My son is under the child and adult mental services at my local hospital because he threatened suicide when he was 10 years old. Since going to the appointments, the doctor asked if he'd been assessed for adhd as i was having trouble with him at home and school. The school had completely written him off. He was getting exluded everyweek for being disruptive, distracting to others and very unsettled. I was being called into school every week to be told basically what an annoyance my son was. They have made it perfectly clear to me and my son that they don't want him in their school. The doctor is starting him on a medical trial next week and the dosage will be altered every 2 weeks to see which dose suits him best. If they are doing this, does it mean he has ADHD? and if so, is the school obliged to help him with his schooling instead of trying to get rid of him? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the medication works because im pulling my hair out. He is 13 years old now and im worried because he has missed so much work because everytime they exlude him, the amount of days are getting longer The latest one is for 5 weeks for shouting out in class and being disruptive.

My son has ADHD too and he has been on Ritalin for a while now, I call it the miriacle drug! There are no words to describe the amazing effects it has had for my son. :D :P :D

Your son has a legal right to be educated, this is something that the education departments will be able to help you with, you should contact them and tell them of the troubles your son is having, and tell them of the medication he will be taking, demand in writing a records of needs! this will get all of the proffessionals together including yourself in a meeting, where all can be discussed the best way forward. Stick to your guns and don't be swayed with anyone you are not sure of.

I can never understand why teachers and the like are not able to control disruptive behaviour! I work with children with ADHD in a school too and I am not saying its the easiest of jobs but its not as hard as they make out, a lot of the time they contribute to the childs disruptive behaviour by dealing with it wrongly. Demand support for your son and make sure this person knows how to deal with children with ADHD! If the school makes an excuse that they cannot financially affoard this because of their budget, tell them they have to find the money! and stick to it! tell them your son has a legal right!!!!!!!. and when your son has this support make sure he gets the correct amount of hours that is allocated to him. I see on a daily basis other childrens allocations devided wrongly with other children.

I hope all goes well for you both, Good Luck with the medication too! :D

Anne Marie