Doing well...

...so far so good on the school front! Timmy is very proud of himself that he has not been sent to the principals office. I'm more proud that his teacher said he really hasn't been any trouble at all! He is so stinking smart and loving school. The only issue we've really had is that he gets very upset if we (tom and I) mess up and he doesn't have the stuff he needs for school when he needs it. For instance one day his backpack was in Tom's van and Tom was at work. Another time I didn't see why they'd sent a paper home to be signed and he was very upset when other kids returned theirs and he didn't have his.
We finally scheduled a meeting with Principal and his teacher (Oct 14th) but decided we'd not cal it an official 504 meeting just yet since he seems to be doing so well.
At home...a slightly different story. His meds wear off right at the end of the school day so we get the brunt of the fun shall we say. But I have to call the Dr tomorrow for a new months meds anyway and will talk about having a short acting script for when its necessary. Probably won't use it everyday but when we have stuff to do in the evening it would be nice to be able to have.

Week 3

This is Timmy's third week of school. So far we've been told only good things from his teacher!

The mornings are struggle and every day getting him to take his medication because more and more difficult. For the first few days of the higher dose (10mg) he seemed to be doing really well from about 8:30-3/3:30. But now on the days he's home all day I don't see much diffrence. ut the Dr asked me to wait at least another week and let him "settle into this dosage" before we make any decisions.

FYI

While I don't tend to share fincial info to often I felt that since I have talked about the very thorough evaluation that was done, maybe I should be forthright in including the cost of it.
I am actually not sure what the full amount billed was yet but know that our portion is just barely shy of $1400.

For other parents

I'm not sure if too many people will ever read this blog but I thought I'd post this, just in case, because it's on my heart.

If you are a parent of a child who you think may have ADHD please please please do not let anyone, including family or friends deter you from doing what you feel you should. I put off having Timmy evaluated for a long time because of whatever else said despite my very strong maternal instincts. I let people make me feel horrible, convincing me that the issues were solely the result of poor parenting and the issues that had occurred in our house. Now I will never deny that we have done some things wrong and that my kids have seen and know more than they should at this age, but I KNEW there was something more.
But having finally done what I felt I should I can't tell you how huge a relief it is to be validated. I know many people are against medicating kids, especially at a young age and I'm not here to say that every child with ADHD should or shouldn't be. But as someone who before having kids was one who shared the thought of so many that medicating parents were just lazy or whatever, I want people to know that it sooo sooo isn't the case. It's a gut wrenching decision parents have to make.
If you're in this position with a child you suspect has ADHD, please contact someone, get some support. I can't tell you how much better you will feel about yourself and your family if you do. Not saying that things will magically change instantly but having some answers and some support will help a ton!

Not soo long lasting

Ok, I'm not sure that we're getting the full long lasting hour we should be as he seemed to be pretty wound up by 3 yesterday but he was outside too...so we'll see if that's the real deal but it's definitely working for the morning and early afternoon. Yesterday, we went to lunch after I picked him up from school and it was almost like eating by myself, he sat quietly the whole time and colored and ate calmly. It's sort of weird honestly, but he's still got his quirkiness so it's not like he's the zombie my parents are so afraid we'll make him. But it is very drastically different.

10mg

Saturday I called the Ped, as requested, let him know that beyond the first day 5mg didn't seem to make any real change. So he said double it up and try that for a few days. Yesterday he was awesome. His Sunday School teachers said he was very good. And he was very well behaved all day for a visit with Grandpa and Grandma Noel. We'll see how it goes for a couple more days and then call in to update the Ped. again.

Not sure

Well, Timmy's been on the Focalin for 2 full days now. It's hard for me to say if it's really working as it seems to be wearing off when I get home. But I 'think' its doing some good. I'll see more tomorrow when I'm home all day with him.