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A Mother's Dilemma

Austin was what I thought, a fairly normal child. He was a happy baby and never really much of a problem. He was always on the go and up and walking at 9 months. He was extremely smart, and started talking at a very early age. Like a lot of children, he had a lot of ear infections, and like most boys was hard to potty train.

By the time Austin was three, he was already displaying symptoms of ADHD, but I just assumed he was "just being a boy". He could not sit still, was constantly fidgeting, and could never focus on just one thing. But he was only three, so I didn't see what the big deal was.

Pre-K and Kindergarten went well, although he did have very kind and patient teachers. In first grade is when most of the problems began. He still could not sit still and had a lot of trouble concentrating on anything. Forgetfulness was also a major issue, especially when he would forget to bring his homework home every night. During a conference with his teacher, my husband and I were told that Austin needed to "grow up". He was only six at the time!

Second grade went pretty well, but again, he had a great teacher that really paid a lot of attention to him. He made all A's and B's during that year. It was in third grade through the fourth grade (which he is currently in) that the major problems started.

This year he has been sent to the office repeatedly, and always for the same thing. He will not stop talking, he won't pay attention, and he is always moving. The teacher gets irritated because he won't look her in the face when she is talking to him, but most ADHD kids have to be looking around, and it doesn't mean they are not listening. She gets angry because Austin is always fidgeting, or that he doesn't complete all the work that she gives during the day. Although I have talked to her about it and tried to explain to her what it going on, she will not listen and does not want to take any extra time to help him. She just wants to send him to the principles office so that someone else can deal with it. Once she even told him, in front of the whole class, that "If you don't get on medication, you are going to have to go to another school"! My husband and I could not believe our ears! Let's just say that my husband went to the school that afternoon and it wasn't a pleasant time for the staff.

Austin gets conduct marks for his actions, when he can't just stop doing them. Most of the time he doesn't even know why he can't pay attention or can't sit still,

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