Re: information request on AHAD

[Guest guest]

Hi there, I just received your e-mail about your Granddaughter. I am not too clear on a few things. First, is it ADHD? If so I also have a child with this problem, he is now 10 and has improved greatly with medication (riddlin). He went from failing in school to now he has 4 A's and 2 B's. That is a huge difference. However, if your daughter doesn't want medication for her daughter tell her to try (and I know this sounds crazy) caffeine. A cup of cooled coffee once in the morning, once in the early afternoon and again around 3 or 4. If she truly has ADD or ADHD then they process things backwards (lack of medical terms here) and the caffeine will settle her down. It does just the opposite for these children. There have been times when I have ran out of medicine for my son and I myself have used coffee, and it does work. One caution however, ADHD is highly misdiagnosed in children, perhaps your granddaughter was just in a "mood!

" or did not want to be there. Kids will do that sometimes. My son was refereed to a Neurologist, and was tested in ways to see. If your granddaughter does not have ADHD then the coffee or riddlin will not work. I myself was very unhappy with having to put my child on medication. However when I did I was so grateful to it. I did have to play around with the dose several times but when I found what worked for my son, it was like having a totally different kid. He was not a "zoned out" kid, he was simply calmer. He was able to process things and turned out he liked himself much better on his medicine than without it. Which self esteem being a huge factor in having this disorder. He is finally able to be one of the "normal" kids in school again. however, please advice your daughter to take her to more than this one doctor for diagnoses. Like any other thing, a second opinion is best. Well, I have rambled on and on and I'm not su!

re if ADHD is even what you were asking about. If you could, please let me know how it is going with her in the future. I myself am a healthy 30 year old, I joined the sight to gain knowledge on my mothers IBM. Any information or advice you may have on this would be greatly appreciated.

Take care, Sandy

[Guest guest]

Hi Elaine :-)

Your daughter might be interested in what Dr. ph Mercola of Schaumberg,

Illionois has to say .....He is a big proponent of diet and he doesn't

believe in medicating children for AHAD, either. Go to his website at

www.mercola.com if the following link doesn't work:

children.

take care,

Connie

information request on AHAD

> Dear Friends,

>

> I know that this is not the topic of this

> group.. but I also know that the group contains

> some terrific " researchers " , plus people with

> lots of experience in lots of subjects.

>

> My daughter just called me. She had her 4 year old

> daughter evaluated for " speech therapy " .

>

> The therapist said that Brittany has a MUCH larger

> vocabulary than a 4 year old usually does, but that

> she does not concentrate when she talks, therefore,

> the words she uses are difficult to understand.

> While she was testing Brittany, Brittany would not

> look her in the eyes and was constantly moving, eyes,

> hands, body, etc. (was not focused is how she put it)

>

> The therapist said that she believes that Brittany

> has AHAD. She gave , (my daughter) advice

> on the best ways to teach Brittany (using all three

> senses.. eyes, hearing and hands) since is

> home schooling both Brittany and her sister

> (age 6). The therapist said that she will NOT

> recommend speech therapy for Brittany right now, as

> it would be impossible to " hold her attention " , but

> if it doesn't improve by fall, they will re-evaluate

> her. The therapist wants to talk to her

> pediatrician about putting Brittany on medication.

> won't go that route.

>

> Anybody have any suggestions? We are particularly

> interested in a possible connection with DIET.

> Brittany HAS been tested for allergies.. and that

> is NOT the problem. She also had her tonsils and

> adenoids removed, but I think that she had already

> started to mispronounce the words before that and

> believe that she just hasn't yet " relearned " the

> words, but we will see.

>

> , 2, also went with and Brittany today,

> because he raised a fit about " staying home " . The

> therapist says that he is " developmentally behind "

> because even though he UNDERSTANDS EVERYTHING, he

> is not yet speaking in sentences.. (he doesn't HAVE

> to.. everyone tries to avoid his temper tantrums and

> anticipates what he wants!!) (Can you tell that I am

> not all that impressed with the therapist????)

>

> The beginning of March I will be going down to Mobile

> and staying with , , and three of my

> grandchildren, hopefully, for 5 weeks if I can get

> my own medical problems under some kind of decent

> control!

>

> Any suggestions will be appreciated.

>

> elaine

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

My mother always said, "If you go to a surgeon, he'll want to cut". If you go to a therapist, she will try to find something to give "therapy." Many of these problems sound developmental and will probably be outgrown. Suggest that just wait for a while and then reevaluate.

Sue

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

I agree with Cari on the issue of medicine on a 4 year old, or just from one visit. My son went to several doctors, including specialist for his diagnosis. However, please don't shy away from meds for this if once she is in school and it interrupts her school work. That is my opinion only, but if it is attention problems she is having, it will (should) not affect her until she is school age.

One the issue of a speech problem I must say I disagree with Cari. I am nervous in writing so because of the fact my education did not come from a college. My daughter has a speech problem. She also was 4 years old when we discovered she had a problem. I did not notice it because I could understand most of what she said. On a trip to visit family, my sister-in-law who was a therapist in the Boulder school district played some games with her and noticed it. She gave me a number to call for our area and was tested for speech. However her testing had taken us 3 separate testing days. It was not just one. After she was diagnosed with speech problems we then entered her into a head start program 2.5 hours a day 4 days a week. the government program paid for this because it was a speech problem. So it was no cost to us. Always a plus. She is now almost 7 years old and will be completely done with speech therapy by the end of!

this year. She will have completed Kindergarten. It is of coarse your daughters choice, but I must add that children have so many problems that speech should not have to be one of them. In my daughters class there is a little girl who has a speech problem as well, but has not had therapy and the only one in her class to understand her is my daughter . When I asked how the other kids treated her she said "OK" but that most didn't play with her because they could not understand her. Kids should be given every opportunity to succeed in life beginning as young as possible. there is not medication for speech, just therapy in the form of play. I don't see why she wouldn't give her all possible help with this.

once again, I am not a professional. I am a mother of 3 kids, one with sever ADHA and the other had a speech problem. One more thing, not that I have not said too much, but I hear all the time of kids that are hyper, can't sit still, etc. My son has this problem however, he is not hyper, and can sit still. His problem is memory and other areas, of being nervous etc. My son and I can sit at the table for 2 hours doing homework, then the next day when his teacher will ask for his homework, he will respond that he did not do it. He simply does not remember that we did it. These problems are related to ADHD. Not always being hyper. If it is just being hyper that is the only problem, check her diet and so on, maybe sugar is too much, something. I do believe that this is so over diagnosed that it is sad. People think any kid who has a hard time sitting still has it. I am 30 and I still don't like to sit still. Hope you find this helpful and not just some crazy women rambling on, I do love kids and care about them all.

Sandy

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

Hats off to your daughter for not agreeing to put her child on medication!!!

My degree is in the field of child psychology/family counseling. I did

not finish grad school. A 4 year old is too young to determine if speech

therapy is necessary unless their is an obvious, extreme problem. Even

lisping and stuttering at this age are not considered extreme for 4 year

olds. Extreme would be her parents not being able to understand or

communicate with her. Unless your granddaughter was being tested by someone

that she is familiar and comfortable with, it would be almost impossible to

determine if she has AHAD. This dx should never be arrived at by just ONE

interview or office visit! I don't know of too many 4 year olds who are

comfortable in a new situation and office with a professional and would be

able to sit still and look them in the eye. That is ridiculous. I just got

back from the elementary school where I work with an 8 year old on his

spelling. He does very well in all subjects except spelling. That child

couldn't sit still if he was in restraints. He wiggles, squirms, and has

all kinds of facial expressions. When he is concentrating he stands up and

looks at the ceiling. Oh well. That's just .

It is absolutely outragious to dx or label a 2 year old with any sort of

communication problem. I agree with your opinion of this therapist. It all

sounds like rubbish to me. Perhaps our school teachers, Anne-Marie and

Sherry could give you more insight. No 4 year old should be put on

medication to modify her behavior. 4 year olds are still learning to

behave, for goodness sake. O.K. enough said. I'm mad. Good for your

daughter in going with her instincts on this one.

Bad therapist! Send her to the corner for bad behavior.

Hugs,

Cari

>

>Reply-To: OurMyositisegroups

>To: " OurMyositisegroups (DOT) com " <OurMyositisegroups>

>Subject: information request on AHAD

>Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2001 17:53:58 -0800

>

>Dear Friends,

>

>I know that this is not the topic of this

>group.. but I also know that the group contains

>some terrific " researchers " , plus people with

>lots of experience in lots of subjects.

>

>My daughter just called me. She had her 4 year old

>daughter evaluated for " speech therapy " .

>

>The therapist said that Brittany has a MUCH larger

>vocabulary than a 4 year old usually does, but that

>she does not concentrate when she talks, therefore,

>the words she uses are difficult to understand.

>While she was testing Brittany, Brittany would not

>look her in the eyes and was constantly moving, eyes,

>hands, body, etc. (was not focused is how she put it)

>

>The therapist said that she believes that Brittany

>has AHAD. She gave , (my daughter) advice

>on the best ways to teach Brittany (using all three

>senses.. eyes, hearing and hands) since is

>home schooling both Brittany and her sister

>(age 6). The therapist said that she will NOT

>recommend speech therapy for Brittany right now, as

>it would be impossible to " hold her attention " , but

>if it doesn't improve by fall, they will re-evaluate

>her. The therapist wants to talk to her

>pediatrician about putting Brittany on medication.

> won't go that route.

>

>Anybody have any suggestions? We are particularly

>interested in a possible connection with DIET.

>Brittany HAS been tested for allergies.. and that

>is NOT the problem. She also had her tonsils and

>adenoids removed, but I think that she had already

>started to mispronounce the words before that and

>believe that she just hasn't yet " relearned " the

>words, but we will see.

>

>, 2, also went with and Brittany today,

>because he raised a fit about " staying home " . The

>therapist says that he is " developmentally behind "

>because even though he UNDERSTANDS EVERYTHING, he

>is not yet speaking in sentences.. (he doesn't HAVE

>to.. everyone tries to avoid his temper tantrums and

>anticipates what he wants!!) (Can you tell that I am

>not all that impressed with the therapist????)

>

>The beginning of March I will be going down to Mobile

>and staying with , , and three of my

>grandchildren, hopefully, for 5 weeks if I can get

>my own medical problems under some kind of decent

>control!

>

>Any suggestions will be appreciated.

>

>elaine

>

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Hello Elaine,

Did the dr say what AHAD stood for? I know quite a bit about ADHD, being a teacher, but I am not familiar with AHAD. I am interested in this though. If you can let me know what it is, I can look it up in our teacher's resource center. I hope this helps.~~Sherry

>From: "Elaine"

>Reply-To: OurMyositisegroups >To: "OurMyositisegroups (DOT) com"

>Subject: information request on AHAD >Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2001 17:53:58 -0800 > >Dear Friends, > >I know that this is not the topic of this >group.. but I also know that the group contains >some terrific "researchers", plus people with >lots of experience in lots of subjects. > >My daughter just called me. She had her 4 year old >daughter evaluated for "speech therapy". > >The therapist said that Brittany has a MUCH larger >vocabulary than a 4 year old usually does, but that >she does not concentrate when she talks, therefore, >the words she uses are difficult to understand. >While she was testing Brittany, Brittany would not >look her in the eyes and was constantly moving, eyes, >hands, body, etc. (was not focused is how she put it) > >The therapist said that she believes that Brittany >has AHAD. She gave , (my daughter) advice >on the best ways to teach Brittany (using all three >senses.. eyes, hearing and hands) since is >home schooling both Brittany and her sister >(age 6). The therapist said that she will NOT >recommend speech therapy for Brittany right now, as >it would be impossible to "hold her attention", but >if it doesn't improve by fall, they will re-evaluate >her. The therapist wants to talk to her >pediatrician about putting Brittany on medication. > won't go that route. > >Anybody have any suggestions? We are particularly >interested in a possible connection with DIET. >Brittany HAS been tested for allergies.. and that >is NOT the problem. She also had her tonsils and >adenoids removed, but I think that she had already >started to mispronounce the words before that and >believe that she just hasn't yet "relearned" the >words, but we will see. > >, 2, also went with and Brittany today, >because he raised a fit about "staying home". The >therapist says that he is "developmentally behind" >because even though he UNDERSTANDS EVERYTHING, he >is not yet speaking in sentences.. (he doesn't HAVE >to.. everyone tries to avoid his temper tantrums and >anticipates what he wants!!) (Can you tell that I am >not all that impressed with the therapist????) > >The beginning of March I will be going down to Mobile >and staying with , , and three of my >grandchildren, hopefully, for 5 weeks if I can get >my own medical problems under some kind of decent >control! > >Any suggestions will be appreciated. > >elaine > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Dear Sandy,

What a beautifully worded, thought out message.. You will find

it interesting that decided to try the LOW SUGAR route

this morning, and instead of POP TARTS or some such stuff,

she made the kids French toast.. Brittany LISTENED to her

for the entire morning.. no the speech problem didn't magically

disappear.. it won't ... we know that.. but the ATTENTION SPAN

problem was a bit better... THEN, Brittany and got into

the pantry and got into the Oreo's while was in another

room... Within an hour, Brittany became MEAN.. and then laid

down on the couch and fell asleep for 2 1/2 hours.. so... SUGAR

is definitely one of the problems. has fibro and has bad

headaches when the weather changes.. she had been sort of

"saving energy" by letting the kids choose their foods.. THAT

is changing tonight.. is watching all the kids and Mel is

going to the store and getting more complex carbohydrate

foods and planning things like crackers and cheese and veggies

for snacks.. I am proud of her.. she is OPEN TO CHANGE...

We talked on the phone last night, and realized that when

my husband (who has hypoglycemia) and me (who is diabetic)

are down there, and they had like a high protein breakfast and

less "dessert" type foods, Brittany didn't have the "concentration"

problems.. just never put 2+2 together..

When I talk to Brittany on the phone, IF I CAN GET HER FOCUSED..

(in other words depending on her mood), I can get her to repeat what

she is saying and most times understand her.. she is very descriptive

and has a tendency to talk fast and that makes it harder to understand

her sometimes... I am going down there, hopefully, for 5 weeks in March

and by that time will have "tested the sugar theory".. and maybe

we can work with Brittany...

You are right, though.. it will make it a lot harder in this world for her if

she cannot be clearly understood.. It just really got me angry that based

on seeing a child for 1/2 hour.. ONE TIME.. a "professional" says that

they can't help her.. we won't ignore the problem.. believe me.. but

also will not jump into the trap of medicating her either...

I am glad that you had the courage to write what you did.. and I am also

very glad that the head-start program helped Nichole. will put

Brittany in a program such as you did... It is available through the public

school.. 1 hour 3x/week.. even though home schools the girls,

but this therapist will NOT recommend it.. Maybe if we can get Brittany

more "focused".. she will either re-learn the words with our help, or

be able to be accepted into the program at the school.

Thank you for sharing with me.. I have forwarded your e-mail to my

daughter. Hope that is ok..

I have to stop typing now.. My shoulder is really hurting, and I am

supposed to be "resting it" until the MRI next Tues...

elaine

[Guest guest]

Dear Sandy,

Don't be nervous about disagreeing with me!! That it what is so wonderful

about this group. The more information we can share the better. I just get

so fed up with Dr's. I know we all do. I was just so upset that with just

one visit this therapist would make such concrete recomendations and

decisions. Always try diet first. I am glad that Elaine got such good

advice from everyone.

I guess I should introduce myself. I also have 3 children, ages 8,7, and 4.

My 4 year old son, , has DM. He was dx in Jan '99 and is doing very

well. He is on prendisone and plaqunil. Welcome to our little family!

Cari

From: CJHAIN@...

>Reply-To: OurMyositisegroups

>To: OurMyositisegroups

>Subject: Re: information request on AHAD

>Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 17:46:05 EST

>

>Elaine,

>I agree with Cari on the issue of medicine on a 4 year old, or just from

>one

>visit. My son went to several doctors, including specialist for his

>diagnosis. However, please don't shy away from meds for this if once she is

>in school and it interrupts her school work. That is my opinion only, but

>if

>it is attention problems she is having, it will (should) not affect her

>until

>she is school age.

>One the issue of a speech problem I must say I disagree with Cari. I am

>nervous in writing so because of the fact my education did not come from a

>college. My daughter has a speech problem. She also was 4 years old when we

>discovered she had a problem. I did not notice it because I could

>understand

>most of what she said. On a trip to visit family, my sister-in-law who was

>a

>therapist in the Boulder school district played some games with her and

>noticed it. She gave me a number to call for our area and was tested

>for speech. However her testing had taken us 3 separate testing days. It

>was

>not just one. After she was diagnosed with speech problems we then entered

>her into a head start program 2.5 hours a day 4 days a week. the government

>program paid for this because it was a speech problem. So it was no cost to

>us. Always a plus. She is now almost 7 years old and will be completely

>done

>with speech therapy by the end of this year. She will have completed

>Kindergarten. It is of coarse your daughters choice, but I must add that

>children have so many problems that speech should not have to be one of

>them. In my daughters class there is a little girl who has a speech problem

>as well, but has not had therapy and the only one in her class to

>understand

>her is my daughter . When I asked how the other kids treated her she

>said " OK " but that most didn't play with her because they could not

>understand her. Kids should be given every opportunity to succeed in life

>beginning as young as possible. there is not medication for speech, just

>therapy in the form of play. I don't see why she wouldn't give her all

>possible help with this.

>once again, I am not a professional. I am a mother of 3 kids, one with

>sever

>ADHA and the other had a speech problem.

>One more thing, not that I have not said too much, but I hear all the time

>of

>kids that are hyper, can't sit still, etc. My son has this problem however,

>he is not hyper, and can sit still. His problem is memory and other areas,

>of

>being nervous etc. My son and I can sit at the table for 2 hours doing

>homework, then the next day when his teacher will ask for his homework, he

>will respond that he did not do it. He simply does not remember that we did

>it. These problems are related to ADHD. Not always being hyper. If it is

>just

>being hyper that is the only problem, check her diet and so on, maybe sugar

>is too much, something. I do believe that this is so over diagnosed that it

>is sad. People think any kid who has a hard time sitting still has it. I am

>30 and I still don't like to sit still.

>Hope you find this helpful and not just some crazy women rambling on, I do

>love kids and care about them all.

>Sandy

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com