In the first week of kindergarten, my son, Max, exhibited alarming behavior. He attempted to escape from the classroom, resisted teachers’ attempts to guide him inside, and refused to comply with requests. His emotional outbursts were beyond anything we had experienced before.
Understandably, the school reached out to us, expressing their concerns. Feeling bewildered by their portrayal of our child, we attended multiple meetings to gain clarity. Before kindergarten, we had noticed some unusual behaviors. At age two, he could spend hours fixated on the wheels of his toy cars, becoming distressed if we proposed a different activity. He also required support for delayed speech and fine motor skills. However, until kindergarten, we hadn’t perceived him as having behavioral issues—he thrived in pre-K, made friends effortlessly, and enjoyed his teachers.
Despite our initial skepticism, we took the concerns raised by his kindergarten teacher and school administrators seriously. After months of evaluations and discussions, Max received an ADHD diagnosis.
Now, in third grade, we continue to face many of the same challenges: incomplete schoolwork, lack of compliance with requests, disengagement, social isolation, and a tendency to become lost in his thoughts. Our commitment to addressing these issues has been unwavering. We have explored various strategies, and Max has actively participated in this journey. Below is a comprehensive list of our attempts:
Strategies Implemented:
- Love and support
- Consistency in routines
- Structured environments
- Limiting screen time
- Reward systems for positive behavior
- Dietary changes (sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vice versa)
- Setting clear boundaries and consequences
- Various timeout strategies
- Relaxing or tightening rules based on behavior
- Physical affection and reassurance
- Talk therapy and behavioral therapy
- Physical therapy and alternative techniques
- Comprehensive assessments (eye exams, hearing tests, autism spectrum evaluations)
- Emotional discussions about behavior and consequences
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) advocacy and implementation at school
- Engaging with a social worker
- Allowing Max to select summer camp activities
- Reading informative books on parenting and child behavior
- Daily affirmations of our unconditional love
Untested Strategies:
- Medication
Future Considerations:
We are preparing to explore medication as a potential avenue for support. If it proves ineffective, it will simply add to our ongoing list of strategies. Our goal remains steadfast: to provide Max with the best possible support. As we transition to this new phase, we remain hopeful and ready to adapt, embodying the unpredictable nature of parenthood.
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In summary, navigating ADHD with our child has presented numerous challenges and required a multifaceted approach. As we continue to learn and adapt, we remain committed to supporting Max’s journey.