Good for you for taking steps to connect with other ADHD parents and children!

Here are a few articles that might help you find other Parents interested in getting together--

Parent-to-Parent Support: How to Connect with Other Parents of ADHD Children

The Value of Support Groups for Parents of ADHD Children

Helping ADHD Children Make Friends

I hope this helps. Dena

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My son was about the same age when I took him to the psychiatrist to determine if my hunches were correct on him having ADHD. It was more of a relief than anything for me. I thought I was going to pull my hair out after trying other alternatives for his behavior (no sugar diet, low sugar diet, etc.) – to which none worked. If he is diagnose to have ADHD, I hope you too find relief knowing that you are NOT a bad mom and that this isn’t anyones fault. We just have very special children who teach us the meaning of having patience. :0)

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First-off, I am glad to see I am not alone. I am in Norman, OK as well.

I have felt for sometime that my son may have ADHD. He is hard to deal with at home when it comes to following direction, guidelines, and rules. He is very smart, but has always had self-control issues. He is very loving and sometimes to the point that it can be aggravating to someone outside the household. It is as if he does not have a personal bubble, and therefore envades others bubbles. Does this make sense? Argh! I am so confused.

On to the point. Yesterday I had a teacher/parent conference with my sons 1st Grade teacher. My son is 7. Keep in mind we have not had a mother type figure in our lives for the first 5 years of his life. Mom ran off shortly after he was born(a whole other story). I do have a girlfriend of four years who two years ago moved in. This has been good and bad. Bad on our relationship, good for my son to have a motherly figure to look to. Back on track. The teacher opens up with telling me how smart and intelligent my son is. How he excells academically but fails in self-control. That he cannot keep his hands to his self and the other kids now shun him. That he has no social skills and is always picked last for everything because the other kids try to avoid him. What!? My sweet son having social issues at 7? I knew he had self-contorl issues, but not to the extreme they stated. I was devastated to the point a tear ran down my eye during the meeting. They went on to tell me I should seek help and if he can not make strides to improve this year they will be forced to expell him from school or send him to the altenative school. I am in so much pain right now. I only want the best for my son and need advice on where to turn.

Any feedback and input would be greatly appreciated.

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That must have broke your heart. He doesn't sound like a bad kid. It sounds like your son is smart, but just needs a little help with his social skills. ADHD kids can sometimes be less mature than their peers and are usually not aware of how immature or off-base they come across. It can be tough for them to read other people’s responses to their behavior. Here are a few articles that might help you help him with his social skills and hopefully succeed in school.

Help Socially Immature Kids Make Friends and Succeed at School

Social Skills 101

I hope this helps, Dena

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