i really need to get back to this.

recently, elizabeth climbed a tree at school, a skinny, young tree. she was swaying back and forth on it. the big kids(5th graders, elizabeth is 2nd grade)saw her out of their 2nd floor window. the teacher had her get down but then elizabeth shook the tree, i guess very strongly.

the principal called me and told me what happened. he wouldn't stop talking--this happens when a person tells an "elizabeth" story as one simply can't imagine elizabeth's behavior unless one witnesses it. the principal repeatedly told me that elizabeth is one of his favorite kids in the whole school, that he loves her, etc. he wouldn't let me get a word in; finally i blurted out, "i need to know what time this happened". he said 2:15-2:30.

i explained her medication had worn off; he said he had no idea she was ADHD. he does now.

Liz just told me she has the hiccups so she can't get dressed.

Liz has been difficult today. All kids are difficult at times but an ADHD child can be unbelievably out of control.

We went to the beach and shopping for school clothes today. School starts the last week of August, a few short weeks away.

Shopping with Liz is an event. What kind of event I don't know but it is an event. It always involves a small treat which she carries in the store and which I won't purchase if I don't have cooperation with the back-to-school necessities.

Exhausting. She is always anxious to complete the shopping so she can have the "treat". After about 10 times of asking "are we done yet?" she's not allowed to ask again or will lose the "treat". This is difficult for her. Some how she manages. I, also, manage to survive these shopping trips (barely).

We cannot go to more than 2 stores; the "treat" is always selected at the second store. Some sort of physical activity (like the beach) is necessary prior to shopping so Liz doesn't have too much energy.

not much to say. i'm tired. liz talks too much. took her bowling today, we went for a walk, macdonald's for lunch, her 20 year old cousin and baby cousin were over. Liz says we didn't do anything and it was boring. she needs to be outside and physically active outside for her life not to be boring and to enable her to be somewhat calm while inside the house. she craves constant activity and constant stimulation. I don't. I get tired just being around her. outdoor physical activity 3-4 hours everyday to have any calm inside our home.

The key to controlling the "rebound effect" is to not allow the child to get to that "out of control" place. This involves careful timing of medication.

If Liz takes her second dose of ritalin at 6:00 pm, she must be in bed by 9:00 pm before the effects of the medication are completely worn off. Often, Liz feels sleepy right before the medication wears off, i.e., right before the "rebound effect" will occur. If I miss this "window" of sleepy-calmness, it will take Liz up to 2 hours to fall asleep. If my timing is right, she's asleep within 1/2 hour.

Liz experiences what is known as the "rebound effect". The effectiveness of ADHD medication is short term, 4 to 8 hours, depending on the medication and the child. When the medication wears off, ADHD children often experience an increase in symptoms, also known as the "rebound effect".

This is difficult for both the child and the people around her. The child appears "out of control" and caregivers as well as other persons try, in vain, to help the child settle down. It doesn't work.

If one understands ADHD, one actually empathizes with the child. If one doesn't understand ADHD, it is likely the child is labeled as a "bad kid" or undisciplined or spoiled or all of these.

to be continued....