ok, very last ps - and the kids really LOVE it.

swimming is good for focus too. Also self calming. Good for a child who may not want to go head to head with another person in competition. In swimming you can compete with yourself to better your time.

Whether or not to medicate for ADHD is obviously a personal choice, but if you are still open to the idea, consider seeing a psychiatrist who is an expert in pharmacology. DS11 also went haywire on meds, but we found the right dose and medicine and it has changed his life.

Our doctor said that you can get there without meds, but it does take much longer.

Chris lol! DS is a black belt in TKD as are myself and DH. I also think it is a great form of exercise and mental control.

DS is VERY active physically. He loves to be active and does really well in all of his sports except soccer (although he still enjoys the game.) He also can spend several hours at a time reading a book of his choosing.

I'm going to look into the Alert program again. I know DS is getting alot of physical activity but it seems that the more he gets the more he needs. It never seems to reach a point that it takes the edge of his energy levels so he can sit through a repetitive boring day at school. He lives for the pullouts and still is frustrated there that it isn't challenging. We are meeting with the school on a regular basis and they are being cooperative in trying to find a fit for him that they can provide. He is pretty much against homeschooling at this point since he really wants to spend this year with his friends. We are moving next year to a new state so this is very important to him right now.

I'm hoping the Alert program might help him to self recognize when he is acting out. He honestly doesn't seem to realize that he is moving, humming or holding a monologue with himself when the energy starts to control him. Once someone gets his attention and he is aware that he is acting out, he does control his behavior for awhile (several minutes to a couple hours). It is the self awareness that I am trying to install in him. We continue to work with a therapist for SPD issues but nothing is helping with the self awareness issue.

Well, now that he is on Thyroid medication, he can't take any of the ADHD meds according to the Psych lol. We did try different meds for several months and all of them caused really severe mood swings. The Psych then said that either DS wasn't ADHD, was Bi-Polar or one of the 10% that Meds don't help lol. Just like the LOG issue. We just can't seem to get a clear answer...

I really do appreciate all the responses and ideas!

Cool! We are still on the ladder up to blkbelt, ds8- high green, dh is green and I am a lowly yellow, just tested the other day. We really do love it. DD2 already does an awesome front kick! Sounds like your ds has really amazing energy levels!!



My son has some tolerance for school because he wants to be with other kids...but now that he has a chance to at least be in a 1 hour pull out he is actually a little excited about school itself. We have not had him eval'd for add or adhd although some relatives have asked about our ds...when I see what he can do with something he's really interested in I am reassured that he is ok, and he does seem to be growing out of some of the more extreme pinging off the walls...
Good luck with the Alert program, it sounds like a pretty positive program.

My understanding is that getting the 'just right' dose of Thyroid Medication can be a very tricky and subtle thing. Have you asked your Medical Doctor about playing around with the dose? I'd hate you see you 'getting behavioral' on your son, when a slight adjustment of his medication might do the trick.

Just a thought.

Best Wishes,
Grinity

Thanks Grinity,His Pediatrician is making adjustments to the dosage after each months blood test. I'm hoping I am jumping too soon and htat his behaviors really will settle back down.

That warning of "Danger, Danger, Will Robinson" though is blaring in the backround as I see problem behaviors cropping up again. I did pull out my Alert book again to see what I might be able to do and talked to his Psych and OT last week as well. They talked me down from the ledge for now. I'm just so afraid of another school disaster... Each school he has been in has been able to deal with him for 1 year but not 2. This will be the second in this school. I'm keeping my concerns in this forum and out of the home so he doesn't pick up on my emotions and turn this into a self fulfilling prophesy.
Thanks and have a great weekend all.

Well Done!
Perhaps your Pedi would do a test more often than the usual protocol if she/he knew what you were facing at home?

I'm glad you are sharing her and shielding at home. We are ourselves usually 'hyper-sensitive' with long memories, yes?

Perhaps you can look at your long and bumpy history and say, 'By now I have learned to deal with whatever comes my way.'

((That really wasn't meant to be funny, so why am I cracking up over here? Is it the nature of parenting these kids?))

To be honest, I do feel that I am making some kind of headway in this uphill climb. I plan to enjoy this feeling until September, at the least.

Love and More Love,
(because that's exactly what it takes)
Grinity