ADHD Diagnosis What to Do Next?

Hi, I am an occupational therapist - although my specialty is not pediatrics, I know that children with hyperactivity and decreased attention can be helped via occupational therapy (OT). Medication is not necessarily the only alternative (I am not one for medicating a child). OT will teach the child and the parents coping skills, help the child learn to be more attentive to oneself so that physical techniques can be used to calm oneself. You would need a doctor's order to have OT. Hope it helps.

I know how you feel, my son was diagnosed at age 6, but in the back of my mind, I knew all along since he was in daycare. It seemed from right after birth and on he was always a very intense child, and once he started walking, there was no stopping him. He was EXTREMELY active and I just chalked it up to being a boy. He has never been able to sit still, and from age 1 1/2 and up we had problems with him in day care from biting kids all the time to not listening, not sitting at all for circle time. We had him evaluated by Child Find as the the 1st poster suggested, but the problem with this is he is evaluated on a 1:1 basis. ADHD kids do well when it's 1:1, they break down when in a classroom setting since there is so much stimulus around with lots of kids around.
Also, yes, boys are active and move around a lot, but ADHD kids just can't control themselves at all, they know they are acting inappropriately, but they can't stop the behavior. My son knew that if he did not behave in school and sit and listen to the teacher he would not get to go on the Disney world trip we had planned. He still could not control himself, his classwork was suffering and the other students in the class were suffering because he really was taking up ALL her time in trying to control him. I too was against meds, but now that he is on them, I see a HUGE difference. He is actually learning now and doing well on his spelling tests and his homework.
Also, I disagree with one of the other posters who said that video games teaches kids to be a visual learner. I never had video games when I was a child and I am very much a visual learner. You can't teach someone to be an auditory learner, everyone will have their own learning style they are just born with.
Don't let other people put you down for medicating him. As his mom, you know what is best. For my child it was meds.

Hi E.,

My son (will be 7 in 2 weeks) was diagnosed with ADHD in 2008. We just recently went to the neuropsychologist for a retest and the diagnosis is still warranted. As a former teacher I knew that schools have the paper tests that they use for diagnosing but I wanted more. That's why I chose a neuropsychologist - Dr. Cato at Nemours Children's Clinic. I have always used natural supplements to curb my son's symptoms, and it has helped, but I've decided to do a trial of medication. I cannot tell you how that is going because we haven't been to the doc yet to get a prescription. Instead of using my son's pediatrician I've chosen to see a psychiatrist to discuss medication options. Psychiatrists specialize in prescribing this type of medication and this is what I feel comfortable doing. I think each person needs to decide on his/her own what is best for them.

Just to clear something up, children who truly have ADHD will ALWAYS have ADHD, even into adulthood. As children mature they may be able to develop strategies that will help them control the impulsivity and hyperactivity but it is not "gone" or "cured."

Again, you have to decide what is best for your child and your family. There are many resources available for you to research possibilities. I used some online sources (www.adhdfamily.com), attended several teleconferences on the topic, and read several books . . . plus, I've taught for 15 years, have a degree in early childhood education and elemetary education and have attended many workshops on ADHD as a former teacher. It was all classic to me and I knew what I was dealing with early on. IMHO, I do feel that it is tricky to determine whether a child has ADHD or is just an active toddler/preschooler at that young of an age, which is why I waited until school age to begin testing. I also feel that your child needs to be able to express how he/she feels before attempting medication, which is why I've waited until my son clearly showed the ability to express his emotions (how something makes him feel) before agreeing to a trial of medication.

I have done several things prior to considering medication . . . detoxed my home (but school is not detoxed and he was spending nearly 8 hours a day there), natural supplements which do help to some degree, diet, routine, bedtime (very important to sleep and get quality rest), as well as many other ideas passed on by others. My son is very smart, way above average in language arts and math and excelling in science and social studies. I am currently teaching him at home (this is the first year) through FL Connections Academy Virtual School, which has been accepted in my school district and is considered to be public school although I teach him from home. It has been a blessing for our family to have this option and I'm thankful that I work from home and have this option available.

Ok, I feel like I'm rambling a bit. I'm just trying to cover the basis for you. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me. I'll be happy to share my experiences as long as you know every experience is different. It's truly up to you to find what works best for your child and family after hearing all the options available. I do wish you the best. I do, however, urge you to see a neuropsychologist for a more accurate diagnosis. You will also receive suggestions for help in the school setting as well.

K.

My son was also diagnosed with ADHD when he was 6. I had him in a public school and he too was not sitting still, hitting other kids, not staying in line, etc. His teacher said he had it, but I refused to believe that he had ADHD. I first took him to an allergist to see if there was anything else causing these behavior issues. I already knew he was allergic to Red#40 food dye. When he eats something with Red#40 he becomes extremely hyper. There was no other allergies found(they cannot test for red #40 allergy, I found out by removing it from his diet and saw a remarkable change). Next I took him to a child pyschologist to see if he agreed with the teachers diagnosis, or if the teacher was just trying to drug my child to calm him down. He agreed and so I agreed to take him to our ped and talk about meds. He reassured me that he would not be a zombie and it would only help him to focus and concentrated in school. I was truly impressed once he was on the meds. He was a great child! He is now 9 and has changed meds a few times (its a little trial and error to find the right one) but he's doing great in school. He is on A honor roll and reading at a 5th grade level. I wish you luck and please let me know if you have any questions.

I say follow your instincts. Even kids correctly diagnosed with ADHD do not necessarily have to go on medication and so on. My step son, for example, was diagnosed a 3 years ago and for the first 1 to 1 1/2 years his mother insisted on medicating him full time and to the fullest extent. In my opinion it was not needed. Now that he has been off of his meds, my theory has proved to be true. As long as there are clear expectations and boundaries, he seems to do just fine. When he doesn't, he is punished in an agreed upon manner (that he is also aware of up front). We had a brief adjustment period, but otherwise have been pleased with the results. Also, he does fine in school. He knows it is expected of him. We don't use his diagnosis as a handicap. And I wouldn't advise short changing your child by doing that. No one method is right for everyone, but I believe these things can be worked out between the child and the parents/caregivers without the use of medications. By the way I currently hold a degree in psychology and am actively continuing my studies, so while I do not claim to be an expert, I certainly am not uneducated in this matter.

Good luck to you. You will need patience and love and a plan. The plan will come in time and it sounds as if you already posses the other two. :)

Oh, one last thing... You asked for other testing methods. I can give you links to other (respected) questionnaires, but I do not believe that will really give you peace of mind. The simple truth is that you know your child better than anyone else. Don't think of him as a diagnosis, think of him as your child - your child who has certain needs. You already know those needs and do not need a generalized "results" paragraph to tell you. If anything, follow up with a trusted doctor and then continue dealing with this as you see fit. Since you are questioning the accuracy of his diagnosis, I am going to go out on a limb and say he must not have a severe case. But there are severe cases out there - children who can not be properly handled by their parents. In those (extreme) cases, I think medication may be warranted. So, if it turns out that your son is one of those cases (which I doubt) do not beat yourself up for using medical science (aka medication) to get you through. The thing I don't think most people realize it that these medications do not have to be a permanent addition to your life. Obviously one can not come on and off of them repeatedly, but to use them briefly through an adjustment phase and then come off (in my opinion) can be helpful. I do not think my step son in particular even needed that, but as the step parent I had little pull one way or the other. I am just happy now that he is no longer medicated and he is fine.

So, in closing - You and your family will be just fine. Follow your instincts and the advice of a trusted doctor (notice I keep saying "trusted"). Simple life changes can make all the difference for an ADHD child and in most cases they will out grow the disorder in time.

You do not have a diagnosis. You have a filled out questionaire. The results can lead you to conclude that your son or daughter has ADHD, but what are the issues that you are dealing with? Is your son hyperactive? Is he having behavior problems? Not understanding the teacher? If it is behavior, please see my blog...www.reddyefree.blogspot.com and you can read the issues I had with my own son and how we turned it all around. There are some great books listed on the blog as well that you might be interested in. There are many ways to help your son and many things the teacher can do to help your son "get it". As a former teacher, I can tell you that there are many different types of learners. Try not to focus on the diagnosis right now, but what you can do to help him function at all levels.

Dear E.,

You have started in the right place, the internet has a wealth of information to help you. You didn't say who diagnosed your son, but usually it's done by a psychiatrist or his M.D.. The way you describe your son, it wouldn't suprise me, but it's not the end of the world.

I am not a fan of medication unless it's really needed and the meds for ADHD children have lifetime side effects. If you have tried everything else (it will take a couple years to try everything else) and nothing is working, then medication is warranted. That is just my opinion from the standpoint of being a parent of an ADHD child, and ten years of working with ADHD adolecents.

What worked for my daughter was a combination of diet changes and behavior modification. It took a couple of years to get it fine tuned, but we did. My daughter is now 26, never had meds and has a normal life including graduating high school with a 4.0 GPA (that took some really hard work!).

The diet I used severely restricted gluten (wheat) and it made a huge difference in her behavior. She had sugars, but the timing of when she got them was everything. In ADHD kids things like sugar and caffine that are usually uppers for everyone else act as calming agents in them. To this day coffee will knock my daughter out! She got some of her sugars with breakfast and lunch, helped keep her calm at school, but none after school when she needed to run, play and get energy out. Things like fruit where usually a bedtime snack, helped her relax. I didn't have the internet back then (She was diagnosed severe when she was three!) so I went to the library and researched it all. The behavior modification started out as simple as 5 min on task, 15 min free time, and gradually shifted until she was ready for a school day (thank goodness for much needed recess).

I have heard wonderful things about the Feingold diet from parents of ADHD kids who are young right now.

I don't know what kind of insurance you have, but an ABA therapist may have some great input for you, and if that isn't an option, look on the internet for behavior modification information.

I wish you the best of luck, and know that you are far from alone out there. My hats off to you for not just throwing drugs at the problem without trying other things first :)

I would look into the books and info recommended by this lady, Ann Anzalone; http://www.annanzalone.com
She spoke to our MOPS group while I was in the Dayton area and gave some amazing examples of kids who were diagnosed ADHD, but had marked improvement with some simple exercises that connected different sides of the brain. Look at her workshops on Behavior Management and Brain Development. One of the things she shared with us was that kids today don't get the same exercise that kids in "Little House on the Prairie" days did. Think about it....those kids got up, ate protein (not sugar) for breakfast, did chores (physical activity) and then walked to school over a mile (more physical activity) and then the brain chemicals that allow them to "sit still" at school and focus are going. Today.....we get them up, feed them sugar (cereal) and then they either get in the car or on the bus...get to class and are expected to "sit still". And most of their 'morning activity' is in under 2 hours. You may be able to email her and ask which books she would recommend for your situation. Not to say that no kid is ADHD....but I think (and so did she) that TOO many are diagnosed this as convenience. Check out all the avenues. I had a teacher tell me that my daughter should be tested....that she may be 'borderline'. I refused. I know what my child's 'problem' is....she is a kinesthetic learner. She 'needs' to be moving to learn. Now, that doesn't mean jumping around the room....but, these are the hair twirlers, the kids who have a wad of clay or something in their hands to manipulate all the time. My son is the same way.....we (the teacher and I) decided that he could have a stress ball on his desk to 'manipulate' as long as it didn't become a toy to share with others. It really helped him keep his focus and not talk to others or distract others.
Bottom line.........check out ALL options

Hopefully you will get a lot of great info on here as I have!
My son was diagnosed right before his 6th birthday. The more I learned about it, the more I could see the difference in his "bad" behavior vs. "adhd" behavior. The school did a preliminary screening test but it was a child psychologist that actually diagnosed him and his pediatrician is who he sees regularly for meds and check ups.

You said you knew he was overly active so that tells me its not just at school.
Try to eliminate as much sugar as possible--give him a cut off time for the sugar stuff he does have. Lots of rest will help him. If he can't go to sleep, let him get some energy out by having a tickle fight or dancing to a song-ya know, something like that. A good diet as well will help. Making charts that he can mark off, put stickers on, get rewards for completing, etc. Get him on a good routine that he can become familiar with and continue to go over the rules and expectations with him as frequently as you need to. (Ex. when you go to the store, tell him how you expect him to behave, tell him that you will only be buying groceries, and let him know that if he doesn't listen to you, this is what his consequence will be or on the way to school, talk to him about his good behavior for the day, what he's going to do or not do) Give him 1-2 step commands at a time.
Don't ask him why and what and how if you can tell he seems lost- (Ex. not "why did you do that" but instead "because you did ____ and you know that you are not supposed to, this is what your consequence will be)

I could go on and on about different things we've done over the past few years...we have to adjust from time to time and it's exhausting but it's my son and I want the best for him and it's worth it...email me anytime...

Hi E.,

My daughter was diagnosed with ADHD and after I removed the toxic chemicals (cleaning supplies, shampoos, laundry detergents, even some foods, etc.) from my home the doctor REMOVED her diagnosis. There are many factors that affect children's behavior and cause neurological issues. The ingestion, absorption and the outgassing from chemicals will contraindicate in a body just like pharmaceuticals do. They are simply a different chemical mixture.

I'm not saying that your child doesn't have ADHD but mine did not. Detoxing is simply and can be inexpensive. If you can remove an added stimuli and make life easier, I believe it's worth a try. I can give you specifics if you're interested in trying this route.

Regards,

M.
www.squidoo.com/ifyourbabycouldtalk

Contact "Child Find" through your school district and they will test him...also there are many other options you can try other that medications....do your research online, through facebook etc.

Hi E.,
I'm sorry I'm late on this response, but I had to reply. Many times schools are quick to diagnose a child with something that is nothing more than a combination of things contributing.
First off ALL 6 year old boys are energetic and don't want to sit still for long periods of time (who does?).
Second, what is his diet like? Processed foods, allergies, and refined sugars can definitely be contributing to his emotional and mental outburst or lack of concentration.
Third, what is his sleeping like? if your child snores (a child should never snore!)he may be having sleep apnea and interrupted sleep all night which you may be unaware of; this would most certainly make him hyper and lack attention span (everything they label ADD). Carefully consider all possible contributors before going with they label. Maybe even switch schools to where they aren't so uptight.

there is no known test for ADHD basically it is the questions and answer thing you did. but they do have a movie like thing that shows other kids who had ADHD and you can watch it ans see if your child acts like the othere in the movie. also grade can your son keep up with his grades? is his attention spand so bad he can not get his lessons and stay on a task longer than a few minutes.look it up on line - google it and read all you can about it. if the meds they put him on do not work try another if none work then the diagnosis is more than like;y wrong. that is about all you can do. alot of kids that have bipolar get mis-diagnosed with ADHD.so read all you can on it.

Hi E.,

I feel your concern and frustration. I have a 6 year old son and 3 year old daughter. started to homeschool this year also and he was having a hard time focusing and sitting still. I talked to my husband aND the doctors and really got no whare. My husband was totally against just trying medicine. So recently I was at the health food store and talked to the nutritionist and she said he was lacking DHA and needed more protien in his diet. So I bought him DHA and and changed his diet. More protien and watching the sugar intake. I also bought Added Attention from Buried Treasure and it is all natural to help with active kids. It has made a huge difference. Then a friend of mine told me about Melaleuca. It has products from cleaning to vitamins, make up, medicine. And it is all natural. I was so happy it was right along with what I had been doing. So I listened to the web cast and talked with my friend I was sold. I bought products and I love them. By taking the harmful chemicals out of my house will also help with hyper activity and sinus issues. I hope this helps. Let me know if you are interested in knowing more about Melaleuca.

T.

I would bring him to a doctor who specializes in ADHD. My daughter is 3 and her preschool teacher mentioned it to me. I brought her to her 3 yr apt and her regular doctor also mentioned something about her hyperness. I then brought her to a specialist and he confirmed it. They say she will probably grow out of it, but for now shes on medication for her own safety since she wont think through things and would get hurt all the time. Also, for a parents peace of mind knowing your child isnt going to run into the street or something worse. It is very hard handling a ADHD child but routine seems to work very well for us.

Second opinions help. Also, you can take a natural approach and avoid medication.
Diet is a huge factor. These foods exacerbate attention issues: white flour, refined sugars, preservatives, food dyes, caffeine, and possibly dairy foods. The more whole the foods are and the less processed the better. This might seem hard, but it is worth it.
also, find a homeopathic doctor in your area. The homeopathic medicines don't have side-effects, they are gentle and are effective with physical problems as well as behavioral and emotional. In Tallahassee, use Dr. Jensen.
Another route to try is Craniosacral Therapy, ask around for the best practitioners in your town. Ask local massage therapists. It is a very light form of massage which loosens up adhesions of connective tissue on the brain and spinal cord. There could be tension on his brain from birth, even, that could be relieved, and then his behavior could improve.
Good luck.

I would suggest fish oil for ADHD. Children's fish oil capsules can be purchased at a health food store. Nordic Berries are a good choice. Try one a day and two if you don't see a change.
Sometimes these children just need more nutrition and fish oil has been proven to work, with no side effects.
Good Luck,
J.
www.chi-analysis.com

When my son was about 5 or 6 we had him tested for ADHD. The Doctor basically told me that he was child and boys will be boys(which is a statement I can't stand). When he started school I started to worry more because he was always getting notes sent home that he is not staying in his seat, talking out of turn and disrupting the class. I had him tested again and found that he did have ADHD. I felt the same way, I didn't want to medicate my child. He's so little to have to be taking pills on a daily basis. So we tried working with him harder on his concentration. What really helped was when he got into 2nd grade his teacher had a child who had ADHD and knew how to work with him. It was great but what's to say that every year it would happen. When he got into 3rd grade was when it got to be too much and I saw it affecting his school work. He ended up failing the FCAT because he wouldn't sit still long enough to take it. And when they told him to finish his test he raced through it so he could get out of there. After that he was put onto medication and I am so proud to say he's doing so much better. He is concentrating so much better. Get's straight A's report cards instead of C's and D's. He feels great about himself and is really coming out of his shell. My son has always been a quite and mellow child, never violant never rude but just wouldn't pay attention(unless it was a video game)and fidigety. I don't know if the medicine is right for every child but it did help mine. I hope this helps.

E.,
My understanding is that the questionaire is only a guidepost, not a diagnosis. My son was diagnosed with ADHD (severe) when the questionaire was filled out, followed up with several doctor's visit and a complete battery of psych and education/learning tests. The pediatrician insisted that the tests be done to rule out any other learning/psych issues before she made the diagnosis of ADHD. It even took her several visits just observing my son before she decided his was a more severe version.

I tried several alternative treatments before deciding medication needed to be considered: counseling, behavior modification, meditation, food allergies, natural supplements, etc.

My son was in an amazing school with a really great administrator and teachers. We all worked together to get the testing and IEP done within a few weeks time so that we could get to work on a solution. I suggest you work with the teacher and principal to get the testing done. They may say that he's too young to give you good results. Let them know that your doctor will not make a formal diagnosis without this (whether or not they will or won't). Put the request in writing and walk to the appropriate person. Express urgency, especially if your son is struggling with behavior, socialization and academics like my son was. There are several other possibilities other than ADHD that manifest themselves similarly, for example Sensory Integration Disorders so you want to make sure that ADHD is the right diagnosis. Sensory issues are usually handled by an occupational therapist and is still fairly new as a diagnosis and treatment.

There is a really great group "ADHD" on Facebook. It's both parents with ADHD kids and adults with ADHD. There is a lot of information and it can be confusing as you flounder around trying to figure what's best for your son. There are people that are absolutely militant about no medication. They will tell you very scary stories and will be very judgmental. Just remember you know your child best and you are going to make the best decision for his and your family. I finally made the medication decision after all other treatments failed to give me the results that my son needed to be successful in life.

I wish you the best of luck and consider me a resource if you need.
S.

If you are basing a diagnosis solely on two questionaires by two non-medical people... I think you are doing your son a disservice. (The teacher may be frustrated and answering questions with a bias to get help!)
Our pediatrician is a specialist with ADHD kids... Dr. Kraft at Palm Beach Pediatrics in Palm Beach County. If you're not in this area, find a pediatrician that specializes. Get him evaluated as a first step, then look into what therapies or services are available (if you're choosing not to medicate.)
Being the Mom of an older daughter and younger son has taught me the sheer difference of the two in behavior... If I were a frustrated Mom, I might look for reasons why my son is all over the place, climbing everything and never sits still... but I realize that little boys see and interact with the world very differently than my little girl. Strongly consider this, but also see the expert for a final diagnosis. If your son is above average in reading, he may be gifted and bored with other activities? An expert will recognize this and be able to test him and see.

Go to Fiengold diet- Dr. Fiengold was a genius and figured out a long time ago what causes this- and there are support groups.
Well done on not wanting to do meds.

Also what kind of place is upset that a 6 yr old doesn't follow instructions- wow- really you don't want a robot, do you?
He's 6!!
We use YokaReeder. com- and love her, and feel so empowered by her advise.
best, k

How is his language? I don't want to alarm you but my son who has PDD NOS (Autism) has the same issues specially no social skills. My son is 5 and he is reading already. I am not saying this is what your son has but is always better to check with a good Neurologist. I recomend Dr Tuchman at Dan marino Center he treats also ADHD.

Good Luck,
Yane

Part of the reason why he can't stop is because he cannot locate and feel his own body. He needs a good brain based program. Where do you live? Part of the problem is diet. A great place to start is a book called Disconnected Kids by Dr. Robert Melillo. ADHD are just a bunch of symptoms just like autism are just a bunch of symptoms. They are both on the spectrum of neurodevelopmental delays of childhood. Get to the core of the problem and treat it. It may be because he didn't have a good quality crawl or crawl much at all. It could be because he spent alot of time on his back, acid reflux, not enough motor movement as a baby or motor weakness that was not apparent to anyone but was there none theless. Check it out and see. Today there are many options out there for getting a child in sync. TV and video games should be taken out of his life completely though. They contribute to making your child a visual learner instead of an auditory one and classrooms are almost all auditory, so when a child gets there they have to go into protective fight or flight reaction to avoid auditory.