need answers | ADHD Information

Sorry, it has been so long since I responeded my mom is in the hosipital.  Cheyenne's peditrician said she has ADHD.  They did not do any testing.  I am not sure I agree she has ADHD.  Her teachers can not control her at school.  They say she will not listen at all when she is not on her meds.  At home she is stubborn but to me she is easier to deal with without the meds.  She is on summer break, so she has not had meds for 3 days now.  I have not had to deal with any tantrums since she has not had her meds.Have you considered a NeuroPsych? With no testing how does she know what your child has? Pediatricians aren't very good with childhood disorders.I was told there was no testing that could prove ADHD.  I did not know I had options.

Testing for ADHD.....

basically it is a behavior rating scale (the connors) that is completed by parents and others ( teachers) ...in addition there is a test called TOVA ( I think it stands for test of variable attention) and processing speed which is typically a sub test on IQ tests...all of this information is looked at to determine ADHD...

other behavior rating scales  may also be use and these can be used to rule in or out other disorders... two that I know are used include the Anchabach (sp?) and Adaptive behavior rating scale.

thanksIf you see a NeuroPsych, you'll get those ADHD tests, but many more. Just "passing" the ADHD tests doesn't mean ADHD is the main or only problem. My son had both TOVA and Connors, but, upon further exploration, we found he's on the autism spectrum. If we'd stopped at the few ADHD tests, we'd always wondered what else was going on because we figured it was beyond ADHD. It's up to you...whether or not you believe it's just ADHD or more. If your child is getting into serious trouble and can't seem to control herself and if your "Mom Gut" isn't sure it's just ADHD, my recommendation is to test further. Without an extensive evaluation with the right sort of professional, you won't know, and your child can't get the max help. If it turns out to be just ADHD, then you can feel peaceful that you have the right treatment, but ADHD kids dont' usually get into THAT much trouble in school, unless something else is gonig on. My daughter's three best friends have ADHD, and none of them are constantly in trouble. Their biggest problems seem to be organization and inability to get their homework done. They also sometimes turn off other kids by being too bossy, even on meds, but they've never been expelled or sent home--not one of them. And two are boys! :)Good luck :) OlderMom38852.5247916667Tina,

what medicine is your daughter on? Is it just straight Ritalin or some other, sustained release form like Concerta? If she is on straight Ritalin, talk to your doctor and try the other type, or another brand of med for the time being (each formulation affects every child differently) but I also second (and third) others who have suggested to have her reevaluated. She may have  been misdiagnosed.

Margaret.
IMO it's better to have the evaluation before you ask for a med switch. Stims may be bad for her as they only work for ADHD. Best to know what you're medicating and if stims are appropriate or will make things worse. Been there/done there. Kid on stims for ADHD for three years and bipolar meds for three years (he had neither).

could it be rebound? try giving her a good dinner or a bath to calm down...we had some moody behavior when my son was taking ritalin type meds....he still takes a stimulant but not from the ritalin group..all kids respond differently to meds...some work better than others for different kids

regarding the weight loss you need to make sure she has a good breakfast and a good dinner and then give her what ever she likes for lunch as long as she eats...we supplement smoothies for his beverages...I use carnation instant breakfast (vanilla), whole milk and whatever my son requests...he likes to add pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice to make a pumpkin pie smoothie ( really pretty good)...we have been able to gain weight following this method

 

What type of professional diagnosed your daughter? Was there extensive testing done? What made you feel your daughter has ADHD? What behaviors did you see before meds and after? 

OlderMom38850.7376388889what do you do when the medicine seems to cause mod swings and your child keeps losing weight.  My daughter is five and very smart, but has some behavior problems.  In the evening she goes through major mood swings since starting medicine

bump so someone can see this