Evaluation for ADHD??? Help UPDATED 4/12

[JennyMominRI]

My son is seeing a psychologist tomorrow for an ADHD.He's already been to his Ped,who has sent hi to this new doctor. Has anyone else had child evaluated.. I'm wondering what to expect tomorrow.. I'm bringing his report card so that the doctor can see the comments about his inability to focus etc.. Actually,I'm sick so his father may have to take him.

 

[lewdyan1]

When my DS was diagnosed, the initial visit was mostly conversation. I then had to fill out a quesitonaire as did his teachers.
Sending good wishes your way!

 

[tkd lisa]

Yep. The initial assessment is mostly questions. You'll get evaluations for you and other adults to fill in (including their teachers). After that, they'll do a variety of tests. I remember one being a computer thing which was incredibly boring. (Something like pushing the x whenever the box appeared on the screen). Some of them were multi-step puzzle type things. DD was really weird on those. She'd do 9 of the 10 steps, and know what the 10th step was, but just wouldn't do it.

I hope it goes well.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

When my DS was diagnosed, the initial visit was mostly conversation. I then had to fill out a quesitonaire as did his teachers.
Sending good wishes your way!

Exactly what I was going to say. Best wishes to you, hope you can get the help you need.

 

[barkley]

mostly questions, will ask if you've done any med tests to rule out other things (allergies, hearing/vision problems). they give you the questioneers to give to teacher/daycare providers/self to complete (so they know how the child is in day to day situations). some want a prior teacher or daycare provider (if available) to fill out also to see if gradual or suddent onset of symptoms.

when our son was evaluated both parents had to attend because psychiatrist wanted to get family history on both of us, both our takes on what was going on-also wanted to discuss with us any issues that might be happening in the event this was causing a behavioural issue.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Thanks for all of the info. I'll keep you posted.

 

[biz410]

Jenny,

I just read your signature and was looking through some of your posts. I am amazed at your courage in the face of great opposition.

As a former teacher with ADHD, I can tell you the following from my experience. I hope it is not too late to be helpful.

First, the diagnosis of ADHD is largely subjective. If you answer "yes" to whatever number of questions they determine to be indicators, then you "have" ADHD.

The main issue is medication. For me, Ritalin subconsciously helped me remember little things like where I put my keys. It helped me establish a pattern so I always put them in the proper place. Aside from that, it was not needed. Yes, I still forget what I had for breakfast. No, I can't sit still for more than 5 minutes or carry on an extended meaningful conversation much of the time, but who cares? I would not put my children on meds or recommend it to anyone else unless there were mitigating factors that put the child's health in danger.
I have seen students taking Adderol and turn into zombies. Why? So they are less bothersome? Behavior modification needs to be the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth things to try.

Another overlooked fact is that ADHD and giftedness frequently go hand in hand. Much of the problems seen in class may stem from a teaching style that is not suited to your child. While a gifted child with motivational issues way pose a problem for a teacher, stifling that child will have long term consequences.

For example, I was kicked out of school 3 times before dropping out and taking the GED after my junior year. I then went to college when I should have been a senior. After 3 semesters and 3 changes of majors, I dropped out. A year later, I decided I wanted to be a teacher. I went back and graduated. Once teaching, I could not stay in a classroom for more than 20 minutes without bouncing off the walls. Luckily, I was a special ed teacher with students spread throughout 3 classrooms. So every 15 minutes I would leave one room, walk around the entire school, and then back into another room. This is when I started taking Ritalin. I lasted 2 1/2 years before I started a summer camp. Now, my job is very ADHD friendly.

Looking back, I think that I would have benefited from guidance, not drugs. Kids need an outlet for energy and creativity. Public schools are not typically capable of offering that. With so many students, it is a "one size fits all" approach that is used.

I now see ADHD as an asset that can be used productively. Your challenge will be to find a teacher or administrator that thinks the same way.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

deleted...duplicate

 

[Diva of Dragons]

deleted...puter freaking out!

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Hi!

biz410 hit it on the head! There are many ways to handle an ADHD diagnosis. If you look at how many kids are being diagnosed with ADD, ADHD and even Autism, you really have to wonder if it's really the kids that have the problem . Or, is it their diets and overstimulation from TV, video games, etc... coupled with an antiquated education system. ........I am not saying that these disorders do not exist. I just find it alarming that sooooo many kids are being lined up for meds, to make them behave, when most of them are probably perfectly fine. The key is to find out how each child learns and work with their strengths. One book that I really urge people to read, before they begin medicating, is "The ADD Solution" by Dr. Frank Lawlis!!! He's had some amazing results!!

Good luck with your son!!! I'm sure he's fine!

 

[JennyMominRI]

Funny you should post this today..My son just got the ADHD diagnosis Monday..Believe me,it was a long time coming..It took almost 5 months worth of testing etc. to get to this point... I'm still at the point of deciding what to do next..
First let me say that as a 15 year survivor of AIDS,I have learned how to research medical issues. I have earned to take my doctors advice and evaluate it with my own research.I am not someone who thinks doctors are gods and their word is law..
I managed to keep him from getting this diagnosis for years..I homeschooled him for 5 years because I knew that as soon as he went to school this would become an issue.. At home I was able to work with him ,modify his behavior and teach him ways to deal with it at home,without meds. I'm glad that at least until age 11,I was able to keep him away from meds of any kind.
He's unhappy now though..The poor kid has no toys becuase he destroys any toys we buy within a day or two.. He rips wallpaper off the walls and constantly breaks things. It's getting to the point where he is really getting frustrated with himself and it is hurting his self esteem.. It's time for something to be done.

 

[N.Bailey]

Funny you should post this today..My son just got the ADHD diagnosis Monday..Believe me,it was a long time coming..It took almost 5 months worth of testing etc. to get to this point... I'm still at the point of deciding what to do next..
First let me say that as a 15 year survivor of AIDS,I have learned how to research medical issues. I have earned to take my doctrs advice and evaluate it with muy own research.I am not someone who thinks doctors are gods and their word is law..
I managed to keep him from getting this diagnosis for years..I homeschooled him for 5 years because I knew that as soon as he went to school this would become an issue.. At home I was able to work with him ,modify his behavior and teach him ways to deal with it at home,without meds. I'm glad that at least until age 11,I was able to keep him away from meds of any kind.
He's unhappy now though..The poor kid has no toys becuase he destroys any toys we buy within a day or two.. He rips wallpaper off the walls and constantly breaks things. It's getting to the point where he is really getting frustrated with himself and it is hurting his self esteem.. It's time for something to be done.

I have no experience with ADHD Jenny and I wish you well finding a solution that works. I agree with your assessment that it's time to intervene. As a parent with a son with a fairly severe learning disability, I understand the frustration. Each year my son advances and between all the teachers, the school psychologist, principal, the head of the district, as well as my husband and I, we are all in agreement that since my son does not suffer from frustration like those you're mentioning here, he has a very good chance of overcoming his disability. I thank the Lord that my son hasn't given up on himself because if and when that time comes, I really think he'll lose the battle.

 

[biz410]

Well, Jenny, that certainly isn't the typical situation when people are discussing ADHD. I am sorry to hear that your circumstances are that severe.

I am no doc, but has depression or bi-polar been discussed? It seems that the behavior you described could be diagnosed as a manic rage. In my experience serotonin uptake inhibitors (Zoloft,Prozac) tend to have less in the way of side effects than the common ADHD drugs.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Well, Jenny, that certainly isn't the typical situation when people are discussing ADHD. I am sorry to hear that your circumstances are that severe.

I am no doc, but has depression or bi-polar been discussed? It seems that the behavior you described could be diagnosed as a manic rage. In my experience serotonin uptake inhibitors (Zoloft,Prozac) tend to have less in the way of side effects than the common ADHD drugs.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

Oh yes,He was evaluated for oppositional defiant disorder,depression and a couple of other things..He shows no signs of things... He doesn't destroy things on purpose. He opens them to look inside, to see how they work, or just because he isn't paying attention and his hands are constantly moving.
If he is sittting on the couch his hands are constantly moving which results in him picking at the fringe or decorations on pillows,playing with the curtain strings etc.. If he is standing in the kitchen talking to me his hands wander and he starts picking at anything around him including the wallpaper etc. He'son of those kids that all the neighborhood parents love because he's so sweet, but they put away anything breakable when he comes by
He's not an angry kid at all and is generaly happy. He has never had any sort of temper tantrums or any signs of aggression. His psychologist said he's generally a happy weel adjusted kid. He's frustrated because his grades aren't where he wants them to be. He's frustrated because,while he is an excellent writer, no one can read what he writes.. He makes silly mistakes at things he's good at because he can't focus and as much as he tries to fix it himself. He can't In one week in math,he may get 2 90's and then a 20 on quizes.

 

[BWVDenise]

He makes silly mistakes at things he's good at because he can't focus and as much as he tries to fix it himself. He can't In one week in math,he may get 2 90's and then a 20 on quizes.

This sounds just like my dd (9)! She is going for a neuropsych eval. next week. She can fail a pretest or quiz, and then pull a 100 on the test and nobody can figure out why. It's very frustrating. A change in diet has been very helpful but there seems be be more to it than that.