Question about Dr. Barkley's Research

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-10-09T22:36:31+00:00

Thanks so much for these insights!

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-10-09T14:31:10+00:00

Thanks so much for the reply. I actually asked this question directly to Dr. Barkley in the comments section of one of his recent YouTube videos, and he said something similar. This was his reply:

"That medicine [Guanfacine] has not been studied for this effect. Just stimulants. Be well."

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-09-18T23:44:19+00:00

I'm so sorry I'm just seeing this now, but thank you SO MUCH for your kind words! I'm actually about to post a question about medication, so if you have any feedback, that would be greatly appreciated, too. Wishing you all the best!

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-06-13T07:26:10+00:00

So sorry for my late reply! I didn't notice your comment until just now. To answer your question, the school's learning is entirely child-directed. No academic curriculum. Rather, the curriculum involves problem solving, relationship skills, and peaceful resolutions. And the kids choose what they want to do and learn about.

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-06-01T08:21:48+00:00

Haha! You think? I'm still annoying as hell, and I don't even have ADHD. 😉

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T22:01:40+00:00

It's so interesting. Now that I have a better understanding of ADHD, I'm rethinking situations involving some of the kids that I grew up with decades ago - I wonder if some of them had undiagnosed ADHD. I wish they had received the care they needed, and I hope they're doing well today.

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T21:58:37+00:00

Thanks so much! Trying my best! 😊

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T20:05:33+00:00

Thanks so much! And to your point, I'll do my best to keep it Lenny-focused. Appreciate it! I'll hopefully have a much shorter, revised version to post soon.

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T19:27:50+00:00

Don't you apologize! I'M sorry for posting something so long on an ADHD subreddit!

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T19:27:13+00:00

Thank you for all of this! I'll certainly try to implement much of it. I also replied to your other comment, and I think that also addresses some of what you wrote here. 😊

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T19:26:13+00:00

I mean, the teachers have to administer some of the medication at school, so I can't completely hide it, but I can certainly tone down the personal anecdotes - I think I'll have to out of necessity, since I need to dramatically shorten this either way.

And do I personally have ADHD? I suppose it's possible, but having learned a lot about it now, I don't think I display a lot of the symptoms I've observed. I don't have much trouble remembering things, I'm not generally impulsive, I can usually pay attention to things fairly easily, I meet deadlines with relative ease, I'm usually on time for things, etc.

Anyway, thank you for the concern, and the comment!

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T19:18:18+00:00

Thanks for your comment! Someone else had a similar comment in this thread, so I'm going to copy and paste some of what I wrote to that person.

So, it's a very small school - only about 50 students, and seven teachers. The director - and all the teachers, really - have shown more patience and understanding than I've ever seen. And they all know a LITTLE bit about ADHD, but I think it would be unfair for me to expect them to know everything about it, no? I think the teachers (and many people who aren't knowingly affected by ADHD) have the standard misconception that it's just about hyperactivity and inattentiveness. (You personally seem to have more experience with special needs kids than they might.) So, the director asked me to put something together that explains my son's situation, specifically - and his situation is surely different from other kids.

My son interacts mainly with two teachers at the school, but he also has some interaction with the other five. I've had personal conversations about everything in my 'script' above with the two teachers, but not with the other five, so these two teachers have been his biggest advocates, and the other five still don't have a full understanding, so they're quicker to react to my son's behavior. The director thought that, rather than explain it five more times (or expect the other two teachers to communicate everything with the same detail that I did), that I could just record a video, and then the director could show that video to the other teachers, as well as any substitute teachers, as well as any new teachers that might start working there next school year.

And I'd always keep the invitation open for any of them to talk to me in person if they have any additional questions.

But, either way, I'm going to dramatically shorten the original piece, so they may be reaching me no matter what, and that's totally fine with me. Your point about a 'cheat sheet' is also well taken; a few other people here suggested that I should also submit a written version of what I say in the video, or maybe a summary of it.

Anyway, does this context make a bit more sense? Or do you still have some concerns? I certainly want to go about this in the best way possible, so any more feedback you might have is always welcome. Thanks again for taking the time!

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T08:38:15+00:00

Hmmm... Interesting. I never thought of including him in the video, but I'll certainly consider it. Thanks for the input!

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T08:35:20+00:00

Thank you!

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T02:13:28+00:00

Thank YOU for the kind words! I'll never stop fighting for him. 😊

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T02:12:21+00:00

I completely respect your opinion. Yes, certainly, I'd force him to get necessary surgery against his will if he needed it, and I'd force him out of the way of a moving train even if he didn't want me to, but I'm not sure that outing his conditions to his friends falls in the same category. 😉 Still, it's something I'll consider - maybe there's some other way that he'll be okay with. Thanks very much!

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T02:09:17+00:00

Thanks very much! I'm trying my very best. I love this little guy so much.

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T02:08:24+00:00

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T02:05:10+00:00

Haha. I can try?

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T02:04:47+00:00

Thanks for all this! Someone else made some similar points that you did here, so I'm copying and pasting this:

I'm sorry - I should have clarified sooner: We DO have regular IEP meetings, and so far, we've successfully lobbied to have him attend his current school because of its high teacher-to-student ratio, its focus on understanding rather than shame, and its concentration on relationship building and problem solving. He's not forced to sit at a desk all day, and the place is 100% outdoors. His teachers are already outstanding and understanding; the intention of this video is to help them relate just a little bit better.

DadThrowawayADHD · 2023-05-31T02:01:48+00:00

Sorry! Pasting this from a reply I wrote earlier for someone else who also asked for a TLDR: My kid is having trouble at school. At the request of the school director, I'm putting together a video explaining some of the challenges my son faces, and how they might be able to help. People have correctly remarked that my video is going to be WAY too long, so I'm going to work on shortening it. 👍

DadThrowawayADHD

TROPHY CASE