Colleges for teenager with ADHD

[JGF25]

Hi there.  So I am wondering what other parents have done as far as college goes for their ADHD child.  Has anybody sent their child to college and had them be successful?  If so, were they in a special program or was the college just going by the IEP?  Thanks.  

[Sandman2]

   I am guessing (from other discussions) that the showers are relaxing to him, and have become a pattern that makes him feel comfortable.   To me, if he takes a shower at night - he doesn't need one in the morning.  But I think that that pattern would be very hard to break.  So he needs to get up earlier to take it (good luck with that).   Probably by now the school year is over and its a moot point anyway.   But, taking the pill, is really something that you and he can figure out.  Its all a part of the routine that people with ADHD have to be able to do to deal with the problem.   Heck, scotch tape it to his steering wheel or something.  
   And ya, I do know how frustrating this has been for you.  Hang in there!  With out you, I hate to think of where or what your boys would be doing now.  Its the fourth quarter and you are almost there.  Keep in touch.

[JGF25]

He takes two showers a day.  One in the morning and one at night.  Even when he isn't participating in Lacrosse after school...he takes another impossibly long shower with the music blasting.  

[Sandman2]

   Funny, I had the same discussion with a 16 year old kid with ADHD and OCD.  Think long showers help with relaxation and the mind kinda of wanders.   Could he take a shower at night?

[JGF25]

Yep...you got him right.  He takes an impossibly long shower and then after that the rush is on to get out the door.  Thank you.  

[Sandman2]

   Opps, I mean that Dr. Parker recommends.  Although, I think that Dr. Barkley would also agree.

[Sandman2]

    Sorry, I have taken so long to get back to you.  I have been subbing the last week in a 7th. grade science class and it kinda wore me out.
    If you read any material on dealing with ADHD, one of the most common recommendations - if not the most common - is to have a very set routine.  Hopefully, the reasons are obvious.   He needs to have a set routine.
    Breakfast (its highly important) and his medication.  It must be a routine, and you need to try and explain to him how important it is.   By the way, a high protein breakfast is very helpful.  Be it a high protein drink, or eggs, or a big handful on nuts in his oatmeal - it will make a difference.  And I can actually send you some recipes that Dr. Barkley suggests.
    I am guessing that he sleeps in and rushes out without doing either thing?

[JGF25]

We will revisit the medication issue but honestly he leaves the house in the morning and forgets to take it even when I would leave the bottle out on the counter.  There are days when I forget to take my own med in the morning because I'm running around but I carry some in my purse and take it when I realize I didn't take it.  I think it is harder for guys to carry and the fact that they are not supposed to be walking around with medication at school.  I don't know if there is a moment when he thinks "Oh I forgot my medication."  I will have to ask him.  It is do or die time and I mean really a lot of things have to change.  

[Sandman2]

   I think given the history,  that it might be the time to revisit a medical solution to the problem.  A good doctor should be able to adjust the meds so that "not liking them" is not a problem.  I mean in my years on this forum, the only time I hear "not liking" is because they have not been adequately dosed.  Either the wrong med was used or too much of it was used (usually too much).
It does take trial and error and a competent doc to find the right match.  Not remembering to take the med is BS.  The extended meds only need to be taken once and they are good for 8 to12 hours.    Point being, if you can't kind of fix it now - its gonna be a lot harder to do so once he is out of the house and in college (as you well know).  
   And a good trade school (by the way) is a good choice.  Mechanics (especially computer/electronic ones) are in demand.   The only problem is that most trade schools are not set up like colleges to work with special needs kids.   Do you have any good junior colleges in your area that provide this kind of training?

[JGF25]

Thank you.  He has one more year of high school so I guess that is the year where we will let him flex his independence.  No meds...either doesn't like them or can't remember to take them...not sure which it is to be honest.  I do know, after reading that article, that I can't afford 9 years of college for him to figure it all out.  He loves cars and part of me wishes he would just choose a trade school.  I guess time will tell.  Thanks, as always.  

[Sandman2]

   This is a good link too - http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012/09/22/when-students-with-adhd-go-to-college-they-may-flounder-parents-can-help-them-succeed/57825092/1

[Sandman2]

    I hope you get some replies.  I am just not to sure that we have many parents with older kids who still frequent the site.  Sadly, "out of sight, out of mind."
   I would imagine that there are as many special programs as there are colleges and that the effectiveness of them varies about as much as the amount of colleges.   Fortunately, the internet does help research this.
I googled ADHD Help in college and found a lot of really good stuff.  This link seemed really helplful!  - http://www.childmind.org/en/posts/ask-an-expert/2013-1-22-colleges-good-ADHD-programs-services
   The one thing that I do know (and you have experienced this) is that when your child turns 18, the college kind of shuts the door on you, as far as information about your child and how he/she is doing.  Thus, it is super important that your child (in my opinion) is well educated in ADHD.  They now have to carry the ball.  A good IEP will help, but they really need to know strategies of dealing with ADHD, be not afraid to ask for help, etc.
    Good Luck!