Would You Like to Ask Debbie Phelps a Question?

My son (7th grade) takes meds during the day for ADHD.  He plays sports directly after school and doesn't finish till 5 pm.  Unfortunately, he doesn't eat all day (can't get himself to eat breakfast since very young and doesn't have appitite for lunch due to meds).  When he gets home he is completely depleted and can't do work till he's had dinner.  

Problem is that by night time it's too late for short acting, meds have worn off, and he can't focus enough to read or do the real work required.

HELP.  It's that constant battle between knowing what to help him with and having him struggle himself... 

My son has ADHD and has been on Concerta for 2 years. He's in 8th grade now. He gets by and makes average to above average grades. Does Michael take meds now and did he take meds when he was younger? And if so, do you believe it has helped? Well...he's become very successful, so I guess so!   BUT was there ever a time that you didn't think Michael would be successful? Did you ever doubt that he'd be able to succeed? There are times that my husband and I feel that our son will never be normal and will never succeed in adult life. (Just so you know we are never negative in front of him. We always try to encourage him.) Also, he is teased a lot. Thanks for your response.

Debbie,

Did Micheal have trouble finding/keeping friends?

And how did you make his school life managable?

As an adult with ADHD who was not diagnosed until well past Michael's age, I fell upon coping skills that allowed me to be a high achiever in my own field. I believe there needs to be more publicity about the positives of ADHD to help ADHD people with positive self-image. In that light, what are a few of the strengths Michael has that you attribute to his ADHD and how did you help him build on those strengths?

Another ADHD characteristic with low press is that many of us have periods of over-concentration, not being able to stop our attention to one activity in favor of others. I am guessing perhaps Michael has that aspect of ADHD and it helps him over-focus on training. Are you aware of Michael's having any periods of over-concentration? If so, how might he have learned to use this ADHD trait and how might you have helped him with this? 

I have a 10 yr old son with ADHD & ODD.  Did your son Michael have any comorbid conditions, specifically ODD, and if so do you have any advice as to how to distinguish between the "can't do" because of ADHD and the "won't do" due to ODD?