Aims, I'm not a mother so I have no support to offer on that front. But having taught a number of fantastic students with ADHD, when I was teaching high school, it sounds like you're totally going the right way about things. (The most intelligent student I've ever taught had ADHD. She was an utter joy to have in my class. As long as she was being stretched and kept interested enough!) As Jessica says, it's good that you have a plan and you're moving things forward. Wishing you all the very best outcomes with the situation.

We are so damned lucky to have amazing teachers for her. I truly don't think Em could have had a better placement. They are wonderful, wonderful women. And so very open with communication and advice and help and truly, truly teamplayers. They thank me every time I come in to talk to them, which cracks me up, because I'm trying to thank them for taking the time to talk to me. It still astounds me that some parents don't communicate with their kids teachers and see education as a team sport.

Aimee, I'm agreeing with everyone else in admiring your dedication to the most important job of all. And adding that your selfcare...in trusting your instinct, gathering information, managing your stress with this great sounding board, and employing the best resources...well, that's the best gift you can give Emeline. Even when it doesn't seem so, she's learning from that and it will serve her well.

It still astounds me that some parents don't communicate with their kids teachers and see education as a team sport.

The fact that most parents DON'T do what you just instinctively know to do is why I'm no longer a school counselor.

I say again, Good For You!

And to add to everything, there is a whole bunch of things you can do once you get a diagnosis--that will make everyone's life more pleasant.

Aims, you and MM are doing the right things. It may not be pretty or easy but you love Em very much and she will be just fine.

IOmememeN, I had another hour-plus conversation with MFJ last night (my friend j). So much for keeping my crush under control - it needs its own lj post at this point, which I will probably type up today. In brief, he's intelligent, funny, self-aware, creative, talented, caring, good taste in movies/music/books... of course I have no idea about chemistry in person, given that we haven't seen each other in about fifteen years. But damn wouldn't I like to find out!

This is Connie's ass talking--I've always wondering where the line it between ADHD and a kid who would do fantastically if they got a normal recess where they could run around and shriek and be a kid while at the same time having proper intellectual stimulation. I can't help thinking that ADHD is often a diagnosis for "what happens to normal kids who are being kept in small boxes and being treated like their brains have the complexity of yeast-deprived bread dough."

Also, it's winter, and kids are being kept inside because it's so cold. There's no way for them to burn off the energy.

I can't help thinking that ADHD is often a diagnosis for "what happens to normal kids who are being kept in small boxes and being treated like their brains have the complexity of yeast-deprived bread dough."

I've been around a kid diagnosed with ADHD. Even playing outside, she kept having to do something different all the time, she didn't seem able to just keep playing at something more than a couple of minutes. It really stood out as unusual behavior.

Utah is horrific for drugging kids into conforming to the "norm." I really think they've traded recess for more time to "meet the standards", ie, teach the test, and are shoving pills down kids' throats to make up for it. And when you've been churning out a baby a year, it's easier for the pathetic parents to turn to pharmacology rather than learning how to cope with your "full quiver".

Sorry for the quotes, I seem to have a hot button this morning.

Aims, if Em does have ADHD, getting a diagnosis and possibly treatment now is the best thing that could happen to her. That way, she can go through years of school knowing that she just learns a different way, and that she IS smart and creative. Too many people who are adults now who have ADHD (and obviously had it as kids) weren't diagnosed because it just wasn't recognized for what it was back then, and they were told they were stupid and slow and deliberately disruptive, etc., etc., etc. Which is horribly demoralizing. Imagine how much better things would have been for them if their neurodiversity was recognized for what it was when they were 5.

IOW, you and Joe are awesome parents, because instead of just punishing her, you're doing something to figure out what's underneath her behavior. A lot of parents would just yell and punish and that would be that.

I can't help thinking that ADHD is often a diagnosis for "what happens to normal kids who are being kept in small boxes and being treated like their brains have the complexity of yeast-deprived bread dough."

I've been around a kid diagnosed with ADHD. Even playing outside, she kept having to do something different all the time, she didn't seem able to just keep playing at something more than a couple of minutes. It really stood out as unusual behavior.

This. ADHD is as different from normal boingy childhood behavior as depression is from "feeling down in the dumps."