Help me understand | ADHD Information

 Hello...

There are a variety of levels and combinations of ad/hd related issues from all of my readings and understandings.  For example,my son's ad/hd is more impulsive than focus.  Matter of fact focus is not his problem what so ever.  She could have the ad/hd but only on a minor level. 

I agree with you that dyslexia might be the real underlying cause.  From my studies as an educator I have found that often children with dylexic tendencies are often diagnosed with ad/hd and like you have mentioned misdiagnosed.  Notice I said dyslexic tendancies rather than just dyslexia.  Dyslexia can be over diagnosed too.  Only a doctor specializing in dyslexia can  make this diagnosis, however schools can provide testing as well to determine if there are some characteristics associated with dyslexia and provide services under 504 or special education depending on the level of concern.  Check into these options if you haven't already.

Does she have an early birthday?  Could it be that she just needs an extra year to catch up as a result of an early birthday?  These are all things to consider if you haven't already done so. 

I can tell you really want to what is best for your child.  Take time to reflect and do what is best for her.  Sometimes I think "us" parents get wrapped up in things and lose some perspective on the whole picture. By coming to this site you will be able to get a lot of valuable feedback from many posters. 

 Take care!

I am new to this, but i need help. My daughter is 9yrs.  She has always struggled with her school work.  From the time she started kindergarten, she has been behind. Every year I get the same thing from the teachers, " She is just so slow".  A week after she started 3rd grade, her teacher told me she thought my daughter had ADHD and suggested that a take her to a doctor. I thought this was absurd.  I knew my daughter had some type of learning disability, and had thought I had everything lined up to have her tested for LD. I was mostly concerned with dyslexia. 

I rushed to have her tested for LD or ADHD, and sure enough she was diagnosed with ADHD. My husband, family, and friends were floored. No one could believe this diagnoses. So I took her to a local university and had her tested again. They gathered all her records, ( including the one from the first test, and the teachers opinion) and also diagnosed her with ADHD.  I still don't understand this diagnoses.  I was told, that her IQ scores are low average, basicly that she just is that bright and her ADHD doesn't make things any easier.

I have never, nor has the school ever had any behavorial problems with her. She is not hyper, she is quite obedient, and rarely misbehaves. Yes, she struggles to read, and to write, and with math. She cries to me about being the slowest person in class. 

My husband and I have chosen not to medicate her, because we believe she has been misdiagnosed. Has this ever happened to anyone else.  I have tried diatary supplements, fish oil and changing her diet. These things seem to help some, but not enough.I don't know what else to do for my daughter.

at that age my duaghters IQ was in the low average range also. She also was diagnosed (younger) with ADHD adnw e didnt quite believe it either. She is also not really a beahvior problem (although now she's 14 and has found her attitude  ). I agree with 4myson. Please get the right testing done and find out her exact LD. Things are only going to get more difficult. If she's struggling now especially in reading it gets more and more difficult. If it's all she can, it's all she can do that is fine you can deal with that, but you need to know if she's capable of continuing to access the curriculum and what accomodations she needs for this. Know her LD and/or her ADHD (real or not) and what acoomodations will work for her. Even if you choose not to medicate if school has started the path to diagnosis, they should be pretty willing to help with accomodations. Get the reports from the school testing and your own testing review it all and go from there. (Dont let school say you cant have the testing.....they have to give it to you).

If you suspect dyslexia, you might also look into Irlen's syndrome.  Basically, some kids see letters "floating" or "wriggling" on the page.  Once you put a colored overlay atop their reading, the color reduces the reflection of the overheat "white" lights and it makes the print "stop moving".

While when I first came across the d/x, I was skeptical.  However, I've had 2 students the past 3 years dx'd with this, and use the overlays and it does help.  Something else to look into.  THough, it might not explain the math issues...

But yes!! Get  yoru child properly tested for teh LD there are so many LD's out there...BTW, I am a teacher with a spec.ed. background so I've seen the gamut of LDs to know there are tons and they are often mis diagnosed as ADHD.

You have gotten good input above so keep looking for other possible problems.  Also, from what I have read, some kids are ADD - they aren't hyper or impulsive.  They just have an attention deficit.  Another thing to look into is whether she could eye problems.  While I don't know much about it I have done a bit of reading on Convergence Insufficiency (I think that is the name) where the eyes don't work together.  It can't be diagnosed by a regular eye doctor (although when I asked my eye doctor about it he said it was worth looking into for my DS and he knew of 2 doctors in the area that could diagnose and treat it).

Good luck!  Keep looking - you'll find answers that make sense eventually.

Definitely get the LD portion looked at as well has her eyes.

A good book about girls and ADHD is "Understanding Girls With AD/HD" by Kathleen Nadeau and Patricia Quinn.   Girls really are very different than the typical boy.  When our ped first suggested we test my daughter for ADHD, I was shocked.  The more I read, the more I realized that the piece did fit.