TEACHERS - DO THEY RECOGNIZE SYMPTOMS? | ADHD Information

Hi,

I am new to the board and new to the whole ADHD thing.  I have a seven year old son that is now on Focalin for Adhd. He started on 10mg and then was increased to 20mg xr due to the Focalin wearing off during his reading period(his problem area). I now realize that glass of orange juice in the mornings was not a good idea(from reading this board). No problem w/meds otherwise. Let me first tell you I have a 4 yr old son diagnosed about the same time with autism. My 7yr old first started a 4yr program at local school(allowed in due to speech delay).  His teacher that year told me she had problems with him paying attention and couldn't keep calling him back to focus. He also cries very easily.  Next year same thing with k-5 teacher, speech, and resource teacher. We would work with him at home and he did well but noticed I would have to keep him focused. His teacher this year (1st grade) said he wasn't doing well and was in danger of failing. Same complaint not focusing. Not 1 teacher ever said you might to want to get your child checked.  It never crossed my mind about ADHD until starting the process of getting help for his younger brother and reading some of the signs of ADHD with all the brochures you get at the developmental clinic.  I am happy to report he is doing better in reading and will be going to 2nd grade(would not allow them to hold him back).  On his first visit with the Psych she said she couldn't believe he had been in the same school for almost 3years and no one ever suggested I get him help.  I told her I came on my own because he was failing and punishing him to try to make him pay attention wasn't working.

alot of children with ADD, rather than the hyperactivity get overlooked, because they aren't really behavior problems.  Often they get diagnosed later when school work becomes more difficult for them.  Alot of teachers won't tell you they think they may have a disability due to the fact that parents get real angry about it.  Glad you found out early so you could help him, and he shouldn't get too behind in his learning

Hi K-WRIGHT and welcome.

Here in the States the teachers aren't allowed, by law, to make such suggestions.  Even with a dx for my sons the teachers are hesitant to discuss it too much or give their opinions especially concerning meds.

I heard similar statements about my ds.  I had heard of ADHD so I was able to read between the lines and hear what she was trying to say without actually saying it.  It is sad that they can't come right out and tell you about ADHD and that it could interfer with their learning and might be something you'd want to look into but most are just afraid to because of the consequences.

Technically, the teachers are not legally allowed to tell you they suspect ADHD. They did keep telling you he had focus problems, probably hoping you would ask them what to do about it. They could have then suggested that he be tested to find out why he had those problems. Some teachers will say something but they are jeopardizing their jobs by doing so.

I do think it would have been better if just one of them had suggested you have him tested to find out why he was having the problems. Its possible that they weren't sure where the line is and were afraid of crossing it.

Its also possible  that they didn't want him diagnosed and put on an IEP in their grade because then they would have been responsible for implementing it and for ensuring it worked. This way, if he failed it wasn't their fault. They didn't know and since the other kids passed, they are good teachers.

 

Hi K-Wright,

Welcome!  Not too long ago I had this same discussion with a rookie 9th grade counselor.  The sad state of public education seems to be that once a teacher says that a parent may want to check out symptoms or be tested, that may oblige the district to pay for testing.  A poster once mentioned how when they said to the teacher that they wanted to test their child for something, the teacher was glad they had said that indicating that she was not supposed to.  When my son was in first grade the intervention team did not want to be too quick to label  when I suggested that he might have ADHD.  A year later,  in second grade, I asked his teacher if she had any students like him in her many years of teaching experience.  Just one and medication turned him around.  It seems that they will only offer advice when asked or unless the case is extreme.  

Go with your gut...ask and advocate 
I agree too.  Most of these kids frankly "stick out" like a sore thumb.  Its obvious something is amiss but a teacher isn't really qualified to diagnose.   After raising my son with ADHD I can walk into almost any classroom and pick out the 1 or 2 kids who probably have it.   Of course they can have something that mimics it, but it is so prevelant that you can usually see the hyper ones.  Of course the ADHD kids that are only inattentive don't stand out, so that is a much harder diagnosis to make.

Hi,

I am on the waiting list to have him evaluated also in a couple of months. My insurance won't pay for the evaluation and testing process, so it has to be done through a referral from our county disability board and they will pay for the test.  When having my 4 yr. old evaluated I told the Psychiatrist that my 7yr. old fit more of the questions than my 4yr old and she told me she wanted to see him but I had to get a referral first.  He has some sensory issues and will flap his hands.  It is getting very obvious now because he contorts his mouth while flapping his hands or rubs his fingers together.

He has some sensory issues and will flap his hands.  It is getting very obvious now because he contorts his mouth while flapping his hands or rubs his fingers together.

Is  this the seven year old?  These do sound like autistic behaviors.

I wish for you lots of luck in getting to the route of your sons problem.  I know that the journey is long and frustating, I can only imagine what you are going through.  I know for my family it has been heartwrenching.  I am learning that this process takes time and that I never seem to get the answers that I am looking for. We can only hope that with each doctor visit and communication with others that have more experience in these matters (ie this forum) that we will soon find the answers for our children.

 

 

 

Yes, this is my 7yr. old.  When I mentioned to the school psychiatrist about the 7yr. old quirks(as i call them) she said she noticed he would do the thing with his hands at times and he seemed to love to talk about cars all the times but she just thought he was so cute.  I told her she only hears about the cars in reading group twice a week, I hear about cars every day and the thing with his hands is not cute.  She said she didn't think he was autistic because he was such a sweet and friendly little boy.  This is also the same lady who told me my 4 yr old was just hyperactive with developmental delays.  

.IMac38945.4901388889I feel strongly that the teachers recognize the symptoms.  My daughter has been struggling in school since kindergarten we thought that it was a maturity thing as she is a summer baby , as well as the baby in the family.  First grade was an absolute nitemare for all of us but now in second grade her teacher mentioned to me that she seems unable to stay focused and that she needs constant repitition in order to learn.  She reccommended to me that maybe it was time to have her evaluated, she told me what I had to do and has been a god send to my child.  It probably would have taken me longer to find answers had it not been for her..That's great that he is on the list for an evaluation. It sounds like the psych you saw with your 4 year old is a lot better than the school's. 

Many years ago, I taught multihandicapped deaf kids and teamed up with the autistic class.  Some of my kids had autistic behaviors but were not diagnosed as such because of other disabilities.  I have heard that it is common for autistic kids to perseverate with trains and lining up of cars. 

Interesting, I've met a number of autistic kids and parents when I volunteer  at a Thomas the Tank Engine Event. love those trains!

Our experience has been that teachers suggested "something" was wrong, but did not diagnose. Later, off to the side, we were told they thought my son had ADHD. Actually he had autistic spectrum disorder. I think they often "think" ADHD, but don't suggest it because they really don't know if it's ADHD or something that may mimic it, and I think that's right. I don't think teachers should diagnose. I think they should recommend testing, but they really aren't diagnosticians. I am with you oldermom.

K-Wright

  It was actually my son's third grade teacher (this school year) that suggested we take our son to our doctor, as she was concerned about his inability to focus and the problems it created for him in school.   She approached it in such a way that we knew she had his best interests at heart.  What a difference it had made in our lives. he is now on meds and doing very well at home and at school.

for your son's third grade teacher! .IMac38945.4904976852my daughter is in kindergarden and her teacher and school socail worker had such a hard time with her that they made a formal request to have her tested.. im so glad they did its still hard but getting better.... her doc just uped her med hope it works longer!!I think teachers diagnose it if its obious. They know the basic symptoms of ADHD, dyslexia and things like that but they wouldnt be able to diagnose someone ith OOD or something...Hawks 2921 ur right. If the kid is only innattentive theyll be labelled as lazyIn the Usa it's elegal for school staff to diagnose or suggest medacines. My six year old was having similar inattention issues and his Kindergarten teacher requested a meeting with us and the principal.  They both suggessted that we have him seen and even gave us the name of a psych.  They never said AD/HD or anything like it but I am sure it was what they were thinking.  I was glad that they noticed and made the suggesstion.  Of course, now after going to the psych and getting my ds on meds they are telling me that he can not continue at the school because they are worried he will fall behind. I am more than a little upset at this, but I guess since they are private, they can do what they want. 

Sorry to hear you have had to go through this for so long.  But, help is on way and although there are times I want to scream, we do have more good days than bad now that we started meds.

Good luck.

My sister is a 2nd grade teacher.  Last year she had a boy who showed all the signs of inattentive ADD.  Knowing I was going through testing for my daughter, she asked me about Katie's symptoms and what I thought.  Even though the parent wanted the school to test, the school said "no", he's getting good grades he's fine.  My sister couldn't do a thing.  Luckily the mom kept presisting and asked my sister directly, if he was her son what would she do?  My sister was able to say then that if she was the parent, she would follow her  gut instincts and keep pushing for her child.  In the end, the child finally got tested, got the ADD diagnosis and is doing fine now.  My sister knew something was wrong with the boy, but there was nothing she would do after the "experts" at the school said the kid was fine.

Most teachers can recognize "signs" of ADD/ADHD. Some of the other syndromes and disorders we may not be as familiar with. We are not allowed to mention any possibility of a diagnosis as we are not medical doctors. We can not even suggest testing for those possibilities because parents could request that the district pay for the testing. What we can do is make parents aware of concerns that we have... sometimes we might suggest that a parent bring up these concerns at the child's next pediatrician's appointment. But again, we have to be VERY careful about suggesting anything. If a parent asks us if we've dealt with other kids with these same symptoms/problems, we can then say something like, "In the past, I have had children that exhibited those same traits. Through medical evaluation, it was determined that they were ________." Again, we walk a fine line. There are parents out there that would be so offended by a suggestion of a "problem", that they would raise all kinds of chaos. Those parents can make life "heck" for a teacher... questioning everything, becoming close-minded, obstinant, or threatening a lawsuit. On-the-other-hand, there are parents that would be extremely grateful that something was said. It's tough on both sides-- for parents and educators. The one thing that has to be always kept in mind is that we have to look at the what is in best interest of the child.

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