Lee Morris
ADHD child(ren):
Ethan, 8 years old, 2nd grade
NON-ADHD child(ren):
Megan, 16 years old, 10th grade
I'm a chef for Krogers and a single dad. As a kid I was alot like my son. My mom said I was just like my son is when I was young. I think I have adhd/add. I never was tested. I have some of the same issues I see in my son. I guess I can relate to him more. I think because I bet he thinks and feels the way I do. My mind runs all the time.
Describe your ADHD child using only ONE word: special
What about your life makes your ADHD story uniquely yours?
I'm a single dad, been divorced for three years. My daughter and I know more about my ADHD son than his mother. No real support from the kids' mother. I've never been tested for ADHD. My son has other issues too and I'm getting him help now instead of waiting for more to go wrong. I need too see I have issues too though. Then I'm better to help him out.
How did your ADHD child come to be diagnosed?
He was six years old and almost through kindergarten. Notes were coming home every day. He was getting kicked off the bus. I always knew something was wrong but never really knew what it was. So I started to read more about ADHD and things in the past started to make sense. So I took him to the doctor -- that was one of best thing I've done for him.
What are your ADHD child’s strengths/gifts/talents? Weaknesses? Obsessions?
He's a loving child who makes you laugh. He has a deep love. Lots of energy. Very strong willed. He tries to please. He does the best he can. I think he has OCD, but not sure. I think he has other issues too. I'm trying to get everything worked out to see what's really going on with him. He chews and licks. He wants to always know the time and the order of things to come.He talks almost 24/7. Very messy to me, but to him everything is in order.
He loves order and routines.
What sports or extra-curricular activities does your child participate in successfully?
No he's not in any sports or extra-curricular activities. As a single dad, I can't afford it. I get no child support from their mother. She's only like "fun" mother.
We just go the park, zoo and stuff like that. I would like to get him in things. My work schedule is not always the same which makes it tough to commit to extra activities, I do the best I can for him and his sister.
What strategies do you employ to cope with ADHD?
I try to be very understanding. We are in the process of geting things in place to help us too make our lives work a little better.
If you could give one piece of advice to a parent of an ADHD child just diagnosed, what would it be?
You are the one voice for your child. Read and do everything that you can too help them. The more you know the better you are to raise them. Give them lots of love. Have a good support team to help you. Just be there for them. They have a hard time going through this anyway. Just love them. Let them know you're always there.
If you could have a free 60-second spot on a public broadcast station, what would you share, show, say?
I would like more people to know and understand kids with special needs. I don't want people to judge the parenting of kids like this. The more knowledge other people have, the more they can understand everything a little better.
Does your child take medication to manage their ADHD? Is so, what medication and at what dosage? How does it work for them? What side effects do you see?
15 mg of Focalin once in the morning. 2 mg of intuniv once the morning. When he is on his meds things are somewhat more calm. When they are wearing off after school it's rough. Don't know what mood he's going to be in. Good days and bad days. He's not eating much until later at night.
Does your child attend public school or a special school? Does he or she have an IEP or a 504 Plan? What kind of accommodations do they receive?
He's in public school and he has an IEP.
What else would you like to share with other parents on this similar journey?
Keep your head up -- it's a life-changing thing. Learn all you can about ADHD. Give love and support to other parents. You are not the only one going through this. You're not alone. Give strength and encouragement.
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