Help, I am confused | ADHD Information

I am new to this...

My son, who is 10 was dianogist from the school's Psychologist and his teacher.  I haven't taken him to his doctor yet becasue our insurance will change April 1 and I don't want to start with one doctor the move 2 another before we really get anything done.  Having said that, here is some background...

I was asked if the school could evaluate him for a learning disability 2 wks ago.  They said his reading is below grade level, which it has been for the past 3 years(he is in 4th grade),  I have been asking for extra help from the school and this year he had finally got some, but they don't see it working like they had hoped. So they wanted to test him for a LD.  Well, during the test they had found that he had an IQ of 110 which is high average.  They said with his IQ that high he should be well above grade level.

I was shocked,  I didn't think his IQ was that high.  I thought he was smart, at 2 yrs old he could put a 25 to 50 pc puzzle togther without any help.  but once school hit, I just figured the puzzle thing was a fluke.  He was not performing very well in school.

Anyway, his test scores showed that he is below level in reading, writing and math, but  he should be above in all areas due to his IQ.  And this is where I am confused.  They said he does have a LD, but they also think he has ADHD.  They had tested him using: Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales, Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery III: both Achievement & Cognitiive, Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-motor Integration (VMI) and the Conner's Teacher Rating Scale-Revised: long version. 

I don't see really anything at home that points to it.  I think he is a normal 10yr old that doesn't want to keep his room clean, gets very angry at his siblings (he has a younger sister and brother...they fight, what sibs. don't), he is quick tempered and he wants to do what he wants to do,  he does get frustrated easy,  and doens't pay attention when we are trying to explain somethin to him.  I just figured it is age related.  I think he is a all around good kid...he does have his moments, but what kid doesn't.

His teacher says he does have a problem paying attention in class, and almost everyweek sometimes more,there is a note sent home about some behaviors.  He has gotten 3 referals so far this year, but again I tend to think it is the age.  He is my oldest so this is uncharted terroritory. 

I have looked over check lists on websites and I see stuff that I can say yes to but I don't say 'yep that is Ray to the tee'.  I admit I still clean his room, pick up his laundry, put homework and planners in backpacks, if I find thier shoes laying around I stick them by the front door so they came be found in the morning.  So, I don't know if I just don't give him a chance to be forgetful, or maybe I am just blinded to the fact.  Maybe I am in denial.  I don't see it in him, now the 5 almost 6 yr old could be poster child. :). 

 Mark, he is ALL boy, bouncing off the walls, is in high gear ALL day, but when he crashes, he is out.  He will be 6 in May and He needs to wear a pull-up to bed because he sleeps so soundly.  Mark will go into his own world and no matter what you do he doesn't calm down.  He can't sit still for nothing.  Always fidgitting, even at school.  His teacher says he does have some issues, but nothing she can't control.  He just needs to be kept on top of.

I don't know...I am confused,  Has anyone gone through this.  Or is ADHD something that you can see and say no doubt like my Mark???

By ay way I haven't gotten Mark checked out...I am waiting to see if he will calm down on his own.  When he wants to focus on something, he can tune everything else out.  He is a very determined little boy.  AT 3 he was riding a 2wheel bike, no training wheels (taught himself),also at 3 he taught himself how to swim and still swims like a fish, at 4 he learned how to snap his figures by practing for an hour straight one day. he enjoys mazes, but doesn't like to play video games or really watch TV execpt at Bedtime. So I am just waiting with him.

Sorry it was so long....thanks for any and all replies.

Hi Carrie,

     First Mark, I'd wait. Part of the criteria for a solid diagnosis is these behaviors still present at 7. I also have a just turned 6 year old and every day I'm amazed at the changes in her from 5-6. It seems he's happy and learning, why do anything.

    Your older son, you need to know why he's so behind in grade level on all his subjects. He obviously CAN learn, but they arent educating him. There are a couple of things you can do, IMO get a private academic evaluation (eveb better include a full neuropsych). If he has an LD what kind of LD is it so you know what to ask them for to help him. He could be not paying attention because he doesnt understand. If his reading is that far behind, all his otehr subjects are going to be harder (I know my daughter is 4 years behind in her reading grade 7). Try to get on top of it. The higher the grades the less the "teach reading" you'll need special accomodations/tutoring for this. BUT it wont help if he has a reading disability that's not teased out to be sure they are teachig him the right way. He is smart and has no major behavior issues, he'll be fine, but why let him fall further behind.

They told me what the LD was, I think, but I don't remember. I think it has to do with Visual-spatiual...or something rather. I was blindsided to all of it...so my mind was wondering during the meeting. I have copies of all the test results...but I don't understand them.  She told me if I wanted another meeting I could set on up torwards the end of the month because  they are doing FCAT(state assessment) tests these next 2 wks. 

Where would I go for a private academic eval. with a full neuropsych?  Where would I find counsiling at???  They basically told me and said they had another one of these meetings in 5 min with another parent. 

If they test the child for a LD and they have one, then the child will get special accommodations on the FCAT.  So they had to speak with several parents in a short time to get the okay from the parents for the accommodations.

 

Thanks again

my daughter has a visual spatial LD too, plus others, but with the visual spatial you're going to want accomodations so that work is broken down. too much infomrmation on a page is going to be hard for him. There's a lot they can do to help. One thing that helped my daughter a LOT in thsoe grades was smaller study guides. Either the SPED teacher or myself or my daughter would make falsh cards up for each test. So say they were doing Geography, rather than give her hadnouts we'd put all the information on small index cards so she could study one fact at a time without the next 20 facts also on the same paper. For a neuropsych try starting with your insurance company and go from there. They will usually be willing to recommend accomodations for the child and even sometimes attend your meetings (for a fee). I think it's worth it. You just never know which schools are going to do their best and which are not, it's tricky.

You're doctor may be able to give you all the referrals you need. Why not start with the pediatrician.

 Hi, Carrie. I am not sure what state you live in, here in CA I went to the school and asked for a IEP eval on my son. He went through 1 year of school having all the same troubles. His teachers never once brought up the poss. of ADHD. I put him into a new school for 1st grade and w/in 1 week the teacher was concerned about his learning. She suggested for me to take him to his doc and get a eval. Since your insurance is changing, go to the school and ask for the IEP eval  IEP stands for individualized education program. I'm not sure where you live, but all schools should have something like that. Then when your insurance is set go to your doctor and ask for a adhd assesment. The doc will provide you and the school with forms to fill out to determine if your son has it or not. We have been dealing with this for 1 year this month. With the help of school and his doctor he has finally learned to read and excelled in math. In research and talking with other adults about adhd, these child are found to be very very smart. But the adhd inables them to learn to the fullest. It at first is a lot to take in. And takes some time to get everything in order, but don't wait too long. And as far as your younger child. The doctors I work with don't like to start child on meds  atleast until they are about 7.But you can have the eval done first.
As far as the schools go, I like to think they are NOT 'out to get' any child.  I like to think they are fair.  As soon as the new insurance kicks in, (we are going from a HMO to a PPO, but with the same insurance company, Blue cros blue shield of FL) I am going to see about getting him retested with an independent person, someone outside the school.  Also I will have his new Dr.  evaluate him, see what she recommonds and go from there.  Just because I don't see at home doesn't mean there might not be a problem.  All I know is that something is going on since he is below grade level.  I want to nip it in the bud now, before he moves to middle school.You do realize the school cannot diagnose ADHD, only LD's. AN ADHD eval has to be done by a medical Dr. Maybe your older son is add rather than adhd as the hyper bit of adhd tends to come out at home as your younger son seems to be showing.It is all very hard to take in.  My son was diagnosed with ADD at the beginning of the school year.  He is 8 years old.  As a parent I was like you and didn't see the warning signs.  I always thought he was a typical boy.  His teacher was the one that brought it to our attention and was then diagnosed by a doctor.  Not know anything about ADD the news was very upsetting.  Then came the decision to use meds or not.  Prior to your visit with the  dr I would do as much research about meds as possible.  The more you read and learn about all of it the easier it is to handle.  After great hesitation we put our son on meds.  It was a rocky road to begin with.  We went through several meds and dosages.  He has now been on the same meds since Nov. and he is doing great.   Hang in there and just remember you have to do what is best for your child. 
< =text/>_popupControl(); I wouldn't do or decide anything until you can get an independant evaluation. It's believed that there are several types of adhd, so both of your sons could have adhd without being much alike. This road of diagnosis and then treatment can be fraught with conflict with the school, so it's important that you have that independant professional involved to protect both your rights and your relationship with the school. I mean, a professional that you choose will have your child's best interests at heart and will make recommendations about accomodations that your child may need without an eye to your school's budget, whereas professionals employed by the school will have divided loyalties, so to speak. Don't wait too long. He's at an important age.  Also, it's very typical that the characteristics of adhd don't show up at home. It is a calmer, more familiar atmosphere.thank you for all the input.  This is all new to me and I just want to do what is best for him.  I am not sure weather the school just wants kids on meds because they might tend to be eaiser to deal with or worse, for a reason for them not doing thier job as teachers.  Not saying either is true.  I am by nature a VERY trusting person, but I have heard so much neg. about Adhd and the meds. I am scared I will make the wrong decsion.  AS for my youngest... I am just hoping to work through him being sooo active, as far as his teacher is concern, she doesn't see it hindering him from learning at this point ( he is only kindergarden), but I do keep a close eye on him, only because he seems to be showing 'classic' signs with hyperactivity and inpulsiveness.  thanks again.you'll never know whats behind schools motives, don't even beat yourself up trying to figure it out. Most teachers are good, but teaching your child is their job, this is your son. You'll have different perpectives. Finding out what's going on doesnt have to mean medication or even an ADHD diagnosis. He could seem inattentive due to his LD. You have no idea what's really happening without the solid evaluation. This is what a good neuropsychologist can tease out and recommend. Even an ADHD diagnosis, is only that, a diagnosis. The treatment plan is up to you, this is your child. You're doing the right things, getting information. The more knowledge you have the better prepared you will be. Second guessing ourselves is what Mom's do. You can only do what you feel is right for your family at the time, you always have the right to change your mind if you dont feel what you're doing is the right path. The same rules as with everything else. As for your youngest dont ignore his "concerns", but dont panic either, you're doing the right thing there too. He's behaviors are not impacting his learning or getting him into trouble at this point, let him mature and cross that bridge if/when you come to it.

Just for persective, it's a slow crawl. You're right about it being next year, BUT if the ball is rolling now, it will help, and next year is a whole new year anyway, so it wont matter THAT much as a different teacher will...............well, just be different. The waiting piece is THE hardest.

yep I am aware tht it has to be done by a doctor.  I had spoken with his teacher and she said that he does fidget alot in class, but she says she really only sees the ADD part, maybe a small touch of hyperactitivty.  I will take him in for a eval by his new Dr. in a couple of weeks.  The only thing I worry about is there is only 10 wks of school left until summer break.  I afraid that we won't have time to get him straight by the end of the year and we will end up spending the 1st couple of months of next year trying to get him going down the right path.  I guess better late then never.