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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I've posted before about the advice our prescribing psychiatrist gave me about my DS who sounds similar to yours: [i]Focus on getting your DS through HS without depression and without a substance abuse issue. Everything else can be fixed after that[/i].

That advice was a game changer for me. It didn't mean I had no expectations or goals for DS. It WAS the goal. Getting thru HS meant graduating with a regular diploma. So, I focused on that. I stopped thinking of grades and 'after HS'.

Instead, I focused on 'effort' as reflected by the number of assignments completed and turned in on time. I communicated this to all of DS's teachers every year. It was the only IEP goal I cared about. I tied it to privileges - outstanding assignments?  No screen time/cell phone for you. I reviewed the school's online SW every evening with DS and on Sundays we reviewed what was coming up the next week. I did NOT restrict sports at all. There are a lot of benefits of sports (all rec league).

Did I enjoy this? Not at all. But, the goal was met. DS is now 20 and has gotten his shlt together. He found a passion and is now willing to do things he has no interest in because he recognizes he has to do them to get where he wants to be. Time and maturity have made a HUGE difference.  HTH

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You sound like an amazing mom and you got stellar advice. [/quote]

Agree.  Thanks for sharing psychiatrist's advice above.  I have been struggling with a sad (but not depressed) child who was sad in 8th grade because his middle school was a mess and couldn't do much tracking for equity reasons.  So he was bored in classes that were too easy.

My recommendation is to try to get your son either into the robotics team if your school has it OR enroll him in some classes at a makerspace.  Something that will be different from regular classes - more hands on and connected to work with the coding he enjoys.[/quote]

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