We have an appt next week with a psychiatrist to help us find out for sure if my son is ADHD. I have suspected it since he was 2 and now his 1st grade teacher suspects it too...... He has always been extremely hyperactive and hard to discipline. We have been very consistent with him over the years as to what we expect of him and what we don't tolerate. He is very aggressive and shows little remorse. Well, he does show remorse when he realizes that what he did hurt me (mom). I sometimes play up my emotions to get him to finally say he is sorry. BUT, when he thinks he hurt his mom he cries and cries. That is the other part of this. He can be very sweet and caring. He is a cuddler, but for pretty short periods. He has good manners with adults. He is wonderful for his grandparents and his aunt (when he is alone with her). His teacher says he is very respectful of her, but he has no friends b/c he can't seem to keep those manners with the kids at school....... Last night, he was filling out his Valentine's cards and he got angry. He said, "this is so stupid. Everybody hates me. They won't give me any Valentine's cards." This crushed by heart. Well, of course they will b/c at this age there parents help them. But, if we put this off much longer, maybe in a couple of years he won't get any. It hurts me so much to think he doesn't have friends. He had a note sent home from school last week saying that he hit a new girls art project out of her hand and it shattered. The teacher said the little girl asked why Kyle didn't like her. Kyle said it was b/c she doesn't like him. SHE IS BRAND NEW, SHE SHOULDN'T KNOW WHO TO LIKE OR NOT LIKE YET.....He hits his sister when he is angry. He tells us he is going to run away when we punish him. (I always try to tell him that I love him and when I punish him it isn't b/c I don't love him). The only time he ever sits still is when he is coloring/cutting/ gluing/taking apart something or if he is watching a movie he really likes or with the playstation (which I limit). ...........I am at my wits end. One of his classmates mothers whom I confided in said that she has an older son who she had some similar problems with. She said instead of punishing we should try to congradulate for the good things. Tried that all of kindergarten. We awarded him for good days at school and ignored the bad days. Not a single thing changed........OK, you are sick of reading by now......My question is, do I really want him labeled? Do meds really work? Will it help the impulsiveness w/o changing the boy inside? I know there are other options other than meds, but have we tried them (punish/award/talk).
Sorry this is so long. I really am worried about this appt next week, can you tell? :uhoh21:
Specializes in LTC, Acute care, Ventilator/respiratory.
I recently graduated from nursing school (practical nursing), but the director of the program refuses to release my records to NYS so I can take my boards. Her reasoning is I am "unsafe" with medication passes, and assessments. Well, I proved to a nursing educator that I am not a danger, just unable to function with a lot of stimulus, and interruptions.
This whole thing upset me sooooo much that my doctor recommended I see someone professional. In the course of conversation, my feeling like I have failed at everything I have ever tried to do, I soon discovered that I may have ADHD as an adult. Today is my final day of testing, and the psychologist believes this is the case.
I graduated at the top of my class, so on paper, I do know what I am doing. However, my attention to detail, and processes stink. I guess maybe my question is...If I can prove that I have ADHD to my nursing director, can I still be denied my license (ADA)? Also, does anyone have any suggestions for survival with Adult ADHD???
I know nursing is for me. I love it, and I want to succeed...please help me!
Adults can take a lot of the same medications that kids take for ADHD. The fact that you're on the ball and trying to get help dealing with the symptoms of ADHD is a good sign. I know several adults with ADHD that are able to function very well with medication and behavior modification techniques. After you get some kind of treatment plan going and see some improvement, then I'd talk to the nursing school and show them you are willing to work on your ADHD. I don't understand why they let you go through the entire program only to deny you a license. They should have told you way before graduation that maybe nursing wasn't for you so you had some time to prepare to deal with ADHD, or choose another profession altogether.
I'm sorry to say, though, that if you have a hard time with stimulus and interruptions, then nursing really isn't going to be something you can do well and safely until you can get a handle on ways to enhance your concentration and ability to focus. It is possible; it just takes a committment and wilingness to work with your psychologist, and to take meds if necessary. Good luck to you. :)
I recently graduated from nursing school (practical nursing), but the director of the program refuses to release my records to NYS so I can take my boards. Her reasoning is I am "unsafe" with medication passes, and assessments. Well, I proved to a nursing educator that I am not a danger, just unable to function with a lot of stimulus, and interruptions.
This whole thing upset me sooooo much that my doctor recommended I see someone professional. In the course of conversation, my feeling like I have failed at everything I have ever tried to do, I soon discovered that I may have ADHD as an adult. Today is my final day of testing, and the psychologist believes this is the case.
I graduated at the top of my class, so on paper, I do know what I am doing. However, my attention to detail, and processes stink. I guess maybe my question is...If I can prove that I have ADHD to my nursing director, can I still be denied my license (ADA)? Also, does anyone have any suggestions for survival with Adult ADHD???
I know nursing is for me. I love it, and I want to succeed...please help me!
Hugs to you. I'm so sorry you weren't diagnosed sooner and given the proper help you needed.
There are wonderful ADHD meds out there that will help you focus...I have mild ADD myself and do OK. My son has ADHD.
Keep your head...and go to your appointments, and keep in touch with the school. Once you are stable on your meds, and your docs agree, you will have no problem with being a nurse. It is against the law for the school to discriminate against you once you are stabilized on meds...so you may wish to consult with an attorney to guide you through this process. The fact that they got their whole measure of money out of you before denying you might work in your favor legally as well.
Keep yer chin up...ADHD is not fatal and is quite a common problem actually!
Specializes in LTC, Acute care, Ventilator/respiratory.
Yes I agree with you...I now realize there is a problem, and I am currently working on it. I did find a job that doesn't require a license at the moment, and they are willing to work with me to get some experience with med passes. I really felt my school failed me in that department. A nursing educator told me that in a less stimulating environment, I am fine as a nurse. So I know I can do it...I fully believe that if I can get on the medication regimen, I will do just fine. I was officially diagnosed today, and I do feel a sense of relief knowing that it isn't just me failing and being a total idiot. There is a genuine problem, and I am addressing it.
The school is holding my records, and won't release them. I am writing them to tell them of my situation, and my solution to it. I am getting upset with them considering that our verbal discussions have fallen on deaf ears. So I am now going to document everything I discuss with them. I am willing to go for treatment, take medications, and go to therapy, so there should be no reason not to allow me to take the boards.
I am so glad I found this board to let out some steam. Thank you all for listening!
Adults can take a lot of the same medications that kids take for ADHD. The fact that you're on the ball and trying to get help dealing with the symptoms of ADHD is a good sign. I know several adults with ADHD that are able to function very well with medication and behavior modification techniques. After you get some kind of treatment plan going and see some improvement, then I'd talk to the nursing school and show them you are willing to work on your ADHD. I don't understand why they let you go through the entire program only to deny you a license. They should have told you way before graduation that maybe nursing wasn't for you so you had some time to prepare to deal with ADHD, or choose another profession altogether.
I'm sorry to say, though, that if you have a hard time with stimulus and interruptions, then nursing really isn't going to be something you can do well and safely until you can get a handle on ways to enhance your concentration and ability to focus. It is possible; it just takes a committment and wilingness to work with your psychologist, and to take meds if necessary. Good luck to you. :)
I think that you sound like a very bright, motivated person who is really on top of things! I'm sorry if I sounded really harsh in my post. :uhoh21: I really didn't mean to be so.....bi**chy. I usually re-read my posts before I post them, but that one got sent in a hurry because my 2 year old was trying to add her ideas, too! It sounds like you're doing all the right things to make everything work out ok. It might be time to hire a lawyer and have another discussion with your school.
Oh forgot to say also...get in touch with your local mental health services...they advocate and refer for folks like you who encounter shytty attitudes in the workplace ...and probably in school too. They will know the laws out there to protect you! Good luck!!
Specializes in LTC, Acute care, Ventilator/respiratory.
One thing that you will find about me is that I do not take too many things personally. I want to succeed and now that I have been officially diagnosed, I think that this will give me a leg to stand on. The medication regimen can't come fast enough for me, but I have to wait at least a week.
You all gave some great advice, but I notice the one thing in common is the word lawyer. The one thing I am trying first is contacting my financing agency, RochesterWorks, and telling them of my situation. We have a program here in NY that if you are displaced worker (ME), if you go into a field of "high demand", they will pay $5000 towards re-education. BUT...if you choose to go into nursing, NYS will pay up to $10,000 towards your re-education. My program was $7200, so if I inform them that they are denying my chance of a better job due to a "disability", maybe they can tighten the thumbscrews a little, because they also are well versed in the ADA laws. They are attached with Social Services and America's Job Bank so they are connected with the state and federal government.
The best part is, I emailed them, which means I have a black and white document stating that I have notified someone, and I am starting the ball rolling.
Again I want to thank all of you for listening, and offering some really great suggestions. :icon_hug:
Bad Parenting???? :angryfire A.D.H.D has nothing to do with bad parenting.
As I tell my son, who has A.D.H.D, not everyones mind has the capibility to have so many interest and not everyone has the ability to think so fast. I tell he daily that his medicine is to slow down his genius so he can be average. Now, he may not be a genius but I think the statement helps to accept his A.D.H.D.
Good for you. That's a great quote -- I might use it. My boys were diagnosed in 1st grade, and we had some unpleasantness with the first grade teachers. The second grade teachers were angels -- the best we could have hoped for, and the teachers since have been great, too. Fifth grade starts tomorrow.
An acquaintance once told me that she didn't believe in ADHD -- that it's just poor parenting. I pointed out that my kids are not a discipline problem at school, they just need a little help staying focused. Medication and therapy have made a huge difference for them, and I'm glad we did it, though at times I was hesitant to medicate my kids.
Have had to change insurance coverage because one company didn't want to pay for therapy -- only medication. The therapist points out that he has training in interventions specifically for ADHD, and studies show that combining therapy and medication provides the best results. But when he first received a denial from this ins. co., the MD advisor at the ins. co. just suggested giving my son more medication. This from someone who had never met my child.
I recently graduated from nursing school (practical nursing), but the director of the program refuses to release my records to NYS so I can take my boards. Her reasoning is I am "unsafe" with medication passes, and assessments. Well, I proved to a nursing educator that I am not a danger, just unable to function with a lot of stimulus, and interruptions. 
One thing that you will find about me is that I do not take too many things personally. I want to succeed and now that I have been officially diagnosed, I think that this will give me a leg to stand on. The medication regimen can't come fast enough for me, but I have to wait at least a week. 
:icon_hug:
amyteschlpn
7 Posts
This whole thing upset me sooooo much that my doctor recommended I see someone professional. In the course of conversation, my feeling like I have failed at everything I have ever tried to do, I soon discovered that I may have ADHD as an adult. Today is my final day of testing, and the psychologist believes this is the case.
I graduated at the top of my class, so on paper, I do know what I am doing. However, my attention to detail, and processes stink. I guess maybe my question is...If I can prove that I have ADHD to my nursing director, can I still be denied my license (ADA)? Also, does anyone have any suggestions for survival with Adult ADHD???
I know nursing is for me. I love it, and I want to succeed...please help me!
