Unfortunately that's part of the problem, Boss.

I've been down every other possible alternate avenue with her to no avail.
Also, in fairness to her specialist this has not been a rash decision. She was diagnosed with ADD & Dyspraxia a few years ago. Recently, she has also been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome which is a mild form of Autism.
Ritalin hasn't ever at any point been pushed on me (Maybe things are handled differently over here in Ireland and the UK compared to the States) and it's taken aproximately 5 years for her pediatrician to suggest it.
As she gets older its becoming increasingly apparent how bad her condition really is. When she was younger I could put her behaviour down to "just being a kid".
Now she's almost 10 years old and is about at the mental age of a child aged 6 I'd say.
Her sister who's 18 months younger than her is miles ahead of her and it kills me to see it. Literally everyday is an uphill struggle for her. She wets herself at least 3 or 4 times a day because she gets engrossed in something and doesn't notice she needs to pee until its too late. This happens in school too and now that shes older her peers are teasing her, laughing at her etc. She's miserable in that environment.
At home, I have to virtually watch her every move and keep reminding her to do things, or repeat myself to her cause she can't absorb all the informnation I'm giving her. Simple things like "go into the kitchen and bring me the salt, but don't forget to close the door". She might hear me say "close the door" or "go to the kitchen" or maybe even "bring me the salt" but she won't hear all 3 commands together.
Where money is concerned she doesn't have a clue. This REALLY worries me because if she can't grasp even the basic understanding that 10 pennies make 10 pence, how is she gonna cope with the world? I took her & her sister to a cafe recently and I bought hot chocolate. When we were sat at the table she said she would love a fudge brownie, so I sent her up to the till with a Â.£5 note to buy herself one and also buy one for her sister. She got them, handed the guy behind the counter the Â.£5 and walked off without waiting for her change. She has absolutely no concept of money whatsoever. Like I say, it troubles me greatly.
I can't just stand by and watch this happen so after much deliberation, I have decided to give Ritalin a chance - just a trial run - and see how it goes. I have to do something. Heaven knows I've tried everything else and as a lone parent believe me it hasn't been easy.

Anyway, thank u all SO MUCH for all your opinions, views and support. I really appreciate it. U guys keep me sane in a mad mad world.

xxxxxx