ADHD Diagnosis

[Grandma_Bananarama]

As of last Monday, I have another grandson diagnosed with ADHD. I have learned that it runs in families and it isn't uncommon for one of the parents to have had it also. We are in the early stages of medication therapy, but I have seen some positive changes.

When I was raising my first generation, an ADHD diagnosis was in it's infancy. Now I know the kids' mother was ADHD. Here are a list of behaviors common to a child with ADHD:

* Has difficulty maintaining attention for longer periods of time
* Does not listen, or has difficulty following instructions
* Does not finish what is started, not due to refusal or failure to undestand instructions
* Seems unorganized
* Reluctant to engage in challenging tasks requiring prolonged mental effort
* Loses things necessary for tasks and/or activities
* Distractible
* Forgetful
* Fidgets or squirms in seat
* Leaves seat in classroom or in other situations where remaining seated is expected
* Runs about or climbs excessively when they know they should not
* Talks a lot
* Blurts out answers before questions have been completed
* Has difficulty waiting their turn
* Does things without considering the consequences
* Interrupts or intrudes on others

These are from the diagnosis sheet from the child psychiatrist treating my grandsons. I have one other symptom which is not listed but often seen: Lacks impulse control.

After reading this list, I had some "aha" moments regarding my other grandson who is not on medication, yet. Seeing these behaviors in black and white has helped me not feel like such an abysmal failure. I couldn't possibly fix something that is an abnormality of the brain.

If you see some of these behaviors it may behoove you to request testing from your grandchild's school. I hope this has helped another custodial grandparent out there who has been spinning their wheels trying to "fix" out of control behavior.