We have a 13 year old boy who is in 7th grade with ADHD. He was diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. We found that public schoools did not work for him at all.He is currently in a school with small class sizes with low student/teacher ratios. This year has been more of a challenge. He is constantly forgetting thing, is totally disorganized and can't sit still even on meds. He has started speaking in a much louder voice and reacting in a more defensive and upset manner. We believe that going through puberty is changing how the meds work. Our son is also generally a very sweet and good humored kid. He is also a very bright kid.

We have the benefit of a good psychiatrist and counselor. The counselor allows him to express himself and some of his frustrations particularly with us. A good psychiatrist is extremely important. Ours helps us evaluate what is adhd related and what is just puberty. There is a website www.celebratecalm.com that is run by Kirk Martin. He wrote a book called celebrate ADHD. It helped me look at my kid in an entirely different way. I look less at my sons issues but at his talents. These kids are usually very bright but learn differently than most of us. Kirk Martin has changed over the years to become more self promoting of his cd's etc, but still has good advice on how to try to keep a calm household. His newsletter gives some good ideas.

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Thank you so much for your input! I will definitely check out the website! I have heard that puberty is more drastic for kids with ADD/ADHD, but it is very hard to tell what is just puberty and what is the ADD. Thanks again!

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It is so tough to watch your kid struggle in school; especially after seeing them do well for a time. The onset of puberty certainly can be affecting not only how he is handling his ADHD symptoms ,but also causing him to assert more independence, like wanting to handle things himself and not taking his medication. Here's a great article, ADHD Teens and Puberty (http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/2059.html) that you may find helpful.

It sounds like you also need to search for a psych or counselor that better meets your needs. You and your son can both benefit from counseling on managing the day to day as an ADHD Teen and making the most of school. If you want to see a counselor more often, that should be fine with the counselor. Look for someone that offers Behavior Therapy (http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/651.html).

It is probably a good idea for your son to try to get a bit more organized when it comes to school -- maybe that will help with the "forgetfulness." There's a fantastic book called the Organized Student that I highly recommend (book review here: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd-web/article/872.html). The author offers multiple ideas for organization and helps you work with your student so they can tailor the system to what works for them. It's simple yet brilliant.

Lastly, does your son have any formal accommodations in school? A 504 Plan or IEP? If so, it sounds like the plan may need to be updated and tweaked for better effectiveness. If not, request this from the school (after taling to your son about it). Here's more information on these plans and how to secure school accommodations for your child: http://www.additudemag.com/topic/adhd-learning-disabilities/school-accommodations.html.

Hang in there!

Penny W., ADDitudeMag.com Community Moderator

mom to Luke, ADHD, age 8

creator of the Website {a mom's view of ADHD} at http://aMomsViewOfADHD.com

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Thank you So much for the links!! One thing you did mention, that is another piece of the never ending puzzle, is the IEP/504. My son was diagnosed with ADD in 5th grade, about 3 years ago, and was tested for L.D. the following fall. he tested out of any L.D. program, which did not come as a surprise to anyone. however, since he has tested out of L.D. I have been told that he does not need/qualify for either an IEP or 504. I have a brother who is severely ADHA and was on a 504 plan throughout high school and my mother has told me that my son most certainly should be as well, but every time I mention it I hit brick walls face first. I have no idea who to talk to in my area, and maybe I'm not asking the right questions, or for whatever reason they are not taking me seriously enough. For whatever reason I have been unsuccessful at getting anyone to see that my son does need a little extra help in some areas. Is it normal to have so many problems with this? I have found a counseling center where my son and I will be going to starting this week, and I made sure it would be an ongoing thing. Actually, it is policy that you are seen on an ongoing basis at their facility before they will even refer you to a Psychiatrist for any meds. Hopefully that will help at least a lilttle, not if only I can get the school to cooperate more!

Thanks again!

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Our son just received a diagnosis of ADHD ( Innatentive Type) yesterday. He is in grade 12 and just turned 17 last month. He needs 12 credits to graduate and has totally screwed up the last two semesters. It was only last semester that his guidance counsellor recommended to us that he could possibly have ADHD. We spent a lot of money to have him assessed by a psychologist which we are lucky enough to be able to pay for. I feel for parents that can't. Our son has been suspended three times, skips classes consistently and has been smoking marijuana since last year. It is only now that we have learned why. Our next step is to look into medication and to meet with his school guidance counsellor to talk about accomodations etc. I can really sympathize with you and tell you that once our son hit high school, it got a lot worse. Four teachers handing homework and assignments to someone with ADHD just doesn't work. I guess we have to be strong advocates for our children and support each other along this path. Good luck to you and your son.

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I am also struggling with a 13 year old boy who was diagnosed with ADD at the age of 9. He has been on varying dosages of Concerta this whole time with a fair amount of success. In 6th grade the wheels started to fall off with homework not getting turned in and teachers struggling to keep him on task. 7th grade was a complete disaster. We put him on a 504 but teachers refused to comply with his accomodations, the school was overcrowded, and I became "that mom" that every school employee avoided. We moved him to a new school this year and they are fantastic with him, but he's just not excelling. He was an honors student in all advanced placement classes. Now I'm exploring the possiblity of putting him in remedial math. In all other subjects, he understand the content, but has no clue what his homework is, whether or not he turned in previous homework, or what the teacher instructed him to do in class. He might as well not even attend for how little he retains. But, because he's so smart, he knows how to complete the assignment once we figure out what it is. The teachers are really working with us and give him multiple chances to turn things in. Sometimes we do the same work 4 or 5 times because he loses it (even when it's done on his computer and emailed, it seems to disappear!!!) My son is not a behavior problem at all and everyone loves him, but it's like he has alzheimers or something! I think he would forget to put on pants in the morning if I didn't remind him. Your post made me realize that puberty may be to blame. I made an appointment with his doctor to see about changing meds. I am fearful of him losing his appetite. We went throught that once with a high dose of Concerta. Not pretty. He looked like a cancer patient. I'm just so scared that something beyond his control is going to destroy his future. I used to think he would be highly successful and never have to worry or want for anything. Now I fear that he will still be living in my basement when he's 30. Teachers keep reassuring me that things will work out, but how am I to believe that? Even if we held him back, I don't see it helping. Understanding the work isnt' his problem, it's remembering to DO the work and TURN IN the work. While our situations are different, I appreciate the similar struggles we are facing. I wish you and your son luck in your journey.

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My son will be 15 in February, and we are still struggling with the same issues. Only, they're getting much worse. He's always been very athletic. Has played baseball, basketball, soccer and football, his favorite being baseball. He was on the middle school basketball team all three years and was the top scorer on his team. He's played baseball since he was 4 and has always done very well. He's a freshman in high school this year. He showed absolutely no interest in trying out for the basketball team, and hasn't showed a whole lot more enthusiasm in trying out for the baseball team. His grades are absolutely horrible...he has a 5% in Algebra 1. He's not getting into any trouble, and his teahers really like him...he's just not doing well. It's not that he doesn't understand the information, he just forgets EVERYTHING. He says everything distracts him in school, but we've tried meds and have always had a bad response. I'm beginning to think he's depressed, and that this is just the beginning of a very long downward spiral. I'm at a loss at this point!

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Hi, I came across one of my friends whose daughter was stuggling with ADHD and she was <a href="http://www.fettlegenie.com/adhd/treating-adhd-without-medication.shtml">succesfful in controlling ADHD symptoms through regular practice of super brain yoga</a>. Also practice of agnihotra at home gives a soothing effect. For more information on more holistic practices you can visit fettle genie @ fettlegenie.com. Hope this helps you....

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