for parents OF ADHD/ODD KIDS

[zephara]

the only advice that I can give you is to phone your local mental health number. I beleive that you can find it in your local blue pages. I do beleive that they are with social services, they can offer you help when the doctors cannot.

I had a chat with my docotr a few weeks ago about my son and how his behaviour seems to be esscalatting, he also peed in his room and all over his laundry basket. Your son sounds like mine was at his age, and when he was that young they said that there was nothing wrong with him and that they could not do anything until he was in grade 1.
My doctor told me to phone community mental health services. here is thwe information that I found out for ottawa

We can be reached in Ottawa at:

The Canadian Mental Health Association

Ottawa Branch
1355 Bank Street, Suite 301
Ottawa, Ontario
K1H 8K7
Phone: (613) 737-7791 Fax: (613) 737-7644
General EMAIL : [email protected]

Our hours of operation are:

Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (from June 1 to Sept 1)
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (normal hours of operation)

they can help with a lot of things, they can also point you to where you need to be. They can offer counselling, courses, and referr you to proffessionals who would otherwise not be available to you.

Like the doctor said there is not much that people can or will do until your son is in grade 1, byut until then phone mental health, you may even be a candidate for respite, where they have someone take your son for a few hours to help you get your sanity back.

[muthra78]

how did you know your child was add/adhd? teachers have been telling me for years that they think my son has add or adhd but my doctor thinks that teachers like to say that when kids misbehave. in my opinion i think something is off. what are the signs?

[zephara]

So I got a call from my sister yeasterday about a trip she had to her local health professional. She has been going through a lot in the last little bit, she is at her wits end with her kids and called the ministry on herself and a few days later they came and took her kids for 2 weeks so she could clean and calm down. She is a newly single mother with a son who is turning 3 and a daughter who is turning 2 both in a week.

The person she talked to told her to check out fragile x syndrome, or Martin bell syndrome. from what I have been able to find out there is quite a few children out there with adhd and autism who are aslo affected with this.

they are thinking that my nephew may have it and she thought that my son may also have it. SO I am checking in to it and going to see if I can get the test done.

It is a problem with the x chromosome. the behaviours lislted with this are also akin to both adhd and autism. I have had a lot of problems with my son over the years and I have thought of both adhd and autism as being what I perceive as going on with him. So when I found this I really think this may explain a lot about him.

the physical characteristics of this syndrome are long face, big stick out ears, and they are double jointed.

the behavioural characteristics are but not limited to , agression, violence, short attention span, chewing on things (skin, clothing, fingers), anxiety, shyness, not good with change, hard time with sensory overload (ie. loud noises, bright lights) poor eye contact and many others. It also states that alot of children are also diagnosed with autism as well or have autistic like behaviour.

Speech have high pitched voices, raspyness, and what I call loud volume where they seem to not ba able to whisper.

eating they are messy, shove as much food in their mouths as possible, may prefer softer foods.

they seem to be sensetive to textures in all things. I read that soem may find it hard to sleep at night due to restictive clothing, they may not like the feeling of certain fabrics, they may not like some textures of food and refuse to eat due to this.

it is an amazing new insight, I always sort of beleived that my son may have adhd we went down the autism route when he was little but neither seemed to be what he was, it never seemed to completley fit. This on the other hand seems to fit him like a glove so I am going to go see the doctor and get his blood tested and find out.

It is hereditary, so if my nephew has it I think my son may as well. We will see.

Just thought that I would pass along this information that I found out in the hopes that it may help some one else out there.

[kerrylj]

I have not read all the posts in this thread but I wanted to pop in and say hello.

I am a single mom with 2 adhd boys who are not 13 and 16 yrs. They were both diagnosed when the little one was 3 because he was totally "off" all the time. Since then the little one has an added ODD and some medical issues and the oldest is gifted.

I went back to school and finished a degree in social development and am now in the process of looking for work. likely in the field helping either children and families or moms.

We just finished another round of med changes with my little one and he seems to be making some progress. The older one is again struggling with anger issues and I may have to see if the Dr can talk to him and get to be more compliant with meds since he is having a terrible time with school (came close to failing 3 of 4 courses last term most of which he could do in his sleep).

[ljclo]

We have had my 3.5 year old visiting a psychologist who has done an evaluation and come up with an intervention plan. He also recommended medication, which we are not willing to look at yet (I feel my son is too young). However, when I gave him the provincial gov't form to complete so that I could possibly get some assistance with my son, he refused. Does this make any sense to you guys? He wants to medicate a 3.5 year old but won't complete a form stating his findings?

[zephara]

I would think that if he is not willing to put his name on a peice of paper stating his findings than the conclusions that he has come up with a re still unsure. I have been told by many many people and professionals that you CANNOT fully diagnose a child till they are in 1st grade. There are so many professionals out there who refuse to see your child until they are at least 5.

I would confront this professional and make him state his reasoning behind his diagnoses of drugs and what stance he is taking in refusing to sign a letter stating his findings. If he is not willing to legally put his john hancock on a peice of paper stating the diagnoses than he is not as sure as he should be.

[addismom]

My son has been diagnosed with Adhd and Add?? What is ODD??? All i know is at times its like a light switch has been turned on and he goes wild then hes done..Like chemical imbalance,although doc said no such thing....Im reading about the special tax credit,Im unsure why Adhd would qualify..Can someone please help me on this? Thanks

[addismom]

They would apply because of ALL the many extra costs and fees for programs,and help that parents with kids with severe adhd spend. I am a single mom of a 12 yr old with Severe Adhd,ODD, and Anxiety Disorder,these all go hand and hand with the Adhd. I have my son in private tutoring twice a week,just to keep him basically from failing and to work on his homework or projects as getting him to do it at home is just somethg he refuses to do.. Thats the ODD side of thgs. Then keeping him busy and socialized with other kids with sports,so hockey 425 a season,then equpiemnt,baseball,120,(cheap one)!,although he has tried out for rep,tutoring 40 a week cash no rec ,golf membership for year 250,plus any new stuff he has out grown,and the list goes on. I know this may sound like the average child,well,being that kids with adhd often loose their stuff,are forgetful and have no real care if they break or loose something. My son broke his new ipod touch,he had no care or concern. To him just get him a new one..There is not much reasoning with kids like this. Its all about survival. Than if your child is on meds,mine is on 4 diff types,that is expensive..I cannot use any of the activities,sports,meds etc as right offs on my income tax because I am on perm disability through WSIB.. So yes expensive. I cannot leave my son with a babysitter,and even though he is 12,he cannot stay alone because kids with this,it is not safe,for them or others.. Plus my son is afraid to be alone,sleep alone,go upstairs alone..He has basically no independence,it is a very difficult way to live and is frustrating at times. The bottom line is it is not the kids fault,they are not bad kids,nor is it bad parenting,it is a brain disorder,they are wired like this..So we have to learn how to best work with them. I tried the no meds route for few years,looking back now I am glad I tried it,but I thk we both suffered more than we needed too.
As for ppl wondering why a doctor wont sign a disabilty form and you are not willing to try and form of treatment(meds),personally,the tax credit is the least of your worries,until you have exhausted all options,been to diff types of proff to try and help your child,who cares about the money. Im sorry if this comes across as rude,but I see it as so pre mature asking for this with such a young child and no treatments have been tried. If the day comes and you have exhausted many thgs, then when you have a great doc working with your son,he will sign it no prob and it will be back dated to the date your son was diagnosed..
So I know I went off topic with why ppl apply for the tax credit for this,but I hope you understand it better. Adhd,Odd,Anxiety is a mental disability,just because you cannot see it by looking at the person doesnt mean they are not disabled. Good luck to all of us who are struggling every day.. I am lucky to finally after 6 yrs have an amazing specialist working with my son...Good Luck

[pepangels]

I have two daughters ages 8 and 4 with ADHD, both have OCD, and one full diagnosis of Bipolar (my soon to be 5 yr old). Plus recently, I was given a diagnoses of ADHD, and Bipolar. It's weird getting a diagnosis for myself in my late 20s, but not surprising for my daughters, although it is sad for any child to have to deal with these disorders! I swear, some days I think I'm going totally nutso!

[aoffman]

I just found this thread! GROUP HUG MOMS!

My son is currently on Vyvanse. We've tried them all, from Ritalin to Concerta. I've recently been thinking about going back to Concerta, as Vyvanse is EXPENSIVE!! (I pay only 20% and its still 1.00/pill) and I don't really see any difference.

My problem is not with the meds controlling his ADHD, but that they destroy his ability to sleep and his appetite. Has anyone else had these problems? He refuses to eat breakfast most days & his lunches come home barely touched. If he had his own way he'd stay up to all hours. I don't know how he can run on empty like he does, but as you can imagine, its rough.

Mornings are a nightmare to say the least. He just started Jr High this September and I don't think I've sent him off to school in tears yet this school year, but there were definitely many in the past.

I had no idea about the tax credit btw, thank you for pointing that out. I'll bring it up with his Dr on our next visit. I've read there are some 'natural' products to help people sleep, but $$ of course. Having a few extra dollars to try things like that would definitely be good.

Hang in there everyone!

[aoffman]

there is also the NOVA scotia pharmacare program, that i din't know about until i got this tiny piece of paper in my mail box, letting ppl know the last day to apply. I applied. But concerta is not covered. fyi.

I know this is an older post, but when my son was on concerta, his doctor sent in a letter to MSI, requesting it be covered. She did this for 2 yrs and it worked just fine.

[MeganMidd]

I was "diagnosed" with ADD but I do not fit the description nor am I even similar. The lady was an idiot.

[spammy10]

it's about time you showed up! your my other inspiration for this thread

yes, they need us to be as firm and stubborn as they are.

okay, so as promised i have info on the DISABILITY CHILD TAX CREDIT, AND BENEFIT. one is a break in how much taxes you pay, and the latter increases your child tax credit.

I've put all the info into a sticky. including the links to the forms and more info incase it's too confusing.

even if you have NO income and are on gov't assistance APPLY. it will help your family allowance. if you have high income DEFINITELY apply. your already paying way too much taxes.

here's the sticky, and if you don't get it or you get lost, don't forget it shows up at the thread starter.

also want to add, if you know of any resources, good books, anything, feel free to post!

Just wondering if your child needs an official diagnosis before applying for this tax credit?? Mine is 4 and we do not have a diagnosis for him yet...

[gspmamma]

This can be very tricky to get. It all depends on how the forms are filled out. I have one son that is ADHD/ Autisim and one that is Developmentally Disabled. You have to have a doctor fill out one part of the forms. We have not filed for my ADHD son as of yet but did file for the other. He was denied not once but twice because his doctor had it marked in a way that it contradicted some answers. He should qualify but because of this we are now switching doctors to one that understands more about kids like him. Thank goodness my ADHD son was lucky to get into a specialist. The funny part is this child that was denied already is receiving ACSD (Ontario's Disability for kids) The province says he is disabled, the school board says he is but the federal government says he isn't disabled enough. Go figure.

[addismom]

Just wondering if your child needs an official diagnosis before applying for this tax credit?? Mine is 4 and we do not have a diagnosis for him yet...

Yes they do..