I would really appreciate if you would share your story of a positive outcome for your ADHD child. It seems for the most part I read stories about what I've mostly been told about ADHD....it's life long, a roller coaster with meds and therapists, a struggle with daily life, drains the family, don't mount up to their full potential, etc...I would love to hear about difficult ADHD kids that grow up to be amazing individuals and/or successful professionals. I need hope desperately. I constantly feel sad and worried about my daughter.
Thank you!!!
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Mamab3
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Well, my child is only 6, but I do have success stories of other family members!
Two of my cousins were diagnosed as children with Tourette and ADHD (one also has OCD.) They both are well married, one with a successful career in finance and three children, the other working for a company he LOVES (Apple!) So - there is hope!
Not a relative, but I've also been reading about very successful children's author Dav Pilkey - who actually came up with his two famous creations while being punished in school for ADHD-related behaviors. Some of his characters openly have ADHD. he also struggles with dyslexia.
I know this is an old post but my 8 year old loves anything dealing with Dav Pilkey because he ca relate to him and it helps my son know that he can make it in the world know that he does have ADHD and I love that. Dav Pilkey is amazing!
My son has many successes in life, he has a 2nd degree in Tae Kwan Do and he play Lacrosse. He is very social and is excited about going into 7th grade and ready for a new start. Now that medications are stable, therapy is on board we have few days that are bad.
I have a 10-year-old twin daughter that is severely dyslexic and severely ADHD. She is the most kind loving person to any animal you put in front of her. Her love is of horses and wants to be a vet One day I pray to God we will get her there.
My daughter also loves animals and wants to be a vet. I wonder if these kids tend to lean towards animals because they can be affectionate and are not always telling them no
My son is now 30 years old. His life has been a horrific struggle. We have had terrible relationship problems with him, and him with us. I can only feel total compassion and sympathy for families who are going through hell at this moment. I learned a long time ago that some of these so-called professionals really don't care about our kids - -they want them medicated so they won't be a "behavior problem" for the schools. My son has suffered and failed in jobs and in school. But at age 30, I can say he is doing great. He has a full time job as a teaching assistant and he just loves it. This is the first real success of his life in the working environment. He used to show up late for work a lot and lose the job. Now he is a responsible man and is very dedicated to the kids. He is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Tai Kwon Do and did very well at it for a long time. He has a fiance and they both have a driving service to make extra money. I sensed all along that he would be a late bloomer and I cannot describe my joy to see him blossom into a caring, loving and dedicated fiance, son, assistant to children, and many other beautiful things. Try and have patience because many of these children will be late bloomers. The teachers, children their own age, school counselors, school psychologists, neighbors, etc. make your child feel like he is a bad and troubled person. It is extremely important to make him aware every day of his or her life that you love him unconditionally. I used to tell my son "If God offered to switch you with a perfect child, I would say 'NO'. He is my son and I love him and there is nothing in the universe I would trade him for." He really loved that. Try to make him or her feel you are on your child's side no matter what. If it is hard, there is counseling out there you can get to help you with yours and your child's struggle. A loving and loyal family bond is strong medicine for any child, especially one who is going through hell and can't figure out what's wrong with them. That's why I wrote and illustrated my book. I had so many feelings I wanted to share. Best of wishes for you and your family. Write any time. Wendy Kirkpatrick
I have ADHD and am a veterinarian. I have a job that is fast paced and I love it. Clients and stafff like me. The staff jokes with me about my ADHD but overall things are great. I’m married and our oldest daughter has ADHD. She is 7 years old and things have been a struggle. I am scared for her and worried about her future too.
Good Morning Mamab3. Here is our success story so far. My son struggled throughout elementary school. Low grades, distraction ect ect. He started highschool this year so I figured new school, new year. Withing the first 3 weeks the calls started coming in. We ended up getting him assessed and found out he has ADHD. That was in October 2017. I was completely against medicating my 15 year old. So I started researching and did the diet thing, vitamins and tried my hardest to talk with him about his behavior at school and out of school. Coaches did not care for him, teachers did not care for him. The suspensions started coming and the frustration from child who says to me. I try so hard but I can never do right. We had a talk and decided to try medication. We started on Concerta 18 mg which was okay. We say little changes. He said he felt nothing on Concerta and he still had 10 thousand thoughts run through his head. We moved him up to 27 mg which was a nightmare. He became for aggressive at school was suspended twice for swearing and started having suicidal thoughts. So at my end of the rope I found a company called Biogenic. We sent his syliva away for genetic testing to see what meds metabolize correctly in this system. The results - All methylphenidate-based drugs where non-responsive and a risk to incompatibility. So we switched him right away to a amphetamine-based - Adderall XR. We started at 10 mg and have stopped at 25 mg. Here is our success so far. He was failing grade 9 with a month left of school. He picked up his socks and ended up passing all his classes. He completed all assignments that where late and handed them in and he was achieving a 65% on all his finals! Which I though amazing since the whole semester he was not focused and distracted in class and had no idea what he was taught earlier on in semester. His assignments where coming back with 85% and one of his Commerce assignments came back at a 95%! His printing improved greatly and if I could post a picture of his before and after printing I would. You would be amazed! And lastly he was trying out for a U16 Football team and was made the traveling team. He will be heading to Guelph Ontario to play! I pray that my son's success continue and maybe one day he will not need medication. But as for today. I believe we found the right medication for him. He sees it as well. He said to me the other day. "Mom, I would not have passed Grade nine if I did not take Adderall. I feel more focused now without ten thousand thoughts racing through my head." Sorry for the long version. lol.
I am a counselor in private practice and see many kids who are ADHD, It always saddens me that parents refuse to take advantage of the benefits for kids from medication without which it becomes normal for them to behave inappropriately and expect to be bored and fail in the classroom. I have two ADHD grandsons whom I raise and without meds I would be asking them to build a tower without a foundation. Thankfully, you have a firm diagnosis and can use medication without subjecting yourself to criticism. It is unfair to present the challenges of life to kids who will greatly benefit from medication which supplies the components and enables connections that their own bodies do not generate.
BBBwithADD we are in Canada. The company is Biogeniq biogeniq.ca/en/our-products... The cost was 285.00 and they mailed the kit to us. My son completed the Sylvia test and mailed it back. It took one week and we had our results. It was a report showing what meds metabolize correctly in his system. I really think it works. My son was having a really hard time on Concerta and I wanted to take out the trial and error. When we switched him he had small side effects for 2 days such as dizzy, feeling sick and headache but has been great since. He still has an appetite and is sleeping fine on Adderall.
After trying all kinds of different medications with our son who is now 12 been on meds since 4, we are now using CBD gummies. WOW what a difference these have made! He only takes 10 mg regular released Ritalin in the am. No meltdowns!. Was previously taking 36 mg of concerta and 100mg of Lamictal for his mood.. Things have been ENTIRELY better. And the gummies are THC free all natural.
I get what you're saying. I can't stay on this site for too long or I start to get depressed about all the things going wrong with the kids. So this morning when I read your post I was happy to reply and say, yes! I have a friend who works with two adults with ADHD. They are in service related jobs that give back to the community. Have families, good jobs, homes, are wonderful co-workers and take their medication. From what I've gathered from parents of adults with ADHD as long as you try, because all we can do is try, to keep them away from drugs and alcohol and give them a caring home then they can have a good adult life. The story I was told recently of an adult with ADHD that takes his meds but also gets drunk is not going to end well.
But I'm encouraged. I would love for my son who is 12 to have a service related job and be one of those successes. We have alcoholism on my side of the family and my husbands so it is a worry. Addiction is a problem too. And this Fortnight gaming stupidity has shown me that my son can have addiction problems. So with that said....I'm more authoritarian than some parents. I have quite a few rules. We are going to keep close tabs on him and do all we can to guide him the right way.
I have four sons, three of whom have ADHD. My oldest son just graduated from high school and this past year was particularly stressful as I tried to get him to stay on top of his homework and assignments, get him to apply to colleges, and also help him make preparations to submit his papers for an LDS mission. I was biting my nails toward the end with one of his classes as it looked like he might fail, but he pulled through.
When kids have ADHD it can be so easy to focus on their deficits, which are so easy to see and so often in our face on a daily basis that we often forget to appreciate their talents and strengths. This particular son has always made good choices in friends and works hard at his job. He has a strong sense of integrity and a good sense of humor. As we were driving in the car yesterday on the way to the suit store to get him suits for his mission, I told him that I'm so proud of him and his choices. He looked surprised at my comment and I realized that I haven't told him enough how proud I am of him.
Success is possible. Learning is possible. Am I nervous to send this son out into the world? Absolutely. I think every parent is nervous to let their child go out into the world. I know he's going to make mistakes. But I've done what I could to teach him, prepare him, and arm him with some tools to help him with his ADHD. It's up to him now to find his way.
My two teenagers have ADHD and I've lived the life you describe. After many years of struggle and darkness they finally seemed to be making better decisions, planning for their future and adjusting socially. During my daughters senior year, for the first time ever, I didn't get a single bad news text, email or call from the school. She graduated with honors and a 3.0. She still has struggles, but I see her developing the tools to manage her condition. My son had a very similar transition during his senior year. He also finished strong, is working full time this summer, driving and attending college in the spring. I am blessed that my life has taken a remarkable turn for the better. I hope yours does too!
hi, my son is 9 and he has adhd, he struggles with the behavior part more than anything else, but with that being said on a positive note he scored the highest on the math part of the third grade test in his school. very proud moment.
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