My son was diagnosed with ADHD at age 6. He's now 12 and I am looking to find assistance outside the school to help him with emotional and life skills support. He's an outgoing and intellegent child, but has quite a few difficulties with making and keeping friends and staying on task. Next year, he'll be attending middle school and I fear that he'll be taking a few steps backwards from all that he's accomplished thusfar.
I have a 15 year old daughter who not only has ADHD but bipolar disorder. We have seen lots of psychiatrists and lots of counselors. The best I have found in 3 states is here is portland. Call the Morrison Center. I don't know exactly where all they are but if they don't have a center in Oregon City then they can probably tell you who is there. Good luck, I totally empathize with your situation.
There are a few counselors in Portland who are quite respected in their work with ADHD boys. Phillipe Reisberg and David Sosne are two that I can recommend. You can google them to get their info. If you can't find it, then email me privately and I'll find it for you.
L.
Hi D.-
You have a lot more experience than I. My son is almost 6 and we're in the process of getting his ADHD diagnosis. You probably know about the website already, but I wanted to send you to CHADD, http://www.chadd.org/ which is an organization that supports parents with children who have ADD or ADHD.
Thanks,
E.
D.,
Are you in North Clackamas School Dist. If so you are in luck.. My son is at Rowe Jr High, soon to be going to Milwaukie High. talk to your IEP contact at school and ask them if your son quallifies for a class called "Team Quest"? My 13 year old son has High functioning Autism, called Aspbergers. They have this Awesome class schedual for students like my son, ADD, Smart kids, Kids that need extra student teacher time,. What it is is instead of your son going to 6 different classes, the first 4 classes would be split up between 2 teachers inbetween 2 classes, the last 2 is a study hall and one is an elective. I was so worried about how my son was going to handle going to all those classes, and stay focused. If the child wants, they have something simmilar in High School. The Class rooms are smaller, so you get alot of teacher student one on one. Check into it,. J.
I have a friend living in Oregon City who has a grandson she is raising. He is also ADHD. She says the secret to keeping him on the right path is to keep him busy with wholesome activities. It is not easy! She has provided him with guitar lessons and most importantly swim lessons. He is on the Oregon City Swim Team. He goes to swim practice just about every day after school and is involved in swim meets. She emphasises that he compete against himself, rather than with others. As long as he makes gains in the timing of each heat, he is considered successful and she rewards him with a monetary amount that goes into his college fund--and it is a few cents for each second he takes off his best time.
He helps with yard work and he helps the neighbors with yard work. She has provided him with the proper tools to do that with.
He goes to a special school, and I think it is at Marylhurst.
He is now 14 years old and each day is a challenge for her.
She went through chemo a year ago and all while going through all of this, she kept up with his activities.
I called my friend and read your letter to her. I am going to forward this site to her and she says she will respond to your letter as well.
Our hearts are with your son and you. It is indeed a huge challenge.
