I have a 17 year old with severe ADHD who has very poor executive functioning and is not getting through the end of high school. He is also self-medicating with weed which increases his dysfunction. I am looking for support for myself to navigate these challenging years. Looking for other parents who are facing similar situations. I am also looking for referrals to a good adhd coach, or OT or anyone skilled in assisting with basic life skill development in Winnipeg.
Thanks!
Talia
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tpotash
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Sorry to hear you're feeling hopeless. I am an EF coach and looking to start a support group. This will be virtual as I am in ATL. Is this something you would be interested in?
I would be interested in a support group. My son is 18 year old, very intelligent but no motivation to move forward w/getting a driver's license, college/job, etc.
I just wanted to share that you are not alone and I am in a very similar situation. My Son is 18 and barely passed HS last spring. He has major Executive Functioning deficit and has not done much since graduating, but smoke weed, sleep and video gaming. I came here for support as well and unfortunately I don’t have any advice for you. My problem is my son won’t ask nor accept any help that’s offered. So we have been giving him space and grace and trying to accentuate the positive in him. I know somewhere in there he does hear us and processes it all in his time. I just keep praying that someday he’ll make a connection and will find his own intrisic motivation! Knowing you’re not alone helps me. I hope it helps you.
I completely understand where you are coming from, I feel like I may be entering that area as my son is 13.5 and received his diagnosis of ADHD two years ago with a rocky journey since. We have no local support groups and have decided to possibly start my own through CHADD. There are so many of us parents out there feeling alone in this HOWEVER I feel like there are so many kids in the area with the same issues but it's almost taboo to talk about it and ask for help.
Hang in there. For me parenting this launch to adulthood is by far the hardest. I will take sleepless nights and toddler tantrums any day over supporting an unmotivated teen. We do t have quite the same situation, but I feel you. You may want to contact the edge foundation for coaching. They match coaches to your/your child’s needs. We have also had some luck with family therapy, it helps to have someone to help us understand our child’s goals so we can find resources and not impose our goals on them. School is not for everyone. Are they learning a trade or holding down a job? For me it’s building some structure and having agreed expectations that are in line with what they want and taking steps to a goal that are important.
this free online event hosted by Impact parents on January 22 might have some useful information and resources. Just thought I would pass it on: impactparents.pages.ontrapo...
My son, who is 22, has been having online ADHD coaching with Stephanie Monks (adhdminded.com). She is very kind and great at dealing with older teenagers /young adults (has two of her own), helping them to navigate their lives going forward in practical ways. We have found that our son listens to her in a way he never would us! 🤨
I can’t discuss as a parent, but my ex husband has adhd and would self medicate. both my parents and only sibling having addiction issues, and all of us having mental health conditions (if only undiagnosed for my parents who thought it weak to even look).
Maybe I can discuss as a parent… my kid is not self medicating (she is only 9), but she is trying to get out of any and all work. For example, still expects us to pour her cereal and deliver it while she’s on you tube. It’s like pulling teeth. She also fights with dad and disrespects and screams at him. I told her today she’s lucky dad doesn’t spank her like we both were. We both had lots of abuse and we want to do better, but it’s having some troubles too.
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