TC: Mom, me and *playdate friend* talked so much that my head is gonna splode. (He was happy about this.)
Me: E, you need to get ready for bed.
E: Sorry Mom, I was having a long prayer time with Amy. (the hamster)
TC: Know what I'm going to be when I grow up?
Me: What?
TC: Rich. Because I'll have an electric money machine to make money in my museum.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Klepto
We've always had problems with E taking things that don't belong to him. We have a routine of checking his pockets whenever we leave someone's house. We saw a psychologist a while ago who suggested we have a pre-visit routine of reminding E of the importance of not taking things that don't belong to him, and giving him encouragement, etc. It's not as bad as it used to be and I do think he'll continue to outgrow it as he matures. I follow Kirk Martin on Facebook and this recent post spoke to me. (I had the same response as Vickie.)
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The ADHD Update
I checked some books out of the library on ADHD recently, and found some good stuff to share. Now of course half the books they have are completely out of date, and some are just ridiculously out of touch with reality. But I found one in an easy-reader style called The ADHD Update by Alvin & Virginia Silverstein & Laura Silverstein Nunn.
Is ADHD Overdiagnosed?
In the United States, ADHD has become so common that many people think the condition is being overdiagnosed. Medical experts disagree. They say that because scientists have learned a lot about ADHD in recent years, doctors are now better able to identify it. While some cases may be misdiagnosed, many cases actually go undiagnosed. People who have ADD - without the hyperactivity - often go unnoticed because they are quietly daydreaming in the classroom.
I've been told that we should modify E's diet in order to 'cure' him or help with symptoms. I respect that certain foods can cause unwanted symptoms in some people, but I grow weary of being told that I should eliminate sugar or food dyes or gluten as a cure for my son's behavior. Another quote from the book gave me backing to what I already knew:
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) conducted a number of independent studies on the effect of a restricted diet on hyperactivity. In 1982, the NIMH announced that such a diet helped only about 5% of hyperactive children - mostly young children with food allergies.
I find it a bit insulting, like you would tell any other parent of a special needs child that they could fix the problem if only they would stop feeding them such a horrible diet already. Like I'm stuffing him with Slurpees and Pop Rocks all day. Shut up people, and let me parent my own kid.
Great picture here of what it's like to have ADHD:
If you don't have ADHD, try to imagine what it feels like. First, turn on the tv and the radio. Then ask a friend to talk to you. While all this is going on, sit down and try to do your homework. Can you tune out all the distractions and do your homework? Can you talk to your friend without paying attention to the tv or radio? Some people with ADHD have trouble sorting out the many sounds, sights, and thoughts that demand attention. They do not know how to focus on just one thing at at time and tune out the rest. One person with ADHD described how it felt when he tried to do something as simple as read a book: "My thoughts raced round and round in my head. It's like my mind was a pinball machine with five or six balls smashing into each other."
I really appreciated this book, and hope that others might find the above helpful too. We may not have awareness magnets on our cars just yet, but my goal is make people aware of what this disorder is really all about, and how to understand those who have it, rather than judging them.
Is ADHD Overdiagnosed?
In the United States, ADHD has become so common that many people think the condition is being overdiagnosed. Medical experts disagree. They say that because scientists have learned a lot about ADHD in recent years, doctors are now better able to identify it. While some cases may be misdiagnosed, many cases actually go undiagnosed. People who have ADD - without the hyperactivity - often go unnoticed because they are quietly daydreaming in the classroom.
I've been told that we should modify E's diet in order to 'cure' him or help with symptoms. I respect that certain foods can cause unwanted symptoms in some people, but I grow weary of being told that I should eliminate sugar or food dyes or gluten as a cure for my son's behavior. Another quote from the book gave me backing to what I already knew:
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) conducted a number of independent studies on the effect of a restricted diet on hyperactivity. In 1982, the NIMH announced that such a diet helped only about 5% of hyperactive children - mostly young children with food allergies.
I find it a bit insulting, like you would tell any other parent of a special needs child that they could fix the problem if only they would stop feeding them such a horrible diet already. Like I'm stuffing him with Slurpees and Pop Rocks all day. Shut up people, and let me parent my own kid.
Great picture here of what it's like to have ADHD:
If you don't have ADHD, try to imagine what it feels like. First, turn on the tv and the radio. Then ask a friend to talk to you. While all this is going on, sit down and try to do your homework. Can you tune out all the distractions and do your homework? Can you talk to your friend without paying attention to the tv or radio? Some people with ADHD have trouble sorting out the many sounds, sights, and thoughts that demand attention. They do not know how to focus on just one thing at at time and tune out the rest. One person with ADHD described how it felt when he tried to do something as simple as read a book: "My thoughts raced round and round in my head. It's like my mind was a pinball machine with five or six balls smashing into each other."
I really appreciated this book, and hope that others might find the above helpful too. We may not have awareness magnets on our cars just yet, but my goal is make people aware of what this disorder is really all about, and how to understand those who have it, rather than judging them.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Whitney Houston
Autopsy Reveals Whitney Houston's Body Ravaged - We all knew, or suspected, that Whitney Houston had been under the influence when she died. I had hope for her during the brief time she had gotten sober and appeared on Oprah looking healthy and finally of sound mind. Reading this report broke my heart a little. It's a grim picture of what addiction does to you.
She talked & sang about Jesus, and I truly hope that she did know Him, and is at peace now.
Sources said the temperature could have been as high as 150F (66C) when she got into the tub. Six hours after her death, the water was still 91F and medical sources said she may have been so high she did not notice how hot her bath was. Traces of cocaine, cannabis, anxiety pill Xanax, muscle relaxant Flexeril, allergy medicine Benadryl and painkiller Ibuprofen were found in her body. The 48-year-old was also scarred by decades of cosmetic surgery, alcohol-fueled fights and falls. She had marks on her stomach, chest and upper left thigh believed to be from cosmetic procedures. A scar on her left forearm may also have been self-inflicted. Houston's lifestyle also had weakened her heart so badly that one of her coronary arteries had narrowed by 60 percent.
She talked & sang about Jesus, and I truly hope that she did know Him, and is at peace now.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Easy to Love
After a particularly rough morning with E, this really lightened my heart when it came up in my Facebook news feed:
The kids had a four day weekend for Easter, and this is always the kiss of death for E. He does not deal with change well, nor does he transition well back into routine. He cried, argued and carried on all morning. He kept asking why he even has to go to school, and then made his case for taking Amy (the hamster) to school with him. He even carried her cage to the door. I had to take her from him and put her back, try not to lose my patience with him and get him even more upset before I had to drop him off. I emailed his teacher and guidance counselor to give them a heads up. No phone calls yet, so I'm praying that his day is going okay.
I had a meeting with our lead pastor this morning and he mentioned the book, Shepherding a Child's Heart. I have a long list of books I want to read, but I may move this one to the front of the list if it seems like it could help E survive to adulthood.
UPDATE: The school never called, and I found myself checking my phone all day to see if I had missed their call. When I picked E up from school he was in a good mood. I asked him how his day was, and he said that it had started out bad, but that he had turned it around. I was so proud of him, that I un-grounded him. I want to reinforce how important it is that you can always start over. This was big for him, and I'm so pleased!
The kids had a four day weekend for Easter, and this is always the kiss of death for E. He does not deal with change well, nor does he transition well back into routine. He cried, argued and carried on all morning. He kept asking why he even has to go to school, and then made his case for taking Amy (the hamster) to school with him. He even carried her cage to the door. I had to take her from him and put her back, try not to lose my patience with him and get him even more upset before I had to drop him off. I emailed his teacher and guidance counselor to give them a heads up. No phone calls yet, so I'm praying that his day is going okay.
I had a meeting with our lead pastor this morning and he mentioned the book, Shepherding a Child's Heart. I have a long list of books I want to read, but I may move this one to the front of the list if it seems like it could help E survive to adulthood.
UPDATE: The school never called, and I found myself checking my phone all day to see if I had missed their call. When I picked E up from school he was in a good mood. I asked him how his day was, and he said that it had started out bad, but that he had turned it around. I was so proud of him, that I un-grounded him. I want to reinforce how important it is that you can always start over. This was big for him, and I'm so pleased!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
This & That
3 Common Traits of Youth Who Don't Leave the Church - This is something I think about a lot, since I was one of those kids who walked away from the church when I went to college. I appreciate any insight into what keeps kids grounded in their faith when they leave home.
10 Things I Want to Tell Teenage Girls - All very true and funny!
Multiple Forms of ADHD? - "Investigators believe ADHD symptoms may actually represent an entire family of disorders, similar to the classification of various subtypes of cancer." I don't want to sound rude, but the words, "WELL DUH" came out of my mouth upon reading that. Sorry science guys, no offense meant, but it's just nice to hear that research supports what moms & dads of ADHD kids have already known for years.
10 Things I Want to Tell Teenage Girls - All very true and funny!
Multiple Forms of ADHD? - "Investigators believe ADHD symptoms may actually represent an entire family of disorders, similar to the classification of various subtypes of cancer." I don't want to sound rude, but the words, "WELL DUH" came out of my mouth upon reading that. Sorry science guys, no offense meant, but it's just nice to hear that research supports what moms & dads of ADHD kids have already known for years.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)