Yvonnie Bailey- Davidson

Dear Counsellor:

My son who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has just started high school. He has a great difficulty organising himself and gets into disputes at school. I don't know what to do.

- Primrose

Dear Primrose:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition that occurs most frequently in boys and can be lifelong. Some people show improvements over time but the disorganisation and temper tantrums tend to persist into adulthood. The condition can be treated with medication and environmental manipulation. The medication causes the individual to be less hyperactive, more focused and more attentive.

Going to high school is a major milestone for students and sometimes their ADHD seemed to get worse. At high school the student has to be more independent and self-motivated. The student has to be a self-learner as there is no spoon-feeding. He will need help to schedule his homework assignments and organise himself.

Students with ADHD have a greater difficulty organising themselves and so parents will have to help them. Settling down at high school is difficult for these students. Some of the students are coming from preparatory schools where the class sizes were small and the teachers more nurturing. In high school, the students are expected to cope with minimal help from staff.

Parents have to make themselves available to share into the traumatic experiences that their children have to endure. Growth and development are gradual processes and so parents have to be more available in the early adolescent period.

In the first three years of high school, parents have to treat their children as if they were in preparatory school. This is because the children are very needy at this period in their lives. Changes come with chaos and disorganisation and young teens are unsure of themselves and are not too certain of what's expected of them. This adjustment period has to be managed with empathy, openness and tolerance. Be open with your child and allow him/her to vent his/her stresses.

It is unfortunate that children work hard to get good grades in the GSAT but start failing when they reached high school. It is good to speak with the principal about your child's condition and find out if there are any provisions made for children with learning disabilities. We are discovering more about ADHD daily and no two children are the same or will respond similarly to treatment.

There is a support group for parents and teachers who have to deal with ADHD. This group is very helpful as you will meet fellow caregivers who are willing to share their successes and failures. It is held every third Saturday from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at YMCA near to Half-Way Tree.

Contact Dr. Yvonnie Bailey-Davidson at 978-8602 or 791-1778, or email yvonniebd@hotmail.com.