The brain scans that are done at some centers (like Dr. Amen's center) are not approved for diagnostic use at this point. That is why they are not widely offered (insurance usually won't pay for unapproved tests as well. Here is a link to Dr. Amens's site with information that might be of interest to you:
Here is a critique on Dr. Amen by Harriet Hall:
http://www.adhdnews.com/testforum/test10039.htm
vickie39007.5531481481Hi,
I have been in this board for a while about 1 yr. since this rollicoster started with my 5 yr old.
Since he was 2-3 yrs old he has been having trouble at pre-school. He was kicked out from about 4 of them.
He has had a speech delay since 2 yrs old. When he started going to school then that is when the behavior was noticed. Very hyper, did not listen, defiant, tantrums...ect.
We took him to 4 different doctors in the last 2 yrs. All of them diagnosed him with ADHD. we went to 3 psychiatrist and 1 Neuropsycologist.
None of them did any kind of scans or anything like that. The diagnosis was based on behavior observation and the neuropsycologist also on some tests he did while we were there (about 4 hours) but paper tests. Like school work.
anyways.... I need to know if anyone knows of a place anywhere in the entire world that uses technology versus observation to tell you what is going on.
I want to know what is happening inside of his brain. Why does it take so much medicine to keep him under control. Why does he metabolize the medicine so fast.? He takes 30mgs Metadate Cd at 7AM and 10mgs again at 11:00AM just to get him thru the school day. When he gets home then is a nightmare in the evenings.
He is only 5 yrs old !!
Anyways, I might be obssesed about this... But I do not understand how this could be. I have so many books about ADHD and I read a lot in the internet and I am not satisfied with all this information. I would like to see inside of his brain and see what is happening !! Is this possible...Is there anywhere out there that has this technology??
Any comments or answers will be greatly appreciated.
Hi,
It sound like you've been very busy with your little guy. I know it can be frustrating, but it does sound like you have an accurate dx. The tests that the neuropsychologist used are very thorough and he would be able to tell if the problem was adhd or something else.
You should definetly check out the above sights and you would probably find Dr. Amen's book interesting as well, but like Vickie said they are not used for diagnostic purposes- the research is fascinating though.
As far as your son's meds- everyone is different. My son is on 20mg of Ritalin LA and my nephew only needs 10mg. They're the same age/weight, but their bodies are different and interestingly enough it's my nephew who has a more severe problem than my son, but he responds to less medication. Kinda along the sames lines as why my friend can eat 2500 calories/day and not gain weight, but I can only eat 1800 or I start packing them on.
You should check out Ogram's marble thread if you haven't already, and I don't want to offend you, but you may need to change your expectations and realign them with who your son is. We've all had to do this when we find out that our child is not going to be what we had imagined ("typical").
I know what you mean about wanting technology NOT observation. I find the subjectivity incredibly frustrating.
Check this link out (thanks to lillian):
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=49349
They diagnose and monitor ADHD by assessing the level of dopamine transporter in at least one region of a patient's central nervous system. It looks like we are getting closer to diagnostic technology for ADHD. I sent a request for more info over a month ago, but never received a response---definately something to keep tabs on though.
There are many other learning disabilities that mimick ADHD. If the medication is not helping perhaps it is something else. I'm going through the same thing but as there is no diagnostic test to determine what it is, I have chosen not to medicate at this point. I am using the marble reward system which is helping and he is in a special ed class in school and is doing very well. I have also recently started Focus and Omegas.Have you tried the Daytrana patch?