Testing for Add./adhd

Most of the testing a psychologist will do covers a lot of area. They don't just look for ADHD, they look at the child as a whole and can spot other stuff.

Our daughter was evaluated by the school psychologist (are they not offering this? they should, if they suspect it) and as well was given a full evaluation by our pediatrician, an outside pediatric psychologist and us, as parents. Current teachers also did evaluations, it's quite a process. Once all the testing was done we met for a formal IEP meeting and made plans/recommendations from there.
Drugs, if needed, come AFTER all these evaluations are in place.

I have ADD and I have 2 boys with ADD/ADHD (1ea). I highly recommend that you have her tested via a psychiatrist. You'll need your daughter's pediatrician to refer her, but that shouldn't be a problem at all.

To those who get upset when teachers "diagnose" children....don't. Teachers are advocates for our children and often have a unique perspective on child behavior, because they see a large group of children every single day. They have a better idea than most parents of just one or two kids what is typical behavior, and what is behavior that needs to be addressed and evaluated. No teacher wants to see a child struggle when they could be getting the treatment they need.

Does your school offer evaluation services? Many do. Call the principal and ask him about what the school offers.

Take your daughter to your pediatrician and tell him what the teacher said. Request an evaluation.

Have your daughter's teachers from the past say the same thing or is this the first year it's been noted? If it's the first year? I would see if her hearing or vision has changed.

I know doctor's won't just shove a pill at you. They will do evaluations and testing.

One of my older girls was also very distractable, not focusing, doing things that really should not be done (one time in 2nd grade, she "painted" her entire desktop in glue). She was very difficult when she was little. I had her tested at the age of 4, and again at the age of 7. We never even got past the checklists. It was just her personality. Which is why I did it twice, I wanted to be sure. Anyway, my nephew was diagnosed with ADHD and meds did wonders for him. But he also went to therapy and special setups for classes. If you have a doc that pushes medication right away, that is not the right doc. There are so many ways to help the child.

For my daughter, she had an awesome teacher in 3rd grade that really helped and every year we would talk to the teacher and figure out what worked in the classroom to help her stay on task. From 3rd to 5th grade, she sat closer to the teacher and they would tap her desk if they saw her distracted.

No personal experience..but you always want to rule other things out first...make sure eyesight hasn't changed..hearing is ok..that stuff. With a more closer look than a check up. And I think a Dr could prescrib therapy..things that could help her focus like making lists like prepping before bed time instead of in mornjng.

L.,

It's disappointing how many teachers claim to be doctors and know what's wrong with your kid. Or worse, lack the patience to find out. I know there are teachers here on the board...this is not directed at them...

Your PCP will NOT just give you medication. Please don't think that. Our pediatrician did a LOT of testing and talking...what we found out?? My son suffers from sleep apnea...he doesn't need a machine...we needed to get his tonsils removed....and guess what??? He's MUCH better! Amazing what sleep and no more snoring will do for a kid!!!

First things first - TALK WITH YOUR DAUGHTER...find out what is catching her attention...it might be that she is beyond what the teacher is "teaching" and she's bored.....it could be your daughter has a BORING teacher....and that will make ANYONE easily distracted....

Next? How does your daughter behave at home? Restaurants? Is she easily distracted other places???

What's her diet like? I'm not a "organic" person, don't promote organic eating or a vegetarian lifestyle...however....there are things in our diet that can cause other issues....and LOOK like ADD/ADHD...

So start with how she behaves elsewhere. IF she's not easily distracted elsewhere? She might need a teacher who will challenge her and NOT bore her...

Don't just automatically assume ADD....the ADD/ADHD testings aren't just ONE test...a psychologist will sit with you and your child...your daughter will go through a battery of tests....she'll get her IQ tested as well...

Good luck!!

My son was that way and I had an extensive eye exam done, he needed glasses and vision therapy. He is now in 4th grade and doing AMAZING.
I am not saying to rule out ADD, however I would check that first then go from there.
Many blessings to you

Our daughter was tested and it took more than 4 hours. I can't remember all they tests they did but it came back as ADD and Asperger's. And I don't think the PCP will just give out meds. It's usually a referral to be tested for sure. Good luck.

Can your daughter focus at home to do homework? Is she easily distracted at home? If she has a diagnosable condition, those "symptoms" would be present all the time, not just at school. It may be that your daughter is not being engaged by the teacher.

I would ask for specific examples or even take a day and observe her in class so you have a real understanding of what the teacher is talking about. I have learned through hard experience NOT to take a teacher at his/her word. Teachers are people - they have students they like and students they don't so much care for.

I know teachers get criticized a lot for "always jumping to kids needing medication." Even as a teacher I think it happens probably more than it should. But, you also have to remember that kids are asked to have a higher level of concentration and focus in school than they do at home or most other settings. Right or wrong, that's how it is. Teachers can notice things that might not be as apparent in other situations. No only with focus, but with vision, hearing, and other things.

Schools cannot make a diagnosis. Many psychologists require a referral and won't take "walk ins." Your doctor is the best place to start. Like others have said, ask for a complete physical including hearing and vision. Ask about an ADD/ADHD evaluation. It will include checklists for you and teachers. The school may also do some educational testing, but I believe ADD/ADHD evaluations cannot be initiated by the school.

Medication is not the only answer. I've had a lot of students on meds, but I have also had students who have only done behavior modification and some whose parents have sworn by dietary changes. You have a say in what kind of treatment is used.

The checklists are just the first step* in an evaluation process. There are several types of tests and evaluations in a proper neuropsych workup.

Sometimes a kid's ped/GP needs to make a referral to a pdoc for insurance purposes, which is why people generally start there.

*Some general doctors and pediatricians will diagnose based on nothing but the school & home checklists. This is bad practice, IMO, and the reason kids get misdiagnosed.

Oh my. She is in third grade. Third graders are highly dis- tractable.They are sitting in a classroom and a bird lands on the windowsill They look at that instead of finishing their timed chemistry equations. They are hungry and their stomachs are rumbling so they are trying to find out when lunch is. They are madly in love this week with Jimmy who is eight and doesn't know girls exist. Shall I go on? What other information did she give you? Is she crawling under desks during art class? Is she shouting out at nothing? Is she getting up and wandering? You can take her to a doctor but there really isn't a lot here saying that she is truly either one of those. Have you yourself felt it is needed? Medication is not a bad thing at all when it is warranted,in fact I have seen it save many children from themselves, but if she is just distract-able I wouldn't be so quick to label, but to see how to channel this. Many a great poet was created out of being very distract-able. good luck!!!

I have not read the responses but my father did a study and found that ADD, ADHD, OCD and others like those are cause by a lack of B6 in the brain. If it's a mild case she may just need more than what she gets through food. To answer your question yes my father has received multiple offers from colleges to complete his research at their location, which if not familiar colleges do this so their name is attached to it and they would also receive credit for the findings. But anyway they actually now make chewable B6 due to my fathers research. 1 may be plenty if she's in third grade and a mild case. My youngest brother was an extreme case of ADHD and OCD to the point of being "normal" on medication and having extreme anger fits as he came off of them and then go into a coma state for hours. Was not pretty. Drs just kept throwing different meds at him. He still used some medication during school but during the summer he would only use the B6. Like some said may just be the age. You may want to sit in on class or watch from a window to see what the teacher considers "distracted".
One more thing. It's been found that most children with these issues have very high IQs. Good Luck

instead, first check to make sure the teacher isnt being paid by the doctor for making the "recommendation" to begin with, alot of teachers these days make big money for "referrals and recommendations"..then , look at the childs diet, an allergy can cause adhd LIKE symptoms..coffee? sodas?SUGAR?soy?keep a food diary for 36 hours for the child, make notes..after eating "x", child acted this way, sleepy? hyper? unfocused? ...then sit down look at your notes, and say, well..no more coffee, or, soy??upsets your tummy??hmmm..then, if there is still problem, consider talking to the childs doctor, but get at least two opinions from a professional, before considering meds..K. h.