I do have a blog but it is just something I post to once a week or so.
it is quiltsforfun.kikimom@blogger.com
Kirsten
On Feb 28, 2011, at 9:46 AM, Penny Williams wrote:
> Kirsten,
>
> I am posting your reader's story on {amom's view of ADHD} today. Do
> you have a website, blog page, twitter page or the like you'd like
> me to link to as well?
>
> Kindly,
> Penny
>
> Penny Williams
> 828/768-7366
> pennywpenny@gmail.com
>
> From: EmailMeForm [mailto:burst@emailmeform.com]
> Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2011 3:20 PM
> To: pennywpenny@gmail.com
> Subject: Feedback via the Reader's Story
>
> Name:
> Kirsten Battaglia
> Email:
> quiltsforfun@wowway.com
> List ADHD Children w/age and school grade:
> Nicholas, 9, 4th grade
> :
> :
> List Non-ADHD Children w/age and grade:
> Teagan, 6.5, 1st grade
> :
> Nina, 2,
> :
> Who are you?( Are you a working mom or a Stay At Home Mom? Married?
> What was your childhood like? Etc.):
> Part time working mom/part time stay at home mom. Married to a
> wonderful man who is also ADD. Discovered that all my 'hot' buttons
> are caused by all of my husband/son's ADD/ADHD behaviors. Go figure.
> One word to describe your ADHD child::
> Emotional
> What about your life makes your ADHD story uniquely yours? (i.e.,
> single parent, you are ADHD too, your child has co-morbid
> conditions, your child is adopted, etc.) :
> I don't know that my ADHD story is unique. I think my situation is
> probably pretty similar to others. But maybe what makes it unique is
> that I am able to share it.
> How did your ADHD child come to be diagnosed?:
> We had my son's first, second and third grade teachers all point it
> out. I didn't want it to be true and he is the youngest in his class
> so I made excuses for his immature and emotional behaviors. By
> midway through third grade I came to grips that my son was not
> 'normal'. That his excessive outbursts were not due to being young.
> What are your ADHD child's strengths/gifts/talents? Weaknesses?
> Obsessions?:
> Nicholas lives in extremes. When he is compassionate he is uber
> compassionate. When he is a bully he is truly a jerk. He is
> exceptionally smart, sometimes this is good, sometimes it can
> actually be detrimental. People see how smart he is but they don't
> understand why he has his outbursts or why he acts like he has the
> maturity of a two year old. They don't understand ADHD and
> intelligence are not intermingled. He can hyper focus like no one I
> know! Legos and reading can take him away from the world for hours.
> Meanwhile dinner time is spent standing up to eat and he is done and
> wants to be excused almost immediately.
> What sports or extra-curricular activities does your child
> participate in successfully?:
> He played soccer and was very good at it. In fact he played goalie.
> He is not afraid to dive in front of a ball. But he didn't like it.
> He tried football this year. He likes it but doesn't like practices.
> He just wants to play in the games. I am not sure he will ever be
> great at sports due to the inability to focus during practices.
> We'll see.
> He was involved in a lego robotics team this year. He did that well
> but again he likes the competitions not the planning.
> What strategies do you employ to cope with ADHD?:
> We have lists everywhere! Lists in the bathroom say things like did
> you brush your teeth, brush your hair, wash your face. The door list
> says do you have your lunch, your homework, your folders, is it
> library today? is it gym today? We have them for cleaning his room,
> for doing chores, for everything! This enables me to not ask him the
> same things everyday. I just can say did you check your list? I get
> less frustrated and it gives him a sense of control. Also, it breaks
> things down in doable tasks.
> If you could give one piece of advice to a parent of an ADHD child
> just diagnosed, what would it be?:
> Forgive yourself. It is hard as a parent to not question why your
> child has this. It is hard to understand and explain to others that
> your child has 'special needs'. It is not a'handicap' that is
> recognized. I would recommend that they do their homework on how
> they can best help their child but also themselves.
> If you could have a free 60-second spot on a public broadcast
> station, what would you share, show, say?:
> I would show pictures of my son like a photo montage. And have a
> voice over sharing my son's art work, accomplishments, abilities and
> then at the end I would show a video clip of the meltdowns and some
> of the more difficult times. Then I would simply say something like
> "The faces of ADHD."
> Does your child take medication to manage their ADHD? Is so, what
> medication and at what dosage? How does it work for them? What side
> effects do you see? :
> Yes. He is on Focalin 15mg. He takes it once a day. It does work for
> him but by the time he gets home from school he is coming 'down'
> from it. The result is we have lots of emotional meltdowns and
> arguments. It ensures he does well at school but it makes for really
> rough evenings at home. Also, snacking in the evening and sneaking
> food is his new thing. Once the meds wear off he if finally hungry
> and then eats pure junk instead of making healthy choices. Which
> prior to meds he was a great eater making really healthy choices.
> Before he never really like sugary foods but now they are his
> favorites.
> Does your child attend public school or a special school? Does he or
> she have an IEP or a 504 Plan? What kind of accommodations do they
> receive?:
> He attends public school. We do not have a plan currently but have
> considered one for next year. He does not receive any special
> accommodations because he has requested to not have them. He doesn't
> want to be seen as different.
> What else would you like to share with other parents on this similar
> journey?:
> Do your homework. Find support groups. Find websites and blogs like
> A Mom's View. Realize that it is a real condition and that life can
> be a bit more difficult for you and your child. But there are
> resources and people and lots of support. Surround yourself.
> Remember to also take care of yourself and your needs so that you
> can in turn take care of your child.
> Upload a picture of you, your child, together, etc.:
> DSC01376.JPG
>
>
>
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