OT Child with possible ADD - Page 2

lrb04 · 01-29-15, 07:40 AM

I suggest a child psychiatrist for possible diagnosis & treatment.

SuzieC · 01-29-15, 08:14 AM

I will be going through the IEP process for the first time and don't know what to expect. Can someone provide info on this? We are also trying to get an aide in class but it's all dependent on the school budget. My daughter really needs one, however.

sherry7899 · 01-29-15, 08:28 AM

Suzie, I found these two books very helpful:

http://www.amazon.com/Wrightslaw-Pet...slaw+iep+guide

http://www.amazon.com/Wrightslaw-Emo...BR614QT07K49A4

I was trying to find the thread I started asking about IEP's back in 2011, but I cannot find it. There was a lot of information in there.

I'll try to find online resources later. I have to run now.

Sherry

cfwb · 01-29-15, 12:43 PM

Two of my sister's kids have ADD/ADHD (on top of anxiety/other issues). They worked with pediatricians and other doctors and developed IEPs for her kids. My sister also went through a bunch of medications with her youngest - some of the meds would put my niece to sleep, some would hype her up, and there was one which made my niece "high as a kite" (as her teacher described it). Behavior/environment modifications can work for some kids; others need the medications to be successful. But what I've learned is that you and your doctors may need to experiment to figure out what works best for your child.

Exercise Diva · 01-29-15, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherry7899

A neuropsychologist can be extremely helpful. They do really thorough testing. I am not saying that other experts do not.
Some schools and pediatricians are quick to diagnose issues as ADD when it is actually something else. We went through this with our son. The evaluation with the neuropsychologist actually showed he had an excellent attention span!

I agree...we had our daughter go to a neuropsych for an evaluation, and I think they generally run a much more thorough evaluation. Sarah went for testing over a 3-week span for several hours each session. I felt very confident when the diagnosis came back as ADHD with some anxiety that it was a correct diagnosis.

sherry7899 · 01-29-15, 01:22 PM

ExerciseDiva-thanks! Our son's testing was two full days and one half day with only a few breaks. The doctor said if he did have ADD or ADHD he would not have been able to concentrate for such long stretches of time.

ronnee · 01-29-15, 03:31 PM

I second the testing and exploring all possible causes. My younger D can be quite hyper and unfocused, but after thorough testing and working for years with a therapist we have determined her issues stem from attachment disorder and anxiety. She's adopted and spent many formative months in an orphanage. Of course, your situation is likely quite different, but I'm glad we explored a variety of approaches. Also, we have been doing neurofeedback with her and think it's working. It's not really clear and we joke that her Dr. spews out numbers akin to the "11" scene in Spinal Tap, but she has calmed down a it since starting.

Also, my older daughter's teachers used to say she spaced out a lot, etc. and we think she was just bored. For the record, she's a HS senior now, with amazing grades and is doing just fine. Once she hit middle school, she was much more stimulated and happy.

Best of luck! I know it's hard and I hope you find something that helps. Ronnee

isebelleg44 · 01-29-15, 04:06 PM

Thanks everyone! I picked up a Vanderbilt Assessment scale from the pediatrician's office for us to complete at home. Her teacher also needs to complete one.

videofit · 01-29-15, 06:46 PM

Teachers want all kids on meds so the teachers have an easier job. Tough! Maybe if they were creative teachers, the kids wouldn't be bored.

I always hear commercials for the Drake Institute. I used to know someone whose kid made remarkable changes thanks to that program. She didn't want to turn him into a zombie with meds.

LynnO · 01-29-15, 10:54 PM

In this very thread, people that have children with ADD or other concerns have had success with medication and or other treatments. Take your time and try different things. Please understand that almost all teachers want your children to succeed and most care very much. Medication and school counselors and teachers not only saved my daughter, they have helped her succeed and thrive.

Support VF
VF Membership Subscription
Shop These Vendors
Activa	Collage Video
Amazon.com	eBay.com
Amazon.ca (Canada)	Half.com
Amazon.co.uk (UK)	Junonia
Amazon.fr (France)	Onehanesplace.com
BN.com	Overstock.com
Buy.com	Road Runner Sports
CenturyFitness.com	Sierra Trading Post

01-29-15, 07:40 AM
lrb04 Join Date: Jun 2007	I suggest a child psychiatrist for possible diagnosis & treatment.

01-29-15, 08:14 AM
SuzieC Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Canada	I will be going through the IEP process for the first time and don't know what to expect. Can someone provide info on this? We are also trying to get an aide in class but it's all dependent on the school budget. My daughter really needs one, however.

01-29-15, 08:28 AM
sherry7899 Join Date: Jun 2003	Suzie, I found these two books very helpful: http://www.amazon.com/Wrightslaw-Pet...slaw+iep+guide http://www.amazon.com/Wrightslaw-Emo...BR614QT07K49A4 I was trying to find the thread I started asking about IEP's back in 2011, but I cannot find it. There was a lot of information in there. I'll try to find online resources later. I have to run now. Sherry __________________ "Say you are tired and you will be. Believe you are strong and you are." (Sean O'Malley) The cat in my avatar is my sweetheart named Bonkers

01-29-15, 12:43 PM
cfwb Join Date: Aug 2005	Two of my sister's kids have ADD/ADHD (on top of anxiety/other issues). They worked with pediatricians and other doctors and developed IEPs for her kids. My sister also went through a bunch of medications with her youngest - some of the meds would put my niece to sleep, some would hype her up, and there was one which made my niece "high as a kite" (as her teacher described it). Behavior/environment modifications can work for some kids; others need the medications to be successful. But what I've learned is that you and your doctors may need to experiment to figure out what works best for your child.

01-29-15, 01:22 PM
sherry7899 Join Date: Jun 2003	ExerciseDiva-thanks! Our son's testing was two full days and one half day with only a few breaks. The doctor said if he did have ADD or ADHD he would not have been able to concentrate for such long stretches of time. __________________ "Say you are tired and you will be. Believe you are strong and you are." (Sean O'Malley) The cat in my avatar is my sweetheart named Bonkers

01-29-15, 03:31 PM
ronnee VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001	I second the testing and exploring all possible causes. My younger D can be quite hyper and unfocused, but after thorough testing and working for years with a therapist we have determined her issues stem from attachment disorder and anxiety. She's adopted and spent many formative months in an orphanage. Of course, your situation is likely quite different, but I'm glad we explored a variety of approaches. Also, we have been doing neurofeedback with her and think it's working. It's not really clear and we joke that her Dr. spews out numbers akin to the "11" scene in Spinal Tap, but she has calmed down a it since starting. Also, my older daughter's teachers used to say she spaced out a lot, etc. and we think she was just bored. For the record, she's a HS senior now, with amazing grades and is doing just fine. Once she hit middle school, she was much more stimulated and happy. Best of luck! I know it's hard and I hope you find something that helps. Ronnee

01-29-15, 04:06 PM
isebelleg44 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Massachusetts	Thanks everyone! I picked up a Vanderbilt Assessment scale from the pediatrician's office for us to complete at home. Her teacher also needs to complete one. __________________ The first wealth is health – Emerson Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. ~Attributed to both T.H. Thompson and John Watson

01-29-15, 06:46 PM
videofit Join Date: Dec 2002	Teachers want all kids on meds so the teachers have an easier job. Tough! Maybe if they were creative teachers, the kids wouldn't be bored. I always hear commercials for the Drake Institute. I used to know someone whose kid made remarkable changes thanks to that program. She didn't want to turn him into a zombie with meds. __________________ “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” Krishnamurti

01-29-15, 10:54 PM
LynnO VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001	In this very thread, people that have children with ADD or other concerns have had success with medication and or other treatments. Take your time and try different things. Please understand that almost all teachers want your children to succeed and most care very much. Medication and school counselors and teachers not only saved my daughter, they have helped her succeed and thrive.