Having a child is difficult, especially when no one else understands what is going on in your life.

The Bottom Line Find out all that you can about your diagnosis, find support groups who can help with your feelings of helplessness. Trust your instincts. Parent the best way that you can.

UPDATE!! UPDATE!! Recently my son has been diagnosed as having PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified) which is on the Autism Spectrum, along with his ADHD and ODD. He is now in 1st grade and he is doing wonderful. He is reading at almost a third grade level. He is spelling words that I wouldn't expect him to spell. He is excited about school. No phone calls from teachers this year, all I hear is glowing reports about my baby. We have him on all sorts of medication, but you know what? It's all working for him. No longer do I feel like a bad mom. I am proud of Kyler and what he has accomplished and what he continues to accomplish. In fact this weekend, I am doing a walk in Autism Research. If anyone is interested please email me!! Thank you for all of the words of advice and encouragement!!



I don't think I am, but a lot of people look at me as if I am.

I love my son with all of my heart, but he frustrates me so much.

What am I talking about? I'm talking about a very young child who was discovered to have ADHD, and the struggles that me and him go through.

When he was 1 1/2 we met with some moms from a online group. He wouldn't sit still, wouldn't listen, started screaming for no reason, was uncontrollable. I picked him up and walked out to my car crying.

We go to the store and I have to leave dragging my son behind me, kicking and screaming the whole time.

I take him to school, and he won't sit still, he is constantly on the move, won't listen to no one and does his own thing.

We take him to the doctor, and he is always on the move, won't listen to the doctor, won't sit still for the doctor, etc. Doctor says, maybe you should find a psychologist, and see what he has to say. My baby is only 3!! He is a typical toddler. Isn't he?

We take him to the psychologist, and he meets him for the first time, "Kyler sit down, Kyler don't do that, Kyler please listen, Kyler stop it." Psychologist says, he has ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder). Explains to us how to use Behavorial Modification. What? What's that?

When he gets out of control, sit him on your lap and hold him down until he decides to quiet down and listen. It could take up to 3 hours for this to work. So, I do this, and I'm sitting there listening to my baby cry, and scream, kicking me, head butting me, screaming that I'm killing him. While I sit there with tears streaming down my face, wondering what did I do wrong? Am I a bad mom like everyone tell me that I am?

My baby turns 4, and his doctor prescribes Ritilan for him informing us to find a psychiatrist immediately. Which we do. Diagnosis? ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) along with the ODD. Finally!! I'm not a bad mom!! There is something medically wrong with my angel, my baby!

Then my baby turned and he is taking Ritilan on a regular basis, and he is doing so well!! He is extremely bright! His teachers tell me that he is very analytical, he will do well in math, he talks to me as a mommy's little boy should, he will listen to me as I explain something new to him.

Recently my son has been diagnosed as having PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified) which is on the Autism Spectrum, along with his ADHD and ODD. He is an excellent speller. He is excited about school. No phone calls from teachers this year, all I hear is glowing reports about my baby. We have him on all sorts of medication, but you know what? It's all working for him. No longer do I feel like a bad mom. I am proud of Kyler and what he has accomplished and what he continues to accomplish.

He still has his moments where he is out of control, but I can love him again, he is my first baby, and will always be my baby! I see nothing but a bright future for him, because I knew there was something wrong with my baby and I went after answers.

The bottom line of my story is....Don't let anyone tell you that you are a bad mother because of the way your child behaves, because if you trust your instincts you can always find answers!!