Good day

Yesterday was a long, but good day.

I took Rocco to Vacaville for his appointment with a Pediatrician that specializes in behavioral studies. He was really great. He explained things to me in a non-condescending manner and was really good with Rocco. This was the first appointment I felt like the doctor was really spending time with my son instead of only going off what I say. And this is what I got out of that appointment:

1. He confirms the ADHD diagnosis. (A little relief here only because it helps with the decision to medicate)

2. He puts Rocco at about 25% delayed for his age. Because of this he actually recommends that Rocco start in a regular Kindergarten class and not a special day one (SDK). He feels that in a SDK Rocco will be the top of his class and won't be challenged enough. He used the analogy that if he played tennis with someone that is great at it, he is bound to improve his own game and vice versa. He suggests having him pulled out for speech and language though.

3. Doctor confirmed the 27mg is a really good dose for Rocco. Being the goal to calm his ADHD and not sedate him. Just 2nd day on the dose and Rocco wasn't showing any jittery signs like when he first started 18mg. He is eating a little less, but I'm hoping that is improved over the next couple of weeks. Rocco seems to sleep through the night as well.

4. I can stop the medicine whenever I want. So say I choose not to medicate on the weekends or over summer break. No need to ask doctor. I will however have to get a paper prescription every three months because it is a controlled substance. (People abuse to lose weight and get wired)

5. We talked about when Rocco will be ready to stop meds in the next coming years. This is what he suggests. Every school year about 2 weeks before Christmas break, stop his meds without telling his teacher. This gives the teacher a few months to get to know Rocco and if he still needs the meds the teacher will notice a big change in his behavior and let me know. If not, maybe Rocco has learned the life skills needed to manage his ADHD and a break from meds is appropriate. (I'm totally going to do this even though I think meds will be needed for many of his young school years)

6. Food: Doctor was actually pleased that Rocco was able to articulate that the reason he didn't want the pizza was because of the little black speck on it. Not to worry too much about it. Ok, I'll try not to worry about this except for the fact I'm running out of things to feed him. He can't live off eggo waffles.

7. Rocco stayed seated the whole appointment. Yes it was at a table with activities and coloring, but he never got up once. Even when the doctor and I were talking for some time. This is a big change. While sitting he also drew and pointed out all the features of his picture to the doctor and I.

Mario is number 0 and Luigi is number 1 and the have gold buttons on their clothes and Luigi is green and Mario is red and Luigi has a "L" on his hat and Mario has a "M" on his hat.

8. He gave me an accommodation sheet to review with his teachers each school year. He advised that it is law number 504 that requires teachers to make certain ADHD accommodations. REQUIRED people!!!!

9. He gave me medical journal information outlining a couple of non medicine things I could try that actual studies have been on to show some signs of improvement with ADHD. He highly recommends I stay on the medicine though.

10. He gave me the following recommendations for reading:

Book: ADHD - Complete and Authoritative Guide from the American Academy of Pediatrics (APP) at www.aap.org/bookstore

Online support: http://www.chadd.org/

He also gave me his direct email and phone number for any questions.

So all and all, I felt happy leaving that appointment. Yes people happy. I'm still scared and concern about Rocco and ADHD, but for two minutes I felt ok with it all. Is that horrible to say?

On a side note:
Social milestone... Day one of 27mg, Rocco played at the next-door-neighbors house for about 1 1/2 hours. When he got home he told me he was tired and his friend was really upset he went home. The kid said, "I don't want to be your friend anymore" just because he was leaving. We have had this problem before, but this is how Rocco handled it this time: He asked me to go over there and explain he is just really tired. He was persistent that I did that. Rocco was aware of his friend's feelings and was concerned about them. This is a big step in his social development and he would have never done this pre-meds.