Where to start? NeuroPsych, Ped | ADHD Information

You sound EXACTLY how I sounded when my son was 5-1/2.  He was considered "gifted" and I was told he should be given extra work to keep his busy mind occupied.  And he, too, had his moments where he would be a perfectly well-behaved little boy.  Inconsistent like your little guy.  But, nowadays those days are fewer and farther between.  His "symptoms" have become more exaggerated over the past year or so.  ...So, here we are...  Of course, that's not to say that will happen to your son.  Maybe he IS just a smart cookie.  For your sake as well as his, that IS the case. 
RacerWife739475.4607175926I found this web site yesterday and can't say enough what a valuable resource it is!

 I'm in the process of testing my son.  I have started this process with my pediatrician  who right now is having me, my husband and my sons teachers fill out forms.  She said she would evaluate the completed forms and go from there.   We are also having an IQ test performed on him since his teacher feels he is gifted.

As I am reading on this board, I notice that many of you have your children seeing a psychologist, neuro - psychologist and even child psychiatrist.  I guess I'm curious if I should push my pediatrician to send us to a specialist (we have to be authorized from her for insurance)?   How many of you had a QEEG?   In reading post on it; I think it may be helpful in confirming a diagnosis.  

Once again, thank you for your input!

we did not do a QEEG. Who is doing the IQ testing?

The most accurate person to diagnose is a neuropsychologist. Our initial diagnosis came from first school, psychologist (2) and 2 pediatricans. We waited on meds until age 9 then saw a psychiatrist who confirmed diagnosis, and have since had 2 neuropsych evals, also confirming what we knew.

The short answer to your question is YES, I'd get a referral to a specialist. Neuropsych for evaluation and psychiatrist to manage meds IF you go that route.

Hi neuroticmama.  I just found this site yesterday, too.  My first question as I was reading your post here was how old is your son?  My son was first checked by his pediatrician at age 5-1/2.  She sent us directly to a neuropsychologist.  According to her, to give us the "full picture".  Our insurance would only cover either a neurologist OR a psychologist.  And you stand the chance of having conflicting reports if you choose to use both.  So, rather than do that, we decided to go with the neuropsychologist.  However, as the neuropsychologist told us at the time, our son was young enough that some clear symptoms of ADD or ADHD might not show up for a couple years.  Ohhhh, how right he was.  Although he tested excellent at age 5-1/2, at 7 he is exhibiting what our pediatrician deems "classic signs of ADHD".  So, here I am.  Same as you.

I think you should talk with your pediatrician about sending him to a neuropsychologist and see what he/she says.  I think, generally speaking, that's always the best place to start.  Good luck! 
Welcome to the board ladies! (You have a very handsome family, Racerwife!)
I also took my 5 year old to a neuropsychiatrist at a well-know pediatric
neuro institute in Baltimore. I had first taken her to a developmental ped,
who basically told me she didn't see ADHD, but a maturation delay. She
suggested I call Kennedy Krieger Institute if I was still concerned, and a few
months later I did. It was the best call I ever made.

Good luck with everything! This board is a wealth of support and info.

    Hi all

Thanks for the advise.   I have an appt. with the pediatrician next week.  My son is 6.  He was flagged by his preschool teacher and his current Kind. teacher.  However, each of them also thought he was gifted.  After reading on the net, I realize how the two are very similar and can go hand in hand.   I just want to make sure whomever I take him to accounts for whole picture.  I think I'm going to push for the neuropsychiatrist evaluation.

What has me puzzled is that the behavior is inconsistent. For example, we went to a family dinner yesterday (with 10 of us) in a large, busy, and loud resteraunt. The kid sat in his seat, participated in conversation and was my best behaved child (got 3).  My whole family thinks I'm crazy for even entertaining the idea that he is adhd.  However, you get him in a classroom setting and sooner than later he will act out.

RacerMom, does this fit your sons pattern?  You said that at 5.5 (roughly my son'age) the Dr.s didn't diagnosis him, so  I'm curious if the behavior becomes worse over time (sounds so horrible saying that way - sorry)?  

Neuroticmama