We are using a timer now and that is better. But, yes there is often a lot of effort on my part, reminding her what she's supposed to be doing and we can't have even the radio on when she's working.
Then I wouldn't say the problems are only at school.
The ped suggested we try the meds without even telling the school. THat doesn't seem like a good idea? Won't she need support at school as well during this process? And it would be a lifetime though, right? I mean you don't outgrow ADHD? She will always have to take these.
Bunch of issues here.
1. We started meds without telling the school, but he already had significant and appropriate accommodations at school at that point. We had a teacher who, had she known there were meds, would have been asking us constantly to adjust them. We have since found it worth while to be frank with the school; we have come a ways in our understanding with them.
That said, it is OK to trial meds without telling them right away. It can give you good data if the teachers start sending you email saying "DD is doing amazingly well." There are pros and cons, to be discussed with your DD's doctor.
2. She absolutely should get support at school. The list of accommodations you gave is a start, but it doesn't include anything that will actually teach her to pay attention and participate fully in the class. I would seek an IEP to get those services in place, so that she learns to participate.
3. My understanding is that meds are usually key for children with ADHD, because when they are young it's hard to develop a full set of coping skills right away. Ideally, you work a lot on executive function skills during the school years, and by the time the person is an adult they may well have enough coping skills to decide to do without meds. Or not. As they wish.
I have an appt with a doctor from the Hoagie's list, who is familiar with 2e (ADHD/gifted is "2e" right?). Plus the ped knew I would be resistant, so she is writing a referral to a child psych in the group that specializes in LD. So we will get 2 second opinions.
That seems fine. It's a lot of opinions. That's OK.
If you decide to go with meds, do get the most expert, experienced prescriber you can find.
Hang in there.
DeeDee
