The doctors FIndings...

Alright, First off I must warn you, I am talking about my kid, So if It looks like I'm blubbering, I probably am. Second I think he is just a kick to talk about. so it will be really long... 3rd. Such a hard topic, for me to express and talk about( because it's MY kid) Because this inner turmoil as a mom has been going on for a long time.. ( Both Katie & My Mom can verify how many times I have expressed and bawled over feeling helpless frusterations and concerns.) But to save you all from it. I will first talk about the results and if you want to skip the rest. go ahead.
( Deep breath.)
Here we go.
The Dr. Has decided that Ethan Has a Form of A.D.D. called PREDOMINATELY INATTENTIVEhttp://www.help4adhd.org/en/about/what/WWK8 ( focus and attention) Often missed because there may be very little Hyper activity or impulsivity.( if you have met Ethan, he doesn't ever qualify as hyper or impulsive.)
He just comes off as the quite, reserved type.
Talking to the Doc. About various treatments. or ( crap I can't think of the word.) Non-conventioal, options.. ( what is that word!!!) Therapy's etc. ALTERNATIVE that's the word I'm look'n for!!!.( I think I'm getting old or somethin. )
Suggestions of ways to help him at home in the class room. Which I will list because I found them interesting
Basically the idea was to SIMPLIFY.
Fewer choices of toys to chose from or play with.( I guess I better go clear out of few bins of toys from the toy room.)
Void of loud music, loud T.V.s And all combinations that would be over stimulating.
Limit computer time and T.V time. ( over stimulate.)
When giving a chore to do or instuctions. Limit the activity to something that would only take no more then 5 min. to complete and only one instruction at a time..( I've screwed up this one, big time since I usually tell him to do 5 things at once.)
Remember that his attention span for activity's is about 5 min..
Sing lots of praise for every instructions he completes.. ( reward system.)
NO Caffine( Not that I voluntarily give him caffine... Better hide My dews better.)

She also suggested finding a vitamin that contains OMEGA-3 ( fish food.) Which is an essential vitamin to our body's and helps. Which according to WebMd.http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/good-fat-bad-fat-facts-about-omega-3 And my doctor. Helps reduce the symptoms of A.D.D /A.D.H.D disorder. So far I have only found one kids friendly Vitamin that contain Omega-3 which is ONESOURCE gummies. and the Omega 3 is right on the label. ( just a little FYI for ya.) which we have started as well.

She also prescibed a low dose medication called CONCERTA that he will take once every a.m.
We will go back to the Dr. to see & report how the medication is working. concerns etc. And we will also see her every 6 mo. to make sure he is not having any negative side effects.

Which I am still debating how I feel.. I don't love the idea of medicating children, however if it truly helps them and makes life easier for them especially in the class room. why wouldn't I try it? I don't feel that just the pill and off you go is the answer. But maybe that and the adjustments at home and school will be very beneficial. And then we will decide wheather he still needs it as he adjust and gets older.

Classroom Suggestion is.
Have him at the front of the class.
Very small groups to work in
Avoid loud activities.
( she suggested having him use headphones to block out background noise, but I don't jive with that idea, what if the teacher was talking.. how woud the other kids respond.. would it just be more distracting?)
And to have a possible aid, to break down instruction to keep him on task.
Frequent Breaks.

I also asked the doctor if this is something they grow out of or learn to control with out medication.. she says it depends, Sometimes they do if it's mild enough.. and sometimes they don't. we will know as he gets older.

I should also tell you she was indeed reluctant to perscribe a medication, which I can respect.. But I don't deem her an aggressive doc.. she was reluctant to test him last year when I brought up concerns.( again with a big A packet from about 5 different people from school.) His Chart folder I'm sure is quite thick from all the testing and reports from teacher and specialists from school. ( I won't get started on this.. but I could vent forever on this topic.)
This is still such an overwhelming frusteration for me... I think & feel many things... Typical mothering thoughts. . . Why didn't I push harder sooner. Why do I listen to people. What could I have done differently to help him better. Am I doing the right thing.. Will he be okay. The sleepless nights of worry. ( blah, blah, blah)

I'm still smiling, when she asked if A.D.D. runs in any of our family's.. I should have told her we don't know it wasn't really tested for back in the day, but I'm pretty sure I have it. She would probably just figure me to be a junkie. So I kept it to myself.

So we are starting Ethan on his medicine this weekend to get a feel for what to expect from it. And see if we see a difference and make sure it's helping him.

He is a good kid. ( hilarious as all get out. Kids got WIT.) and super,duper smart.( And that's not just mother pride talk'n.) I know he will be okay. And I am hoping he will have as normal life as every child out there. He knows exactly what is going on in the class room and at home, just struggles so much to relay info or even finish a paper. But when asked about his day I get serious details.( the teacher was shocked to hear this.. since he never looks like he is paying attention and never knows what he is and is not understanding. and stuggles to answer questions.) He is definetly 100% visual. He knows if I missed a turn to get to the grocery store.( he has been able to know this kind of stuff since he was 2!) So I guess I don't have to worry about him not being smart. I know everything will be okay...But I am a mom and it my job to worry.

He is repeating Kindergarten this year for many reasons... He just is still so young.. fear of being overwhelmed ( 1st grade is brutal these days.) More time to develope his fine motor skills and speach. And just give him time to "catch up". Although he knows most of the material. And all letters & # etc.. He stuggles with reading. ( also common in A.D.D. kids.) So we decided it would be better to let him get a better grip on school stuff then have him constantly frusterated and overwhelmed in 1st grade.. no-one will be the wiser, I am glad he is kind of a runt and a summer Birthday. ( july.)

Make no mistake, I am so very proud of this kid. I doubt anyone adores him and much as I do. He has such potential ( hello, rocket scientist!) And such a great sense of humor. I just want/need to do all I can so Nothing stands in his way of his development. I'm so glad to have SOMETHING to work with. And glad to get answers and solutions. While I would have prefered the:" nope, nothing's up, you're just a over protective worry wart." Answer. Although I doubt I would have believed even that.
It is what it is..... and now we know. and as our good friend G.I Joe said...( If you don't remember what G.I joe said... then you are too young for this blog!)