concerned parent

[dragonflydsm]

My 8 year old son has ADD. He stared taking meds just over a year ago. His focus has improved alot, however, I have noticed he has always has memery issues and its more obvious now. What I am asking is, is this a symptom of something more serious?
A few examples, over the summer he only wore flip flops. Shcool started and he had to start wearing tennis shoes and had to tie them. He forgot how to tie his shoes. I had to have him practice over and over again for a week until he got it again. Also, he will ask what is for dinner and I will say for example steak. He will reply what is steak like he has no idea what that is. Is that normal, is he absent minded or is there something wrong?

[Sandman2]

  Way to complicated to discuss here.  Google it and you can get lots of information.  Or buy the book I mentioned above - "The ADD/ ADHD Answer book," by Susan Ashley to see how they relate to AD/HD.  
   Essentially both of them set into laws how the teacher must accommodate your child's disabilities.  If the child qualifies for special ed, they will get an IEP.  If they don't qualify (things like ADHD still don't always qualify), a 504 can be drawn up that can do things like give them extra time on tests.  Both of these are federal laws and must be followed by all schools in the US.
   I feel that in most cases it protects your child from teachers who refuse to believe that not all children are the same.  It also alerts teachers at the start of the year to those kids that may need special attention.  Hope this helps.

[bibissou]

I appreciate having explanation about 504  or IEP. thank you

[Sandman2]

    I think that learning to sympathize with people and things is not something that necessarily happens naturally.  It has to be observed and learned.  Role playing can many times help.
   Anyway, I do agree with you that having a child with ADD/ADHD is a challenge.  I really think the book I recommended will help.   Also, if you need more help and are only seeing a pediatrician - go to a psychologist or a psychiatrist, they are much better at counseling.  Finally, make sure you have a 504 or an IEP for your son so that the school system does not run all over him.  Best Wishes.

[dragonflydsm]

Easily distracted and figgity. No real behavioral issues, although at times I feel like he has a hard time sympathizing with people and situations.

[dragonflydsm]

Thank you, I will look into that book. Having a child with ADD/ADHD is a challenge and I can use all the help I can get.

[Sandman2]

  No, I don't think anything is really wrong.  A child at that age not wearing shoes can easily forget how to tie them after 3 or so months.  You can imagine how much math they must forget during the same time!
  His comments on steak may be simply because he was distracted when you answered him.
If you haven't done so - you might want to purchase a book like,  "The ADD/ ADHD Answer book," by Susan Ashley.  It will give you a feeling for the problems that ADHD kids face as they grow up and things that you can do to help them, besides just meds.  Best wishes.

[gjayme31]

Sorry, Let me ask that again. Was he diagnosed as hyper and easily distracted or kind of phazing out and slow to respond?

[gjayme31]

Was you child hyper or depressed?