Would anyone care to share their experience/success/struggles with ADHD medication with your gifted child? I keep trying to find alternative explanations (other than ADHD) for ds's behaviors, and I've always thought I wouldn't consider medication unless ds was having trouble learning. While he is certainly ahead of grade-level, he's also a classic underachiever. I've been attributing this to lack of challenge in school, hence the start of homeschooling a couple of months ago. BUT, I'm beginning to wonder if part of the relative underachievement (for his ability level) could also be related to ADHD. He certainly has all the symptoms. It's nice to call them gifted overexcitabilities (to me it sounds less foreboding), but what difference does it make what we call it if the behaviors are all the same? Am I doing ds a disservice by withholding potentially beneficial medication? If he had been able to focus these past few years, could he have cured cancer by now? Obviously, I'm kidding and exagerating, but he could potentially be capable of sooooo much more, right? Don't get me wrong, I'm not a pushy parent who expexts miracles just because we have a gifted diagnosis. But, what if all he needs is ADHD medication to be happy and well-adjusted? How much he's achieved is less of a concern to me than how he feels. He tells me he feels that he can't control his feelings and that he has to be in motion to be able to think. His coping skills are extremely poor.
We already try many behavioral strategies which sometimes work and sometimes do not. We are beginning a new school (a Montessori school we feel very good about) in January. Should we give that a shot before considering a full evaluation to rule out or confirm ADHD? Or should I go ahead and do a full work-up with the behavioral pediatrician and get her opinion before ds starts the new school?
I'd really appreciate hearing your experience with ADHD meds for your gifted child. My bf's son is taking a low dose ADHD medication, and I'm amazed at the difference. Still the same great kid with a great personality, but it's like he has matured 2-3 years in the month since I've last seen him. I also read this article which is making me really think. If you have the time to check it out, I'd really appreciate it!
http://www.addvance.com/help/parents/gifted_child.htmlJen
