I went to a child psychiatrist. He was going to do two 50 minute evaluations with my son and myself in the room together, and then diagnose. He requested completion of the Conner's form by the teacher only. I cancelled the second appointment. I literally thought he was out of his mind trying to diagnose and then medicate based on nothing.
Then the pediatrician sent me to a psychologist who specialized in educational testing. She did not want to test until he turned seven because more testing could be done at that age. This left me in the lurch fending off the school staff for 6 months, who issued suspension notices like candy for typical ADHD behaviors. Two weeks before he was to turn seven I called to schedule the evaluation and was told that the doctor was booked for the next five months, and they tried to pawn me off on a psychologist specializing in psychotherapy who refused to interact with the school and had limited knowledge of educational testing.
I called CHADD and was referred to a local children's hospital. I got an appointment with a neuropsychologist within one month. The cost was 00 out of pocket. At this point I did not care. I met with her alone for two hours. Then my son met with her three times for two hours and completed a lot of testing. She went to the school and talked to the teacher and the school psyche and observed my son in class and on the playground (KEY). She provided a long report with classroom recommendations and attached testing results.
The neuropsyche report was my son's life raft. The school went on an offensive assault with a goal of sending my son to a special day class at a different location. We had an IEP meeting during which the teacher railed on me for 30 minutes and the school offered zero services. It was like the Twilight Zone. I hired an education advocate and she used the neuropsyche report to get proper services for my son at the school (extensive services). Until then, the school had provided literally nothing but a piece of paper that said IEP at the top.
Well, unfortunately, aside from a full neuropsych exam,$$$, there aren't alot of tests FOR adhd. The diagnosis is generally subjective, based mostly upon observations. I wish there really was a chemistry- or biology-based test they could give...it would clear up a lot of judgements people have about treating adhd.
I actually had my Ped. RX cody with ADHD, and then the school district did all the psych/IQ/hearing/vision testing, they had the OT, Speech evaluation. they did motor skills and a bunch of other evaluations so they could do the IEP and the minute the evaluations started he was given every service available and if the student support team thought he needed extra support, they found a way to get it for him. He was removed from his normal class and place in special service for 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon to get him caught up with the rest iof his class, they hired a parapro to give Cody more one on one...ect. I am absolutely in love with his school and love the staff! As a single mother and a child with ADHD they did everythign possible to make Cody successful :-)The problem with letting the school evaluate first is that you run the risk of the school using the Emotionally Disturbed category instead of the OHI category for the IEP qualification. The ED category costs them less money.NoTellin39309.3361226852Well I knew that they were going to do what ever would cost them the less in the long run, so I was prepared to get a 3rd opinion but I didnt need one they gave him the OHI category and have spent more money then I would have ever expected to get Cody where he needed to be and so far he is having a great 2nd grade year. i am just blessed to have a great support team at the school and them wanting the same thing as me and that is to allow him the chance to be as successful as he can be and happy.
Can some of you experienced ADHD moms share what the Evaluation process was like for your children? We started out with our regular pediatrician and then was referred on to a Psychatrist specializing in ADHD but yet this process is still so new and unfamiliar. I am questioning the care that my son is receiving...we have only been to see the Psychiatrist a few times but the impression that I keep getting is that this doctor's specialty is seeing patients and rewriting prescriptions in the smallest timeframe possible. So far my son has had his IQ tested, TOVA test, and an EEG. All I have been told is that he has normal IQ with some difficulties in Math (no surprise there), normal EEG, and TOVA test shows that he is impulsive. Isn't there suppose to be more than this??well you said you had his IQ tested wasnt that part of a neuropsych eval? Thats who usually does IQ testing.When DD had her initial Eval, whihc consisted of several visits they did Bloodwork, EEG"s EKG's, IQ testing, Hearing and allergy testing. Tests for Lead Poisoning etc. a complete check of her medical records since birth, complete family history both medical and Psychological. The Psych did not do a Connors or any other checklists, he feels they are not reliable and are "opinionated" ( if a teacher does not like your kid they will be a problem on the Connors). He also ordered a complete educational evaluation. The entire eval process took 6-8 visits before he made a definitive diagnosis. our first question of ADHD was made by the school psychologist. We then did Connors testing and went to ped. They felt ADHD and we should start meds. She was 5 at the time and I wasnt ok with the diagnosis or meds. We got a second opinion from neurologist who redid Connors tests and said she was borderline and young. We waited. She had neurospych eval for three year check at school (had IEP for other things) and discovered her LD and ADHD. We still waited. In fourth grade it was apparent she needed meds We redid Connors and started with ped. and meds. Had sisde effects and she referred us to child psych adn he's been managing her meds ever since. Most psychiatrists role is juts that, quick visit and med management. Some do ongoing therapy, but quite foten you would use a psychologist or therapist for this. So in our case we didnt do all those tests, but two different pediatricians, three different school psychologists and a child psychiatrist all agreed on ADHD/LD diagnosis.What exactly is involved in a neuropych evalutaion. We seem to be missing any type of psychological evaulation.