The Forums › Forums › Medication › Psychostimulants – General › To Medicate, Or Not To Medicate › Re: To Medicate, Or Not To Medicate
Anonymous
Okay….more on the story of my son (after getting rather sidetracked).
I went to our GP yesterday and gave him the psychologist’s report and requested a referral to a paediatrician to discuss medication. He gave me the referral, but told me that he didn’t think my son needed it, as he was “just a normal teenage boy”. And this was in front of my son!!! Grrrrr!!! I nearly said “well, you don’t have to live with him”, but thought that wasn’t a productive way to talk about my son in his hearing. So I just said that I didn’t think it was normal for a teenager to fail a subject that he should be accelerated in, to lose things on a daily basis, and be so disorganised that it affects his schooling. I think I got through to him, but am seriously considering finding a new GP who firstly gives psychologists the credit they deserve, and secondly, doesn’t dismiss a diagnosis in the way that he did in front of an impressionable (and not so stupid) teenager. And also one who understands ADHD, as when my son is older, he will need a GP who will understand that he has difficulty remembering to take medication or follow up on treatments, and who will offer practical solutions to these issues (such as using slow release meds taken once a day).
On a brighter note, my son and his maths teacher have done some negotiating. If he remembers to bring his text book, then he is allowed to start his work at any time he is ready (so he doesn’t have to sit still and listen to her lengthy explanations). He is now completing his work in class and has often finished before she has finished talking. He was recently told that if he kept this up then he would be accelerated in maths! To think he verged on failing last term.
It’s just amazing what difference even the smallest of accomodations can make. I think part of his issue was that his teacher knew he was very bright and was frustrated. She made the mistake of letting it show, so he became defensive and argued back whenever he got told off for not having his books etc, so it all escalated from there. He was also bored with all the explanations, so would switch off, but forget to switch on again when it came time to do work, so would be told off again for not working when he should be working. Her attitude changed once the school was notified of his ADHD diagnosis, and she stopped “getting on his back” all the time. I also encouraged him to talk with her about why he found her classes difficult so she had the opportunity to come up with a solution she found acceptable. She has also allowed him to listen to music (using his headphones) in class once he has finished all his work (as long as it’s not rushed). What a great incentive that has been also. He doesn’t distract others now, as he has his own agenda to work on, with rewards that are meaningful to him.
REPORT ABUSE