June 12, 2007
Behavior
Question from Kentucky, USA:
My son has type 1 diabetes and ADHD. He will eat foods and does not bolus or even tell anyone of this. He also has issues with not doing his homework and is very emotional when confronted on any issues and his excuse is “I forgot” or “I don’t know.” I understand that he should not be completely responsible, but the school system has attempted, in the past, to suggest he needs to be in special education and even suggested that he go to another school. The district acts as though they do not want the responsibility. My father passed away from complications due to type 1 diabetes and it scares me. I wish to understand how I can get my son to stay focused and concerned about what he is doing to himself with this behavior. I am at a loss and I hope that there are options than a psychiatrist. My son has shown very high intellect, especially at the beginning of school, then just dropped of like he gives up. Please help with suggestions I can discuss with the doctors. I need options and choices.
Answer:
It is difficult to know how much of what you are seeing is related to his inattention and how much is due to poorly controlled blood sugars. I don’t know how old your son is, but if he is in elementary school, he should not be responsible for deciding when to bolus or how much to bolus. That needs to be the responsibility of an adult.
As far as school, the first thing to do is to obtain a complete psychological and educational evaluation to determine his strengths and weaknesses. Perhaps he does not have ADHD. Perhaps he has a learning disability. Perhaps he is worried or sad and that is impacting his behavior in the classroom. Ask the school principal how to obtain a case study and how to develop an IEP for your son with a 504 plan to address his learning and his medical needs in the school. Please read Diabetes At School on our web site for additional information.
The information from the testing battery will let you know if your son needs school interventions, behavioral interventions, and/or medications.
JWB
