Desperate mother describes struggles with getting support for son with ADHD
When most children get up in the morning, they get dressed, eat breakfast and watch cartoons.
When Logan Brown gets up, his mum hands him his first dose of amphetamine for the day.
The slow relief drug helps Logan control his anger and focus on his day-today activities.
Logan, 11, is one of thousands of youngsters in the UK living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Even though it is the most common behavioural disorders among children, many sufferers like Logan are being punished and excluded from schools for behaviour they cannot help.
His mum Gemma is desperate for her son to get the help he needs and fears he is slipping into a dark depressed state:
Logan was three when Gemma and her husband Chris, from Prestwich, first noticed their son was different to other kids his age.
He could never sit still, he struggled to focus on one thing and would climb everything in sight:
When Logan started primary school, his hyperactivity would get him into trouble.Gemma, 34, would get calls from his teacher about incidents in the playground with other children.
He wouldn’t sit still, he’d shout out answers in class and would climb furniture.For years Gemma didn’t know what was wrong with Logan or how best to support him.
It was only when he was referred to a specialist paediatrician aged eight he was finally diagnosed with ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder.The latter means Logan openly contradicts and defies people. His mum explains:
After years of searching for answers, Gemma was relieved to finally get a diagnosis.
What broke her heart was being told by doctors Logan would need daily medication to help curb his hyperactivity.
He was initially prescribed Ritalin - the most commonly prescribed drug for ADHD - then Equasym and eventually Elvanse - a type of amphetamine:
During his first four years at primary school, Gemma says his teachers and support staff were very supportive.
But as he got older, his behaviour became more challenging. He developed anger issues and will sometimes refuse to comply with anything.When Logan reached Year 5, Gemma said he was repeatedly punished for his behavior and eventually excluded.
He now attends The Ark special school in Whitefield, but the rejection has led to Logan to becoming depressed and isolated, his mum says.Gemma, who has two other children, worries his ADHD could hold him back forever.
The mum-of-three said:
Gemma hopes by sharing Logan’s story to promote better help for youngsters with ADHD.