--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 222 ATTENTION DEF. Ref: DAR00003Date: 06/19/96 From: REGINA FINAN Time: 01:37pm \/To: BOB MOYLAN (Read 2 times) Subj: Opinion:Testing We talked to Jonathon's testing person and she misunderstood some of what was going on. Right now it is inconclusive to say Jonathon is definetly ADD. His depression is pretty much taken hold of his whole life. She is changing the report to include the ADD symptoms. It is not that I need him labeled as such, but it is important to mention. There is no way we can be absolutely positive that the depression is causing the symptoms until the depression is taken care of. At least treated. She also had to be reminded that these symptoms were there for many years. Including the fact the doctor, teachers, and special ed consultants in the other school district saw ADD. This of course doesn't necessary mean she is wrong. Only that at this point ADD is inconclusive until the depression is treated. I had my husband talk to her since people have a tendency to not listen to either other person or women. My husband agreed with me that at this point to say he is not ADD (especially since they can't guarantee it will disappear if he wasn't depressed) is ridiculous. It is important that the school system does not have a way out to help him also. If she put he was only depressed (since you can't really call it manic depression at this point) they would simply tell us to fix it and let him continue without help. Since his depression is caused by the stress to perform according to their expectations and since he can't perform to age or grade expectation (at this point) and is slow at all performance he needs help. His depression is not very high right now; now that school is out. So I already see that this diagnosis is correct. But ADD symptoms can not go unoticed until further study and help is received. We will be talking to the supervisor before the report goes out and I am sure things will work out now. Regina --- * Origin: Nite Lite BBS (1:2410/534) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 222 ATTENTION DEF. Ref: DAR00004Date: 06/21/96 From: RYAN WILLIAMSON Time: 12:58pm \/To: ALL (Read 2 times) Subj: Anyone who posted I am writing to ask that anyone who has written to me within the last week please repost.... regretfully my hard drive grunged a bunch of stuff - including my mail packet. Sorry.... Ryan ... My hard disk is full! Maybe I'll try this message section thing. --- FMailX 1.02 * Origin: -=< Cincy's Best BBS >=- 513/831-0216 (1:108/535) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 222 ATTENTION DEF. Ref: DAR00005Date: 06/21/96 From: RYAN WILLIAMSON Time: 01:01pm \/To: ALL (Read 2 times) Subj: getting there.. I was wondering if any of you parents have taken the ritilan that your children are prescibed to... I was recently diagnosed with ADD but as of yet can't afford to go to a psychiatrist or to pay for the medicine. I did however manage to get my hands on a couple of the generic ritilan tabs and took them... can't say that I had any really POSITIVE effects.... but I didn't bounce off the walls either. If anything I was a hair bit jittery at first which quickly goes away. So - is this a good sign that I seem to do OK on it or not??? Was wondering if any of you who have taken it had any of the negative effects or whether it even did anything to you... .....Oh yeah.. before anyone says... I know it's illegal and dangerous to take drugs I'm not prescribed to be on. I just had to see.. Ryan ... He's got Blue Wave fever and it's spreading through the message bases! --- FMailX 1.02 * Origin: -=< Cincy's Best BBS >=- 513/831-0216 (1:108/535) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 222 ATTENTION DEF. Ref: DAR00006Date: 06/21/96 From: JUDY PINEDA Time: 08:54pm \/To: ALL (Read 2 times) Subj: My ADD support friends Just wanted to let my support network out there know that I will be going out of state next week for a couple of weeks and I won't be on here for a short time. I wrote some messages to people who have been very helpful to me but I don't think they were sent out, the sysop said something about a hub getting transferred and in between nothing happened. I thought it was funny that I didn't receive mail for a while. Jessica is under the care of a psychologist and I liked her. More important, Jessica liked her! There are some behavior problems that are overwhelming for both of us and we sought help. The good part is that there is help out there and I won't stop trying. My job has an EAP Program and the first 4 visits are free. My insurance will pick up 80% after that so it is something that we can afford for her and possibly for my boy too if he runs into problems. I like to read the messages on this conference because I always learn something new and helpful. Thanks again to all of you, especially Ryan, Nancy, Jerry, and Tracy. Catch you later. Judy Pineda --- PCBoard (R) v15.22/M 5 * Origin: (1:115/552) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 222 ATTENTION DEF. Ref: DAT00000Date: 06/19/96 From: CHRIS JONES Time: 04:56pm \/To: AUDRA MCMASTER (Read 2 times) Subj: doctors visit AM>Well, I have heard that the bi-polar is the same as a manic-depressive but AM>never ADHD or ADD. The doctor told me that he may still have ADHD with the AM>bi-polar but we would have to figure that out after the medicine for the AM>bi-polar kicked in and started working so we could see how he acted. Yes, bi-polar is the same as manic-depression. It's just that a lot of kids who are originally diagnosed as ADD or ADHD are later found to have actually had manic-depression. AM>CJ> Logically, your child still has a condition that affects learning AM>CJ> abilities and should under various disability laws be covered for IEP AM>CJ> education. It may entail a new IEP because of the new diagnoses but AM>CJ> should be done never-the-less. AM>Yes, but I was told that a mood disorder changes that fact. Because a mood AM>disorder is not a DISABILITY. In one version of the DSM (and since I don't do a lot of work in this area of health care I can't be sure that the latest version agrees) Manic-Depression was listed as a psychoses. If that's the case then you would have eligibility under the asupices of mental health. AM>CJ> Some of this will depend on how cooperative your principal AM>CJ> and the school psychologist are. AM>After I got the board on them they seem to be pretty cooperative. It's a shame, but I've been telling administrators for years that "problem parents" don't happen in a vacuum. They have to be encouraged and fostered with foot dragging, duplicity, and out right lies! (I put "s around problem parents because I think, for the most part the actual case is Problem Administrators!) Hang tough Mom!! --- * OLX 2.2 TD * End violence in school -- outlaw corporal punishment!!! --- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 * Origin: 3-Angels bbs Covington,Oh 513-473-5465 1:110/725 (1:110/725.0) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 222 ATTENTION DEF. Ref: DAT00001Date: 06/21/96 From: CHRIS JONES Time: 09:51am \/To: REGINA FINAN (Read 2 times) Subj: Re: Opinion RF> CJ> ADD people often test high to very high on IQ exams. However, I have RF> CJ> had moderately - profoundly retarded students diagnosed as ADD. RF> She mentioned that his IQ scores could possibly be suppressed by the RF>depression RF> but at this time we are sticking to what it shows. They will have to ive RF> him special ed. Certainly it is rational to go ahead and get elgibility if your child needs special help. I wouldn't care if they diagnosed, "horse" or "zebra", as long as he got what he needed! RF> No it is the teachers at this school district telling him he can do the RF> work and trying to label him lazy. In this struggle to please and erform RF> to expectations it has caused his depression. He realizes he can do some RF> of the work, but the struggle is too much for him right now. The classroom RF> setting distracts Jonathon and this is exactly what he has told me many RF> times. A one to one basis allows him to slow down and perform better ven RF> if it is slightly slower. Actually on a one to one basis he performs uch RF> like you would think he should in a classroom setting. Although there is RF> no evidence that therapy works for ADD children I do believe it does. Is there any chance you could home school him? I have no experience in this area, but there are many moms on this conference who do. It sounds like you do very well with him. I am a firm believer in therapy. In spite of somethings that I've heard and some of my co-workeres beliefs. You can't have ADD and not start getting a lot of baggage from it. RF> The school system refused up to now to acknowledge any problem whatsoever RF> and I refuse to let them continue with this attitude. Been there, done that, got the shirt, and it didn't fit! You may have some battles, but you sound like a Momma that cares for her cubs! I hope that you guys have a good summer! Relax and take it easy. It sounds like the grad student is at least open minded that when you mentioned the ritalin variable that she was open to new input. Take care! --- * OLX 2.2 TD * Happy People Attack  With smiles on their faces. --- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 * Origin: 3-Angels bbs Covington,Oh 513-473-5465 1:110/725 (1:110/725.0) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 222 ATTENTION DEF. Ref: DAT00002Date: 06/22/96 From: TRACY WIRS Time: 08:14pm \/To: LISA GANO (Read 2 times) Subj: Re: medication -=> Did Lisa Gano actually say this? LG> ... I would talk to your social worker and LG> see how she feels about it. If you are having difficulty in your LG> personal or professional life due to ADHD symptoms, then it couldn't LG> hurt to give medication a try. The other option would be to work with LG> your social worker on strategies for overcoming your symptoms. 1) Mom doesn't remember *what* the medication was, only that it made me into "a zombie" (her words). That's why I was only taking it for one month. 2) I am *against* taking medications for this as my biosystem, like some folks with ADHD, is *wierd* --no telling HOW it will react to *any* medication! I will consider it, but only as a LAST RESORT. I am psychic, and having grown up with the Gifts/Abilities, I now have them under control and am used to using them in everyday life. I have found that if I take medicine that throws me for a loop (makes me *very* relaxed/sleepy), then *all* of my abilities shut down in defense. I don't think I would be sane long with all of my abilities shut off day after day. Sorry, but NO! Blessings, T. Wirs ... It is easier to curse the darkness than to light a candle. ___ Blue Wave/386 v2.30 --- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 * Origin: THE POST BBS*{615} 691-1887*Knoxville,TN (1:3615/81.0) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 222 ATTENTION DEF. Ref: DAT00003Date: 06/23/96 From: JANE SEGAL Time: 10:54pm \/To: CAL MAKER (Read 2 times) Subj: Ritalin CM>So, anyone out there know something better to use than Ritalin, I CM>need something to help me concentrate at school! Hi Cal! The thing you need to do is to not take yourself off of Ritalin, (too late, now, huh) because it is a medication that you should be weaned off of under the supervision of a doctor. At this point, you need to ask your mom to make an appointment for you to discuss a change of medication because of the side effects of medication you were experiencing. There are other medications that are used for ADD/ADHD, but your doctor is the one who needs to assess your needs and he needs to monitor you closely while you are taking the medication. I am glad that you were bright enough to know that giving or selling your prescribed medication was not a good idea! Many kids try stuff that they have no idea what it is or how it will react to their bodies. I know, I had a friend several years ago who took an insuline booster as speed and he died. This was the shock of my life and made me think much more carefully about what I put into my body. (If you haven't guessed, I am an old hippie.) Whatever medication your doctor decides to put you on, please make sure that he is a doctor who is familiar with ADD and who knows the medications that are used in treating it. Many family doctors are not knowlegable in treating ADD, but a good psychiatrist who has been trained to deal with this disorder should be able to help you get the right medication. Once the right med is found, you may not have to see the doctor as often as you may at first, as long as things are going well. I wish you luck and I hope you will keep us informed of your progress! Jane CmpQwk #UNREG UNREGISTERED EVALUATION COPY -*- SF-Quick/BW 1.00r [#44] --- Alexi/Mail 2.02b (#130) * Origin: The "us" Project, BBS * Wilmington DE * USR D/S 16.8k (1:150/8) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 222 ATTENTION DEF. Ref: DAT00004Date: 06/23/96 From: JANE SEGAL Time: 10:54pm \/To: HETTY JOWETT (Read 2 times) Subj: RE: [1/2] RE: SCHOOL HJ>Thanks for not being angry. I find I always have to fight with both HJ>fists with the schools here in Canada. Not so much the teachers or HJ>the principals but the entire school board. I hear you and know what you are saying! HJ>they are very understanding and I always get the comment "You must HJ>be a very strong and special person to deal with all this at home". Uhuh, almost a rehearsed line, huh? HJ>(I live with a house full of T.S./A.D.D. and O.C.D found in my Forgive me, but I can't recall what O.C.D. is. HJ>youngest son was just diagnosed with Tourette and ADD just HJ>yesterday. You do have your hands full and (this is not rehearsed) you are a special person who deals with all you have been dealt. I'm already having problems with the school because I HJ>asked for an IPRC meeting earlier this month knowing what the HJ>outcome would be with Stephen and now I'm told I will have to wait HJ>until September for one and I know damn well they won't hold any HJ>until November at the earliest. I would humbly suggest that you contact school in August and make sure that they set up a meeting as early as possible. Also, I would suggest that you try to insist that the meeting be held BEFORE school starts and that you would be available at ANY TIME to do this. (That is if you can do that. Have reports in hand and don't call, go directly to the school and demand that you be given an appointment with the principal. The key in the demand part is that you do it so they do not think you are demanding! Be prepared to sit in the office until the principal is able to see you. Take a book or a few magazines, etc. and just sit there until they give you the appointment. I don't know what your laws are in Canada, but I think your presence will say a lot to the administration, patience is the key here, do all you can do to not yell or make a lot of noise. Just sit and wait until he can fit you into his busy schedule of drinking coffee! :) HJ>waiting list for any Special Ed classes because they are filling HJ>them now and any teacher who doesn't have a full class will be HJ>dismissed - and there will be alot of them. If they are filling them now, then go now and sit and wait. You may want to talk to a guidance councelor if the principal is not available. But I may HJ>not have the doctor's report in hand as yet and they may tell me to HJ>wait. And further more the doctor said there is only mild TS because HJ>the tics weren't noticed by my husband and myself only his hideous HJ>temper. And the ADD is only mild by his diagnosis because there isn't HJ>any substantial info from the school as yet (he is only 6 and just HJ>finishing Senior Kindergarten). But I KNOW he will need more help HJ>then is given my older son and I have known it for 3 or 4 years HJ>now...... but alas, no one will listen... not anyone that counts HJ>anyway. Don't let the doctor do this to you. Demand (nicely) that you MUST have a report now so that you can do what is needed. Regardless whether your son is mild in either case, he still is disabled and he still needs the special education. Even if it is a sumation of the real report, you need to be armed with evidence of the disability. If you are on good terms with your doctor, there should be no problem. I'm totally disabled and because my husband had been through the process of getting Social Security he told me that I needed to go and start the process as soon as possible because they make you wait several months for a determination. Fortunately, I had a lot of medical evidence showing my disability (nine disk problems at the time and now, I also have injured my leg and my neck again, when we totaled our car on my side.) The latter injuries didn't help the determination, they were after the fact. I don't know if you have a type of Social Security in Canada, but if your children are in these catagories, they qualify for Social Security. My son also qualified for benefits under my husbands (his pay is higher than mine,) so now, after months of suffering with about $840 a month for 3 people and no health insurance and making too much money to qualify for Welfare (haha,) we are now back to where we were before my injuries, financially. My husband, however is the only one who has any kind of health insurance. You must wait for 2 years before they give you medicaide. I have gone to court 3 times and the 3rd was the last hearing for workman's comp and the lawyers must have the information in by Aug. 5 and a decission will be made by Oct. 5. I was injured June 23, 1994. HJ>I feel like i'm writing to Ann Landers so sign me... HJ> HJ>confused and alone in Toronto. HJ>Thanks for lending an ear, I had to vent. HJ>Hetty Jowett Hetty, thanks for the complement! I have always admired Ann, but unfortunately, I don't have her money!! :) I wish you the best of luck in all of this. Remember, STAND FIRM!!! If you want something to happen in the school system, that is whatcha gotta do! Lots of love and a big hug! <<<<<<>>>>> <- that is the big hug! CmpQwk #UNREG UNREGISTERED EVALUATION COPY -*- SF-Quick/BW 1.00r [#44] --- Alexi/Mail 2.02b (#130) * Origin: The "us" Project, BBS * Wilmington DE * USR D/S 16.8k (1:150/8) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 222 ATTENTION DEF. Ref: DAT00005Date: 06/22/96 From: BOB MOYLAN Time: 01:52pm \/To: CAL MAKER (Read 2 times) Subj: Ritalin Cal Maker On (19 Jun 96) was overheard to say to All CM> I took Ritalin before, from my mother's request, but I decided to stop CM> taking it because it was doing wierd things to me, seeing as how it's CM> a form of SPEED and all. BZZZZZZT! Wrong. Ritalin is not a form of speed. Ask your doctor or the pharmacist who fills the prescription or go to the library and look it up for yourself. CM> It's so stupid what people will CM> do nowadays! For instance, when I told a friend about my side effects CM> from Ritalin, the next day, guys at my High School were coming up to CM> me trying to buy the stuff from me!! I mean, how dumb can a person CM> get?? They believe all the media hype that has been circulating for the past several months. CM> So, anyone out there know something better to use than Ritalin, I need CM> something to help me concentrate at school! There are other meds. If ritalin isn't working for you then the one to be asking this question of is the doctor you have been seeing who already has some background/medical history on you. ... That's just my opinion... and I could be wrong. --- PPoint 2.00 * Origin: What's The Point? Virginia Beach, VA USA (1:275/429.5)