The Return of the Meltdown

Well, we went all summer without a meltdown, because my son was not here lol! He just got back July 27th from his grandmother’s house. So far, though, we have not had a lot of stress until last night.

The return of the meltdown…

Last night, Jared just had to bother his sister, who is 14. He kept knocking on her door, messing with the door knob, just driving her completely insane. So, my husband and I stepped in.

That’s all it took.

One step on our part and hell breaks loose. Although, I was surprised because the meltdown was a small one, not nearly as bad as the average one. When he refused to leave his sister alone and continued to bother her, we made it clear to him to stop or their will be consequences.

Of course, did he stop? Oh noooooo, that would be too easy! He kept going, my anger was escalating (breathe, Deb, breathe), and Jared’s was, too. It always seems to be the case. The madder I get, the angrier he gets.

To make a long story, short, after the incident with his sister and me telling him to stop or else, he started screaming and banging things around, becoming extremely defiant, so I sent him to his room. Of course, on the way to his room, he’s screaming and yelling at the top of his lungs, stomping up the stairs and finally slams his bedroom door shut. So, I informed him that he was not allowed to play with friends or on the computer for the rest of the day.

He was not happy with that, but it wasn’t long after that, the meltdown stopped. And, he also managed to fall asleep which is always nice because 1) we get some peace and quiet and 2) it calms him down dramatically for when he wakes up.

Some people who do not have ADHD/ODD children do not understand meltdowns, or how they can occur so quickly. Well, from my experience, it does not take much to set my son off. Once this is done, it is only downhill from there. Sometimes, meltdowns can get so bad, I just want to run away and hide for the next 10 years. Obviously, I cannot do that, but oh how I dream! :O)

Today, he’s fishing with his stepdad and our dog, Lily. He loves this and it should keep him relaxed the rest of the day, at least I can only hope.

I am going to see about enrolling him in some educational programs through our park district. This will keep him busy, aid in his homeschooling, and he will enjoy it!

Well, that’s all for now. I am sure I will have more to report before the end of the week is here.

Stress Returning July 27th

Well, my son will come home from his paternal grandmother’s house July 27th, and I am trying to prepare myself ahead of time for the stress that will come. He’s been visiting her in Missouri since end of May. He goes there each year and each summer, we have to “adjust” to him being back. It’s not his fault, really. He gets used to being with her, how she lives, and all the spoiling that she does. When he comes home, he has rules, chores, etc.

Even though I miss him terribly, I love the break we get when he goes to visit her. Because we are under HUGE amounts of stress most of the year, it is nice to have a long break in the summer. It’s also good for him to get a break from us.

I know there are parents out there who do not ever get a break from their ADHD children. Here’s what I have to say to that: have a “date” night. Each week or month, designate a night for just you and your spouse. Get grandma or a sitter to watch the kids. Go out for a nice dinner, then maybe a movie. You really need to spend time alone with just each other. If you do not, all of this stress will hurt your marriage.  And moms….it’s good for you to get away by yourself once in awhile, too. Take a spa day or go shopping at the mall. Be good to your mind and body. If you don’t take care of  yourself, your health will pay for it.

You Might Have a Child With ADHD if…

1. While at your pediatrician’s office, a nurse asks you to get your child off the roof, and you didn’t know your child had gone outside.
2. You spend more time trying to find your child’s homework, than it takes to finish it.
3. The school has your child call home everyday, asking you to bring gym shoes, because your child has forgotten them so many times.
4. Your child gets a zero on an exam, for talking to others before the exams are collected.
5. Your child always has the last word.
6. If allowed to play with legos while listening to a story, your child can recant the details perfectly.
7. You’re afraid to walk on your child’s bedroom floor because you can’t see the carpet.
8. Your child lost lunch money everyday last week.
9. Your child frequently completes homework assignments, but forgets to turn them in.
10. The parent’s of your child’s friends prefer they play together at your house.
11. You’ve run over several bicycles with your car that your child forgot to put away.
12. You’ve had snakes, frogs, and fireflies lost in your house.
13. When you come home, your doors are open and the air conditioning is on.
14. The stove was left on all night after your child made a late night snack.
15. Your yard is flooded because your child got distracted while watering the flowers.
16. Your child had an in school suspension for constantly touching others.
17. Store personnel asked you 10 times not to let your child stand in the shopping cart, and you were only shopping for 10 minutes.
18. You memorized the phone number for poison control.
19. Your child lost the garbage on the way to the garbage can.
20. After showering for an hour, your child still hasn’t washed his/her hair.
21. The batteries are always dead because your child never turns anything off.
22. Your child is always the last one to get in the car so you’re frequently late to appointments.
23. It is midnight and your child is still wide awake.
24. You have to hide matches and lighter because your child likes to “play” with them.
25. Teachers and club leaders tend to find your child annoying.
26. You feel it is necessary to apologize for your child’s behavior frequently.
27. You pack 10 pair of underwear for a week of camp and your child uses one.
28. You find your small appliances disassembled in your child’s room.
29. You have to beg your child to eat.
30. Your child constantly picks fights but doesn’t understand how it happened.
31. You’ve lost count of how many windows your child has broken.
32. Your child never puts games or toys away, after playing with them.
33. You’ve considered using a leash in public to avoid losing your child.
34. Your child can’t sit in one spot for more than five minutes.
35. Your child has picked holes or pulled threads out of most of his/her clothing.

These are hilarious and so true! They gave me quite the good laugh! Hope you enjoyed them!

‘Casual’ Video Games Bring Relief and Enjoyment to Children With ADHD

SEATTLE, July 16 /PRNewswire/ — A first-of-its-kind survey is bringing
great news to parents and children alike indicating that certain types of
video games appear to have a therapeutic effect on ADHD (Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder).

According to the survey conducted by Information Solutions Group
(http://www.infosolutionsgroup.com) on behalf of PopCap Games
(http;//www.popcap.com), “casual” video games appear to lessen symptoms of
ADHD by increasing attention span, providing stress relief, and improving
memory strength and focus. Moreover, because of the increased sense of
accomplishment experienced in playing the games, survey respondents
reported enjoying this form of therapy.

Dr. Carl Arinoldo, a Stony Brook, New York-based psychologist of 25
years’ experience comments, “It seems that children with AD/HD often lack
that sense of control that comes much more easily to their non-AD/HD peers.
Playing casual games such as Peggle and Bejeweled, among others, is one
area in their lives in which these children can experience some sense of
control with the added benefit of achieving success in something. Both of
these aspects, taken together, can serve to enhance the child’s
self-concept and self-esteem.”

A total of 13,296 casual game players responded to the Information
Solutions Group survey, with 2,728 respondents claiming they, or someone in
their care, were suffering from some type of disability. Of these, 422 were
identified as children, ranging in age from 5 to 17 years old, the majority
falling between the ages of 8 and 16. Of the children, over half (52%) were
said to be suffering with a mild (30%), moderate (55%) or severe (15%) form
of ADHD. The second largest group was children with autism (21%), followed
by Dyslexia (8%) and Down Syndrome (3%).

Joe P. of Athens, Georgia, father of a child diagnosed with ADHD,
writes in response to the survey, “He seems more relaxed and calm. We have
also noticed after playing games, he can concentrate on school materials
such as math, in which he has the biggest struggle, and not get frustrated
with problems he doesn’t understand.”

Joanna G. of Oakland CA, a mother of four whose youngest daughter
suffers with ADHD and SID (Sensory Integration Disorder), claims that all
her kids enjoy the games and are calmer because they have control over
something. She believes this is because “they are able to extend the time
they can be focused and productive without problems and putdowns and
feeling badly about themselves or being made fun of.”

According to the American Medical Association, ADHD is “one of the
best-researched disorders in medicine.” However, despite all the research,
no one knows what causes ADHD or how to cure it. Therefore whenever a new
approach to treating the disorder is introduced, it is a welcome
development — especially an approach the children actually love
participating in.

Dr. Arinoldo says, “Any reasonable type of treatment that would enhance
the AD/HD child’s attention span, focusing, concentration skills, and
self-confidence, would be a welcome asset to parents and teachers alike.”
He goes on to assert that if by playing the games, “the child’s skills can
be generalized from the gaming situation to other situations, such as
school, this would be an added bonus. We always want to find something that
the children enjoy and that interests them when seeking ways to help them.
Thus, since playing casual computer games was the children’s second choice
for a leisure time activity, it makes a lot of sense to make use of the
games to build on the children’s skills.”

PopCap Games (http://www.popcap.com) is the leading multi-platform
provider of “casual games” — fun, easy-to-learn, captivating computer
games that appeal to everyone from age 6 to 106. According to the survey,
“puzzle” games such as PopCap’s Bejeweled(R) were the #1 favorite among
ADHD children. The second favorite genre was “action” at 16% including such
games as Platypus and Diner Dash. And tying for third place at 13% each
were “arcade” games, with Peggle(TM) being the hands-down favorite.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click
appropriate link.
Carl Arinoldo
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=69581,

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I just wanted to add my two cents to this article. My son plays video games and they DO help his ADHD symptoms. He is able to concentrate completely while playing a game, something he cannot even do when watching television or doing homework. Just make sure your child doesn’t play any violent games. Keep them ‘casual’. You will want to limit the amount of time your child spends playing the game. If you do not, that is all he or she will want to do all day!

Getting Ready for the New School Year

Lesson planning is not my favorite thing to do, but it is something that must be done. We are moving into the 6th grade. I decided for the new year to have a more “hands-on” approach to homeschooling instead of the traditional textbook method I had attempted last year. I am focusing on my son’s interests, first and foremost, which includes cooking and science.

I have found some a couple of websites to help:

1. Kids Cooking Lessons for Junior Chefs - there are 14 lessons to work on. You can also find lessons here for younger kids, too.
2. Teaching cooking measurement - this will coincide wonderfully with above.

On learningthings.com, I have found geography and math games for purchase, as well as health and fitness plans.

This should just about cover the first semester and will be more fun for my son. For fitness, we will also do more physical activities, like shooting hoops at the local gym and hitting indoor recreation centers. There is a town about 2 hours from me that has a rock climbing wall. I am going to find it and possibly take him there, if he’s interested, that is.

I am not sure what to do yet for Language Arts. It’s my son’s least favorite subject, so we may hold off until the second semester. If anything, we will read books.

I am excited about the new year. I think my son will love what we are going to do. I know one thing…these things certainly cannot hurt.