Another post about Boy 2, but it is a very dominant factor in our lives at the moment.
After a very long time when we thought we were banging our heads against a brick wall, it is truly remarkable how quickly things spring into action once the diagnosis of ADHD was made.
It's all rather daunting, (for us as parents) so goodness knows how he's going to feel about it. It's very difficult to know exactly what is right, and what is wrong, all we are doing is taking on board professional advice and trying to make the best decisions for him.
We've decided not to medicate him, against the advice of the pediatrician, only time will tell if we've done the right thing. We have done as much research as we can, and ultimately have come to the decision that we are not prepared to accept the potential risks of the side effects. He is our seven year old child, and we must do what we feel is the best for him.
We have instead, opted for behavioural therapy, and he has been referred to see a clinical psychologist. They will help him try to understand his behaviour, and help us with coping strategies.
He is going to be removed from the village school for a six week period and placed in a Pupil Referral Unit, where they will work with him to develop his classroom control to allow him to remain in mainstream education, which he is entitled to do. We are going to visit the school shortly, but their latest Ofsted report has given us a lot of hope.
I know that everything I've written seems very matter of fact, but that's the only way I can deal with it. A lot of the time, I have no idea of how his mind is working, and I cannot imagine how difficult this process is going to be for him, but constantly try to reassure myself that we are making the right choices for him.
I just want him to be happy.
4 comments:
Hi Gumpher.. I am contacting you about two totally unrelated things
Firstly, your blog about Son 2 being diagnosed with ADHD. It must be heart wrenching, but at least you now have something concrete that you can seek help for.
Secondly, you won my caption competition!
http://www.thedayafteryesterday.co.uk/2010/09/and-winner-of-caption-competition-is.html
So if it is alright with you, I would like to publish an e-interview with you on my blog? I couldn't find a contact button for you on your blog. So I suggest that you go onto my blog and select the button 'email me directly', I will be able reply directly and send you the interview questions. Look forward to hearing from you!!
Behavioural therapy = very good move.
Thank you Annie, on both counts.
An e interview? Not done that before. I'll get in touch today.
Cheers Bren, we hope so.
Um... just don't confuse your son's entitlement to stay in mainstream with that being the right thing for him. Just because he CAN doesn't mean he SHOULD. See how he gets on at the specialised school. He may be better to learn somewhere where he wouldn't stand out so much and the teachers are more attuned to kids like him. (I'm a primary teacher with an interest in behavioural problems btw)
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