on the system than others.  Adderall XR had a combo of 5 different types of salts and was creating horrible anxiety in my daughter.  Now she takes Foclin XR, which has 1 salt in it and she is doing GREAT!  Made the change a few years ago.  I found this all out by being good friends with my pharmacist.

Thirdly, your school is where you are going to find out about the services that your son may qualify for under IDEA.  If your son’s issues and disabilities dirently affect his learning he may qualify for an Individual Education Plan, IEP.  They do qualify students with ADHD and other health related disabilites under the catagory OHI~Other Health Impaired.  He could have some special small group learing, one on one test taking, modified assignments based on his needs, etc…..

Depending on his school history and whether or not it directly affects him is what they will use to determine whether or not he qualifies.  I would start the process by at least asking for a Evaluation to be done.  In the state of Ohio, any parent has the right to request.  It doesn’t mean they will test but it will get the right people involoved to sit down and discuss the issues he is having.  I goes a bit further than the counselor and the principal.  I would also get ahold of the special education department for your district and talk to them. Sometimes, asking questions there helps get the ball rolling a bit faster. 

You could also ask about RTI process, or Response to Intervention and what they are specifically targetting academically for him.  If he is non-performing at this time, I am assuming his academics are going to go down hill.  They might do a RTI plan for him.

Keep in mind that I am in Ohio and do not know what is the same in your state as far as laws and rights go, but find out.  You are your sons best advocate.  Remember, though….don’t go in with guns a blazin’.  You won’t get anywhere.  They don’t listen to someone who is loud…just know his rights and yours. You’re the momma!

Good Luck!  I hope some of this helps.

http://www.ncld.org/publications-a-more/parent-advocacy-guides/idea-parent-guide

This is a link that will take you to a website about IDEA.  If you scroll down the page you can download a copy of the parental guide to IDEA.  This would be a good place to learn about your federal rights. 

http://rtinebraska.unl.edu/

This is a link that will take you to information about RTI in the state of Nebraska.  You can read about the basics of RTI and the philosophy behind it so that you understand.  RTI is regular edcation based and he does not need to qualify for it.

Again, I hope some of this information helps you.

I agree with seeking out a new Dr.  You want someone who is willing to work with your child’s specific needs.  It’s quite possible Ritalin is not the right med for your child.  There are no a large variety available so don’t settle for one that is not right for your child.  Ritatlin and Adderall are NOT the only ones out there. Also, schedule a meeting with the Principal, guidance counselor, and teacher ASAP.  Open communication is a tremendous help.
Know that you are not alone!

Ok. I know how hard it is to find a good psychiatrist. It takes a minimum of an hour to correctly find out what is going on. I would say he is on the wrong dose or wrong med. I would start over with someone else for sure. It’s so hard I know. You and your son are in my prayers. Also get with the school and set up an IEP meeting. You don’t want to wait on either of these. Emotional problems can get out of hand. My son was yelled at constantly and just gave up. He left his homework in his desk because he was so lost. He was held back in second grade because my ex-husband decided to tell him that he is smart enough and shouldn’t take his medication. Every day he had a stomach ache before school because of stress and being singled out by his teacher in a negative way. So my advice is just try the best you can to give him positive reinforcement and reward him as much as possible so that he doesn’t go through something like that. He is doing very well now on Vyvanse. Every response you got is excellent. I really hope you find the right treatment for him with a new doctor and working with the school.

Thanks so much to everyone for their feedback. I did find a psychiatrist that will see us right away. We are seeing him on Monday morning so maybe we can get some answers.