adhd

[diamondbackAPL]

my brother, who is also an APL, is having trouble with a scout in his patrol with adhd. any suggestions on how to deal with him during meetings would be great.

[BM_Crawford]

I don't particularly like the phrase "deal with him" I have ADHD and I don't like to think of myself as a bother at meetings. A person with ADHD is just like any other person except for they learn differently and can have a hard time paying attention to something if it's not very entertaining. In fact my ADHD has helped me plan different, new, and exiting things to do with the meetings and on outings.

All he needs is a change of pace something to keep his attention if it's truely an ADHD problem.

[diamondbackAPL]

ok, "deal with him" was a bad choice of words. I should have said "how do I get him to pay attention instead of bouncing off the walls".

[mommatoodle]

my son is adhd....just some thoughts from a mom on this.

first try to answer these questions.

1. is there a particular time that he is more bouncy than others?
2. is he a hands on type of kid? ie.. loves to work with his hands.
3. is there some way that you can have him help? is there a chore that he can claim as his?

As I said, my son is adhd...he is currently on a med that is time released so that it really helps him at night. We found that with out this he is really bouncy at night....

If he is less bouncy at the beginning of meetings...do what ever needs to be done that needs more concentration....

If it is something that he can help with...that will help get him to focus...(sometimes)

Kids with adhd tend to be more impulsive which makes it harder for the other kids to understand him.

While it might appear that he is bouncing around...he is probably still getting what ever information you are giving out....my son at times appears to be doing 90 things at once and you would think that he is not paying attention when he is.

A lot of adhd kids also need to be very regimented...ie...at 8 o'clock we do this...at 8:30 we do that.....if plans change it can throw them off...if there is a change in plans let him know in advance if possible...sometimes they just need time to adjust....


ADHD kids can be a handful or they can be helpful.....

[BM_Crawford]

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Hyperactivity (ADHD), disorder beginning in childhood, characterized by a persistent inability to sit still, focus attention on specific tasks, and control impulses. Children with ADHD show these behaviors more frequently and severely than other children of the same age. A person with ADHD may have difficulty with school, work, friendships, or family life. ADHD has also been referred to as attention-deficit disorder, hyperkinesis, minimal brain dysfunction, and minimal brain damage.

That is from Encarta Encyclopedia, so there is no confusion with anyone.

[Mick Scouter]

First of all this is a good discussion topic and It goes beyond ADHD. Second I have been involved with a number of different disability organizations and people with disabilities for about 18 years. I feel very informed but I’m sorry I did not know what the acronym ADHD stood for I assumed it was attention deficit ______ disorder but it is bad to make assumptions when you do not know. So, I looked it up and found that it stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Therefore, it is good practice not to assume that everyone understands all acronyms and spell the full words out first. I even have difficulty with scout acronyms from time to time and I have been a scouter for about 11 years. Second as people we need to understand each other and our strengths and weaknesses and our own disabilities. Yes, we all have them. Some are more apparent than others. For example a person with Down Syndrome has distinct facial features or a person that uses a wheelchair has some ambulatory disability. Let me preface the next statement with I am not saying anyone that reads this thread has a prejudice against race, creed, sex, or disability but there are people that do. That is also a disability; however, it is usually hidden that is you can’t see it by looking at them. Finally, we are all people first so it is polite to say or write; “The person that uses a wheelchair.” Instead of the wheelchair confined person. Or; “The boy that has down syndrome,” Instead of the Downs boy. I understand that most people do not say things that would be hurtful intentionally but I try to use the person first language. It is the polite thing to do. As to the ADHD thread I will give it some thought and then respond.

[cballman]

IMHO when you have a person or persons who do not know or understand ADHD in kids AND adults then I believe they then yes ask the question "how do I deal with this problem?" it is not a wrong or hurtful question Yes I understand the ADHD problem that people have because my son was diaganosed with this "problem" several years ago. the first thing that most people is to say that he is a bad child. but that fits the "question" sterotype. most people have never had to deal with a child like this before. I am one of the lucky ones, I have had to "deal" with at least 10 kids and most people think I am crazy. but you know what I feel that the best person to understand these kids is go to the source and find a person "like me" who also has ADHD. and have had it for some time. now I dont think that someone who is "normal" could really understand what we have to deal with everyday. I am glad for people who ask for help. now for the answers to some commen problems. find out what the child likes and what his dislikes are. get to know the child. dont assume because he has ADHD he is a trouble maker. dont always assume that he is the problem. talk to him or her and really listen to what they have to say. most of these kids are probley the ones you will not see in charge of things because their mind wonders off quickly. but what you dont see at the earlier age is that you have a great leader in front of you. this child most always will make you pull your hair out. "if most leaders have any left" now since I have rambled on and on I will close and ask anyone who has any questions to please ask me so that I can help you understand what a gift tha GOD has given you to "deal with" Yes I have ADHD and I will help anyone who ask me for suggestions.

[deweylure]

the troop I am in has a number of boys with disabilities. I have a few suggestions.

Talk to the parent(s) and ask how they handle their son.
Try to educate the other troop members about this problem.
Have another adult around the youth leader can go to if they need help[ with the scout.
The BSA has a great book about dis abilities. Please pick it up and read it.

Most of all remember he is just a boy,trying to probably fit in with other boys.
Hope this will help.
Deweylure

[BM_Crawford]

That's a great idea deweylure

[Billiken]

At a University of Scouting sessions a couple of years ago a neurologist spoke about ADHD. I don't have my notes with me but I do remember him saying the one term you should never use is MAYBE.

The boys will assume MAYBE means YES or NO, depending on the answer they were looking for. They then perseverate/focus on their assumed
answer. If your final answer is opposite of what the boys assumed MAYBE meant, then you've got an issue to deal with.

If you can't yet give a yes or no answer, use "ask me later".

I'll see if I can find my notes from the session.

[ASM-142]

These kids (one is my son) can also be very exact with time. If you tell him we will be there in one hour it better not be 62 minutes.

[Billiken]

These kids (one is my son) can also be very exact with time. If you tell him we will be there in one hour it better not be 62 minutes.

Excellent point!!!!

Things are very absolute (black OR white...no gray).

[troop173fl]

adhd is not real... neither is add...
i have been diagnosed with add, my little brother with adhd, and i just dont think theyre real... and if they are real, doctors extremely over-diagnose it...

[ASM-142]

adhd is not real... neither is add...
i have been diagnosed with add, my little brother with adhd, and i just dont think theyre real... and if they are real, doctors extremely over-diagnose it...

As a father of a son who has ADHD I know that they are real. They also may be over diagnosed by doctors but that is the same with a lot of disorders where a 'test' does not provide results to clearily indicate what is wrong with someone.

[cballman]

well I hate to totally disagree with troop173fl BUT if you think that these disorder are not real than you have been given the wrong information. these disorders have been over diagnosed and a lot of people just want a easy out to keep their kids calm. yes it is real because as an adult and been seeing a dr. for my son AND myself I know that it is not a misdiagnoses on the Dr.s parts. if you look at all of the kids that have add or adhd, then you will also see that many are put in the world of bad kids. you have just grouped together a bunch of kids that are very misunderstood and labled bad. some kids need medicine some dont but then if you think these disorders are not real then more than likley you have never seen the true disorders. I hate to be so blunt about this but as an adult in scouting I have seen my share of kids that need help and I have seen kids that just need discpline.

[JazerNorth]

I have been around kids for quite some time and I do notice that many people assume their kids have ADD or ADHD. My philosophy is that kids who are assumed to have ADD or ADHD need more attention, since they are lacking the needed attention. Whenever a parent says that their kid has ADD or ADHD, I ask them if they are paying more attention to their child. The answer almost always is that they are too busy, therefore the kid sits in front of a TV and plays video games all day.

Yes, I know that ADD and ADHD are real medical issues, and should be treated by a doctor. Mostly though, I think that parents don't want to pay attention to their kids, so the kid acts out for that attention, then gets labeled as ADD or ADHD.

Just my simple opinion.

JazerNorth

PS - I just thought of this... when someone says IMHO (in my honest opinion), do they have dishonest opinions? Hum, the logic would say that they do have dishonest opinions.
Just my simple opinion.

[diamondbackAPL]

PS - I just thought of this... when someone says IMHO (in my honest opinion), do they have dishonest opinions? Hum, the logic would say that they do have dishonest opinions.
Just my simple opinion.

I thought it stood for "In My Humble Opinion".

[ASM-142]

... Mostly though, I think that parents don't want to pay attention to their kids, so the kid acts out for that attention, then gets labeled as ADD or ADHD...

I know that you did not mean this personnally, but both my wife and I spend a lot of time with our son and he still has ADHD (among other things) which has been confirmed by speacialists.

[Scouting179]

I readily admit there are legit cases of ADD/ADHD, but I think a lot of it is also misdiagnosed kids who are seeking attention and/or aren't taught proper behavior by their parents. For example, we have one kid who acts up and his dad just shrugs his shoulders as if he's saying "What can I do?" The answer is to have teach him to behave. Medical conditions (or supposed medical conditions) are not excuses nor justifications for bad behavior.

As cballman said, some kids need meds and some just need discipline.

Some cases are legit, but all too often it's not. I have several times seen a kid go on an outing without his meds and they often acutally behave better without meds than with them.

[RWSmith]

Both are correct... But, humble is the more frequently observed of the two... IMHO, of course.