When we started Dore, they had mentioned the regression period at first, but they did not mention that it occurs throughout the process as well, like growing pains! There seems to be a period of darkness before the light returns with self-growth, exploring and re-exploring talents and abilities. I really wonder what misfortune comes to these poor kids whose "light" is just around the bend, and, will they end up being "stuck" in that regression period forever?

1kid continues to plug along. 8th grade has been really tough, ADHD-wise. The expectations of him are more than he can get a grasp on. He has not been able to get all his assignments written down, and thus doesn't get the grade. This year, so far, 36 missing assignments , 73 D's and F's, and 31 missed days of school. The stress of all of this has let him to a diagnosis of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) with GERD (gastro esophogeal reflux disease). Caused by stress, poor diet, and an upper GI response to IBS. It's all the way up in his throat. No meds seem to help with the debilitating nausea and pain, he just has to wait it out. He, and other kids have this, and shouldn't. The schools should help these troubled, yet motivated kids, and they won't. They just don't seem to care. They cater to the bright, and to the worst of the struggling. Average is left alone. That is why getting these kids help is so very important!!

It would have been a great year to medicate for ADHD. 1Kid doesn't want to do this. We may have to waffle the pros and cons of NOT medicating again, and try to find something that will not trigger the seizures, or make sure that they were just a passing thing, as most kids with the absence type outgrow them by this age or a bit later. Next year is high school. This summer I would like to get him into some type of coaching program to prepare him for this, get him on another 504 so that he may have a written weekly sheet of his assignments, and possibly the attention/focus part will have kicked in by then, or he may do to medicate. It's up against the wall for us now. On the off-weeks, he gets NO support, on his on-weeks with me, our days are filled cramming sessions, arguments, appointments, taking off work to get him to appointments and to grandma's house, my social life has taken a dump. It's horrible.