ADHD Help

[LeanneC]

Hi all

I had a call yesterday from a parent who wnats to come tonight after school with her daughter of 9 who has adhd (she talks a lot they say), also her son 11 who has been diagnosed too he's not too bad. She wants school drop offs and pick up's only for daughter and son to make his own way to and from me.
The thing is, as ive only started minding, i feel a bit nervous now ive had a think about it... what if the younger ones have a tantrum and it sets of a tantrum with one of these two..i wont know what to do to handle it.
do you need to do any training on this, i asked mum on phone yesterday and she replied back saying not if you think you dont need it!
if you had just started minding a few months back and you ahve under 5's and 2 5 yr olds would you take them on?
Would be intresting to hear your comments and reassuring too as i dont know what to say. I have a text here waiting to be sent to cancel the meeting tonight. Personnally i dont think i would be able to cope.

[Deb]

Then say no - tbh I would take them on and not worry about it -but then I have had training and am experienced. The children should have an ADHD nurse that you can contact for training; also speak to your network coordinator.

If it were me I would insist on them having a 'clean' diet - no squash, lollies, additives etc and set firm boundaries and make sure they know what I expect from them - have a word with their teacher and see if they can help any.

[mammumof4]

Hi hun, if you dont think you can cope then dont do it. mum will understand.my eldest boy has ADHD, he is 14 now but he can still be hard work alot of the time, i hate to sound so negative! he does talk ALOT! :) and it mentally drains you sometimes, esspecialy when your trying to deal with other things and he is yapping in your ear about the latest UFO spotting or how much memory he has on his IPOD:) :)
dont get me wrong, he is great most of the time, very helpfull, and caring towards me and my other children but you should be prepared hun, google ADHD symptoms and you will have a better idea. if you do dicide to take the job,im here if you need advice/ help x

[FussyElmo]

Remember that the care of over 8's shouldn't impact on the younger children. I wouldnt ring the mum and cancel but I would ring and tell mum about my concerns.:)

Only you will know if you can cope if you feel you cant then dont do it:)

[The Juggler]

yes and perhaps if you're afraid she'll be upset think you're discriminating against them just be honest and say you don't feel you have enough experience yet with children, let alone with specialist care. Sure then she will understand.

[sarah707]

You must put yourself and your family first.

If you can't cope explain. It doesn't make you a bad person, just honest :D

[Hebs]

My son has ADHD and his childminder said he was one of the easiest kids to look after.

Until you've met the mum AND the child, discussed the childs needs, medication etc then i don't think you can make a decision based just on a "label"

I know LOTS of children who are so naughty and out of control and do not have ADHD

ADHD does NOT = naughty child, and it's these types of generalisations that upset me, as they judge the child before even knowing them :(

[marjie b]

leanne,
I want to put your mind at rest. I have two mindees with adhd, one with autism and another with dyslexia, as well as my own 3 los.

You are a confident, capable woman who can manage anything! These los all have their moments but I love them all equally and although it was hard at first to get them settled in they are all now absolutely fine, dont get me wrong, they are not without their problems but with the right guidance and discipline, and also the good influence of my own children, they have come on leaps and bounds in behaviour and confidence....

I would agree with the opinion that u should meet parents/child b4 u can make an informed decision.
I would not swap these sn children for the world as I know I have a lot to give them and the delight and happiness they give in return is endless...

Good luck with whatever u decide but dont be convinced that ur not capable until u know the reality of the task in hand, your reaction to these children may surprise u!! let us know what happens!!

marjie xx

[LOOPYLISA]

I understand where your coming from, bit different but my stepson has autism he is very hard work and it has such a impact on the whole family, hope whwatever you decide is the right choice :thumbsup:

[LeanneC]

Hi Ladies

A big thankyou for all your comments especially ones with own children having been diagnosed with adhd. Dont get me wrong my initial reaction was to meet them, I would never just generalise anyone as a "label" as i'm not like that. Im also aware that ADHD isnt just a naughty child, ha ha ive come across lots of those over the years, I have a toddler of my own aswell. It's when the frustration or anger turns into something that i cannot control that im worried about. I didnt think anything of it but i was just concerned as ive never dealt with anything like this before. She wanted them to start this Wednesday (tomorrow) no settling in session no initial meeting apart from a quick meeting today.
Anyway having thought long and hard I left a message for her as there was no answer explaining that I was sorry but i would rather have had been on some sort of training course before i took this on. So apologies but I cant do it etc Hopefully she will understand.
Please dont think im labelling anyone, im just being honest :)

[charleyfarley]

My son has ADHD and his childminder said he was one of the easiest kids to look after.

Until you've met the mum AND the child, discussed the childs needs, medication etc then i don't think you can make a decision based just on a "label"

I know LOTS of children who are so naughty and out of control and do not have ADHD

ADHD does NOT = naughty child, and it's these types of generalisations that upset me, as they judge the child before even knowing them :(

I can not agree more with you Hebs:thumbsup:

I've cared for 2 children with ADHD and they were two of the best children I cared for. Some minders would hear ADHD and straight away say no, not me though, the 2 I cared for were fantastic.

Some people don't give them the chance but if they got to know them first then they would see how great they are.

I know you will do what is right.

Carol xx

[uf353432]

I've just taken on siblings for after school care and one of the children has ADHD. Mum and I discussed it briefly - she explained how he is, that he is not agressive with his but hyper and chatty and by the time he gets to me his mads will be wearing off so he will be a bit more lethargic. To be honest i'm not worried - we discussed any dietry requirements which may effect his behaviour and I am sure that by working with the parents with any concerns if they arrise we can iron it all out. In fact I didn't know until she has completed his paperwork that he had it - there was no discussion about it at all when they came to discuss placing them here - he just seemed like a normal energetic chatterbox to me.

[wellybelly]

Then say no - tbh I would take them on and not worry about it -but then I have had training and am experienced. The children should have an ADHD nurse that you can contact for training; also speak to your network coordinator.

If it were me I would insist on them having a 'clean' diet - no squash, lollies, additives etc and set firm boundaries and make sure they know what I expect from them - have a word with their teacher and see if they can help any.

ADHD wouldnt put me off, its a condition at the end of the day, no different to an allergy. Its how you manage it which is the question. There is lots of support available through charities, online and working with the parents! In my local authority we have Inclusion officers who support childminders, they come to your house and offer support on what to do, plan and have in place in c/m settings. Do you have anything like that where you are?