I recently came across a few blogs that also discuss ADD, ADHD and other attendant disabilities, and I thought it would be a good idea to call your attention to them as well. My attempt with this blog is to deliver as much information as possible to the people who need it, myself included!
The first blog on the list has an extensive list of resources you might find very helpful. I will be updating my on-site resources as well, to try and keep abreast of the information available, but I am not adverse to sending you to another blog if that will help you find the info that you need.
http://adhdguide.blogspot.com/
http://adhdmomma.blogspot.com/
http://adhd-treatment-options.blogspot.com/
http://www.myaddblog.com/
There are many others, and I have only listed a few of the ones on the main Google search page. I'm not sure if any of these blogs deal with ODD or OCD, but there are some wonderful stories and resources available on them, and they are definitely worth reading!
Welcome to One Small Step for Parents! Our goal is to help you find the right resources, support and information that is needed to make informed choices. Without the proper tools we, as parents and adults, don't know what will help our situation or what works and doesn't work. Here at One Small Step, we have done our best to take the guesswork and confusion out of the equation by supplying tools, resources and online support.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Additional Resources
Hi again! I know it's been a while since I have posted, so I want to make it up to you by giving you more resources to help with your "behavioral" child/children. I know this might sound like I'm jumping the gun by saying that, but as I have my own "behavioral" child to raise, I know I need as many resources as possible!
Some good news (I think!) My son's school has informed me that there is a program available for him for next year instead of attending a regular grade 9 class. Hallelujah!!! I have been very concerned that he will get eaten alive when he starts high school, or worse, booted out before spring break!
There are only so many things we, as parents, can do to help our kids once they hit school, so I was very pleased that there is an alternate solution for my son's needs.
Don't get me wrong, my son is very bright. But he is also very bored! He really hates school (not that I blame him, I didn't like it much either, and I'm sure most of you felt the same way,) but unfortunately, he doesn't have a choice, which in turn makes my life harder. I'm sure many of you have been, or soon will be in my shoes.
I am always on the look-out for more resource material and books that can help with my son's behaviors. I have found some that I didn't see on my last trip to my library, so I decided I should add them to the site so others could make use of them too. Hopefully there is something here that can help you as well.
Some good news (I think!) My son's school has informed me that there is a program available for him for next year instead of attending a regular grade 9 class. Hallelujah!!! I have been very concerned that he will get eaten alive when he starts high school, or worse, booted out before spring break!
There are only so many things we, as parents, can do to help our kids once they hit school, so I was very pleased that there is an alternate solution for my son's needs.
Don't get me wrong, my son is very bright. But he is also very bored! He really hates school (not that I blame him, I didn't like it much either, and I'm sure most of you felt the same way,) but unfortunately, he doesn't have a choice, which in turn makes my life harder. I'm sure many of you have been, or soon will be in my shoes.
I am always on the look-out for more resource material and books that can help with my son's behaviors. I have found some that I didn't see on my last trip to my library, so I decided I should add them to the site so others could make use of them too. Hopefully there is something here that can help you as well.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Singleparentitis and ADHD
When my son first started exhibiting behaviours that weren't considered to be in the 'normal' growth range, I was encouraged to seek outside help regarding parenting. I immediately found a parenting course for ADHD/ADD/Difficult Children and as my son fit the 'Difficult Children' category, I signed up for the six week course. During the six weeks, we documented behaviour, applied strategies and posted the results. We had homework every week, and our spouses were also given tasks to complete. Many of the parents took turns regarding homework, however, there were some of us who could not engage our partners to help. I was one of the people in the latter category.
My husband (at the time) decided that he couldn't give any of his time to learning about our son's challenges, opting instead to have me learn everything and pass it along to him. This wasn't the solution I was looking for, but had little choice except to go along with his decision. After I had completed the course, I realized that there was a lot more to it than simply passing along information, so I signed him up for the next six week course.
He didn't attend one class.
Shortly after that, I made the decision to move my son and myself, and go live with my daughter. After making that move, I had to deal with the fall out from the decision, which made our life much more difficult, something, I'm sure, many of you have experienced.
Singleparentitis is not regulated to only families with ADHD children, unfortunately though, the statistics for this possibility are much higher when one or more children of the marriage have a disability, simply because of the added stress.
Of course, there are many factors that need to be present before the onset of Singleparentitis, and not all the symptoms are the same for everyone. However, if you are suffering from Singleparentitis, there are some things that you can do to help aleviate some of the symptoms.
First and foremost, you need support! There are several avenues you can pursue, one being a local chapter of C.H.A.D.D., both in the U.S. and Canada, your local Mental Health facility should also have listings for parent groups, or you could check with your doctor for any support groups in your area.
Give yourself some "me" time. Find something you enjoy doing and set aside some time at least once a week. I know it is difficult, but if you don't recharge your batteries you won't be able to deal with the day to day challenges and the stress will overwhelm you.
Whatever you do, don't lock yourself away and suffer in silence. You need to vent, relax, talk with people who are dealing with the same challenges, or simply get away from it all for a couple of hours. If you find that difficult, you might want to look into some respite care. This will allow you the time to unwind and recharge, something that is very necessary for your mental and physical health.
Above all, don't lose hope! Singleparentitis isn't permanent, it just feels like it some days!
My husband (at the time) decided that he couldn't give any of his time to learning about our son's challenges, opting instead to have me learn everything and pass it along to him. This wasn't the solution I was looking for, but had little choice except to go along with his decision. After I had completed the course, I realized that there was a lot more to it than simply passing along information, so I signed him up for the next six week course.
He didn't attend one class.
Shortly after that, I made the decision to move my son and myself, and go live with my daughter. After making that move, I had to deal with the fall out from the decision, which made our life much more difficult, something, I'm sure, many of you have experienced.
Singleparentitis is not regulated to only families with ADHD children, unfortunately though, the statistics for this possibility are much higher when one or more children of the marriage have a disability, simply because of the added stress.
Of course, there are many factors that need to be present before the onset of Singleparentitis, and not all the symptoms are the same for everyone. However, if you are suffering from Singleparentitis, there are some things that you can do to help aleviate some of the symptoms.
First and foremost, you need support! There are several avenues you can pursue, one being a local chapter of C.H.A.D.D., both in the U.S. and Canada, your local Mental Health facility should also have listings for parent groups, or you could check with your doctor for any support groups in your area.
Give yourself some "me" time. Find something you enjoy doing and set aside some time at least once a week. I know it is difficult, but if you don't recharge your batteries you won't be able to deal with the day to day challenges and the stress will overwhelm you.
Whatever you do, don't lock yourself away and suffer in silence. You need to vent, relax, talk with people who are dealing with the same challenges, or simply get away from it all for a couple of hours. If you find that difficult, you might want to look into some respite care. This will allow you the time to unwind and recharge, something that is very necessary for your mental and physical health.
Above all, don't lose hope! Singleparentitis isn't permanent, it just feels like it some days!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
On a Personal Note
It has been a while since I have written anything personal, as I have been concentrating on making sure my readers had as much up to date information and support as I could find. So today, I'm going to play catch up.
For those of you who have been following my blog, you already know about my son. However, for the new readers out there who have (hopefully) stumbled onto my page, I am a single mother of a (now) 13 year old boy who has been diagnosed with ADHD/ODD, Anxiety Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress. Quite a mouthful, and to be honest, quite a lot to deal with some days.
After my son had such a dismal grade 6 year, I decided to move to Maple Ridge, where, I had heard, there was more in school support. I must say, the professionals who have been seeing my son for the past 9 months have been amazing! What a change from his last school.
Unfortunately, he is in the last month of his last elementary year. Next year, he is slated to attend Junior High - something that neither of us are prepared for.
However, we have been spared that particular dilemma, by once again moving - I know, I know, but each move has been less traumatic and to better neighbourhoods and schools, so the upheaval can be weighed against the yearly improvements I have been seeing in my son.
This particular location (Langley) has a wonderful support system for kids like mine, and even better, a middle school. The perfect solution to ease my son into Junior High. I have been in touch with the school, and they in turn, have been in touch with the principal of my son's present school, so hopefully everything will be in place before he starts grade 8 - God willing and the creeks don't rise!
I will keep you posted on his progress...
For those of you who have been following my blog, you already know about my son. However, for the new readers out there who have (hopefully) stumbled onto my page, I am a single mother of a (now) 13 year old boy who has been diagnosed with ADHD/ODD, Anxiety Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress. Quite a mouthful, and to be honest, quite a lot to deal with some days.
After my son had such a dismal grade 6 year, I decided to move to Maple Ridge, where, I had heard, there was more in school support. I must say, the professionals who have been seeing my son for the past 9 months have been amazing! What a change from his last school.
Unfortunately, he is in the last month of his last elementary year. Next year, he is slated to attend Junior High - something that neither of us are prepared for.
However, we have been spared that particular dilemma, by once again moving - I know, I know, but each move has been less traumatic and to better neighbourhoods and schools, so the upheaval can be weighed against the yearly improvements I have been seeing in my son.
This particular location (Langley) has a wonderful support system for kids like mine, and even better, a middle school. The perfect solution to ease my son into Junior High. I have been in touch with the school, and they in turn, have been in touch with the principal of my son's present school, so hopefully everything will be in place before he starts grade 8 - God willing and the creeks don't rise!
I will keep you posted on his progress...
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