Homeschooling Kids with ADHD- Called to Homeschool Episode #54
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- Опубліковано 28 кві 2020
- Have kids struggling with ADHD? Here are some tips to help you get through the day. Plus a discussion on meds vs. no meds. We have different opinions of whether to medicate or not, so you'll get to hear both sides, and we hope that this episode will help you make the best decision for your family. See show notes at www.calledtohome.com/54
Good discussion. As a pretty crunchy mom with two adhd kids that I homeschool (and an adhd husband who still needs lots of accommodations), I can say that I have felt strongly about both sides of the medicine debate at different points of experiencing our family struggles. For years we tried hard to treat naturally with diet, exercise and use every tip/tool we could find without any real success. The final straw for me was when I saw how unhappy my kids had become. The emotional regulation and impulsivity didn't just affect school work and home, but every relationship and area of their lives and they were more exhausted than I was trying to manage themselves. We have been doing medication and occupational therapy for almost a year now, and my kids are so much happier. The medicine regulates them enough that they are able to then use all of the tools and tricks we know of to manage it. But on days they don't take meds it is virtually impossible for us to implement any of our strategies together. Definitely is a case-by-case (family-by-family) decision, but seeing how much more confident and successful my kids feel now has far outweighed the guilt I had initially for going the meds route.
When I was diagnosed ADD at 7 years old I was put on Ritalin along side my older brother. Our teachers reported a lot of improvement. I am pretty sure my grades got better.
Fast forward to when I got older and stopped taking meds. I seemed mostly “grown out of it” and teachers didn’t note the ADD type behaviors anymore. I think, however, in hindsight I wish I had never been put on Ritalin at such a young age. I wish those around me had tried a lot harder to find alternatives or just accepted my apparent lack of focus.
Anything I don’t like about my body I ALWAYS wonder, “could this be from all those pills I took in my formative years?” My brother struggles with clinical depression, “did the meds hurt his brain chemistry?” Maybe, but I’ll never really know.
I don’t judge families for their choices, but maybe hearing from an adult who had others make that call them might encourage others to at least try.
Thank you so much for your input!
Did you know that Depression actually goes hand and hand with ADHD and has nothing to do with being on mediciation?
I love how you two just sat there with very differing opinions and still communicated everything as adults. This shows that you two are very strong responsible women and your kids will show nothing less than this now and in the future!
Thank you!
We had a choice of taking medication with my son and we decided not to. We rather changed his diet, got rid of dairy products, which made a huge change. No cereal, but home made granola. Lots of excercie and fresh air. I educate my sons on the gow with facts and our surroundings, audio books, etc. We spend very little time sitting still. Both of my boys wear ear muffs to focus. Don't fight ADHD, use it in your advantage!
Kids in general are impulsive, horrible at keeping their rooms clean, and they definately need simple directives. I think we all need to lower our expectations a little and not expect them to be at the level of a teen or adult. I find myself expecting more from my kids than I should.
I love the idea of no meds and simplifying things for kids struggling to focus. I want to focus on enjoying my time with them while theyre young by being more patient and kind. Definately easier said than done though!
So helpful. I appreciate both views.
Glad it was helpful!
I agree with the one woman, adhd being genetic... it is in my child, her father, and his mother... off topic... has anyone else noticed a link between people with adhd and tendencies to hoard? We were in the SAME boat as you with our girl diagnosed add inattentive (not hyperactive type). the med really weighed on me, but we eventually tried it and it DID help.. she definitely CAN stay on task more on it... I also agree that they are very creative with joy in life. my daughter is such a delight and so sweet. just wanted to mention that my pediatrician diagnosed her add inattentive, but she is NOT hyperactive. she is inattentive in that she gets spaced out in her own dead - dreamy. she is HIGHLY creative - very art and music drawn. I try to incorporate this into her homeschool work.
Helping heal the Gut is very important and having a Function medicine Dr. Would be very helpful. Their is so many way our kids can get an education, it is not just assignments or workbooks
I appreciate the food side of this because I'm trying to be better. But my kids refuse the whole foods. How on earth can I get them to transition away from the junk?
It's so hard! I just stopped buying it, and when you only have better options in the home, they learn that they have to make better choices.
wow this is so helpful! thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
I have 3 kids with ADHD of varying degrees (one just had hyperactivity, but not as much inattention, the other 2 severe inattention). I have had a lot of success with the FAILSAFE diet and homeschooling. I have not tried medication as yet, so can't compare. I would recommend at least researching and trying this diet (you have to jump all in for a month or so to see results) before going to medication.
This medication decision is sooo hard! I know my son has gut problems and medication is not natural....so that will not. Be the best. Executive function is a big struggles with people dealing with Adhd
the good news about the adhd medication that my kid is on, is that is only lasts in her her system the span of the day. so she can stop it at any given point and there really wouldnt be side effects=. it is like taking tylenol.... so we tend to not take it on the weekends , and only use it for school days
Yes! We usually skip weekends, too.