Question about my 3rd grader and behavior

[MsMulan]

I have a daughter, who is 8, 3rd grade and for the most part has a great teacher. The teacher has said several times that my daughter's attention is not always there. There are times when she does not complete in class assignments, talks more than her fair share and is fidgety with items in her desk. She has asked for my daughter to visit the pediatrician and request a NIHCQ (I think) test for the teacher to observe my child and for me to observe her and to fill out. I've done this step and have taken her to a behaviorial therapist, who wants to do educational testing on her. I still need to figure this out with the school as my HMO does not pay for these services. I want to do what right by my daughter, but I really do not feel that she needs medication.

My question to all is how did you decide that you should go the medication route. It seems as if in today's society, we are so quick to label our children and then medicate them as the solution. How do you know if it is the right thing to do?

 

[tkd lisa]

For our DD, her K teacher was really nasty to us, insisting that obviously DD had a problem, etc. I was adament that DD wasn't ADHD, since she was capable of paying attention if it was something she liked. But we took her to be assessed by a psychologist (it was covered under our HMO), and the tests showed borderline. Her checklists were more strongly ADHD, and the psychologist said that the behavior DD showed during the testing were pretty indicative of ADHD. We started 1st grade, and this teacher was very good about working with us and DD, following behavioral modifications (i.e. rewarding good behavior, redirecting bad behavior), but by the time we got to Valentines' Day, that teacher asked us to consider trying medication. We went with the lowest dose available, and it really did make a huge difference in DD's ability to concentrate. I won't say it's always been easy, because it hasn't. She's in 7th grade now, and still taking a variety of ritalin. I can see the difference between her not having her medicine, and her just choosing to misbehave.

I think that you should go ahead with the test that the school is recommending. Since they are recommending it, can you have the school system perform the testing? Most of them can provide it, but it just takes a while to do it. Also, I know that some types of testing are actually covered under the medical portion of your insurance, while others are considered mental health, so I wouldn't just assume that your insurance won't cover the test.

Hope this helps!

 

[golfgal]

Not all kids that are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD are medicated. If your DD is ADD or ADHD and really needs the medication, you will be thankful for that medication. I know it is an over used diagnosis, however, for kids that are truly ADD or ADHD, the medications can change their lives so much they will beg you for it. If you trust her teacher and think she is doing what is best for your DD, then her instincts about your DD are probably right and she may need help. Double check with your insurance company, they might be able to work something out or they may cover it with the referal of your peditrician or the school district. It doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[MsMulan]

For our DD, her K teacher was really nasty to us, insisting that obviously DD had a problem, etc. I was adament that DD wasn't ADHD, since she was capable of paying attention if it was something she liked. But we took her to be assessed by a psychologist (it was covered under our HMO), and the tests showed borderline. Her checklists were more strongly ADHD, and the psychologist said that the behavior DD showed during the testing were pretty indicative of ADHD. We started 1st grade, and this teacher was very good about working with us and DD, following behavioral modifications (i.e. rewarding good behavior, redirecting bad behavior), but by the time we got to Valentines' Day, that teacher asked us to consider trying medication. We went with the lowest dose available, and it really did make a huge difference in DD's ability to concentrate. I won't say it's always been easy, because it hasn't. She's in 7th grade now, and still taking a variety of ritalin. I can see the difference between her not having her medicine, and her just choosing to misbehave.

I think that you should go ahead with the test that the school is recommending. Since they are recommending it, can you have the school system perform the testing? Most of them can provide it, but it just takes a while to do it. Also, I know that some types of testing are actually covered under the medical portion of your insurance, while others are considered mental health, so I wouldn't just assume that your insurance won't cover the test.

Hope this helps!

Thanks everyone for the advise. I have decided to call her school and inquire about the available services for educational testing. Hopefully, there will be something that we can utilize to help her in the long run.

 

[carolfoy]

MY DS had a terrible year in school when he was 8 just couldn't 'buckle down' at all and never fulfilled any of his assignments, I was really worried, tried, bribery, coaxing, blackmail, enthusiasm, rewards everything! turns out he just didn't like the teacher! and couldn't be bothered to take part in class discussion. now he's done8 months of his new year and has a glowing report card so I say hang in there, if it becomes an on going problem you'll have to address it but it could just be a clash of personality/ lack of interest in that particular teacher