My daughter has a friend at school who is ADD. At least, that's our diagnosis and, as they say, it takes one to know one.
But it's not just us. Her family doctor has also suggested following up on his impressions with the normal kinds of screenings. But although this junior in high school is failing her mother--who is, using the clinical term, a mess--refuses to accept any explanation for her daughter's hard times except that she is stupid.
After needlessly explaining to my daughter that giving her friend any of her own medication would be distribution of a controlled substance, and, in Oregon, doing so within 1000 feet of a school, which makes it more serious, I suggested that her friend go to the school clinic. Because she is older than 14 she can consent to her own medical treatment in Oregon. But she cannot afford the cost of medication ($125 per month, or so, if one is not covered for prescriptions on a medical plan). It was my hope that the school clinic would refer her somewhere that could perhaps tap into her mother's coverage, somehow and get it done.
But the school clinic nurse was a man who accused her of drug seeking, said she was "just" depressed, and who wouldn't like to have a little "performance enhancement." He sent her on her way.
By the way, after a D in AP history first semester my daughter got an A this semester because she not only had medication for her ADD but she had structure and therapy designed at teacher her organizational and study skills. I'm glad no one sent her on her way when her way was not promising.
How many kids are out there right now spinning out of control and desperate to figure out how to get out of that dervish dance of failure? And how many parents ... how many school nurses ...
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About Me
- Tmothy Travis
- I am a convinced Beanite Friend, a member of Bridge City Friends Meeting, Willamette Quarterly Meeting and North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. Notwithstanding the doubts of some who claim the name, I am a Christian who does a Buddhist practice and believes that God talks to everyone, all the time. I have worked in the judicial branch of government, as well as being a trial lawyer, a public school teacher (counselor and coach), a kite merchant, and a Marine Corp Sergeant. I am currently working as a consultant to public and private agencies on issues of child welfare, juvenile justice, and substance abuse treatment courts.
1 comment:
I found my way here from One Quaker Take, and I just wanted to give you some encouragement for this blog, and for the positive way you're dealing with these issues. I have a teenage son who (just barely) tests as ADD, but we haven't considered meds at this point, since he is very functional, makes good grades, etc. Still, he drives me crazy sometimes! And my wife and I have come to understand that she has many of the same characteristics. Plus, I have my own set of (somewhat different) cognitive issues. So reading your blog really helps me get a perspective on how one faces the world with ADD. Thanks!
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