How Do I Help My 11yr Old With ADD?

My 11yr old son has ADD along with other learning difficulties too. My biggest one is trying to learn about ADD as my son is so different from any other kids. For those who have ADD kids, what are you doing to support your child, did you change food diet, what do they do outside of school?

He really doesn’t have any friends. he has been bullied in the past, he has been verbally bullied few weeks back which I got on top of. He would prefer to play on electronics as its something that can simulate him. His addiction to gaming has gotten so big, this week I have changed the rules to a little more stricter. He has trouble entertaining himself. Legos are too easy for him, I got him to build me a flat pack cabinet together x 2 last week and teach his younger sister to mow the grass. He gets bored very quickly. He builds robotics following instructions together and it’s too easy for him no matter how hard it is. He doesn’t like sport, he doesn’t like to be instructed. I have to force him to go for a walk or a bike ride. He prefers to stay in his room. I let him dye parts of his hair blue to help him express who he is yesterday for the first time. Will find out today if the school isn’t happy or is fine with it. I’m trying to learn about who he is, I sometimes find it stressful.

I don’t want to see a psychologist or a counsellor as he keeps his emotions bottled up very well and paints a pretty picture. I found out when he went to a school counsellor and turned out she cant help him, she wasn’t able to help my daughter and son. So shes no good. I’m hoping to hear what parents may have done to help or any advice you have got.

Post your reply

Want more real mum questions sent to you?

6 replies
Post a reply

- - Ellen said
  - 07 Nov 2022
    8:43 am
My daughter has Down syndrome with a severe cognitive delay, speech delay and severe ADHD combined type. We see a psychologist, Occupational therapist (for fine & gross motor skills & emotion regulation), speech therapist, physio therapist and a groups therapy.
I’m currently looking into Brain Train; Brain Train provides an integrated network of therapies for autism and other neurodevelopmental differences. Using a strengths-based, family-centred approach we can deliver very individualised and goal focused therapies and supports by a multi-disciplinary team and in the one location.
This month we will see the paediatrician, we may go down the road of medication as her ADHD impacts her ability to learn & live too much
- - mom314616 said
  - 17 Jul 2018
    2:41 am
From the comments you have in your post, my son was very similar at the same age to your child. We finally took him to a child psychologist when he was about 12. He was a middle aged man but seemed to relate really well to my son and big surprise to us was that our son actually listed to the psychologist. So it did help. This was a private DR. No the school was not very helpful. If you can find the right psychologist that is a good fit it might help you to understand more about it too. I know it helped me. Trust me it does get better as they get older. I don’t know about you but I found it very stressful not knowing how to help or if I was doing the right thing.
- - Staceylee101 said
  - 26 Jun 2018
    9:39 pm
My older brother had ADD, he struggled the same with concentration and entertainment. My mother banned him from having Coca-Cola, milo, any cereals full of sugar, pretty much limited his sugary snacks and definitely saw improvement. My mum also had him start piano lessons to help occupy him and it took up a fair bit of his time practicing. He is now 27 and no longer has ADD so I do think some grow out of it.
- - mom85055 said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    1:37 am
Hiya,
A few years back there was a story on a current affair regarding your difficult situation!I was glued to the Tv as it showed the real life challenge and every day battle of parenting ADD children!I must say I was horrified at the behaviour of the children featured in the story I had no idea!These children were put under the care of a doctor in Caloundra (Sunshine Coast) and within 4-6 wks some under that time frame these children were totally transformed!His passion, care and methods had amazing positive results.Simply by changing there diets!Im only going by what I saw watching the story but WOW what a difference in these kids, truly wonderful to see.I hope this helps you.Kind Wishes to you and your children hang in there!
- - Mumofboyz said
  - 18 Jun 2018
    2:41 pm
My 8 year old has a new diagnosis of ADHD, my husband doesn’t want to medicate so we are trying Effalex brain formula (imported from eBay) fish oil, it’s early days.
He has shown improvement at writing for a longer period of time as he does not like writing.
I’m sorry I’m not sure how to help an older child but maybe fish oils could help?
- - mom81879 said
  - 16 Jun 2018
    7:56 pm
I would try googling some tips. You can never have too much info when looking for help