frustrated with my space cadet | ADHD Information

To be honest, I'd want him checked by a NeuroPsych for LD's for executive function problems--things beyond ADHD. THat's a really poor short term memory. He could also have Aspergers Syndrome--a high functioning form of autism, where the kids have great rote memories, but, most of all, I'd want to check him out for LD's and a NeuroPsych is best for that. Schools tend to miss things and regular Psycologists don't know how to test. Drooling can also be due to some Neurological problem. It certainly has nothing to do with ADHD. Good luck. Because of the strange symptoms, I'd want a second opinion by a NeuroPsych. Doctors aren't always right the first time. I'd want to make sure there were no LD's and I did think of seizures. The only way to rule THAT out is a 24 hour EEG. As for Aspergers, it can't come back negative. There are no blood tests to it to "come back" at all. It requires serious testing. There are many performance tests that point to it, and NeuroPsychs tend to take the most time trying to diagnose everything right--ADHD and beyond. My son had 12 hours of tests, in two hour increments, before he got a diagnosis and it was very intensive with all his problems spelled out with incredible accuracy. My son was very impulsive and hyper, but his big problem is PDD-NOS, which the psycologists and Psychiatrists misdiagnosed. We didn't give up though. We knew more was going on than what they said. In an absence seizure, you do not lose consciousness and it can last only a few seconds. I don't know. I'd want to dig deeper. If he has poor coordination and sensory issues, I'd be really suspicous of part of autism spectrum disorder, high functioning. If not that, sounds like he has some LD's that this professional isn't willing to actually sit down and test for. I'd move on to a NeuroPsych. We're glad we did. My nine year old has CAPD, but she's pretty much a normal kid with a reading problem and isn't really spacey. If he has CAPD, a Neuropsych will find that too. They test for everything. I wouldn't trust school to figure it out. I wish you luck :) OlderMom38833.8731018519So there are specific disabilities having to do with memory? He has been
checked for Asperger's but it was negative. He can interact very naturally
and appropriately when you can get his attention. The Regional Center
tester saw a classic example of him spacing out- after I called, tapped,
and shook him to get him to "come back" and listen to me, the Psych
quickly asked him "what is your name" kind of questions, which he
answered fine. He said it wasn't a seizure, just an amazing ability to filter
us out. He can hear a candy wrapper crinkling from two rooms away, so I
know it is not his hearing. I have heard that he can't be accurately tested
for CAPD until 7 or 8, but it might take me that long to find someone to
do it. He is doing "fine" in a very structured private school, so I'll have to
get services on my own. What has surprised me is that the stimulant has
helped with eye contact, social interaction, aggression, physical
coordination and sensory issues... heck, I knew he was impulsive and
hyperactive from one year old, but I never would have medicated him just
for that. I never dreamed that this was all tied together somehow. What a
puzzle...My son, 5 1/2, has come a very long way in the last year and is
functioning pretty normally in most ways. One thing that he has always
had trouble with is remembering past events; when he is under pressure
he can't remember the past consequences of his actions and will repeat
the same mistake. He also has seemed to have some memory problems- I
have often found him standing his room and he asks me why he is there
(he went to get something).

Most nights, I tell him what is for dinner, or offer him a choice of two
things. Either way, I get a verbal acknowledgement. Then when the plates
hit the table he is often surprised to see what is on them. Tonight, I make
him put down his pen, look at me in the eyes (he must be told), I tell him
what is for dinner and how I am cooking it. I tell him that I want him to
remember it, and ask him to repeat it. We discuss cooking methods. I
seemed to have his full attention for almost one minute. He repeats what
I said. Nothing can go wrong.

Ten minutes later, he asks "what's for dinner?" He had no recollection of
the conversation. I remind him of things he said... he just gave me a
blank look. He is stressed that I may have prepared it the wrong way. I
guess I need to try visuals... could this be an auditory processing
problem? I am terrified that he will someday be given a drivers license.
Does this get better? He is very bright and can memorize tons of facts,
but he can barely stay tethered to Earth. Meds for the last year have
helped a ton- he potty trained, stopped drooling, and no longer falls
over. He is much safer, maybe as impulsive as a young 4 year old.

What more can I be doing? What has worked for you?