Adhd son & adhd mom - help!

<p>I think that it can be fairly difficult
While the structure can be a relief- the ADD folks I have known are fairly headstrong and independent i.e. don't like to be told what to do.
My brother just retired from military and did ok, but he had a family to take his frustration out on- it also took him a really long time to complete his degree & to advance because he didn't do well with testing.
a friend joined the Marines- but wasn't happy with his assigned job so he volunteered to go overseas where he was injured.
Don't join the military if you are opposed to firing guns to kill. Some people lose sight of that in all the recruitment materials advocating training options.</p>

<p>I heard that ritalin use disqualified a person from military service-- not true?</p>

<p>finnegansfolly, would taking a year or two off and working/taking classes at the local CC be a bad option for your son? I've know of smart people who struggled with issues like adhd and did the same...and it turned out well for them. Sometimes taking a year or two off can help someone focus his goals and, in effect, overcome the perceived "laziness" caused by the adhd.</p>

<p>i know some people who graduated at the top of their class and get like 2.2s in college.</p>

<p>Most of the people in my grade at my add/adhd and LD school r planning on going to CC(and i mean planning they already planned it out) Or into Military after hs Infact im one of the few who wanna go to regular college right after</p>

<p>"csdad, I think they also look for a big gap between intellectual level and performance level. For example, a 2.95 GPA coupled with a 160 IQ might warrant the IEP / 504."...</p>

<p>.the "descrepency model" was used for LD classification but is being pushed out. Bottom line in the 504 laws is "substantial limitation" of learning. Degree of underachievement based on intellect is not a factor. Office of Cival Rights will not define "substantial limitation"..it is left to the granting institution. Mosy judges have ruled that if a student is making progress towards graduating (passing from grade to grade) there is no substantial limitation of learning.</p>

<p>I don't know if taking a year off would be good??? he seems to want to get out of high school and meet all kinds of new people and have new experiences
...but I don't know....he went on a mission trip to honduras last year and loved it.....probably going again in Jan 2007........</p>

<p>I don't know what he would do.....</p>

<p>I have often thought that the military would be great for my s.....but he is on meds.......the structure would be good.....I don't know</p>

<p>Maybe he could go off the meds and figure things out on his own? That's how people did it before the meds...</p>

<p>Your son sounds a lot like I was a while back: high test scores, bad grades, no motivation. I got in some ok colleges, but my guidance counselor suggested I go to a small private residential junior college in New England, where they'd be accustomed to underperforming students like me. Such colleges are sort of like prep schools except you get college credit for your courses (Dean College in Franklin, Mass is a good one). I went to one, and my first year there I made the Dean's List and transferred to Boston College (graduated 3 years later with honors). I found out I had dyslexia and ADD, and that I needed to concentrate extra hard to study (wearing foam ear plugs while reading allowed me block out all noise and really focus). I went on to get two master's degrees and have been a part-time college teacher for 10 years. So don't give up hope!!</p>

<p>I've got it....oh look a penny!...I take a little bit of medication..I was diagnosed in 3rd grade when my parents finally admitted I couldn't (wouldn't !) get myself out the door without supervision....I didn't have accommodations in school but my academic performance was rollercoaster-esque...from hs senior year I had a coach who's a parent friend, but a paid hourly coach who helped me organize my college applications, and stay on schedule.... now in college I email her every now and then for study advice...but I'm doing ok...I've got a 3.7 at a smallish, very selective LAC in chinese/econ double major..my school offers a great student services program for kids who need more coaching or study skills and peer group writing coaching. .I think in general the trick is to use non-parent help - it avoids the parent anxiety/resentment/ anger/ nagging factor and lets your kid recognize the need for help, and manage the help process.</p>

<p>
[quote]
the trick is to use non-parent help - it avoids the parent anxiety/resentment/ anger/ nagging factor and lets your kid recognize the need for help, and manage the help process

[/quote]

Thank you Spiker, that's the best bottom line piece of advice I've seen on dealing with ADD and college! </p>

<p>Most colleges have academic support services, and the important thing for many may be more a matter of taking ownership of their own support than of selecting one of the schools that is particularly 'known' for their support, but might not be a good fit otherwise.</p>

<p>Landmark College in Vermont is supposed to specialize in bright ADHD kids who may not have figured out how to manage their ADHD. It’s a 2-year school, extremely expensive, and I don’t know anyone who went there, so I can’t personally (or even second-handedly) recommend it. But it’s on my radar screen because I have one of these very bright, only-recently-diagnosed ADHD kids who might benefit from their program.</p>

<p>While I realize this thread is old, this info may help some future reader…</p>