You said she spends most of her time in make believe land, has a high energy level, has problems sleeping, spaces out occasionally, and is four years old (right?).
I would not have her evaluated. I don't think this behavior is any big deal. Seems pretty normal. Why not wait and see what the kindergarten teacher says? She's okay at home? And you haven't gotten complaints from preschool? Just comments here and there from friends/relatives? I'd just sit back for now.
Smallmom remembers all the testing. I really don't. I just know he had 12 hours of it, and I had to fill out tons of questionaires as well. It was very thorough. I think a better question is what DIDN'T he test for . We were lucky. Insurance covered it and we didn't pay anything, but I think it's worth out of pocket, if necessary, because no other professional will take as much time as a NeuroPsych. I don't know why, but other professionals don't test. Of course there are no blood tests, but results point to various disorders, and you get as accurate a picture as possible from Neuropsychs. THis isn't the case with psycologists (minus the neuro) or even many Psychiatrists. If smallmom comes around she'll tell you which tests are given. I just know my son had six two hour sessions in two hour increments before the NeuroPsych snapped his fingers and made a pull-a-disorder-out-of-the-hat diagnosis, and he pretty much nailed it. Even if it turns out to just be ADHD, at least you know for sure.I have ADHD and my pdoc gave me info on the chances of my daughter also having it.
She will be five in April and starting school, which worries me a little as she is stubborn as hell and is such a free little spirit who spends most of her playtime in make believe play. I see this as being normal as this is how I was at her age.
So here's the thing, how and why did you guys suspect your children had ADHD/ADD because her behaviour seems fine to me but others have mentioned her energy levels, her lack of sleep and that she really vagues out from time to time.
Basically, I don't want her to be labelled because of me but I don't want it to go untreated if she is taking after her energetic, playful, impulsive, disorganised mother
Thanks pammar.
What type of testing do they do and do you know how much it costs?
The best way to know is to not guess and to take her to, my favorite type of professional (but they REALLY do intensive testing) a NeuroPsych. They are a big improvement over regular Psycologists because they have extra training in the brain and do a lot of testing. They are way superior to Pediatricians because Pediatricians really aren't "up" on childhood disorders. We can guess here, but we don't know. You can find NeuroPsychs at University Hospitals and Children's Hospitals. They are very thorough.