In November, 1999, Mitchell was diagnosed with ADHD. This was not a frightening prospect to me as my friend, Sarah, has a husband and child with the same diagnosis. Sarah had suspected this to be so already, so I spoke to Mitchell's teacher.
Pool little guy had been having some problems in class in year three. He was not concentrating in class and prone to standing up and wandering around aimlessly, sharpening pencils, unable to find and collect his belongings, disorganised to name but a few. The playground was the most concern where cricket and soccer games with friends became a battle field and he was very aggressive. In class with his teacher and also with a relief teacher, Mitchell managed to accumulate 10 detentions in 5 weeks. Six of these were with a relief teacher in only two days.
At school we have a Guidance Officer whom I trust totally for his thoroughness, research and then diagnosis. Jim referred us to a Pediatrician, but we would not be able to get in for 5 months as this doctor was very busy and popular. A couple of the other mums at school had been seeing a new comer to our City and when I rang we could get in the next week. This has been a blessing in disguise for this young man is caring and considerate and himself diagnosed as ADHD.
Medication has been a trial and error factor starting out as half a tablet in the morning and half again at lunch time. His behaviour and in school work was monitored and this has now been increased to two tablets in the morning and one at lunch time.
