My two youngest 9 & 12 are diagnosised w/ADHD combined type. My oldest is soon to be 16 and never been diagnosed. She is usally a staight A student. She participates in sports, is in band, particpates in speech contests, dances and works after school. I have been concerned that she does too much, but grades remain good. She has never been what you would call popular, but is liked by her classmates and has several good friend. She has had some problems w/friends as she has friends in what I would call different 'Clicks' and this sometimes creates jealousy in other friends, but she manages to stay friends w/all. She does not 'fit in' to any one group of girls and does not want to. She does not like to be labled. This semester she has an increadibly hard class load and is feeling overwhelmed to the point she has come home from school early not feeling well, slept all afternoon and then was fine. States she hates school and doesn't want to go anymore. She takes advanced classes and isn't always in classes w/friends her own age, but has friends who are older. She actually leaves one class a couple times a week to take band lessons as she was not able to fit the regular band class into her schedule. The only other after school activites she has currently are work and dance 1 time a week. I have often wondered if she too has ADHD, simply because both her sister have ADHD. Even though her grades are great, my reading on girls w/ADHD is often that they tend to compansate and are not diagnosed because they don't have poor grades.
What does anybody else think, ADHD or just took on too much this semester? (Too be honest, compaired to the other two this doesn't seem as difficult. Maybe I am feeling a little guilty because the other two take so much energy, and I'm concerned I haven't paid enough attention to the oldest.)
Thanks for any input.
Sounds like a 16 yo girl. Hormones, clicks, social pressures, academic pressures. She not liking her life right now. I would not jump to an ADHD conclusion. Maybe you two need to have a serious talk. Does she need a major life change? Like a new school? Change of extracurricular activities? Redirection re: academics?How many advanced classes is she taking? It could be that she's just overwhelmed by the workload. If she's a good student who's always liked school and suddenly this year she hates it then you are right to be concerned. Being sixteen is tough, but that may not be the only thing going on.
I was in a similar position at that age- I was always an A student, took AP classes, and had a ton going on socially. I did not belong to any particular social group, but I also would not really hang out with anyone who had a problem with the fact that I was friends with people from certain other social groups. Then when I hit a certain point it was like running into a wall. I suddenly realized I was in over my head, overwhelmed and couldn't figure out why. I failed two classes my senior year, but my parents chalked it up to "senioritis," and didn't worry about it. I was diagnosed with ADHD six months after my son was- as I educated myself for my son I started seeing myself in the description in the books.
Personally, I would get her evaluated. Given the genetic factor involved there is a pretty high possibility that she could have it since she has siblings who have it. She might also consider dropping a couple of the advanced classes to reduce the stress a bit.
I agree, sounds like a normal 16yo girl to me.jederock54
I guess thats what I'm afraid of. I suspect I too am ADHD, my brick wall came when I was in JR high, but back in the 70's my parents and I were pulled into the school and the school just gave me "special work" to do. I never let it happen again and worked very hard to not be given that "special work" again. I got though school with OK grades, scored very well on my ACTs and got a scholarship to college. Believe me this suprised a lot of people. I guess I am remembering all my probs too.
All of her classes except band are advanced. She is so smart, but I found out today she failed an algebra test, I don't think she's ever gotten and F and she is very upset w/herself. I think I'll talk w/her get her input (when she's calmer), maybe she does just need to drop a class, but it also won't hurt to talk to our psychologist. I am so happy w/our psychologist, she is so supportive.
Thanks for your input!