New member from Washington D.C. Metro area/son with ADHD

Re: New member from Washington D.C. Metro area/son with ADHD

Both of mine have ADHD. DD is 8 and has severe ADHD. She is on meds and seems to be doing better. DS is 15, has severe ADD and is NOT on meds anymore. Ally has never had the social problems that Drew had and still has. I went to great lengths to improve his social situation, including giving "can't miss" birthday parties, end of school/back to school parties, sleep overs "just because", having friends go with us when we did fun things (like going to the zoo, parks, amusement parks, etc). It took qa few years, but it did work. Remember, IT WILL GET BETTER! Boys traditionally have more problems in this area than girls. Those with ADHD traditionally have more problems in this area than those with just ADD. There are lots of things you can do to help. LOTS of playdates, talk to the parents of the kids you invite places. Let them know whatis going on (ADD) and ask for help. I found that, while initially embarassing, most parents were more than willing to talk to their kids and explain why DS was sometimes the way he was. Once the kids began to understand, they were very forgiving and DS kept more and more of his friends as years went by. Now, at 15, he has at least as many friends as I do (and I'm something of a social butterfly). It's hard and at times you will want to cry. (There are mahy times that I did cry over the whole thing.) But time and patience will win the day. it isn't easy, but it IS possible to help them. Remember that one of the biggest problems ADHD/ADD kids have is making & KEEPING friends.

It's gets better, I promise.