ADHD and Neurodiversity

Part Time James said:
I got good GCSE results, p*ssed my A-levels up the wall and started working for a company on minimum wage aged 18. I have now been promoted 8 times over a 27 year career with them, and gotten to a six figure salary. I don't say that to be crass but to emphasize that sometimes just hard work, ability and a pinch of luck is all you need. My task as a Dad is to each him about work ethic. If he's a hard worker, identifies his strengths and maybe gets the right luck he'll be fine. Doesn't need some skewed GCSE results.
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Fair play. I left school at 16 with a certificate for winning the Lewisham schools cricket league when I was 11. Maybe it held me back but I retired at 57 and life is good.
 
An element that really bothers me about this ADHD boom is the involvement of the drug companies.

Big Pharma are always looking for new diseases and unmet needs among the populace. I can think of several examples of how demand is created: the opioid crisis in USA is one along with 'safe and healthy' cholesterol levels threshold being dropped in last few years to get everyone onto statins.

Having young kids on these powerful drugs is a huge concern for the future and making MrBig Pharma and his shareholders very happy.
 
Part Time James said:
I got good GCSE results, p*ssed my A-levels up the wall and started working for a company on minimum wage aged 18. I have now been promoted 8 times over a 27 year career with them, and gotten to a six figure salary. I don't say that to be crass but to emphasize that sometimes just hard work, ability and a pinch of luck is all you need. My task as a Dad is to each him about work ethic. If he's a hard worker, identifies his strengths and maybe gets the right luck he'll be fine. Doesn't need some skewed GCSE results.
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I got promoted after banging my supervisor once......Well, quite a few times.

I was 27 and she was 47....good condition for 47....but it's still a bit like poking a flesh skeleton when you're in your prime.

Completely unethnical of course....but my knob had lower standards than the rest of me.
 
Stirlingsays said:
I got promoted after banging my supervisor once......Well, quite a few times.

I was 27 and she was 47....good condition for 47....but it's still a bit like poking a flesh skeleton when you're in your prime.

Completely unethnical of course....but my knob had lower standards than the rest of me.
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You've lived the dream mate. I had to work hard stabbing everyone else in the back and taking credit for their work. And none of my female colleagues even let me finger them.
 
Joseph Paxton said:
An element that really bothers me about this ADHD boom is the involvement of the drug companies.

Big Pharma are always looking for new diseases and unmet needs among the populace. I can think of several examples of how demand is created: the opioid crisis in USA is one along with 'safe and healthy' cholesterol levels threshold being dropped in last few years to get everyone onto statins.

Having young kids on these powerful drugs is a huge concern for the future and making MrBig Pharma and his shareholders very happy.
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Same with the elevated Blood pressure threshold numbers being lowered .
 
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The problem with a legitimate disability, mental or physical, is that you get some people who take advantage of the system. Makes people think everyone is on the take. I have 2 girls who are both autistic and have adhd, only diagnosed at 13 because girls are usually able to mask it until when puberty hits it stops them being able to cope as well. They stopped going to school, couldnt cope with crowds, social situations, eating, dressing, etc. Fortunately they are not at the extreme end of the spectrum but it has made life a lot harder adapting our lives to facilite their needs. The wife has had to stop working to manage them, we dont claim benefits and we have to pay for private treatment because the NHS wait lists are years long. Luckily I now have a good job but we can only afford the basics outside of medical costs, food, bills etc. I dont drink out anymore, we dont have holidays and I dont go to games. Others have it worse but autism and adhd are a thing, some people do need financial help. Watching palace on tv is one of my few pleasures. The last 2 years success have helped. Anyway I will put away my violin now.
 
I got an ADHD diagnosis aged 54. A lot of things make sense now. I’ve done quite well professionally but do sometimes wonder what would have happened had I known earlier. That said - being mostly full of energy and having a brain that fires lots of ideas has had its benefits.

I’m going to try the medication - I do wonder what it will be like. Maybe I won’t have to fight so much to focus and stay on track.
 
Part Time James said:
I won't take credit for the gradual introduction of the meds. It's very much a stipulation of the private company performing the titration. For info, we went down the Right To Choose path which means a referral to a private company through an NHS GP, rather than a very long wait under CAMHS. We were told CAMHS was a 6 year waiting list, we got my son's ADHD assessment from Right To Chose in 8 months. All still paid for by the NHS, but outsourcing the work.

Anyway, that was a tangent, but they don't come across as pill pushers. They have done lots of checks and we have regular check ins before altering doses etc. I even have to submit blood pressure readings for him every week. I'd be quick to challenge if it felt like they were just handing them out like sweeties, but they definitely take a responsible approach.

The other thing that reassures me is that they have recommended meds so that we can teach him more natural coping mechanisms (i.e.: he has the attention span to try them) with a view to not being on them forever.
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I'm glad it is moving along nicely and it seems like you and your family are tied in really well with your Dr, which is always nice. Wife went in with the same mindset, it is a temporary assist and not a life long crutch. The one concern we did have was that it killed his appetite to the point where his younger brother was heavier then him. He's been off the meds for almost two years now and has since put on 40 lbs (18.1 kg) and looks healthy (he's tall so before he looked like a refugee when he was really thin).

Teaching coping skills is important. My wife handled that for us since she's a therapist. US schools also utilize Individualized Education Programs (I think you called it a Individual Support Plan in the UK.) They are helpful in helping the student get set up for success by forcing teachers to make some accommodations for the student.

An 8 month wait is much better then 6 years, but waiting 8 months is absolutely crazy to me. We called his primary care physician and made an appointment for the next week. It cost me $15 for a co-pay and his meds were free because of the pharmacy I was using at the time. The US system is awesome if you have good insurance but can be financially ruinous if you don't.
 
martinelliff said:
The problem with a legitimate disability, mental or physical, is that you get some people who take advantage of the system. Makes people think everyone is on the take. I have 2 girls who are both autistic and have adhd, only diagnosed at 13 because girls are usually able to mask it until when puberty hits it stops them being able to cope as well. They stopped going to school, couldnt cope with crowds, social situations, eating, dressing, etc. Fortunately they are not at the extreme end of the spectrum but it has made life a lot harder adapting our lives to facilite their needs. The wife has had to stop working to manage them, we dont claim benefits and we have to pay for private treatment because the NHS wait lists are years long. Luckily I now have a good job but we can only afford the basics outside of medical costs, food, bills etc. I dont drink out anymore, we dont have holidays and I dont go to games. Others have it worse but autism and adhd are a thing, some people do need financial help. Watching palace on tv is one of my few pleasures. The last 2 years success have helped. Anyway I will put away my violin now.
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I'm going to tell you this because you are never going to hear it enough in your life;

You are a damn good dad and you should be proud of providing and caring for your family. You keep doing what you are doing and keep being the Dad that those precious girls need you to be.
 
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