Possible Evaluation for Learning Disability.

I have ADHD, and so do my kids. I do have experience in the evaluation process. But based on your post, I don't see the need for an evaluation or any reason to assume that your child is anything but a neurotypical child.

Your child's teacher stated that she doesn't think your child needs to be evaluated, that she needs to work harder. Why don't you start there, with her work ethic, and see what happens? Help her to buckle down on studying, talk to her about checking her work and using every minute of testing time to do so.

I'm confused as to how you go from "she tests on the PIAT at or above grade level" to "she's rushing through her tests and getting low scores" to "she needs to be evaluated for ADD," which is NOT a learning disability, by the way.

Nothing you've told us indicates that she needs to be evaluated.

ETA: Oh, and there's no miracle vitamin or diet cure for ADHD. For allergies and food intolerances, yes, but not for ADHD.

Have you got an extensive eye exam? My son had some issues too and they constantly said lack of focus, not working hard, rushing. We met with the counselor when I was like okay maybe he has ADD. She suggested we do an extensive eye exam and turns out his eyes work against each other and he is far sighted. Vision therapy and glasses and we are moving along. No more focus issues, he still rushes but we are working on that.

Something else to check out. Many blessings to you and good luck

Teacher said she needs to work harder. I do t see any red flags that would necessitate being evaluated for ADD. She tests above grade level but then you say she rushes and does not do as well? You might need to teach her good study habits. Give it a shot.

My son was taking the state tests and testing 3 or 4 levels above but when it came to regular class tests, he was not doing well. It was like seeing the work of 2 different people. One of the issues was the amount of sleep. Another was what he was eating. Not saying that food was affecting him but we started allowing a small protein snack during the day.

This started in 6th grade and lunch was about 11 am, so by 1:30 or 2 he was hungry and not paying attention. It was a struggle for 6th grade but by the middle of 7th we saw a lot of improvement. He is in HS taking AP history classes and all honors courses. If you want to have her evaluated for anything, I would see what she struggles with and get tutoring or somehting like that. 2 of my nephews are ADHD/ADD, one high functioning on the autism spectrum and there are a lot different signs to look for.

she is getting tutored I'd say she is working plenty hard. In my experience teachers are (especially Gen Ed ) are not good at recognizing ADD or LDs. Why would we even expect them to be - they are not specially trained in LDs. All that to say trust you mom gut.

I would ask a lot of questions about the difference in the test and the environment. All classrooms are not equal. Some teachers have more creative team based learning (chaos ) which is very difficult for kids with SPD, ADD, ADP and some are very quiet and calm.

Gluten and dairy are the usual suspects as well as artificial
food dye. Read up on GFCF diet and phase it in due to your child's age. I would eliminate artifical food dye first. It's less restrictive and know to cause attention issues in some kids.

I would get a complete neurphysc evaluation they can more global information about your child's challenges. I I've found psychiatrist Will collect data but no where near what a neuophyscologist will do.

our psychiatrist prescribed meds for the add ...
Which didn't help and we had no idea DD had other LDS until we engaged a neuophyscologist. We knew all the pieces didn't fir but we didn't know why until then.

Please call your insurance provider and talk to them about this. Ask them what professional covers this type of evaluation in your provider lists. Then go through that list and call each one. Ask them what their process is and what needs to be done to set up an intake appointment.

Then when you have all the information think about the ages of kids they see, what facility do they use? Is it a children's hospital type setting or an office? Do they have docs and physical therapists and other professionals on staff so that all areas are assessed? Do they have a single person in a private office just asking questions?

They should have all her teachers fill out questionnaires and then you fill out one and dad fills out one and anyone that is dealing with her on a daily basis that can attest to her learning abilities and actions while learning stuff. These questionnaires will help the person/person's doing the eval on her will have all that information to use in their final outcome.