Public school didn't test for ADHD

[Humusluvr]

That is why some have problems with how ADHD seems a catch all for what used to be called being a boy. A pediatrician who sees a person once every couple of months, even if he suspects the child is ADHD, cannot truly diagnose the child in the span of a 15 minute contact. Yet, they do. Go figure. (In other words, I don't even think a pediatrician who did not diagnose the thing could be sued for malpractice absent a lot more facts.)

Agreed. Add to this, the changing technology of the world, and randomness of TV, video games, and the way our lives have changed from being routine to being totally random - it's no surprise people (and especially kids) are distracted! Add to that the lack of going outside to play, walking to school, or playing sports. I'm distracted too. Imagine the sensory overload of a 5 or 6 year old.

If we NEVER teach our kids to focus, then why wouldn't we expect hyper, random kids. I think the point it becomes diagnosable, is where medication truly has a benefit, not just a sedation effect. We've all seen the poor zombie child, and that poor kid was never meant to be medicated.

 

[tranquility]

My sixth grade teacher's solution to the problem was to make a rule I had to have one hand on my desk at all times. (Other than when dismissed to get up.)

It didn't stop me from moving, but at least it kept my location predictable.

 

[Humusluvr]

My sixth grade teacher's solution to the problem was to make a rule I had to have one hand on my desk at all times. (Other than when dismissed to get up.)

It didn't stop me from moving, but at least it kept my location predictable.

That's actually pretty genius. Some teachers have hostile responses to children with the wiggles. Sounds like you have a good one (or at least, from that aspect)

 

[Zigner]

If the OP's schooling would have been negatively impacted (K-12), or had his social interactions been negatively impacted, the school would have been required (by law) to suggest an evaluation for special education services.

The fact that the child got through school AND got scholarships tends to show that he did alright...

 

[tranquility]

I agree, until she tried to break me.

She was doing some math on the board and I was quietly reading my book. Rather than just asking me to put it down (Which I would have done because I was a hyper-compliant child. Parents loved me.) she tried to embarrass me by asking me if I were paying attention. I said "yes".

"Well, then, what did I just say?"

I repeated, word for word, what she had said for the last few sentences and continued until she stopped me. The class was silent. Then she asked me to put the book away. Which I did. Knowing there was no reason for it other than because she said so.

Such was the beginning of an iconoclast. Now, I'm not really that compliant--to anyone.

 

[Banned_Princess]

my mother is an RN and made the suggestion to me when lil honey was in kindergarten. she got an IEP and has special alternative testing and sees the math and reading teacher 5 days a week. she also was retained in 1st grade. (she is a late august baby) I may have jumped the gun registering her to go to kindergarten a month after turning 5.

we work with her at home, and she really does try, its just that she cant get into it, and is focused on other parts of school, namely personal relationships.



I was going to say that OPs problem wasnt as bad as he is describing, having completed high school with scholarships. In my day, they just kicked you out of school, and sent you to an alternative school, pm school, or home teaching. (they sent a teacher to your home, for 2 hours a day)

and once he turned 18, he has the right to see whatever doctor he needed to see about the learning disability...

the pills get her to sit still, and be bored and doodle. it hasn't made her any more attentive and she isn't getting the lessons. the MD has been working on her since she got to middle school adjusting doses or whatever, but I think I am just going to stop giving them to her. her quality of life isn't better and she is unhappy.

meds aren't always a solution.

 

[ecmst12]

Just because the medicine that she is taking doesn't solve ALL her problems doesn't mean she isn't benefiting from it. I would suggest you let the doctors make the medical decisions.

 

[Banned_Princess]

Just because the medicine that she is taking doesn't solve ALL her problems doesn't mean she isn't benefiting from it. I would suggest you let the doctors make the medical decisions.

yes well, I guess thats what I pay him for.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

Just because the medicine that she is taking doesn't solve ALL her problems doesn't mean she isn't benefiting from it. I would suggest you let the doctors make the medical decisions.

I disagree. It is necessary to actively participate in coordinating your medical care. There is a reason they call it a practice.

 

[ecmst12]

PARTICIPATE in your care/your child's care, absolutely. But unilaterally decide to stop giving medicine against the doctor's advice? When it's helping the child? If she has a hard time concentrating NOW, you have no idea how much worse it will get if you stop the medication.

 

[Banned_Princess]

PARTICIPATE in your care/your child's care, absolutely. But unilaterally decide to stop giving medicine against the doctor's advice? When it's helping the child? If she has a hard time concentrating NOW, you have no idea how much worse it will get if you stop the medication.

um, no. not against the doctors advice, she doesnt take the meds on the weekend, or during vacations, some days I dont give it to her... she behaves in school, she just doesnt apply herself. I would call her lazy. even if she is on the pills, she still has the same issues which are not even academical, she is a drama princess who enjoys being in the spotlight. the only change is in her energy level.

And if I went to the MD, and said, I dont want her to take the meds anymore, he would say, then stop giving her the meds. ...

I intend on getting a tutor for her.

 

[Humusluvr]

PARTICIPATE in your care/your child's care, absolutely. But unilaterally decide to stop giving medicine against the doctor's advice? When it's helping the child? If she has a hard time concentrating NOW, you have no idea how much worse it will get if you stop the medication.

Seriously, imagine if my parents had taken that approach with my Type I Diabetes.

"Yeah, we don't make her take it on the weekends. Or sometimes, she gets a vacation from insulin. It just makes her pee a lot, drink lots of water, and lose weight. I'm sure that's what little girls need."

If a doctor says take the meds, take the meds. If you don't want to give your child the meds, make a plan with the doctor, get a new doctor who supports you, or get the child some new parents. Those are really the only options.

 

[Banned_Princess]

ADD, and ADHD are totally different then diabetes. Apples and oranges.

one is behavioral, the other is living.

she doesn't have to be a zombie during the weekend, or while on vacation. and I would prefer she eat. and this was the plan with the MD since she started the treatment. it lowers her energy for 8 hours, and she doesn't need it to live, as a matter of fact, for her to live she would need to break from it after 8 hours. or she wouldn't eat, wouldn't play, wouldn't be active at all. she would sit around all cranky watching tv, not getting her necessary nutrients.

we saw the MD in September before she started school, and he changed her dosage, hoping that would cure the non eating issue, so she is under a doctors care. this is not a drug she needs to have in her system continuously. just during school hours, and only if I want to give it to her.

 

[Humusluvr]

ADD, and ADHD are totally different then diabetes. Apples and oranges.

one is behavioral, the other is living.

she doesn't have to be a zombie during the weekend, or while on vacation. and I would prefer she eat. and this was the plan with the MD since she started the treatment. it lowers her energy for 8 hours, and she doesn't need it to live, as a matter of fact, for her to live she would need to break from it after 8 hours. or she wouldn't eat, wouldn't play, wouldn't be active at all. she would sit around all cranky watching tv, not getting her necessary nutrients.

Sure, excuses excuses. We all make excuses for why we don't follow medical advice. "Forgetting" to give your kid their meds one day, and saying, "Yeah, it's all fine, she just has ENERGY" is utter crap. I got your rolleyeyes, and so does the rest of the educational/medical community.

What do you do with her extra meds?

 

[Proserpina]

What do you do with her extra meds?

I see what you did there...