Topic : Raising a Special Needs Child

My son is in kindergarten and was just diagnosed with ADHD. His father had it and lives with it as an adult. My son is now medicated with Concerta, before the pills, he was uncontrollable in class and got bad reports daily from the teacher, She was aware of what was going on but with all teachers training was unable to control his mood swings and hyperness. The medicine now is like a miracle, he behaves a lot more now and I finally get good reports home. I wish that there was a different way of managing his ADHD , but he was ranked pretty high in the scales and it was no longer in my control. My son is very aware of what the pills do and has no problem taking them first thing in the morning. He says the pills make him not be hyper and be good. The blessing I have with this ADHD like most parents know is that the children are very intelligent, my son is excelling in almost all subjects right now and is above his classmates. I feel the medication is only slowing his brain down just enough to get his work done and get him focused on the tasks the teacher presents him with. If anyone knows of this medication I'd like to hear about it. 

I have 2 boys who have been recognised as special needs, one is doing really well, but my little guy who is 8 is still having a hard time. Some-days I think he will follow the trend of the syndrome and come through it, other times I think sheltered workshop. 

I manange with most of this, but the discrimination of people in society makes me mad, because too many people want to blow off people / children with a label and don't want to have anything to do with them. Other parents are often so intolerant, and don't want their 'perfect' child hanging around with a 'strange kid'. Luckily there are some nice parents of kids in the special Ed program, so occassionally at least sometimes he is included in birthday parties. 

My son used to have bowel continence problems, but by following a set routine we fixed it - it is not hard. 

You should try getting your son to sit on the toilet 1/2 hour to 1 hour after dinner, when the digestive system is at it's most active. this is a good time to empty his bowels, as morning is a bit busy. 

when he has finished  get him to have his shower/bath then. 

Punishing you son is helping him fail. If you make too much of a big deal about it he may avoid going to the toilet at times which will constipate him and then cause him to have overflow incontinence - which may even be the cause of the soiled underpants now. 

You don't have to approve of accidents, but just give more attention to praising him if he follows the routine. It may also be an idea to check with your doctor if the stools are runny, as he could have a medical problem. 

Continence is not a test of family relationships and reading a 'how to book' doesn't prove anything. 

Large families do have lots of special qualities, but I urge people to consider some other crucial factors and to use Family Planning. The more pregnancies you have the bigger chance of having miscarriages and depending on your age kids with down syndrome etc... I do have kids with special needs and they are of course as beautiful as other kids, but I have chosen not to have more kids because I don't think its responsible to have more kids when the odds of them having problems as severe or worse. The children I have already need enough help and stetching out patience and resources to risk  more challenges isnt fair on them. 

Women need to take responsibility for their own bodies and get contraception to give their bodies a rest in those situations. It doesn't matter how brave you are or what a hero you are if you can't step back and saw 'ENOUGH' and start making some responsible choices for the kids you have. 

I just wanted to let parents (or anyone) that I have made a board, it is on NEWS AND CURRENT EVENTS...  

Please click on sort alphabetically and then you can find it under SUPPORT FOR PARENTS WITH BIPOLAR CHILDREN... this is for anyone who needs or has support or advise for people dealing with children that have bipolar. Since symptoms can vary from adults and children I thought it would be appropriate for a children board.. that doesn't mean that other people cannot offer advise.  

Thank you Tammy  

Keran I have two kids with autism.  A nine year old with pdd and a six year old with aspergers.  My aspergers girl is academically on target but otherwise another story.  Last year in kindergarten it was a fight.  I did an IEP for her and re-did two times after that.  She was not doing well following rules or directions tantrums where frequent.  She was put in special ed not so much of her academic needs but because of her social needs.  she could not handle being in a classroom that long.  Also at a special Ed department they work on social stories and apprpriate behaviors etc.  It is a crock if they tell you you that they cant do anything because his academics are ok.  YOu need to push them document things like everytime he gets in trouble.  write letters to the pricipal and school board.  They have to give you an IEP it is law......  Take what you get from the behavior specialist and with an autism diagnossis they have to do an IEP at your request.  I know I got so frustrated I said I would just pull her and homeschool her that got there attention real fast.  Things got taken care of and this year has been a breeze no tantrums no behavoir issues at all.  Keep on let me know I would be happy to talk to you at any time I have been through "the system" with both my kids .  Know that things get better.  That with thereapy and hard work it will pya off.  Thanks Melissa