update--still need help | ADHD Information

I have a seven year old daughter who has been going to a counselor for two years due to her behavoir problems including out of control temper tantrums, impulsive behavoir, defiance, basically out of control behavoir. We have done alot of diffeent behavoir modification- 1-2-3 magic, marble system. None of it worked. So I had the teachers and babysitter fill out Conner rating forms. Her pediatrician said she did not have enough adhd characteristics but alot of odd. But suggested a psychiatrist.

Being a single mom, my financial resources are already stretched to pay the bills, My insurance does not cover a pediatric psych at all, The visits were going to be over 0.00 out of pocket- I called for months straight.
I called the pediatrician back-- she said she would help find someone-- I never heard back from her.

The counselor wants her tested- psychosocial testing over 12 hour days x2. The cost is based on your salalry again without insurance coverage- it was going to be over 00.00.

I have a good paying job but left a divorce ,000 in debt, have lots of bills, etc. I am lucky to have 0 left out of paychecks. I have to be able to support my daughter.

I have to be able to take care of my daughter too. But cannot afford to get her the help she needs. The pediatrician never calls back when she says she going to do, the counselor suggestion is testing before trialing on medicine ( she thinks" medicine is not safe for kids") Where can I find the help I need for my daughter's sake?

Does your insurance have a Mental Health or Behavioral Health department? This is generally handled separately from medical, like two different companies. Ask your HR person at work. If so, you can go to a psychiatrist through this part of your insurance. 

It sounds like your daughter does need an evaluation. The least expensive type would be through a psychiatrist (0). The treatment would be meds. Do you have coverage for medication? The most expensive type would be through a neuro-psychologist (00). The problem with a neuropsyche eval is that you'll wind up with a long list of treatment options, all of which are expensive. (For example, mine recommended a social skills class, occupational therapy, and so forth.) Also, neuropsyche evals are almost never covered. If you don't have mental health coverage, another option would be to see if your medical insurance network has a pediatrician that treats kids with ADHD. Some do. Some will diagnose, and some will treat. Maybe you could just switch to a new ped. It is much better to go to a child psychiatrist, but some people DO find pediatricians competent in the management of ADHD. Perhaps call your insurance company and ask them. 

Is she having problems at school? You could send the school a written request to evaluate her for special education services, and they could provide psychoeducational evaluation at no cost, and then services if she qualifies. This is another subject that you'd want to research before diving in, but I thought I'd toss it out there.

As for the therapist, are you paying for this out of pocket? How long has she been seeing the therapist, and have you seen any improvement? If you think that your daughter has ADHD or another disorder, and you have tried the behavioral modications without success, and you are paying for the therapist, perhaps reconsider continuing and use that money for an evaluation instead.

A neuropsychologist or child Psychologist would be best for an evaluation, not a Psychiatrist. USe a Psychiatrist only for meds and therapy.

I DO NOT recommend a trial of meds to "see" if she has ADHD, and would RUN and fast from a counselor who suggested it.

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