First ADD eval at age 11 | ADHD Information

A lot of kids can adapt in younger grades, and when more work is
expected of them, the ADHD makes coping impossible. I would get him
evaluated.
1) So you will know - not knowing is way worse.
2) So you can get a game plan - a diagnosis does not immediately mean
medication. There are tons of things that could be done to help him out
that are not meds. For instance, his teacher could initial his homework
notebook each day, or even email you with his assignment. He could get
two sets of books - one for school and one for home so he doesn't have
to remember to bring them home. Those are classic aids for ADHD kids.
He could have an aide, or buddy up with another kid who goes to the
same class he does when he's going from room to room. There are tons
of things that can be done.

Have him checked for his executive skills, too. Those are organization
and rules following skills.

If I were you, this is what I'd do. I'd have him tested by a
neuropsychologist. Why? Because in addition to getting a diagnosis,
you'll get a specific list of interventions that can be done (like the ones I
mentioned above) tailored to your son. Try those first. Talk to your son's
doctor about what symptoms mean he's doing well, and what you need to
look out for to see if he needs meds.
If the doctor prescribes meds, that means your son needs them. It's the
same as giving an inhaler to a child with asthma - you would never deny
them that medication. If your son needs it, he needs it.
But try other interventions first.

My son went 2.5 years without meds, and he has a very strong case of
ADHD. Changing his environment (putting him in a small room without
distractions) when he was fidgety worked wonders - until it didn't. We
were told there were 2 things to watch for that meant he needed meds -
1) if he dropped below doing grade level work (he didn't) or 2) if
changing his environment didn't help him concentrate anymore. Clear as
a bell - no wondering about what was going on and if the time had come
or not. Because I didn't have to worry about his diagnosis or if he needed
meds or not (I'm not a doctor - how would I know?) I could focus my
energy on helping him be the best he could be.

I know it's scary, but if you step up and do this for your son you will be
his hero. When the teacher says "ADHD, maybe meds" that doesn't mean
"drug your kid up and make him a zombie - I can't handle him," that
means "I know he's capable of so much more - please help him to achieve
his potential."

You can do that for him. Take baby steps and make his life better.

Best of luck to the both of you. Keep talking here - it's a great source of
knowledge, a great place to vent, and we've heard it all before (or been
through it ourselves!) so we can relate.

(((hugs)))

My son was diagnosed at 8 yeard old. he is very smart gets insane grades on his state tests, but performs below grade level, He is on medication for ADHD, Concerta, which helps him through school. He is not medicated at home, after school. We have found that he functions fine at afterschool activities like Boy Scouts and playing with friends, going out somewhere. He is ok. But the Homework is where we are having problems.Hi,
A lot of kids are diagnosed earlier, but a lot aren't too.
. Pretty much all parents worry about medicating their kids, but if I were you, I would just take it one step at a time and start out by getting the ADHD evaluation. Even if your son is diagnosed with ADHD and even if the doctor does recommend medication, it is YOUR CHOICE on how to proceed. So I would do some research on ADHD so that you have a good understanding. (This can be very confusing because there is a ton of information out there, including a ton of garbage written by people who are trying to make an easy buck...) If you've read any parenting books that you found helpful, sometimes a good place to start can be by looking at what that author has to say about ADHD.
. I am not against medication at all; I've read so many stories on this message board about kids and families whose lives have really been saved by finding the right ADHD meds. However my daughter is not medicated for ADHD and she is doing great. She has inattentive-type ADHD and so has never had the hyperactivity or behavior issues; that makes it much easier to manage without meds. My daughter takes some supplements that I believe help her: omega 3s (fish oil) and an amino acid supplement called phosphatidyl serine (PS). You can find some information on these in the "alternatives and complementary meds" forum on this message board, as well as discussion of many other alternatives.
. You might also want to do research on 504 plans for school. A child with ADHD may qualify for a 504 plan which can be a big help with school. It can provide accommodations such as being seated at the front of the classroom, near the teacher; being provided with notes; reminders or a special system for turning homework in; additional time for classwork and tests, etc. Look into this and don't assume that because the school hasn't suggested it your son won't qualify.
. You might want to check out a book or 2 by Dr. Mel Levine. Your son may be putting a lot of effort into school, but if he has ADHD, his lack of focus and other ADHD symptoms get in the way and result in disorganization and carelessness and what appears to be lack of effort. Then he becomes frustrated because no matter what he does, he doesn't succeed and is accused of not making effort and this can lead to giving up and other negative behaviors. Punishment is not likely to be effective, especially if the poor kid is trying in the first place. Discipline that focuses on the positive and rewards is likely to be much more helpful.

Best of luck and let us know how things go. This is a great place for information and just venting sometimes!
My son is 11 and in the 6th grade. I know most kids get started with this earlier. He is fairly well-behaved at school, but has a C in behavior for lots of minor little things. He is super intelligent and makes A's and B's but is actually performing below ability level. Small effort and focus results in straight A's for him. The B's are mostly due to points off for being late, careless errors, not turning some stuff in at all, etc. He is a disorganized mess. Sometimes I think he just isn't putting any effort whatsoever into school. He forgets his books at home or school. Same with homework. The older he gets, the more responsiblity he has for managing his schoolwork - the worse he does. He stays punished for not doing chores and homework. Consequences don't seem to work, even when I know he wants to do what he's missing out on. His teacher has recommended an ADD evaluation (he's not hyperactive)and possibly medication. I don't know how I feel about meds and I don't know how else to help him with all the disorganization. We've tried all I know to do, and next year he switches schools and will have many teachers and will go from class to class and I can't imagine how he will manage that. Do meds really help with this, and what else might help? He's functioning okay right now, but I know not up to his potential and and life is so frustrating to him. Lesley

hi Lesley, welcome!

My son is also 11, but has the hyperactiver & impulsive component. My son is also more immature for his age, but has made so much progress.

We were diagnosed just shy of 5. He could never have made it this far without meds. They keep him focused, organized, not impulsive (he thinks before he acts) and he is able to hang with the "guys" and not show his "other" side.

Please ask any questions. I am very open about my son and his progress. He is an A, few B's student. He is a future engineer, according to his teachers! I have learned so much from this board, I honestly consider them my friends. I come her to share and cry, for myself and others.

I hope to see your posts often!!