Is It ADD/ADHD | ADHD Information

To be accurate, medication for ADHD does not "dope" one up nor does it make one sleepy. In terms of getting a child tested, the purpose of testing is to identify the problem. Whether medication is needed is determined by professionals and then you as the parent make your decision in terms of treatment options presented to you.  Many things "sound like or look like" ADHD but a trained professional knows that its the distinctions that help them determine the diagnosis, not similarities. There are several medical conditions that mimic ADHD as well. The typical child that just needs a little help in math doesn't stir up such great concerns in a parent and no one here can or should make educated guesses about total strangers so I suggest that you consider getting your child professionally tested if your concerns continue.  Very good advice inpsiredbymusic and might I add that there is also such a thing as a math disability which has nothing to do with ADHD. Good luckThis sounds a little like my own daughter. She is 6 and was recently
diagnosed. She does well in school too. Her problems stem from an
inability to focus on what's going on around her. This has been the case
as long as we can remember with her and we always just thought she was
a normal kid with some trouble "listening". But as the demands of school
grew, she became less able to cope and started getting physical with
other kids. Her inability to notice details and peoples' feelings made us
think that she might be autistic - she doesn't seem to be able to predict
or observe how her actions hurt others. She had some trouble in Reading
last year but otherwise did well. This year, she had trouble in Math, but
otherwise did well. The pediatrician made medication sound inevitable
and told us to try a behavior modification system first. The pediatrician
seemed to think that even if the beh mod worked this year, the demands
of the school work would increase and she would need help focusing
next year. We're not against medication per-say, we just want to try other
options first.
Once the doctor diagnosed her, we wrote a letter to the school to ask for
an I&RS meeting (in NJ, these types of meetings are required before a
child can be given a 504 or special services). I'm hoping we can create an
action plan that can help our little girl keep her grades up and feel
successful. At this point though, I wonder if medication would help her
relate to other kids and follow what's going on in class better. Am I being
irresponsible by NOT medicating?Well I have thought for some time that my daughter may
have ADD/ADHD. She has some signs of inattentive she gets
distracted very easily, something as simple as shoes can
throw her off. She will play with her laces instead of
paying attention in class. She is not really hyperactive
she has her moments but I would say its typically
childhood thing. Well she has did well in school, until
now it has started taking effect. She has good grades in
every subject but math, well again I chalked it up to be
she needed a math tutor. We worked with her on her math
and worked with her to where she would get everything
correct but it is a HUGE battle some days homework can
take us 3 hours but I stick it out until we are done.
Well some how she is still failing math! so I requested a
parent/teacher conference to sit down with the teacher
and try to figure out what was going on. The teacher said
that he knows she knows how to do the work.....the
problem is she will do the work one day and the next day
she gets everything completely wrong! He said he gave
Mikayla a worksheet Monday and on Monday she got every
one right and made a 100, Well to test it out Tuesday he
gave her the SAME worksheet and she made a 40! He said so
she knows how to do the work its simply not paying
attention. He they will be talking about math and she
will bring up a reading question. She constantly loses
EVERYTHING they have a homework folder they must take
home and to school everyday well this tends to get left
at school a lot to the point we have to go in and get it
alllll the time when we pick her up for school. I have
already had to buy 3 winter coats because she has lost 2
this winter! I told the teacher I would have her tested
but I do not believe in medicating. I know everyone has a
point of view on this subject but growing up I had
several cousins on medication for it and they were just
not kids they would come home from school so doped up
they wanted to sleep and not play one had kidney problems
from being on the medications from the time he was small
until his teen years. I know there are alternatives and I
have already started exploring those if we do get the
diagnoses. We will start the recommended diet tomorrow
and will talk to my doctor about supplements and such for
her. But my question or point is to the mothers that have children that have ADD/ADHD does this sound like it to
you? or a typical child needing a little extra help in
math? The rest of her subjects she makes A's on!Any input
or advice will be appreciated! Thanks ahead of time!A couple of thoughts:
- First of all, yes, based on what you've said, this sounds like it could be ADHD-inattentive type, but the only way to know for sure is to have a doctor, preferably a specialist, do a diagnosis.
- Is it possible that your daughter is academically "gifted" and is bored in math class? I think it would be frustrating to be given the same worksheet twice.
- How old is your daughter?
- As far as alternatives to medication, check out the "Alternatives and Complementary Meds" forum here on this message board. Some of us have found some alternative supplements that we believe are helpful (omega 3s and phosphatidyl serine-PS), but at the same time, use caution because there are so many frauds just trying to make $$ selling so-called "cures" to desperate people.
- Something else that can be helpful is working with the school to possibly get a 504 plan that provides helpful accommodations for ADHD symptoms, such as sitting up front near the teacher and help with organization.
- You don't have to medicate just because you have a diagnosis.

Best of luck; let us know how things go for your daughter.