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Oh gosh no way is it too late. It'll all be fine. My son was diagnosed in 2nd grade. His grades went from C's and D's to A's and B's.  He is now a senior in high school on the high honor roll.

The only thing I would say about the IEP or 504 with ADHD is I never pursued that. Way back when I didn't want my son identified as ADHD in school. On medicine every day as far as they knew he was fine.  Well now for college standardized tests like the ACT, we were not able to get him the extended time. I know if he had an IEP or a 504 for ADHD I think he could have had the extended time.  He did very well in school, but always still had some difficulty with lengthy standardized tests never being able to finish in time.  That would be my only possible piece of advice with considering the IEP or 504. He'll still get into college just maybe not his college of choice.

I think the teacher is doing everything but saying "ADHD or ADD". I know where I live the teachers can't say it. It'll all work out.

 

Don't be afraid to ask for help. You don't need a 504 or IEP if your kid's teacher is willing to do small things like email you when your daughter has homework or put everything in a folder that goes to and from school every day. Some teachers are really wonderful about this kind of thing and it may be just the boost your daughter needs. Hi I am a mom to 3 girls.  My oldest is the one I am most concerned with.  She is 8 and in NOT hyper, NOT impulsive  - but is extremely flaky and cannot focus.  Up until this year - I think she has had kind teachers who have really given her the benefit of the doubt  . . .but this year - we are only 4 weeks into school and on her mid terms she has 3 C's, 2 Bs and a D.  This is totally different from her straight A's in the previous years.  I know that they say 3rd grade is a bit harder and more demanding.  This is the year that we start having standardized tests - but I am very concerned.  Her teacher is wonderful and we talk on at least a weekly basis.  I can tell that she really likes Willow - however, I can see how frustrating it can be to have Willow in the class.  She is very unorganized, has  a hard time staying focused and seems to really be having a hard time keeping up with the demands of school.  Most of the comments on papers are " Willow was not concentrating . . ." Willow did not read the directions . . ."  " Willow did not complete . . ." 

In 1st grade (2 years ago) her teacher came to us after several weeks and handed us a group of papers that were unfinished but were found in her desk.  The teacher asked why we did not have her do these at home - well I explained - I did not know about them and had no idea that they were supposed to be done. Last year in 2nd grade Willow was dx with Type 1 Diabetes and quite frankly it was all we could do to get thru the year taking care of this new dx.  So even if some of her focus issues were there - they were overlooked bc we were so focused on her physical health. 

I am worried that we have waited too long and that she is already set up for failure.  Already this year we have had packets of homework papers sent home that were from the previous week - that Willow just forgot about.  I threw away some papers that I had no idea were homework  - bc when I asked Willow about them  - she told me she did not know what it was . . .

If you ask her to do a 3 step task that requres walking out of the room - by the time she gets down the hall she has forgotten step 1 - let alone getting to step 3. 

I am here seeking help, support, advice - does she even sound like she could have ADD?  I am so frustrated and sad and overwhelmed . . .

thanks for listening!
Vicki
Welcome to the board. It is certainly not too late, just entering 3rd grade. She is not set up for failure. Granted the academics are harder in 3rd grade, but she can still catch up with your help consistently, every day, to fill in the gaps that you need to identify. For example if she is not up to speed on reading you need to find a phonics program and do it daily. If she is not up to speed on math facts, you need to do flash cards, or Mad Minute tests, or a math mat daily. If she is falling behind the class, it is you that needs to bring her up to speed.

She does sound like she may have ADD but you need to have her evaluated. This teacher is definately throwing the ADHD buzz words at you, waving a red flag.

I wonder about throwing away the incomplete homework papers. This is perhaps your oldest? When blank worksheets come home they need to be done. My ADHD kids don't seem to know much of anything that happens in the classroom, so you just have to draw your own conclusions. Also, I interogate from different angles as needed to extract info. I have them ask classmates specific questions if they are clearly missing the mark on some classroom process, etc.Jessica N40084.9208796296Wyatt sounds exactly like your daughter.  We have a 504 in place at school so that the teacher has to help him organize and stay on top of work that doesn't get done.  I don't know much about diabetes but a co worker and I are always compaing notes about our kids.  Her son is type 1 and she often wonders if he is add as well because he has some of the same issues.  I can tell you she has been told that it is the sugar fluctuations causing the problems.  He can't focus when it is too high or too low.  You may want to explore adhd but you also should check out some diabetes message boards if you haven't already.

[QUOTE=willowsmom]
One of my biggest concerns is the thought of putting her on more medications.  She is already on an insulin pump and while insulin is not really a medication (its a hormone) I just hate that she would need more medical intervention. 
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In my mind the insulin and pump (and lots of human interaction ) are so your daughter has her pancreas. A healthy pancreas is something most of us take for granted.

I can only speak from experience. My son started calling himself stupid with the grades he was getting. After looking into ADHD diagnosis and medicine, he has had going on 10 years of success in school. I am so very thankful.

What would it hurt to have her evaluated? I agree with the previous poster, follow your gut. I wish you and your family all the best.

willandgrace40086.302662037Thanks for all the responses.  We currently have a 504 for her Diabetes.  she was dx about a year ago =- but these behaviors were present before her diagnosis.  When I mention ADD to others about her - they look at me like I have 2 heads - saying stuff like - she is not hyper - but I realize this is the same sort of ignorance that I encounter with people who think Willow cannot eat any sugar because she had diabetes. 

I talked with her teacher today and discussed the process for getting her checked.  So I am going to begin that avenue in a couple weeks when we have a pediatrician appt.  Wehn I mentioned to her teacher that she does not seem hyper - she mentioned that Willow rarely sits still, has trouble sitting in her seat, she fidgets and is often found putting papers away that later the teacher will find unfinished.

Regarding her diabetes - I asked the teacher to take note when she seems the least focused and the most focused.  Her glucose numbers always run high in the morning around 9:30 but my lunch they are back in range - so I wonder if she is more focused in the afternoon.  Her teacher said she will watch and see.  I agree  high or low numbers can affect concentration and focus - but I truly feel this is more.

One of my biggest concerns is the thought of putting her on more medications.  She is already on an insulin pump and while insulin is not really a medication (its a hormone) I just hate that she would need more medical intervention. 

I was reading about some behavior management plans.  I started a basket at home and daily when she and her sister come home from school - their folders go in the basket - then we sit down and go over each paper her folder.  The ones that get missed are the ones that never come home or come home days or weeks after they were originally supposed to.  Her teacher has agreed to focus on that.

Thanks for all the support
There are lots of ways to work with ADHD, including medicine and behavior therapy. Keeping things organized at home and at school and establishing solid routines will help a lot, whether or not you put her on meds. Think of meds as one tool among many.

It's actually similar to diabetes...there's more to her treatment than the insulin pump. She has to check her sugars, adjust the pump if need be, be more aware of what she eats and drinks, exercise, etc. Any good treatment plan for diabetes involves many lifestyle changes in addition to any necessary medical interventions...the same holds true for ADHD.

My son is the same way...not hyper in the classic sense, but fidgety. Trust your gut on this...you know your kid better than anyone else.
I believe there are other parents here with children having both diabetes and adhd. That is a great topic starter!