RE: So O/T, but I have to ask- ADD/ADHD?

[ambrosia]

 
I just got some scores back from an evaluation done on DD, which I filled out and her teacher filled out.  This is good, because it is the first step in determining whether she needs meds or not, but...I dont know what it means.
 
 Does anyone know how to interperet what it says?
 
 In her teachers evaluation, she got a 6 for Inattentive and a 10 for Hyperactive-impuslive, and on mine she got a 3 Inattentive  and a 6 for Hyperactive-impuslive.
 
 Also, if her school district doesnt offer testing, do I need to go to our PCP, or directly to a psychologist/psychiatrist (cant remember which one gives out meds)?
 
 I know there is always someone out there who is willing to answer these OT questions, and there are so many knowledgeable people out there on so many subjects, so any help would be great.

[Gamecock Camper]

 ambrosia
Our middle child Alex was originally diagnosed with ADD.  We started with the surveys / questionaires.   Since hindsight is always better, here are some of my thoughts at the time.....   The questionaires are very interpretive.  If I remember correctly, the questions had a heavy lean towards homework, testing, doing work in the classroom.  These may or may not apply, depending on the grade level, teaching objectives, etc....  
 
 You have to start somewhere, so the surveys and questionaires are probably a good place to start.  I noticed in your signature line that you have just one child.  If that is correct, you really might or might not have another child that is close enough to you to compare your DD to.  Our oldest child is a girl, so for a while we knew that Alex was different, but did not know if it was just a boy thing or if he really was ADD.   If I were in your shoes, I d probably try to meet with the teacher or teachers and have them put some detail behind why they answered questions a certain way.  I would also start to ask around about the psychologists in your area.  Getting involved with the right people as early as possible can put you and your child on the right track.
 
 Most school districts do have a full-time or part-time psychologist available.  Some are better than others.... but I guess the point I m trying to make here is that the schools probably do have some things that can help you.  If the school psychologist and/or guidance counselor staff can provide some observation notes for you (what your child does in the classroom versus other children of that age and grade level) it will probably give you a better basis for determining where your child s weaknesses and strengths are.  It will help you understand the expectations that the teachers have that your DD may be having difficulty with.
 
 ADD and ADHD can be difficult, but it is not the worst possible thing your child could have.  In many ways, these children are very high maintenance.  In other ways they have talents that far exceed what a " normal"  child is capable of.  For instance, Alex has since been diagnosed with Asbergers Syndrome.  It is usually diagnosed as ADD first, then other traits have helped us arrive at a more accurate diagnosis.  That is important because once you know what you are dealing with, the better environment, tools, parenting methods you can provide to help your child so that they are successful.  Alex has weaknesses in organizational skills, attention and social skills.... but he has strengths in creativity, math, verbal, and an excellent memory.
 
 There is lots and lots and lots of information out there on the internet, your local library and the school probably has a parenting center with books or other materials.    One book that I found to be good (to determine if your child is ADD) is a book titled " Driven to Distraction" .....  There are other books out there that are excellent also.  I wish you the best...   If there is anything that I can answer or help with, please let me know.  Our children are very special.

[Garrett]

 ambrosia
I will probably get flamed, but i just have to put in my two cents worth here.  There certainly are kids with ADD or ADHD that will benefit from medication, but some parents and many schools are way too quick to suggest medication.  Sure it makes the teacher s life easier but it is not always the best thing for the child.  Too often these kids are merely bored, undisciplined or hyped up on sugar.  I have a nephew now age 14 that has been on on off of medication for years.  Strangely enough his parents can barely control the boy, but ever since he has been three whenever he has spent time with us we keep him of of sugar and he knows we mean what we say.  He is truly a pleasure to be around when he is away from his parents.  They let him eat candy, pop, desserts etc and do not enforce their own rules.  Like it said to begin with there are some children that need the meds, but please make sure you have looked at the whole picture before going down that road.

[fivegonefishing]

 ambrosia
Hi Amber,
 
 now firstly, we live in different Country?s so I?m sure the way we do things will be different from the way you all do things down there.  The one thing that remains the same are the children?if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and looks like a duck then it?s a duck, I?m not trying to make light of the situation, just to add a little levity.  I know our children are not ducks however the symptoms should be the same no matter where we are from.
 
 Both myself, my husband and my dd?s teacher had to fill out a litany of questionnaires.  It?s ok if the answers are different.  The child will more than likely act differently in different situations.  For us, it got to the point where Sam?s behavior was totally disrupting every aspect of our daily routine.  The questionnaires up here basically have 16 queues or identifiers that will help determine if a child is ADD/ADHD.  The key is that the child must show the behavior in all aspects of her life, not just in one situation.  Between the three of us, Sam showed high for 15 or the 16 identifiers, a child only needs 6 to be considered ADD/ADHD.  Make sure a professional reads your scores.
 
 Sam was diagnosed with combined ADHD in November 2001.  For me, the diagnosis was a blessing.   There was a reason why my child was behaving the way she was.  I had gone to two different psychiatrists (they are the one?s who prescribe med?s) and received virtually identical diagnoses.  One of those Doctors is Canada?s leading authority in ADHD so I?m comfortable with the information I received.  
 
 I?ve said it before and I?ll say it again, you, the parent must be your child?s biggest advocate.  Make sure you are comfortable with the choices that are offered.  There are so many struggles in dealing with this condition! You are on the right track by asking your questions here.  
 
 We just finished two days with a psychologist testing Sam to determine her intellectual and academic levels and to point out any learning disabilities.  This will help in setting up her learning plan with the Board of Education.  In Canada the service cost about $2200 if it?s done privately, because Sam?s psychiatrist is at Sick Kids Hospital, we were able to have the testing done there.  The school board does offer the testing but the waiting lists are very long.  We should get those results back in about 3 weeks, I?m pretty nervous about that.
 
 We also just finished filling out a new set of forms to reassess Sam?s condition.  Her current teacher did not know her at the beginning of our journey.   Sam still needs assistance but thanks to medication, which is a very personal choice, Sam is a different child.  She is now able to be herself.  Her current teacher saw her for one and a half days off her meds and could not believe the difference.  It took Sam one half hour just to put on her indoor shoes!  She got no work done in class, distracted her school mates and had a ton of home work, in just one a half days!
 
 I guess I have diarrhea of the fingers but this topic is so personal to me.  I hope I answered some of your questions.  This issue is not new, it just has never been dealt with in public before.  Don?t let anyone put you off, make sure you are satisfied with the service you and your child gets.  It will get better!
 
 Tammy[]

[Gamecock Camper]

 ambrosia
Tammy, your quote really hits a nerve.  The quote is, " Her current teacher did not know her at the beginning of our journey."  That is something that we battle each year.  We feel like we have to train new teachers every year to understand our son and what works best with him.  We have worked with the school on drafting a 504 document (legal document stating what accomodations the school and teachers will make for your child) so that it is clear that The school will do things like making sure our son has his homework assignments brought home in his binder, that we communicate with the teachers about progresses and problems, that he has a separate set of school books at home (to do homework and study for tests), that he can take spelling tests using a laptop or verbally, that he does not have to transfer from a whiteboard / blackboard to a piece of paper (a real problem)......  But we realize, and you should too, that the teachers, psychologists, psychiatrists, friends, physicians, etc... are not the leading experts on your child.  They can certainly guide you based on feedback, but YOU, the parents, know your child better than anyone else.

[DBGCAMP]

 ambrosia
The previous responses have contained some excellent comments?
 Remember that while ADD kids may exhibit similar traits, they will not all react to a given treatment in the same manor.
 
 Make sure that you have your child diagnosed by a Children?s Psychologist with expertise in ADD.  There is no ?positive? test for ADD diagnosis? it is an educated guess. If your child is diagnosed with ADD, work closely with the Psychologist, the school, and your child?s doctor, to determine a plan for treatment.  It is very important to understand that the purpose of the medication is to allow your child to stay ?on task?. It should not change your child?s personality!
 
 ADD is considered a learning disability; most states have plans in place to offer assistance. It is sometimes difficult to make the school accept ADD as suitable candidate for these services?
 Do not take NO for an answer!
 
 In New York we have two programs that may be used? a 504 plan, and an IEP. In NY only the IEP becomes a legal document, and must be followed through on by the school. The 504 is more of a plan of action that might or might not be followed by the school.  The IEP will follow the student through their entire school career.
 

[springer02]

 ambrosia
I am an Instructional Assistant in a public school in Virginia and have seen many kids who would benefit from medication but whose parents don t want to get a doctor involved and also those parents who don t think their kid has a problem.  Had one parent who didn t want to give her kid meds because she thought it would lead to a more serious drug problem down the road. This child has since been expelled from 7th grade and is now in an alternative school.  This said, you have to follow your heart and do what YOU think is best for your kid.  YOU are your kids best advocate and we have to remember that each child is different!!!!
 
 Your school should have a staff psychologist but like a previous post said, some are better than others.  If you don t like what your school has to offer, ask your principal for a referral to someone else.  Here in Va., if something is on a child s IEP, the school pays for it.  We have two kids with over $5000 EACH of hearing aids and equipment.
 
 We at the public school level really try to do our best for each and every child but it sometime gets tough when we have obstacles to jump over every day.
 
 I know this is a rambling post but it s near and dear to me!  I thank the Lord every day that my own child is  happy and healthy and although I complain about her normal pre-teen ways, I wouldn t trade her for the world.
 
 Remember that our kids are a gift from God (hard to remember sometimes for sure) and go with your heart about what s best for your kids.
 
 Thanks for listening!
 
 Tena

[cooncreekers]

 ambrosia
boy, you certainly have got alot of excellent advice! i have had personal experiance with this with 2 out of 4 children, from about 1980. plus, dh has it. so i speak from what i know. there isn`t alot i can add to what great advice you have already been given, talk talk talk to other parents who have children with it, that`s the best thing we ever did. PLEASE, take it with a grain of salt, if anyone talks to you who DOES NOT have direct personal experiance with it []

[fivegonefishing]

 ambrosia
One other thing I wanted to mention.  Up in my neck of the woods, we have a community-based program called Aisling Discoveries.  They offer support to the community, parents and teachers through a variety of different programs.  One program I was very grateful in attending was a 12-week session for parents and children of ADD/ADHD.  That was a turning point in me understanding more about Sam?s condition and how I can assist her.
 
 The first 8 weeks, both the parents and children met in a large group and discussed a variety of facets in dealing with ADD/ADHD, both from the parent?s point of view and child?s.  Tips and techniques, different doctor?s findings such as Phalen and trying to remind the parent not to feel guilty were reviewed.  The last 4 weeks, the children were involved in structured activities while the parents had to wait in the foyer.  Those activities were centered on taking turns, respecting others and being a team, in a very sublime non-intrusive sort of manner.  And it was great to have coffee with parents who really knew what each other were going through.
 
 It was very enlightening and the atmosphere was extremely comfortable.  For once 9 other families and I were in an environment where we didn?t have to explain or feel guilty for how our children behaved.  If you ever have a chance to participate in such a forum, take it.   It is also nice to post here if you?re having a bad day, I know there are plenty who have gone and are going through the exact same struggles.  Every little bit helps.
 
 Tammy[]

[LocomotiveMan]

 ambrosia
We have 2 sons with ADHD,  You have to be careful,  read up on ADD/ADHD, watch your child and see if you see the signs.  This will also help to determine if your child has it or not.  A lot of children are mis-diagnosed.  But, if your child truely is ADD/ADHD the medication will work.  Example, My 12 year old was strugggling in school because I didn t want to put him on medication.  But, we decided to try one of the new medications.  He is now honor roll with no more struggling.  Your child doesn t have to mis-behave to have this disorder (this is one mis-conception of this disorder).  I see several children suffering from this disorder and never diagnosed because they are very quiet.

[DBGCAMP]

 ambrosia

PLEASE, take it with a grain of salt, if anyone talks to you who DOES NOT have direct personal experiance with it

 Good point cooncreekers... I did not mention in my previous post that my DD has ADD.
 
 I can t begin to tell you the frustration of sitting down with a 20-something teacher, who has had limited experiance with ADD / ADHD kids, and having her explain to me what will work best with my child[:@]
 I have even had them suggest dosage adjustments for meds!!!
 
 Don t get me wrong... I am not bashing teachers... some of them have been a godsend!
 But as it has been stated several times before... you are the best advocate for your child, you should be an intregal part of the any treatment plan! Don t allow anybody to reinvent the wheel... you know what has worked and what hasn t...be vocal!
 
 The very fact that you are seeking information on the subject, suggests that your child will benifit from your involvment![]
 
 
 

[Gamecock Camper]

 ambrosia
Springer02 / Tena,  There are good teachers out there.  We are fortunate this year to have three good fourth grade teachers who work together and communicate with us on a regular basis.  I agree that some kids do not have the intervention or treatment they need.  Because of our experience with our son, I can tell you that medicine is definetely something that has worked.  It is something that we researched and went into slowly, but I just can t ignore the results.  We have a more focused, less depressed, and happier child.  
 
 There are some strong opinions about using or not using medication, but I am a believer.  We have two other non-ADD children that do not have the struggles or difficulties that our middle son has, so it isn t always that the parenting is not there.  Too many people see an ADD child and look at the parenting as the problem.  You will just have to turn a deaf ear to many misguided and uninformed opinions... there are plenty out there.

[cooncreekers]

 ambrosia

You will just have to turn a deaf ear to many misguided and uninformed opinions... there are plenty out there.
 

 ditto []

[ambrosia]

 ambrosia
I knew that if I posted here I would get lots of good advice.  
 
 Right now DD is in 3rd grade and is struggling.  2nd 9weeks report cards come out today, and I am pretty sure she is failing math and Spelling.  These are our two major problems, and  Her teacher seems to think that it is our fault as parents for not studying with her.  But there are not enough hours in a day to work with her and actually get it into her head.  Last weeks spelling test was actually pretty good, an 80, after weeks of F s.  Her conduct isnt bad, she is a bit talkative at times, and fidgety, most of her conduct marks come from forgetting to bring homework back to school, or forgetting to bring it home in the first place.

[DBGCAMP]

 ambrosia
I just wanted to add to my DH s previous posts:
 
 Your last post described our DD to a tee!  She is now in 7th grade and we still struggle with remembering to bring home all the assignments and then bring them back to school and actually hand them in!  Don t get me wrong, things do get better.  We no longer spend 4-6 hours a night on homework.
 
 DD was diagnosed with ADHD at the end of kindergarten and has been on medication since that time.  It has really made a difference.  Keep in mind that as your DD grows, she will probably metabolize the meds differently and it may need to be changed.  Make sure you continue to work closely with her doctor.  We have done placebo tests periodically to determine if the medication is still neccesary - it is!
 
 It can t be stated enough - you are your child s best advocate. You will need to get in there and fight for what she needs.  Don t be afraid to speak up and insist on whatever you feel she needs - extra help, extra time for major assignments,and one that really helped us is an extra set of textbooks for home!  This last one took us three years to get, but we finally did!  Good luck - I am sure your daughter will do just fine![]