i am now going to schedule testing for my dd...i am aware that that i can start with our pediatrician and get a *mini* test done and start meds pretty much immediately...however, the school recommends a specialist that does thorough reports, etc and well known here for ADHD work. my question to you is...would you go to a neuropsych etc while your kid is on meds for testing, or do the testing with them before meds, or doesn't it make any difference?
we could get in right away with a pediatrician (who i respect)...we might have to wait awhile for the neuropsych/ADHD specialist and i just want to do the right thing! of course, i'm impatient and i want a quick fix...and i realize that there isn't one with ADD/AHDH. i'm nervous about the whole med issue...but i'm curious as to how my dd will be on one also. eeecccccckkkkkkk!
i've been reading on this board for a few weeks, and it's truly been helpful...but overwhelming at the same time too:) i just want to go about it all in the right way...again, i'm just questioning whether you'd have your kid tested by an ADHD specialist while on meds already or have the thorough testing done before any meds are started.
i truly think i want a thorough test done by a neuropsych at some point, to make sure that we aren't missing anything else. i have an adhd coach in mind for my daughter as well, we've spoken on the phone and she's near our home:) :) :) i guess i'm just impatient and i need to take a deep breath and take one day at a time...my daughter just asked yesterday when she's going to be tested...she wants to and is ready...and we just got our health insurance changed as of next month...wahoooooooo!!!!
any advice would be welcomed. i hate to have my dd wait another month or two until we can get the right appointment...when she can get help sooner from a pediatrician too. what to do...what to do? but, i want her to get the best medical advice/med recommendation also. and i don't want anything missed or overlooked.
shelley
I was impatient as well and the diagnosis took a while, but in the end I am confident in the diagnosis and the treatment we are pursuing. On this journey, it can be easy to second guess yourself. I would get the appointment with the specialist and while you are waiting, start with the pediatrician. The pediatrician can rule out other disorders that can mimic ADHD. Get a behavior plan in place (see the marble system by Ogram thread at the top of this forum) and start the coaching. If you start meds to soon you will not know how much the behavior plan and coaching are contributing. Good luck.
I would go with the neuro-psyche so that you get an accurate diagnosis including any comorbid conditions (50% of adhd children have these). Also, IMHO, you need a private neuro-psyche to protect your child should things go sour with the school. I would be lost without mine right now. Things went from sunshine and roses to shooting season in a matter of weeks. Be sure to get detailed recommendations for the classroom setting in the report. I've seen various opinions about being evaluated with/without meds on the board, but I'd go for without so you've got a real baseline, and a report that contains anything and everything your child might need.