A phone call from a teacher

Today I got a phone call. It wasn't from a teacher.

Did I throw you off for a moment? Anyway, Dan called me because he got a call from a teacher. About Abby. It was not her classroom teacher but one of her "special" teachers -- specials are art, music, library and computers. As soon as the teacher said she was calling about Abby, Dan got a sinking feeling. You know, like "This should be interesting."

But the teacher was calling with good news! She wanted to brag about how awesome Abby is in her subject and how much she helps her out in her room and with other students. She was just delighted by Abby. And especially because in the fall, at the start of the school year, she could tell Abby just wasn't herself. She wasn't. The start of the school year was rough at our house. She didn't have any friends in her class, and the transition with me starting full-time work outside the house was also difficult for her. This teacher could tell she wasn't her happy, fun-loving self. Of course, we could too. We all worked hard together to help her get over the "bump" in her road. While she still hasn't connected with anyone in her room this year, she's adjusted and seems to love school again. Thank goodness.

I was so happy this teacher took the time. Not only to call us with that wonderful report. But also because of the personal encouragement and support she gives our daughter. By giving Abby responsibilities in the room and offering her praise, the teacher is setting her up for success. Those are the perfect ingredients for teachers to invest in an ADHD student, and the output is more focus, attention and involvement in the classroom! I wish more teachers took the time, and I'm so thankful for the many we have encountered who do. They make a HUGE DIFFERENCE in the life of a child.

A bouncy baby girl

Not long ago I posted about a day in which Abby didn't take her medication. It happens sometimes. We try our best not to forget, because continuity seems to be the key to her success in the structured environment that is school. But she didn't notice, nor did her teacher, when we forgot to give her a pill one Monday. That was so shocking to me! 

Because in this short video, during which the kids are watching a little television in the 15-minute window before we had to get ready for soccer practice, is NOT AN EXCEPTION. This is not a random thing. This is how Abby nearly always acts when she's not on her Vyvanse. That means, in the morning before it takes effect and in the evening when it wears off, and on those rare days when we forget. 

This is how I remember my baby -- as a toddler and preschooler. This is why she had three head injuries in six months. Because usually the television is not on, and she's moving horizontally, too. And aggravating her brother. The annoying, impulsive things she does to her brother often beg the all-too-common question in our home..."What were you thinking?" On this day, she was definitely more active and we saw the one-armed circles that she used to do when running while she was at soccer practice. Weird flashback. So I thought I'd share in case you don't know what ADHD looks like, or if you're wondering if your child is hyperactive, or if you'd just like to know how to burn 2,500 calories in 15 minutes. :-) 

Today I found the most peculiar snack by my daughter's bed

Moms and Dads of kids with ADHD understand that sometimes they get hungry late at night. Or, in the middle of the night, since their medication is an appetite suppressant. As it wears off, their little tummies grumble and -- finally -- they're hungry!

Our policy is she can get a snack from the "healthy food drawer" in the fridge or a cereal bar from the pantry. She can eat (without waking) us at any hour -- as long as she eats something healthy and dines in the kitchen, not her bed.

You can imagine, she leaves plenty of evidence that she disregards those rules occasionally. A few examples, most from the last week:

1. Finger swipes through the frosting in a birthday cake that was in the garage freezer.
2. Crumbs in her bed. Our schnauzer Yadi typically sniffs out her room and finds remnants in the carpet in the morning. Too bad for her, he's a dead giveaway of the rule breaking.
3. Powered donut crumbs on the counter tops, plus a trail around the foyer toward her room. Extra donuts wrapped up in napkins in her room.
4. The brown edges of cornbread crumbled off into a pile on her desk. (She doesn't like anything that appears to be burnt, which includes anything that's brown. Also, textures can turn her off to certain foods, too.)

And just today while I was in her room to get and wash her sheets....
5. A package of cream cheese.

Some people need a glass of water by their bed but I'm oh-so proud that my daughter goes for a "bednight snack" (my kids called it this when they were wee tots!) that's a little more hearty. She was offended when I said it had to be pitched. Unlike a glass of water, cream cheese can't be your standby on the bedside table all week long, sweetie! Gross!

Morning energy

So, I was thinking since Abby's medication takes a good 60-90 minutes to kick in and because she's so easily distracted that maybe a burst of exercise would help her focus every morning. That's what the research says, and heck, I'm willing to give anything a try if it will light a fire and help get us on our way. 


I decided to get her opinion. 

"Abby, do you want to start exercising with me in the morning for 10 or 15 minutes? I think it would be a good way to help you get your energy out."

Without missing a beat, Abby says, "But Mom, I don’t need to get energy out in the morning. I need to get energy in!"

So true. Bad choice of words on my part!

Here's my girl getting her energy out on another occasion!