On Wednesday right after the appointment, I gave Kenzie the aderall after school. I am very pleased to say that it is working. No more hyperactviity or impulsiveness. She is very calm and easy to be around. She can still be a little irritable, but for the most part it is good. She still has a lot of issues to work out with Tori. I am hoping that the therapist will help with this. Now if we can just get the mornings better and the irritable mood better. I went on the website that the therapist has and the name of the approach she uses with children is called the Nutured Heart Approach. It talks about how when a child is doing negative behavior that we give lots of attention to that behavior to try and correct it. That in return gives them attention which most of these kids crave so it becomes a cycle. They act out; they get more attention. This program talks about how to give less attention to the negative behavior and make more opportunities for good behavior so you can give them positive attention. That is it in a nutshell. I am sure there is much more to it. I am excited to learn more. But from the little I read I am already looking for good behavior and really emphasizing that, praising, and rewarding. I am also really trying to spend quality time with my kids. This is so hard when there are a million other things that need to be done. Again, I hope the therapist will help me balance all of this.
Speaking of balancing, my husband gave me a great tool that has helped me with my lack of organization and getting things accomplished. Here is what he told me to do: List each morning three things that you want to get done that day and then prioritize them. Write them down so you will not forget or get distracted. This part is crucial-when I have forgotten to do this step I easily forget what the three things were and then I get distracted and end up doing other things. After you do each item, cross it off and move on to the next one. When I have done this, it has helped me so much. I really feel like I accomplished something that day and that helps with my depression as well. I just need to be better about writing them down. Thanks, honey!
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Amy - I'm so happy that afternoon dose of Aderall is working for Kenz. What a relief as that time of day is a crazy one as it is with dinner, homework, baths, bedtime, etc. I wonder - does Kenzie take a stimulant during the day as well? I ask b/c Ava's concerta is wearing off by the time she gets home from school about 4pm and she's a crazed hyper mess! Her pdoc thinks her irritability at this time is due to her concerta wearing off. but she's never offered to add a dose of stimulant this late in the day. wonder if this would be an option for us as 4-7pm is HORRIBLE here!! What are your thoughts on this when thinking of your Kenz?
ReplyDeleteI love my to do list. If i do something that is not on the list, I add it to the list just so I can cross it off! Glad to hear about the aderrall.
ReplyDeleteErin-I would certainly ask your doctor about giving her a low dose-fast acting stimulant at 4:00. Kenzie has no problem taking it and still going to bed but then she does take seroquel at night which helps her get to sleep and stay asleep. So I am not sure if the stimulant would keep Ava awake if she did not have something to help her sleep. It is only 10 mg. and it is fast acting not extended release. It seems to work for Kenzie for the time being. You take what you can get when you get it, right? It might be worth a try. I'd at least ask. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteErin-I forgot to tell you that yes Kenz is on vyvanse 40 mg. during the day. She takes it as soon as she wakes up around 6:45. And then takes the aderall at 4:00. I am wondering what to do today as I forgot to ask the doctor. On the weekends she wakes up so late that she does take the vyvanse until 9:00 or so. I wonder if I should give her the aderall at 6:00 instead of 4:00?!? I think I will wait and see if she needs it around then. Hope that helps.
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