Things are a little crazy right now. We finally decided to put Aidan on meds, and he has been doing great! Just when we thought we were getting into a good groove, life throws us another curve ball. We have recently discovered Aidan hasn't been doing as well as we thought. In fact, things could be much worse. We have an appointment with his psychologist this week, so we will see... All prayers are appreciated!

Update on Aidan

Well, it has been a hard month for us with Aidan. I feel like his issues are consuming my life. I know part of it is the time of the year. It's too cold to play outside, so he has inside recess most days. I think he is going stir crazy like everyone else! I will be glad for Spring. But he has been lying a ton lately. He lies about everything. Sometimes he does so he won't get in trouble, or to get out of trouble. Other times I don't even think he realizes he is doing it. The lies just come out of his mouth without him thinking about it! If it wasn't so sad, it would be funny!!!

School and homework have been very difficult for Aidan these past couple weeks. The weighted belt he wears has helped a lot with his hyperactivity, but he still can't focus and concentrate to get his work done. He is easily distracted and off in space half of the time. Most days, his teacher has to sit right with him or he doesn't get anything done! Homework is the same way. We can't leave him alone to do it. We have to sit right with him and fight with him to work on it. It's a battle, and one that we usually don't win, at least not without a lot of bloodshed!!!

We took him to get bloodwork and an EKG done so he can go on medication for the ADHD. I feel like we are doing and have done everything we can for him, and he is still struggling. His teacher is wonderful, and she is constantly trying new things to help him be successful, but he still needs so much attention. It's so frustrating to see him struggle so much. And I know Aidan feels the same way. We went to the psychiatrist today and he gave us a perscription for meds. We will start Aidan on them as soon as his doctor see his EKG results. I am so nervous about all of the side effects and all of the horror stories you hear about meds. But we have really prayed about this, and we think this is the best thing for Aidan right now.

I am going to do some more research online about diet stuff that may help. I looked into this a little, but the book I read was fairly extreme and very overwhelming so I sorta gave up on it. I think I will look into it some more and see what I can come up with online. I just don't know if changing or limiting his diet is the best option for him right now. He is already very emotional and has an extremely hard time with change or being different from other kids. Limiting or changing what foods he can and cannot have may just be enough to push him over the edge! Or maybe that's just an excuse for me not wanting to put all the work into completely changing our family's lifestyle! I don't know.

I just feel like either way we go, meds or no meds, people are judging us. If we don't do meds, I feel like people don't want to be around Aidan because he can get so out of control. If we do meds, I feel like people think we are bad parents because we aren't coming up with some natural alternative to fix him. I know I shouldn't worry about what others think, but of course I do.

So that's where we are with Aidan. I love that boy so much, and yet he frustrates me more than ever!!! But he is so loving and generous. And he is constantly making us laugh. I just have to try and stay calm, even when he isn't. That is REALLY hard for me to do. Pray for us!

Cherene :)

So Much Has Happened!

What a crazy end of the year it has been!!! Crazy, but fun. We finally got a diagnosis of ADHD and ODD (Opositional Defiance Disorder) for Aidan. The psychiatrist also thinks he has some anxiety issues, as far as dwelling on things and worrying. Nothing clinical, but something to keep an eye on. We have also noticed some OCD symptoms. He is very particular about meal time, but not all the time. He usually has to have a different piece of silverware for each food, and he likes his "space" at the table a certain way, with nothing intruding his space!!! He is also particular about furniture sometimes, and he seems to have an obsessions with his lips and mouth lately (picking at his lips, playing with his lips, putting fingers in is mouth...). We don't think it's enought to be concerned with at this point, but again we are keeping an eye on it.

We discovered that ankle weights (those used for exercise) work really well for Aidan. Amazingly, they calm him! His body movements become more controlled, and he doesn't act so impulsive. We also finally got the weighted belt we ordered for him. He wears it under his shirt. We just got it a couple weeks ago, and he isn't sure how he feels about it yet. It is a bit bulkier and cumbersome than we had expected, so it bothers him after a while. Although, after wearing for a time, he seems to be able to stay calmer and more focused, even when he takes a break from wearing it. It is really quite extraordinary actually!!!

He has worn the ankle weights to school, and it has seemed to help. We will try the belt when school starts again on Monday. He really likes the feeling of being weighted down. I think he feels like his arms and legs are floating, and the weights seem to help him feel grounded. I don't know if this will be enough to help him academically at school, but as far as his defiant behavior goes, the weights have drastically improved that! He has been much easier to handle at home and at church, and anyone can see a difference when we forget to have him wear the weights to church! He is still the same child, just a more controlled Aidan! It has been a beautiful thing! We may still do medicine, depending on how school goes. But it would be so great to not have to!!!

Anyways, Christmas time was wonderful. Vacation was way too short, but time with family up north was great! My boys love their cousins so much, and I hate having to leave at the end of a great visit!!!

Ok, I will post more later. Hopefully, I won't take so long next time. To all my faithful readers...thanks for waiting.

Cherene :)