Taking older daughter for evaluation | ADHD Information
Good luck.You are doing the right thing, vickie.
As you may remember, my oldest daughter had all of these symptoms that you describe, exactly. The difference is that inattentive ADHD was not recognized those many years ago, and she slipped through the cracks. She struggled with self esteem issues, had few friends, and horrible grades all through high school, (even though she consistantly tested in the gifted range),and jumping from job to job as an adult. I cringe now when I think of all the times I lectured her on her bad grade card!
Thankfully, she was dx as an adult, and when we began to see the same signs in Chase, she was the main reason that he got dx and treatment.
We now have Connors forms to fill out (parent and teacher), orders for blood work, and some more evaluation in 2 weeks. We had already done IQ and achievement testing by an education psychologist, so the evaluation process will not be as long.
I am conflicted with this whole thing so am going with my gut. On one hand, I worry that I am reading too much into her symptoms. On the other hand, I worry that if I miss ADHD like I did with her sister, that she will continue the downward spiral and go into the anxiety and depression that we saw with my youngest.
Yesterday, the psychiatrist explained to my daughter that we were looking into the posibilty of inattentive ADHD because she was "getting by" alot of the time because of her intelligence, but if her focus was improved, she would be better equiped to succeed and excell in this world. It made me feel better, and summed up what I wanted for her.
We are trying guanfacine alone for the youngest right now. It is at a higher dose than the trial during the start of school and the doctor suggested a new trial. I was reluctant to change anything, but yesterday my daughter (who does not really respond appropriately when the doc tries to talk to her) asked to not use the Concerta for a few days. I now know that she is getting what is discussed at the appointments even though she does not let me or the doctor know. 
Her responses to his questions is usually "doggie" (the office is full of stuffed animals and she spends her time arrainging them-she will even know when one is missing).
cr12345mr,
Puberty may be pushing her over the edge. She has always had issues, but did a good job at compensating for them until now.
keep us posted on how wednesday goes...we'll be thinking of you and hoping for the best for you and your dd.
it's so hard to see your child struggle...but i know that you are on top of things and are so knowledgeable...she's lucky to have you!
hang in there and do let us know how wednesday's appointment goes!
shelley
I have suspected for a long time that my older daughter has the inatentive form of ADHD. She did well in school with a couple of glitches that we worked through. She is now in the 6th grade and has hit a wall (just brought home a report full of Ds and Fs). She tests well, but cannot get her homework and class work complete, or she loses it or turns it in late. At the end of the 5th grade she started this slide, so we organized her room for homework, and dealt with allergies that were troubling her.
When my younger daughter was at the psychiatrist yesterday (yes, he has saturday and sunday hours), I asked him about evaluating my older daughter. He made her an appointment for this Wednessday to start the evaluation. We already have IQ testing done showing a spread between the high and the low subtest scores.
I have been trying so hard not to read too much into my observations about her (easily distracted, doodles on school work, can't keep room clean-can't even find the floor, loses homework, scattered, was diagnosed with "processing problems" in the first grade, etc.). She is adopted and the members of her birth family (relatives of ours 
) have so many of these traits as well (none graduated high school, scattered, substance abuse, suspected aspergers, etc). I can't just hope that she will be OK any more, it is time to do something.
Wish us luck.
vickie39097.4391087963I wish you the best of lucks!!
Keep us posted