Well if you got to this page you must have been happy with what I am doing(hehehe).

Thomas was diagnosed with ADHD 6 mths after starting school, at that time we were both having a hard time with Thomas. His behaviour, attitude and the way he spoke was driving us both mad. He was, or always seemed to be, getting punished every day.But since we found what the problem was we were able to cope a lot better with the help of medication and help from the child guidance counselor, our doctor and of course the specialist. I will try to give you a run down on his progress after a few pics of Tom.

Tom weighed a hefty 3lb 12oz (1700g). He was kept in the hospital for 7 weeks, so we got him home 2 1/2 weeks before he was due. When he arrived home, he was still a little too small to fit into size 0000 clothes. Once we got him home from the hospital, he really started to blossom. Thomas never walked anywhere, he ran! And he still runs everywhere today. We think he has grown into quite a handsome little 10 year old, you can check him out in the photos above.

We knew early on that there was something not quite right with our little boy, especially when he was about 3 years old, and cracked open 4 heads in less than two weeks! Luckily the last was his own, when he cracked it on the fridge door handle.

When Thomas was in Grade 1 he had a wonderful teacher who noticed some of his unusual behaviours, and it was she who first suggested to us that he may have ADHD. It took another 2 years after that to finally get him diagnosed, with no end to the detentions, and letters home, fights with neighbours, and Tom having to be literally dragged into the school in the mornings by teachers so that we could drive home again.

It didn't take much in the paediatrician's office to get the diagnosis. We fed him up on chocolates beforehand, so he was climbing the walls in the waiting room. (I mean he was REALLY climbing the walls!

He was soon placed on Ritalin, which made a big difference in our lives. We could tell to the minute when the medication took effect. Thomas went from wrecking the house and hitting, kicking and biting Vicki, to sitting quietly watching tv or colouring in books, or playing with other children in the yard without fighting with them, and generally behaving like a 'normal' child.

Well, Tom is now in Grade 6. We had a lot of trouble with his behaviour for 3/4 of last year, until we finally got in to see his specialist (yearly visits, believe it or not) and his medication was increased according to his weight. He also got assessed by the Child and Youth Mental Health services, and the psychologists there were able to teach him a little more about controlling his temper, and how to interact with other people. He still has a long way to go, but we're getting there. The psychologists are happy with his progress, and we no longer have to see them, unless we hit major problems again. This year he has even made a couple of good friends, and they have been friends for more than just a couple of days. It's been over 6 months of solid friendship with 1 young fellow who lives just up the road from us. We've even been able to allow sleepovers!!!