Adderall

[JGF25]

I'm trying to figure something out.  My son who is going to be 17  in August has been prescribed Adderall quite a few years ago.  Last year he didn't want to take it any more and so we did a trial period and the teachers noticed a big difference.  Not paying attention, sloppy handwriting, missing assignments, you name it.  This past year he has had 60 pills for the entire school year and there are still about 14 left.  He has not been taking it and his grades stink.  The teachers have had to really work with him and allowing him to make up missing work, etc.  My question is is there a reason he doesn't want to take it?  When he does take it, he says it helps.  Maybe he is just forgetting to take it which wouldn't be surprising either since he does have ADHD.  I'm not really getting any answers from him.  When I say "take your meds" I get "Okay" and then no meds are taken.  He is going to be a Junior (should be a Senior) and I'm wondering what he can do in life if he can't even get simple homework done.  

[specialmom]

I think I'd give him a dose of real life.  Not doing well verses doing well.  I wouldn't appeal to his 'other' things that aren't going to lead to meaningful employment but rather that if he isn't able to function and live up to his potential, life WILL be harder.  

My son is out of the box too as I call it and whether he likes it or not, this is his reality in life.  He has a developmental delay.  He needs to do things in order to handle the real life issues with his delay.  

If your son is lacking motivation to do his best work, I'd try to figure out why.  There are consequences to going untreated and I guess this is what I'd have a real heart to heart with him about.  

lots of luck!

[JGF25]

I should also say he was diagnosed with ADHD combined type and dysgraphia.  

[JGF25]

He has been evaluated by Kenney Krieger Institute in Baltimore twice now and he is scheduled to be reevaluated in July.  I will definitely bring this up.  My son is very laid back.  Nothing really bothers him and he just goes with the flow.  But even after repeatedly saying "write in your homework book even if you have to write 'none'" he does it for maybe two days and that is it.  Then the zeros show up and then I get on him again.  I can't go away to school with him and so I don't check up on him on a daily basis.  I wouldn't be there to do that in college.  I guess I have to see what the psychiatrist says.  Thanks.  

[allmymarbles]

What do you observe he is good at, and what does he enjoy doing? Everybody enjoys something.

[Sandman2]

Has he had any counseling for ADHD?  Does he understand what it is doing to him?

[JGF25]

He has no idea what he wants to do.

[allmymarbles]

He may not like the side effects. Ask him about that. How is his behavior outside of school, that is, outside of academic work? Maybe he does not want an academic career. Find out, if you can, what he wants out of life.