How did you get your DC ADHD diagnosis?

mrsskiz · November 2010

I belive my son ( 8 ) has ADHD. All classic signs and symptoms. My brothers and my sons father all have medically diagnosed ADD as well so I grew up with it. My son goes to a charter school which is not part of a specific school district here in DE. So they arent really much help.

My question is, who did you talk to, how long did it take, and what is my next step to a diagnosis?

We started seeing a counsler late last school year, but as soon as school ended he was like a different kid. I based all his major problems on the fact that he and his teacher just didnt click and I heard many complaints from a lot of parents that had children in her classes before. The years before the major problems started I was just in denial that he had this disorder. I apoligize if the word disorder is inappropriate. I am not sure how it is classified. I know its not an illness, but I honestly dont know how to categorize it.

I tried to change his diet, our home schedule, working with his teachers all helping a little bit, but not enough to not have him see a doctor.

I really am against medicating him, but I know now that this will only benefit him. Not harm him. I know I need to do this for him, not for myself. Now that I have come to grips with this I feel extrememly selfish for not sticking with the counsler he was seeing before. I thought it was something I could fix myself.

Any thoughts or advice is greatly appriciated.

monj76 · November 2010

My sons teacher filled out a form of certain behaviors, and so did I. He is in therapy, and his pediatrician and therapist together diagnosed it. Technically he hasn't been through a thorough analysis, but it is pretty evident. His dad also has ADHD, as do his paternal uncle and cousin.

Medicine has changed our lives. Before he started meds, he was begining to hate school and himself because he was in trouble all the time. Now he loves school, and hasnt gotten into trouble one time, and is excelling academically.

CamJack mom · November 2010

I teach at a charter school in Texas and the fact that this is a charter school does not let them off the hook. For my son, I took him to the local children's hospital's psych department. They had me fill out some forms and my son's teacher to fill out some forms. He was placed in therapy and as it turns out, he has a moderate receptive disorder. His brain only processes a portion of what he hears. Turns out although he was making all A's, he was only understanding a portion of what he hears. The school took his results and put him into a speech therapy program. Most of his ADHD behaviors were consistent with the disorder he had. The school had to make arrangements to deal with the issue because it was something they had never dealt with before. Go to the school's SPED department with your concerns.

Michekke · November 2010

My son is 6 and in the 1st grade! He was diagnosed with ADHD and ODD in Preschool. He went to a Pschologist to be diagnosed and she just observed him bc obviously he was to young to do thier tests. Then he has been with a dr. on dif meds Trying to get things straight. Do not be frustrated if the first meds he is put on do not work. We are on our 6th in the past 2 years and he does ok with it but still getting into trouble at school. He is VERY bright and makes straight a's his problem is he cant sit still to do his homework and disrupts the class. Atm he is on Focalin which is a 15 hour med that goes through his system in about 4 hours so he has to take more meds at 2 and then he takes another med at 8 to be able to go to sleep. he is soooo hyper that if he did not have his meds he is up til 4 am RUNNING AROUND AND GETTING INTO EVERYTHING. It is IMPOSSIBLE to do his homework once his meds wear off. You should talk to the Prinicpal or the Special ed department and get an IEP in place for your son. They will have 60 days from the date of the paperwork you sign (they ahve to get it for you) To get everything in motion. My son has his second eval this Thursday so the school can get him an IEP in place. Once he has an IEP he will have MANY more rights in school! You really should check out IEP on the web. Also i know how hard it is to come to terms with him having to take meds. sometimes i cry bc i KNOW he knows he is dif then other kids bc he takes meds so much and it KILLS me

But the ONLY way for him to focus even a little in school or at home is to be on them. WE pray that hopefully one day we can ween him off of these meds! I hope you get the help that you need! It's a very hard thing to accept and to deal with especially if you have no place to turn or anyone to talk to about it. We are from a small town so NO ONE here talks about it and No One's child seems to have it but mine????? hmmm. Gets lonely sometimes! If you ever wanna talk about it or just need anything I'm here for you girl!!!

Michekke · November 2010

Want a personalized experience?

How did you get your DC ADHD diagnosis?

Re: How did you get your DC ADHD diagnosis?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards