is it ADD/ADHD or something else

[rockspur]

My 14 year old son has been struggling with this for years now. I noticed a few signs as he approached 7th grade and dismissed it as growing pains. H is now in 9th grade and I am seeking help. His attention span is school has decreased over the years, comments from his teachers span the following: difficulty in following rules, , is often easily distracted,is often forgetful,often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities,often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish just to name a few. Additionally at home when told to clean his room he continues to hide his clothes in odd places. Behind the TV, under the bed, bottom of bathrom closet-closed away, in guest room closet, places where I would not ordinarily look. Lastly, he balls us tissue wets it and hides it in odd places. We have struggled with all of the above over the last 3 years I have now requested the school to give him testing. My son has now admitted that he is having problems balancing task, school work and chores and does not understand why he hides his clothes or any of the other things. I need your help I may have approache dthis the wrong way at the start by yelling and screaming because I just could not understand but I realize that this is not the right way. I am a concerned parent and want to do what's right. Appreciate your response.

[benjimom]

I would run it by your regular doctor and see what they think.  It could be he just doesn't like school.  If he's always been like this maybe it is ADD, ADHD.  Hiding the clothes is odd and I'm not sure that indicative of ADD.  Is it an obsessive activity?

[dollyn]

I understand how hard it is to have a child at the age your son is,at your son age he is going threw a lot of changes in his body.And to me it sounds like your son doesn't like School and there may be a reason for it. Dose he have a hard time with other kids in School. Do they have School Councilors at your Son School that he can talk to ?If they do I would have them set up a time where he can talk to one of them.

The School she also give him the help where he needs it,like make a IEP for him so the teachers can do a better job of getting him back on track.And not all children do well in School ,and now days to may people think if a child is doing bad in School or acting out that they have ADD OR ADHD.  

Try to think about what it was like when you where in School and how some kids did better than others.And how much harder it has gotten over the years for our children these days in School with all the State Test they have to do and pass,Along with other things that happen on buses and School.

I would hate to be a child in School these days,with all the pressure that is put on them and some children just cant handle it like others.

Sit and talk with him ask him if there is something bothering him at School ,bus,or even at home that you don't know about.And keep an open mind,just lisen to him,I know it can be hard but some times people just want some one to lsien  and not say anything at all or to wait  until they are done talking ,then ask if they want you to talk.

maybe give him a note book and tell him it is for him to write down what ever he wants, and that if he wants you to read it from time to time then you will but only if he wants you to.May be good for him to wirte down what he is feeling.

If you take him to see his Doctor ask them to run some blood test to make sure that everything is normal.Also some times it can be something to do with the vrain and witch should be looked at before putting any child on drugs for ADD or ADHD and even Bipolar ,because the side effects of these drugs can really changhe a person and do damge to there mind and body.I know I have seen it with my own son and have talked to other people who also say the same thing.These drugs are like speed witch we all know is a street drug that many people use and have a hard time coming off of and can cause Seizures.My son has Seizures after being on two of these drugs and wish I had never put him on them, And if you where to talk to some one from the Epelepsy Foundation they would tell you the same thing and how some children may not have had add or adhd but that it was Seizures and that people with Seizures look like they have add and adhd .

hope this help ,concerned mother .god bless you and pray that you stay strong and do what is right for your son and your family.

[Sandman2]

  You are certainly doing the right thing by requesting testing.  It is very difficult to help a child unless you know what the problem is.   His actions at school certainly are typical of someone with ADD.   And yes, by now, he certainly may be hating school because he has such a difficult time coping with it.
  I would definitely suggest doing some research on ADD/ADHD so you can understand what is going on.  You also might want to read, The ADD/ ADhD Answer book." , by Susan Ashley.  It will quickly give you a lot of the information you need.  Please write back if you have any more questions.

[allmymarbles]

He may have more than one problem. One that comes to mind is that he may hate school Many children do. Certainly one of my four did. Also some children are simply not academic. Although one of my grandsons grew up in a very educated family the boy always did badly at school, no matter what they tried. Yet he is an excellent musician and will spend any amount of time practicing. Having always liked to cook, he has recently decided to go to a culinary school. He is not academic, but is talented in other worthwhile areas. Try to find out how your son feels about school.

As to his other problems, I have not idea at all.