Kathee..tell me..is it all that bad?

Do you have good days and memories with your son as a family?

Does it sound worse tha what it is or can you reflect on happy times in your history with your preciuos boy?

Kathee, if you've tried dietary changes and still have major problems, have you looked at electromagnetic fields and the detrimental effects they are having on people. They're currently coming into the radar of medical science and it appears they can be strong contributing factors in biological stress situations. ADHD is certainly associated with stress within the body. The overall psychological pain people feel having this condition, has yet to be fully understood, as its hard for them to explain.

I have no idea where you live, but environmental factors also can make a big change. I've seen kids who with a change of environment, diet and removal of air and noise pollution work wonders.

It would he interesting to see the percentage incidence of this problem, in different environmental scenarios. The difference between kids in large population, box living situations and kids in the bush who don't suffer the constant bombardment of environmental and mental pollution can clearly been seen in children's attitudes.

There's been lots of research showing exposure to natural surroundings, has a big effect on ADHD. Its appears more and more that environmental and dietary control, are strong mitigating factors in this growing problem. Drugs are just that, drugs and come with very negative outcomes down the road.

http://www.adhd.com.au/downloads/ADHD%20news/summer%20over%20but%20kids%20still%20need%20time%20outdoors.pdf

I'm sure any caring parent would do whatever they could to relieve the pain these children are suffering, even to the point of changing careers and place of living.

Ozgirl, in answer to your questions: yes, I have good memories of my son and our family, but they are few and far between right now. No one can keep their child a baby forever in their minds, and right now the painful things far outshadow the pleasant.

Alchemist, I too wondered whether environmental factors could play a role, as well as family dynamics. So, I moved all my children from suburban Sydney to country Victoria six years ago. I instituted family dinners, all home cooked and as preservative and additive free as I could. My husband transferred his job to Melbourne. We got a bigger house with a larger yard to give Callan space to run. We got him pets to teach him responsibility.

We had genetic counselling done to see if there was a causal link. This we found to be the case in one aspect, not in others.

Whilst I appreciate and respect your point of view. The whole point I am raising is that the Education Department here has to stop sitting on their hands with the "we are the experts" attitude and concede that maybe they are with ordinary children, but quite obviously they are lacking when it comes to children who don't fit the mould. I want to help my son grow to be a responsible, respectful, loving human being. I want to teach my son that it doesn't matter where or when, I am here to help him and teach him and will always be, no matter the cost to myself.

I don't think they realise that if I can't do this now...in another ten years, everyone will be looking at my son as he is led away to jail saying "why didn't someone do something earlier?" Or should I wait for the day the police knock on my door to tell me he has committed suicide because he couldn't cope out in the world any longer?

I apologize if it feels that I am attacking anyone...I am not. I am just terrified of my son falling through the cracks at 14.

I know this has a whole set of obstacles attached..but have you considered home schooling your son?

This can be a very rewarding way for your son to learn and finish his education.
Of course it would mean, if you both work, that one of you forgo a job but thats nothing compared to the situation your in right now..

Schooling is done online and via teleconferencing etc and your son can see and would have daily contact with his peers and his teacher..not like the old days when I did corrospondence.

It would at least have the advantage of NOT haviung to fight the Education Dept(who really dont give a damn..im sorry..Ive had run ins with them,the school and found only when I actually did got the education dept. involved, did they even listen to me.)

I think sometimes we just have to accept as hard as it is and unfair that we just need to do what best for ourselves..the fight can be so soul destroying that it can seem to more harm than good and even if eventually you did have a small win, it would most likely be too little too late for your son.You can do this yourself..you know and understand him better than anyone..it will also take a lot of pressure of him mentally which is the last thing he needs with all the tension surrounding this issue..last thing he needs

I think it would be a good option and of course you can find other ways to socilaise your son..clubs..groups etc..family can pitch in and help.Even if eventually you do get somewhere it may well be too little too late for son.
Take the easier option..stop fighting pple who arent listening.Change what you can, have the grace to accept what you cant.

Oz Girl, Whilst I know you mean well and you have obviously had some problems yourself caving into the Eductaion Department is just not the way to go I'm sorry.

This is an issue for all Australians. Kathee, health permitting, should continue pressuring the Department to get results. If we all cave in all the time, we all lose, long term.

That is why I suggested originally that we need a class action against the Education System, run by excellent lawyers, with the kids at heart. If we allow Govts to get away with this mistreating of kids with illnesses we have failed these children. Is throwing unwell kids on the scrap heap part of the Education Departments brief?

Home schooling is an option but it has major draw backs for a child with these probelms.. plus it allows educators to take the out of sight out of mind position. The families of these kids need a break from the pressures of 24/7 care for these children and the Education Systems need to take their responsibilities.

To just give in is just wrong!... That is exactly what bureaucrats and Govts want... shifting the problems to the already underfunded and stressed parents.

I am sure Kathee has considered all options but she has drawn her line in the sand. Don't be disuaded Kathee ... get the media involved and shame the Education Departments into action. Afterall they are the experts on educating children ... or is that an illusion too!