I think the writing backwards is not something to see a neuropsych about...these guys are quite expensive and turning letters and writing backwards is sometimes. a function of AGE. She is only 5 and this is a typical problem of many 5 year olds......
Morganmon save some money on the neuropsych and buy Handwriting without tears ....this will set you back about 12 bucks....It is worth a try
neuropsych = 1200+ ( insurance does not always cover this)
joemom38849.2324189815Welcome! Just my 2 cents about ADHD symptoms showing up at school -- For us, it was Kindergarten where the reality of the situation became clear. We always came up with excuses like "He will grow out of it", or "maybe he acts this way because he is an only child?" It was pretty obvious to us that his issues were more severe than others when it came to controlling himself, focusing, listening, etc...He is also very intelligent, but has never wanted to write, color or sit for a storytime at the library. The writing and coloring only got worse as his self-esteem began to crumble when he saw others doing so well. This is when we had him evaluated.
He was diagnosed in October and with a low dose of Ritalen, things have gotten much better. His hand writing has improved, he is showing a mild interest in coloring now and he even got 100 percent on his first spelling test! I would suggest seeing how things go in a structured environment like elementary school to see how her behavior changes. Best of luck to you!!!
Our insurance covered the NeuroPsych. I also wouldn't go to a NeuroPsych YET only for backwards writing, but you have other symptoms there. My son was seen for twelve hours and the NeuroPsych was covered 100% and we had Medicaid. It all depends on where you go. IMO they are the best evaluators around. You can find them at univeristy hospitals or childrens hospitals. Up to you. Thngs like being mean to animals have nothing to do with ADHD, and I'd bet more is going on. Some doctors are too quick to just say "ADHD" and give out stims. We've experienced this ourselves. NeuroPsychs take lots of time with the kids. Take care :) OlderMom38849.2458912037Morning,
Just wanted to put a "ditto" behind what OlderMom already said.
I know this is probably going to sound rude, and isn't intended that way, but what your experience in your adolescent setting may be with one or a couple of AS kids, doesn't necessarily mean that your child is not on the spectrum somewhere.
Most Autistic kids have some similarities but not all similarities. For example, OlderMom and I both have children with a dx of PDD-NOS. Although we can laugh at some of the similarities (i.e. poor social skills), they also have some things that are nothing in common (i.e. OlderMom's son loves to play video games, obsesses over T.V. where Dylan does not do that at all). However, they both share the same dx.
I'm glad your child is doing good in school now, however, if your child is defiant at home now, that could progress over time. Your child is still very young. In my case, Dylan was originally given a dx of ADHD - but once he hit around 7/8 years old, we saw much, much more. It wasn't until he hit 9 that things really exploded. Had I stuck with the ADHD dx, and continued trying to treat that, he would still be the explosive, unstable child he was originally.
Being cruel to animals, again, is not ADHD. And IMHO, all the defiance and oppositional behavior you're seeing at home could be a stem off of something greater, which is typically the case with "ODD" kids.
FWIW - my youngest child is a leftie. He is now 7. He has never written backwards. He's sloppy, but doesn't spell things the wrong way. Could be a possibility of some type of dyslexia or something. I don't know, just throwing that out there, I know nothing about LD's or the like.
Janna
I know a kiddo just like yours and basically this kid is just a little stinker...I think if she had ADHD you would see it at school..have you tried any behavior mod programs....she may just have too much stuff and get privledges too easily...perhaps you could use an earlier bed time ( especially if she acts out when she gets tired)....when my son would get overly tired he would act so silly and goofy and yes hyper.
we got this behavior mod program for the computer called easy child you may want to look into it or something similar.
Be happy you have no complaints in school. Being hyper when tired is very normal. She is only 5. As long as things continue to go well in school, I would just read up on various discipline techniques and find the one that works well with your daughter. She may have just found her way to get attention, since I'm sure you have to spend alot of time caring for your older son.
ADHD will show up in more than one situation. You will know for sure in first grade. Believe me - not a year went by when I wasn't contacted by a teacher in the first few weeks. By 4th grade I contacted the teacher first, so that I didn't have to sit around waiting for the call!
Hi and welcome. I think you need to get her evaluated, and I highly recommend a NeuroPsych over any other sort of professional. They are very comprehensive and test in all areas, learning and also for psychiatric problems. They test for ADHD and beyond and, at her young age, she could have many disorders, none that any of us can diagnose over the internet. Pediatricians and psycologists (other than NeuroPsych) and other non-MD professionals tend to miss a lot and certainly don't test much. That sort of defiance can be caused by many disorders, but I doubt it's due to her being spoiled. Lots of kids are spoiled and don't act out. Kids who can hold it together at school, but not at home, often have early onset bipolar. She also has some symptoms of autistic spectrum disorder (high functioning). She may also have co-morbid ADHD, but that doesn't sound like the biggest problem, although it's often the first diagnosis a child gets if he or she does not visit a NeuroPsych for a more intense evaluationi. Before you start any meds or behavioral therapy, I recommend the NeuroPsych. They tend to have long waiting lists, as prople know they are good, but they are worth the wait. You can find NeuroPsychs at university and children's hospitals. My son has been misdiagnosed twice and on twelve meds he didn't need. This was due to poor diagnosing on the part of professionals. Make sure you get it right, don't assume anything, bring a copy of your family psychiataric/neurological history, her birth history, and maybe journal her behaviors. ADHD is not so serious that kids are defiant over everything nor can they control their ADHD at school. They always have it. Lack of sleep is a big symptom of early onset bipolar. I'll post a few links you can read or post on, in case you want. Good luck to you and your precious little one. IF she is fussy over routine changes, busy places (like malls), textures, certain foods, and if she has any speech delays/potty delays---you want to test for Aspergers Syndrome or PDD-NOS.
www.childbrain.com (check PDD/Autism and make sure to find under "types of autism" Aspergers Syndrome)
OlderMom38847.8927662037
I probably should have mentioned that my daughter is very intellegent. She catches on at school with no problems. She is beginning to read and can remember how to spell words after being told only a few times how to spell them. One other thing that I have been worried about is that she writes her words backwords at times. Her teacher seams to think that it is because she is left handed.
I definately know that she does not have Asperger's. I am actually a child psychiatric nurse. I work in a residential treatment facility. Sometimes I think that I may over analyze things because I see so much there.
Amy
HI! I'm new to this board. I have read a few topics and think that this is a great site. Let me tell you a little about my life and situation. I am thirty-one years old and the mother of two wonderful children. My oldest son is ten years old and suffers from sever Cerebral Palsy. My youngest is a five year old beautiful little girl. This is where my questions come in. My daughter is very hyper and impulsive. At times I want to just crawl in a corner and cry. She tends to be much more hyper the sleepier she gets or if she eats something with sugar in it. She is ver defiant at times and will not listen to anything. At times I am convinced that she has ADHD and at other times I feel that she may just be a little spoiled. My husband and I have tried really hard since the time of her birth to make sure that she doesn't miss out on anything due to our son's disabilities. I think that we have really spoiled her in trying to do this. She mainly gives only people in her comfort zone the most trouble. She has no behavioral problems while at school (she only goes for three hours each day). She gives us much more problems when she is sleepy. She wets her pants all of the time. SHe has had an ultrasound and was normal. When she is sleepy she is very mean to the animals. We have to constantly watch her. She will look you in the face and tell you "No" she is not going to do what you have said. Please realize that I am not one of these moms that just says "OK honey" I run a pretty tight ship. I point out when she is doing wrong, but it doesn't seem to help. She has been difficult since birth. When she was a baby everything had to be just so so or she would throw a fit and not stop. Things haven't changed much in that aspect of her life over the years. Don't get me wrong she can be a little sweet heart at times as well. I just don't know if she truly has a problems or if she is just a very strong willed child. I need advice.
Just for information she was from a very difficult pregnancy (severe pre-eclampsia and low anmiotic fluid) and was delivered at 34 weeks.
Amy
"One other thing that I have been worried about is that she writes her words backwords at times."
My girl used to write backwords. Once she wrote whole page backword, when I ask her why, she looked me blank - she doesnt even know what she has done.
It was two years ago. Usually she still write a few letter backword or read word or number from the right side, but I think its much better now. She is righthanded.
Hi, I am new to this also. I am desprate and do not know what to do. My daugther is five years old and just finished prek. We were having a lot of problems with her behavior at home and school and she was dignosied with ADHD. She has done much better at school with behavior, but her teachers think that she is bored. She is above average acedimically for her age, but socially she is behind. Since being on ritilian she has lost ten pounds and goes through server mood swings. One minute she is happy then she is crying, and she says she does not know why. It usually happens in the evening. She also is in tball ad since being on medicine she throughs a fit on the field when she goes to bat, because people are looking at her. She has never acted like this before. Can the medicine causes this?bump up