MIKE'S STORY

I'd like to relate to you a story about a patient I have been seeing for a number of years. Mike first came to see me when he was in high school. He as a football player and he struggled somewhat in school, but he or his parents never said much about it.

Later he got married, had 2 kids of his own. His oldest son, Jeremy, was having a lot of trouble in school--both grades and behavior. Mike brought him in for an evaluation at age 7.

His parents said he seemed very smart, but he just couldn't (or wouldn't) keep up with the work and stay out of trouble.

I evaluated him, and found he had ADHD. I started him on a very low dose of medicine, and after a few adjustments, he was doing very well. And, more importantly, there were

no side effects and no change in his personality. He still had his little sparkle in his eyes and his funny personality.

Things went well, and several years later Mike (the father) came in and said "You know Dr. Jerry, I think I have the same thing as Jeremy " "I struggled all the way thru school--barely passed and barely graduated. Now I'm a fireman. I had been doing ok, until they sent me to Paramedic School. I'm flunking. I just can't stay focused long enough to get the work done."

I evaluated him, and indeed he had Adult ADD. After several trials of medication, we settled on a short acting med he could use just for Paramedic School.

He came back several weeks later, after the school was completed. He was smiling from ear to ear and very excited. "You'll never believe it, Dr. Jerry. I finished Number 1 in my Paramedic School".

Mike went home and called up his 73 y/o Father and told him about the ADD and how he had it back when he was in elementary and high school. And then he told his Dad how well he had done in Paramedic school, once he got some help.

His Dad cried, and apologized to Mike for all the punishments he had given over the years, thinking that Mike just wasn't trying. Their relationship became much closer.

This story points out the difficulty that many parents face when their child is very bright, but not performing well in school. It often seems that they are just not trying. The same situation exists for the Adult who is struggling in his work or training program.

UPDATE: Jeremy continued to do well in school, played football, graduated and is now a fireman and paramedic like his Dad.

If you have any comments of ideas of things that would really help you, email me at:

DrJerry@ADHDStrategies.com

I want to help you "be the best person you can be"

Dr. Jerry Is Online

Jerry Rodgers, M.D.