Dyspraxia

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

THank you! It's a constant battle to help DD stay organized. She has a hard time figuring out how to initially set up a syatem and then what to discard.
Does it get easier for them/you?

I won't lie - high school was hard. They need supports, they need tools to help and practice using them, they need organizational help. My DC also benefitted from medication. But over time it has gotten better and he owns it all now, and succeeds.

I strongly recommend getting help and putting supports in place.

I'm wondering about the medication and "level" of ADHD with your son.

Through two neuropsych evaluations (with different neuropsychologists) - summer before 6th and the beginning of 8th grade, DD was dx with executive function deficits, slow processing, short term memory and mild ADHD inattentive. Both reports were luke warm about medicating because the inattentiveness was mild. - After consulting with a psychiatrist, he did not seem to think medication was necessary (and probably partly because DH was against medication). I'm, wondering, as I read medicating for ADHD sometimes helps with executive function.

She sees a speech language pathologist for writing organization and general organization (binder, backpack, homework) plus has accommodations with a 504 plan - upfront seating, extended deadlines, small group testing etc... I'm wondering if medication would make life easier. SHe now does well with handing in assignments but is struggling with learning the content (math, physics, details in her art work etc...) and writing higher level essays. I wonder if this is were her inattentiveness is making life harder than it should be.

Are there other things you found helpful. What was going on that you decided to medicate. What changes did you see.

Any more lessons learned you can share?

Well, he has mild ADD inattentive, but significant EF challenges. His working memory and processing speed are so so. The psychologist who tested him recommended various accommodations and tools, including medication as an option.

He was dx'd at 15, almost 16, and so in going over testing results with him we raised medication as an option. We left it up to him, but let him know that we were comfortable with medication and thought it was a good idea - but that he could choose not to use them, too.

He chose to try them and we worked with his pediatrician (who reviewed the testing report and talked to the psychologist first), who made a recommendation. It took a few tries, but he takes 15 mg of Focalin a day.

It has made a difference for him. He has had an easier time keeping himself together and staying on top of things.

At college he keeps the mess in a lockbox we bought and loads up a week's worth at a time in a pill dispenser pack (marked with days of the week). He has a phone alarm/reminder set to remember to take them.

Deciding whether to use mess is a very individual thing. It was the right choice for him.

[Anonymous]

^^^whether to use *meds*.

PP, it would make sense for you to explore your DH's opposition to medication with him. Given the extensive testing you have had done, you have enough information to make an informed decision. Bring your DD into the discussion at some point, too.

What does your DH see as the down side?