oh, I could cry

[MaryEllen]

SJ does very few things around other kids and none in classroom settings. She's in 4th grade this year and minding a little better at home, so we decided to enroll her in an art class - she loves to draw and paint with tempera paints, but has not been exposed to other media.

Last week I had to step out of the studio. It was painful to hear her constant chatter and the teacher repeatedly asking her to be quiet.
This week was worse.

John was upset that I did not stay in the studio for the entire hour - he did - but he doesn't realize that SJ isn't behaving as she does on purpose. She honestly doesn't realize she's talking and often cannot control that for more than a few minutes.

The teacher was very upset with SJ and the studio owner asked if we had medication for her. :'(

I am afraid they'll ask us not to return -- I've heard that before.

[vicki]

I feel really bad for you.

And I am SO glad that ADHD wasn't known when I was in school. I got in trouble constantly for SJ's problem. Every one of my citizenship grades was bad. Back then they wrote on my report cards, "Vicki socializes too much." Hahaha. Isn't socialization supposed to be good? (Remember--I earned a D+ in homeroom......)

For that reason, when I sub and have a student like that I really warm up to them.

Have you told her all this--that she most likely will be asked to leave if she doesn't stop talking? At fourth grade, she probably can control it a bit--especially if she realizes the consequences. I don't know how much I could control my socialization issues--but I didn't.

[TamieJP]

I'd have thought an ART class would have more room for such.

I am just trying to help... Does SJ ever get caffeine? Perhaps a scheduled tea or pop or even coffee could help. You'd want to make sure you knew the time that caffeine peaks.

If you do not want SJ to know that she's receiving caffeine, you could use a gum that has it.

http://www.suite101.com/content/caffeine-as-an-alternative-adhd-treatment-a208099
...Caffeine is a widely available product, found in everything from beverages to chewing gum...

...According to the Myomancy website, several studies have been done on the use of caffeine. On studies with non-ADHD children, caffeine had little effect, but children diagnosed with ADHD who consumed two cups of coffee per day showed improvement. A 1981 study showed that small doses of caffeine were as equally as effective as 10 milligrams of methylphenidate, a common ADHD medication....

...A safe level of caffeine consumption is 400 milligrams daily for an adult male, 300 milligrams for an adult female, and for a child, 2.5 milligrams per kilogram. Caffeine affects each person differently though, and each person will need to monitor their consumption and side effects.

...The effect of caffeine starts within 15 minutes of its consumption with peak maximum effort at 45 minutes, with an average duration of action of 4 to 6 hrs...

At a dose of 150-250mg there is an -

Increased sense of wellbeing
Less fatigability
Better alertness
Increased motor activity
Better performance
Even after sustained intellectual efforts clear thinking predominates
Combats boredom

http://hubpages.com/hub/Effects-of-Caffeine-on-ADHD

Caffeine is well absorbed from by the stomach and intestine, and peak blood levels occur about 45 - 60 minutes after ingestion. Once in the blood stream, caffeine causes a number of responses in the body. Caffeine is well known for it's stimulant effects on the brain, but there are a number of other physiologic effects that occur. Blood pressure, pulse rate, and stomach acid production are increased, fat stores are broken down, and fatty acids are released into the blood stream. These effects can last from a few hours to as long as 12, but within 4 days of regular use, the body develops tolerance to many of the effects of caffeine. For example, although caffeine increases blood pressure and pulse in a first time user, a regular user will not experience any significant change.

http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/caffeine.html

[LaurieS]

I'll cry with you! :'( it just hurts a mother's heart to see others struggle with your child.

[MaryEllen]

And I am SO glad that ADHD wasn't known when I was in school.

Yeah, It's nice knowing she won't get hit for "misbehaving" in class like Sis & I did.

Have you told her all this--that she most likely will be asked to leave if she doesn't stop talking? At fourth grade, she probably can control it a bit--especially if she realizes the consequences. I don't know how much I could control my socialization issues--but I didn't.

She knows. We've discussed it. IF she could control it, I'm sure she would. She is really liking the class, the activities and the teacher.

Even the owner is surprised at her enthusiasm to return to class after getting repeatedly called out the first day. She was just as happy at the end of the second class.


As to caffeine.... She won't drink soda, tea or coffee, but has in the past taken caffeine pills (equivalent to 4 cups of coffee) with great success. We had quit because the anxiety issues she also deal with at the time were more pressing than the ADD. She's been doing well in small groups, but this is a larger group and in a more structured setting.

[Susan]

I pray she gets to go back.

[kd2]

I wonder if some of the coffee candy could help? and...the thing is...at some point she will have to learn how to control her natural ebullience and channel it. I know that any teacher would rather encourage than discourage. Perhaps if you worked out a "plan" with the teacher--if your daughter has a cell phone..you could have her turn it on vibrate and in her pocket. Every time she goes for 5 minutes (or 10) without talking you could text her and she could make a "tick" mark on a paper. If she ends up with 5 of them --the teacher could do something special? The teacher could pat her on the back and praise her?

[Ruth]

Does it help or make it worse if you are in the class with her? Does the teacher mind if you are in the class with her?

If the teacher doesn't mind and it helps SJ, I say you stay with her and encourage her when she is quiet or encourage her to speak softly or remind her that the teacher is talking.

I have five students this year like SJ and while I know they don't mean harm, it is mighty hard to teach when five of them are all talking at once. I would LOVE for five other adults to be in the room sitting along side those five children helping them know when it is inappropriate to share what is in their brain and when it is.

Kay has an excellent idea as well.

[Eileen]

Hi MaryEllen,
It is heartbreaking to hear the comments from teachers, especially when a child is bright and full of life. If you haven't already, I'd like to suggest checking out Feingold plan. http://feingold.org/ I am forever grateful to this organization. I have seen much improvement with my own children. I just wish that I found out about this long time ago, could've saved myself a lot of heartaches.
Good luck,
Eileen