I thought this article would be helpful to those that may be in the midst of evaluating a child for ADHD:
Evauting Children for ADHD: What to expect www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/7930/19161/children-adhd-expect/

Regarding the question of "Who Can Diagnose ADHD?" there is a lot of confusion. MD's and Nurse practitioners can prescribe medication for ADHD. PhD's cannot. MD's include Psychiatrists, pediatricians, neurologists, PA's. PhD's include neuropsychologists and psychologists among others.

This is a great article that can help cut through the "alphabet soup" confusion: "Who Can Diagnose ADHD?
Titles and job descriptions can be confusing, especially in the alphabet soup of PhDs, M.D.s, LCSWs and others. What difference does it make? Choosing the appropriate professional for diagnosis and treatment can be hard. Each specialty has strengths and weaknesses. Here is a short list of who does what when it comes to diagnosing ADHD."
www.additudemag.com/adhd-web/article/565.html

I find it funny that you do need to argue with me in regards to mental health professionals. Maybe in the area you live in there are psychiatrists that do diagnose, but where we live within a 100 mile radius there are no psychiatrists that diagnose without sending a child or adult for that matter for testing. I do not know one psychiatrist in our area that would prescribe medications for a child in particular without being certain about a diagnosis. when I took my daughter to a psychiatrist with issues, he sent me to have her tested, only after diagnosis would he then prescribe her meds.Every psychologist and psychiatrist is diferent and chooses what they will and will not do in their practice. I only said that most do not diagnose anymore and do more medication management than anything else.

Focus on your kids. Don't listen to anybody else.

I too agree that too many of our kids are being diagnosed too early for not only ADHD but other health issues. My son was diagnosed with a slight case of ticks when he was in the 3rd grade. He didn't do any outburst or anything like that, but he would twitch and make faces etc. The teacher wanted him medicated because she didn't like the noises he would make with "sniffing". I took him in to see a Dr. and he said that it was so mild and that if I just gave him some time that my son would outgrow it. Sure enough, it took a while, but my son is now 16yrs old and completely tick free. No medication required!!! I think as parents we need to really research and look into our options before we go and put our kids on medication. Now I agree that there are many kids out there that need this medication to have a normal and healthy life, but I'm just saying that I think we have to take each case individually and do what we think is best for our child, not what someone else thinks we should do.

HI IF YOUR SON HAS A IEP FROM WHERE YOU CAME FROM AND IT IS STILL VALID YOUR SCHOOL IN JACKSONVILLE WILL HAVE TO FOLLOW IT AN D IF THE SCHOOL CANNOT NOT PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES THAN THEY WIL HAVE TO SEND THIM TO WHER THEY DO AND THEY WILL ALSO HAVE TO PROVIDE TRANSPOTATION AND ANY COSTS THAT MIGHT COME WITH IT. I DO HAVE TO ASK WHEN YOU SAY HE IS NOT MILD COULD YOU CLARIFY , IN THE SCHOOL SETTING THERE MIGHT BE A NEED FOR A DIFFERENT ELIGIBILTY , THIS IS A MOUTH FULL,IF YOU WOULD LIKE CONNACT ME PERSONLY . I MIGHT BE ABLE TO BE OF SOME ASSISSTANCE YOUR CALL, GOOD LUCK

I AGREE WITH YOU , THAT SOME CHILDREN DO BENNIFIT GREATLY FROM MEDS. BUT IF ONE WERE TO LOOK AT THE INSERT THAT COMES WITH THE MEDS.
IT SAYS RIGHT IN THERE , THAT BEHAIVRAL INTERVENTION SHOULD BE A CONSIDERED PRACTICE. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DRUG, BECUAS AGAIN THE MEDS ARE NOOT A CURE. SO THERE WILL COME A DAY WHEN A PERSON NO LONGER CANT TAKE THE DRUG , OR PERHAPS INSURANCE WONT COVER IT, AND LETS NOT FORGET THAT INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL NOT COVER SOMEONE WITH ADD TO AUTISM PRIVATELY AND IN ALOT OF CASES EVAN GROUP PLANS
SO AGAIN IN THE END WE MUST ALWAYS LOOK TO THE FUTURE FOR OUR CHILD AND EVAN OUR SELVES AND KNOW THAT WE MUST PROSUE A NEW WAY OF LIVING AS SO THAT SOME DAY NOT TO BE DEPENDIT ON DRUGS THAT AS OF TO DATE MANY PEOPLE CANNOT GET THER HAND ON . ALSO WE NEED TO CONSIDER WHY IT IS OUR CHILDREN TO DATE HAVE SP MUCH GOING ON A GOOD BOOK OUT THER FOR ALL YOU THAT ARE TRAVELING THIS ROAD RIGHT NOW IS CALLE "THE FOUR A 'S " ADHD AUTIM, ASMA AND ALLERGIE CONNECTION OR GO TO ARI.COM
THE STUDIES ARE NOW SHOWING THAT AND THE AMERICAN BOARD OF PEDIATRICS HAS SAID IN STATEMENT GOOGLE IT THAT THIS INSTENCIVE INCREASE OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED , THAT THERE IS A EVROMENTIAL CONNECTION, AND REMEMBER I ONLY SAYING THAT PARENTS SHOULD DO WANT THEY NEED TO DO. BUT WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES WHY BECUASE FRANKLY EVERY THING IN LIFE HAS A SOURCE, NOTHING IS JUST WHAT IT IS.

Ask for a new IEP meeting . . NOW! Make a list of the things you feel your child needs and ask for them. It is not legal for a school to try to put your child in a program that is not what he needs.

My son also has ADHD.His is not mild...we recently moved to Jacksonville. The school that he went to before has all the special classes he needed for this learning disablitly this school doesnt. He was in ESE back home and they don't have it here...WHAT AM I SUPPOST TO DO!!!!!!!??? If he is put into a regular class room he will most likly fail the first grade...I'M worried as a mother that this isnt the best thing for him...So do i pack up and go home or just stay here and see if he adjustes well im confused

eccentric, I value many of your opinions as well. Cbcody's 7th sentence in his/her latest post is the one that says, "Many people do not know that psychiatrist do not diagnose they give medication" but I'm glad to know that we both recognize it is incorrect, and for the benefit of any other people "lurking" and reading this discussion, they should know that psychiatrists most certainly are qualified and CAN diagnose mental health conditions.

healthy11, I think cbcody said psychologist (and not psychiatrists). As you know psychiatrists are physicians who have earned an MBBS/M.D. or a D.O. professional degree, whereas psychologists have earned a doctoral degree Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D. However, psychiatrists can also diagnose.
Look, I'm not going to argue with you. I respect and value your opinion a lot, not only in this post but many other posts. Your son obviously needed the medications and I congratulate you on managing his condition.

cbcody, with all due respect, psychiatrists are MD's, and in my area, they certainly can and DO diagnose a wide variety of mental health issues, as well as have the ability to prescribe medications. Here's a very good summary of who parents might turn to when they have a challenging child: community.greatschools.net/advice/138/Where-to-turn-when-you-have-a-challenging-child

eccentric, there is no simple answer to your question. Medications are a very individualized thing...Not all people respond to the same medications, even if they have been given the same diagnosis of ADHD. (However, it is true for almost any medical condition...one person's pain might respond better to ibuprofen, another prefers acetaminophen.) So yes, after several trials, some people do start responding to one medication versus another.

My ADHD son has been on the same family of medication for a decade, although they didn't have the "long-acting" (10-12 hour) version of it when he first began taking it. The dosage has been increased over time, but if you realize that he was 8 years old and about 50 pounds then, and he's now 18 and 140 pounds, it's not at all surprising. If he was still at the original dosage level, I suppose you might say he had stopped responding, but that's not a fair comparison. Also, consider that some conditions are influenced by hormones, and it's known that females in a typical monthly cycle respond differently to some medications than at other times. Males also have hormonal fluctuations.

While not everyone responds favorably to medications, it can be a tremendous help to those who do. And sadly, for some whose conditions are not responsive to medication, they may never "naturally get better" and will always struggle, even as adults, to hold down a job, have a healthy family life, etc.

(I should point out that ADHD has a high incidence of having co-exisiting conditions, such as learning disabilities, so medication alone isn't going to "cure" that, but as michellea mentioned, it allows people to focus better on learning strategies and thinking before acting. Even adults need to have that ability when dealing with bosses, co-workers, spouses, etc. ADHD is a lifelong condition.)

How long a particular medication functions? Do children respond and then stop responding? Do children don't respond at all and then after several trials start responding? Or is it that after several years of trial and error, children "naturally"' get better and hence start responding??

Speaking from experience on both sides, proper diagnosis is very important. SCHOOLS ARE NOT QUALIFIED to diagnose. I have worked in the medical field for 12 years and in the mental health field for the past three years. I have a child that has been diagnosed with bipolar and one with ODD and ADHD. A psychologist can diagnose, but preferrably use a neuropsychologist. They can diagnose neurological as well as psychological disorders. Many people do not know that psychiatrist do not diagnose they give medication. Their practices are so packed that they are unable to do much else, I have yet to hear of one that will do any testing. Most psychologists choose not do do psychological testing because insurance either will not cover it, or will only give a couple of hours when proper testing takes most of the day. You would be amazed at the number of children we have seen diagnosed within 30 minutes, and others that have been given a mental health diagnosis by an educational diagnostician that by law cannot dignose anything but learning issues. Then there are the children that have been taking ADHD meds for years and never diagnosed except by their PCP. They then come in for testing only to find out ADHD was not the issue.

Parents are so against any medications but the changes in their children are phenomenal. The children notice a change as well. There are other options and a true professional can give you options. Psychologists in most states are by law unable to prescribe medications, thus as some believe they are not in cohoots with the pharmaceutical companies.

Shannonv -
When you say, "meds if used is only a small supplemental part it. , these meds do not cure any thing they only mask it. and if meds are all we use then in the end nothing will have really changed."

I agree that meds are only part of the intervention. For instance, a child with ADHD often times has difficulties organizing, staying on time, planning. Meds help the child focus so that they are better able to learn how to do things. Med's help them remember to use the strategies. But, meds don't make them more aware of time or teach them how to plan.

I disagree that they mask. They provide the child with the ability to focus, stay on task, think before they react. While medication is only one part of the solution, it is an important part for many people.

I again want to say, the problem is not the overdiagnosis of adhd here is the problem , for thos of you a liittle 411 on how it all goes down. mommy says .hmm, well he is just all boy, and a very small group thi s is totally ture, the defanition of a disorder and not being all boy or a little proffessor or really shy and even eccentric. is when it crosses over in to every leval of the childs life, and us parents if we really pay clos attention. kwow the differance . and in the end , the bottom line is our kids need our help. and if the y recieve interventions early. than evan the hardest child
will improve greatly. meds if used is only a small supplemental part it. , these meds do not cure any thing they only mask it. and if meds are all we use then in the end nothing will have really changed.

eccentric, when you say "I know that you knew there was something different about your child, didn't you??" I knew my son was "high energy" but I did NOT initially realize that my son had ADHD....I actually wondered if it all was just because he was a boy! (I only have sisters, and my mom only had sisters, and my husband is a twin, so his mom said everything was chaotic when he was growing up!) I had no basis of comparison.
It was only after my son entered school, and I had concerns expressed by teachers, plus I volunteered a lot in the classrooms and I could see he was having difficulties compared to other boys, that I started to look for a different explanation...As you mentioned, eccentric, we should educate ourselves, and in my case, by the time the doctors formally diagnosed my son as having ADHD, I was already in agreement with their findings.

OK so we are of course divided on this subject as always and that's what makes it so much better :) Look, of course ADD is a valid disorder which probably needs to be treated in some instances. That's what I said in my original post. As a parent, we know whether or not there is anything going on with our child. We are the best judge. Then come the teachers and I believe, it is our responsibility to be in touch with the teachers on a regular basis to get their feed back. Of course, there are times when there is a true need for medication...healthy11, I certainly appreciate what you went through but I know that you knew there was something different about your child, didn't you?? And you tried your best to do what you thought was the right thing to do.

Brain scans or biochemical analyses to examine dopamine activity or even cortex maturation alone is not sufficient. Since, neurochemistry is so complex, the technique has to be combined with other ways of evaluation. Look, all I'm saying is that I believe there is an over diagnosis, and we are all culprits...parents, teachers, as well as doctors! Most of us believe in what we are told, and since we don't know any better, the teacher must know and the doctor must know better than everybody else hummm?? I have utmost respect for teachers and we should absolutely pay attention to their recommendations but must not make decisions based on their advice. We should educate ourselves and look for clinical trials if it fits! Sometimes, they are very useful.

Healthy - thanks for weighing in and sharing your story.

Dani- thanks for coming back and staying open. I understand that you are urging us all to question and stay educated about the options, side effects of medication. I agree. As an advocate for my young children and aging parents - we do need to question and challenge.

Let's keep sharing, questioning and learning. We'll all benefit.

Mymommy01 - I realize that medication does not help everyone. I don't know if you have read any of Dr. Ed Hallowell's work. But he and his kids have ADHD and medication has not been the answer for them, either. He works with patients to find alternative ways of managing - his work may be interesting to you.

Medication is not always the answer either. I have a 7 year old who has tried all kinds of medication. It has always failed - the child has high test scores! Teach to the child and the child will pay attention. They teach to the class - well, sorry the kid already knows that - he's off looking for something else to do. Is there a pill to cure curiosity? What for?
The side effect of the stimulants is chewing - his cheeks. This caused a very dangerous infection that can result in death! He is off those but they have other side effects. Is the child ADHD or is he board? Its time to teach to the child and not the test.

WOW ! Thank you so much for your gift of experience here. What a journey healthy 11. Yes it clearly sounds like you went down the road a ways before trying medication . Good luck to your family this Fall .
Please, to all parents on here of older kids, check in often to help the rest of us navigate these unfamiliar waters.
dani

I seldom check in to the elementary parents group, because my son is now a teen, but in this case I feel that the perspective of an older, experienced parent might be helpful.

My son is what's called by some professionals as "2e" or "twice exceptional," meaning he's at "both extremes" of the learning spectrum. He is highly gifted in terms of IQ (he qualifies for MENSA) but he also happens to have ADHD/LDs. He was described by his 1st grade teacher as "an Underachiever" at the ripe old age of 6!!! Without any doubt, he was struggling to conform and perform to the school's expectations. I won't go into every detail here, but he was diagnosed by both his pediatrician and a child psychologist with ADHD. We tried many different approaches (diet, behavioral structure and rewards, even changing to a private gifted school in an effort to better hold his attention) before reluctantly trying medication. We did not tell his teacher, but did it the week before parent conferences, and she knew something was different. He has taken medication during the school year ever since, and that's more than a decade. He doesn't take it on weekends or in summer, but he definitely benefits from it during school.

My son is still not a "straight A student" (like you'd expect with his IQ) but he's heading off to college this fall, with several scholarships, and I'm firmly convinced he would not be at this point if he wasn't diagnosed EARLY, and his ADHD treated. To wait to diagnose until a child is in middle school or has failed both academically and socially and perhaps has started to self-medicate (using alcohol, tobacco products, illegal drugs) is asking for many more problems.

P.S. eccentric, I've read about brain imaging, such as Dr. Amen's clinics do, but that's still considered "experimental" and not widely available, and covered by any insurance....

P.S.S. danica, I appreciate your acknowledging that you're open to hearing other perspectives...I can only hope that someday there IS a "simple, definitive test" to diagnose ADHD, but right now, like most mental health conditions (such as schizophrenia, bipolar, even Alzheimer's,) there are just a collection of symptoms that people around the patients and doctors try to assess. Ignoring the symptoms doesn't make them go away, so one treats them in the best way that is currently available! I think I'd be remiss as a parent if I didn't give my child every opportunity available to reach his potential.

P.S.S.S. alwaysjustdck, I LOVE your comment, "that asking their child to walk rather than run, is like asking us to crawl rather than walk."

I'm chiming in!!
I wanted to make a point that kids sometimes need their medication because it makes a difference in their future. My child zones out in school. If he did not get his meds, he might as well stay home and learn ditch digging because school would not sink in....

I want more for him in life, so I choose to help him by using medication. We waited two years to see if his problems would just go away, and they didn't. This has been one of the things that has helped him along with remediation and behavior modification.

I totally did not mean any disrespect at all, michealla.
OMGosh I am soooo sorry.
I am simply reacting to the over diagnosing of kids and the quick fix in general of manufac, drugs.
It is bad enough the way adults jump to pharmaceuticals to get through the day. I think all the meds over prescribed for adults (from too busy scheduled doctors) is what is driving up the cost for the ones who really need it the most. But that is another discussion and chat board.
Another issue, too, is when I worked in a Pharmacy I saw so many patients on drugs for so long that the pharmacist said should have only been for 12 weeks etc and these poor people think their doctor really cares about them but it seemed for many it was a quick fix for the doctor too to get the patient out of their office.
Ogosh ogosh thank you for calling me out of my tunnel vision and I hope I have not ruffled any one else just reading in.

I agree, it certainly does exist. I tell parents of my ADHD students that asking their child to walk rather than run, is like asking us to crawl rather than walk.

ha ha forgive my above spelling , i should used spell check

lets all remember that when its helping our kids, we must never do the wait and see thing. moms know ther kids best. we need to believe in our selves and our kids enough. not to be fearful and not to get in deniel, i herd one time this saying denial is not a river in egypt. belive you me i knoe , my son was diagnosed on the autism spectrum at 3 one doctor said he was one said he wasnt, preschool eval. said he was delayed.
regular ped didnt have a clue. family said i was worring too much, husband didnt get it , in the with ever- ones different opinions my son was a bloddy handfull, i was never felt seddled about them , so i started to lern every thing i could about the entire umbrella, from just aliitle delayed to adhd to full blown autism, so where did my son fit , remember i got lots of opinions, but i realized after spending alot of time and money , privately any way the diagnosis didnt matter. my son was have a really hard time and as his mom , it was my duty to help him , and i was going to,
and in the end 3 years later we have still a hyper active boy, but we truely have our son back, so i painfully yet with out resevation, seek real interventins
and teachers drs, therapists who belive in your child as you do. and maybe ther not cure but amasing thing will happen .thank you, amom of asd child and adhd ,and child advcate

Danica,
I absolutely understand that a diagnosis of ADHD is a clinical diagnosis. This is why parents should gather as much data as they can about the child's profile and needs. Data sources such as neuropsychological testing, observation, the elimination of other causes are all part of the diagnosis.

Just because a blood test cannot diagnose ADHD does not mean it does not exist.

When I read your comment, "I would enjoy my work alot more and be less distracted after smoking a joint, or feel more relaxed with a crowd after a hit of anti depressant I am sure but that doesn't mean chemically I NEED it.
Get it ?" It feels disrespectful and I feel that you may be poking fun at me. Especially the "Get it". I'll keep my dander down and will remain cordial, respectful and open to other's perspectives. And, I hope I have misread your intent, and that the discussion can remain a positive exchange of ideas.

By the way, when I give my son meds, it is not to make him "feel better" or "more relaxed". Medication helps regulate the chemical balance in his brain to allow him the ability to concentrate at a more normal level so that he can learn. Without knowing his medical and academic history, it is not for anyone to judge whether or not medication is necessary.

I'd urge everybody to "Walk Two Moons" in his moccasins before passing judgment.

The school system where I teach and my child attends tries many things before recommending a child be tested for anything. A student support team works with parents and children in order to have all of our students meet with success. Testing, surveys, observations, parent, teacher and professional checklists and on and on, are used in the evaluation process. There are many numbers that must line up in order for a child to receive special services under the heading of special education, for anything. I think this is best practice for children and families. In my state, schools will look at information and testing from outside sources, but is does not have to be considered when offering services to a student. Several times I have seen parents who insist that their child has a learning disability and they continue paying for outside testing until they find someone with a test that agrees with them. I certainly understand wanting the best for your child. I understand parental frustration, but we must have norms and standards.

The problem I see with diagnosing ADD or ADHD as compared to other illnesses is the lack of OBJECTIVE QUANTITATIVE data that can be obtained from the child being tested.
Last I checked there are no invasive (blood, urine etc.) levels that are considered conclusive for ADD or ADHD as there are say with diabetes.
It is the subjective , collaborative , consideration of the adults observing and handling the child. Thats it.

Sure, there is a medication for just about everything out there. I would enjoy my work alot more and be less destracted after smoking a joint, or feel more relaxed with a crowd after a hit of anti depressant I am sure but that doesn't mean chemically I NEED it.
Get it ?

I did not have a teacher tell me but a friend of my invited me to her house to meet her family and her mother was the one who told me about this. I wish a teacher would have notice it and maybe it would not have taken me so long to ask the doctor about it. I just figured the lady was just telling me this because her son had it and my son reminded her of him. My son is now 9yr. and I just had him tested. He's gone to three different schools and failed 4 times twice in kg. and twice in 1gd. And maybe just maybe if one of those teachers would have giving him a chance or tested him at school he wouldn't be this far behind.

Cooldad - I agree that only some teachers are credentialed to make LD diagnosis. Let me add that of the teachers that have the credentials, some may not have the objectivity to make clear and aggressive recommendations on behalf of the child.

Many teachers and special ed professionals are caught between a rock and a hard place. They have the pressures of supporting school budgets, conserving resources, maintaining the status quo. I know of teachers that are afraid to speak out on behalf of a child for fear of job action. I've seen cases when teachers have been dis-invited to TEAM meetings because they are too vocal on behalf of the child.

This is why I say parents are obligated to learn and take part in the process. I urge all my clients that can afford a private evaluation to get one for their child. For those that have economic constraints, I urge them to exercise their rights via the IEE process provided for in IDEA and State Special Ed law.

I agree that where there is Adhd there is often LD and vise versa. For this reason, parents need to speak frankly with their pediatrician and seek medical help.

The combination of teacher observation, testing and medical attention gives the best chance of understanding the child's profile and needs.

And - it is not a one time process. As the child develops and the demands of school and life change, new insight into the child's learning profile may emerge. It's important to track process and continually question what interventions are needed for the child. The treatment plan must be updated constantly to insure that it is meeting the needs of the child.

I am a parent as well as a teacher. ADHD is a medical diagnosis and should not be made by educators. I have been teaching for a long time and I know the symptoms of a cold, the flu, chicken pox and ADHD, but I can't diagnose. I also beg parents not to medicate until we have tried everything else. There is a place for medication and for some children, it is a must if they are to have success at school, but it is not the best answer for all children.

Another thing I have noticed is that the school doesn't jump to test kids and get them diagnosed because it costs money and uses resources. I had requested testing but to actually get the ball rolling I had to have more than just a personal request; it had to be in writting, I needed her pediatritian involved, and the school had observations before tehy agreed to testing. Schools are not going to jump to test a child just for no other reason than teh teacher complains her job is harder because of a child. Teachers are expected to just deal with it if they have a difficult student... until more people become involved (IE the parent requests it). At least that is how it worked here.

They are not in the business of making our kids into clones or robots... but the kids do have to be able to stay in their seat, listen, complete their work, etc or they will not be able to get a good education no matter how much is spent on providing exceptional teachers, books, supplies, etc. I would thyink every parent would want the most for their child that can be obtained.

The child has to be able to participate in the learning process to be able to learn. For some of them a little medication will provide all they need to be able to do that. In true ADD/ADHD cases the kids do not turn into zombies. My child is finally able to tune out the nonsense noise enough to hear the actual lesson... and now she can complete her work because she hears ALL of the instructions.

I do not like the idea of giving her the medication. I really struggle with myself over this becasue I want to be able to do something more natural to help her. The truth is that everyone (and I mean even total strangers in the grocery store) reacts to her different now. We all agree it has given her more freedom to express the brilliant child that she really is.

I used to be on the other side and thought ADD/ADHD was just a throwaway diagnosis given to control our kids. (Even having experienced inattentiveness myself.) I didn't understand what people were talking about and so much of what I heard was about drugging children. I came to an ignorant conclusion based largely on popular opinion and the "snap yourself out of it" way I was raised.

One thing that irks me about the whole ADHD debate is the US v/s Them. Teachers are there to support parents, not to replace parents authority... take advantage of every insight they give you. I don't think they go into teaching to torment and dominate kids or to point out the faults and flaws in our parenting/children.

I think people jump the teacher for subconscious reasons. They get so much of our child's time. They share some of our authority and we don't always know them personally. Whatever the reason, we should listen to them more often because they do spend hours of everyday with our children (often one on one) and they have insights we can use to help our children get every opportunity they deserve. If it hadn't been for my daughter's teacher last year we would not have made this huge breakthrough in understanding what was going wrong and helping my child get the support she needs.

Teachers are becoming limited in what they can tell us about our children. My child could have had help so much sooner had the teachers been able to tell me what I needed to hear... before I went back to ask if they had noticed these things. It took a visit to the pediatritian to finally connect what her teacher had been hinting at last year. Then he helped her coordinate testing I didn't know how to ask for. It was not just a teacher's idea; the pediatritian, her teacher, the prinicpal, 2 counsilors, an MRI, an EEG, and several specialists came together to give my daughter a diagnosis and prepare an IEP for her to start 3rd grade. It took nearly 4 months. The teacher who dared to make those little suggestions is a hero in my heart because she cared enough about my child to risk telling me what I needed to hear.

ShannonV makes an excellent point - never go with the school's 'diagnosis.'

Even if your child is "lucky?" enought to have been "dignosed" by someone WITH the credentials to do so, it is the LEGAL REQUIREMENT of the school - and the LEGAL RIGHT OF THE PARENT - to get independent outside cooberation of the diagnosis.

The school may administer the testing, but parents are LEGALLY ENTITLED to the raw data and SHOULD get it and have it independently evaluated by a LICENSED profesional with whom the family and child are familiar.

Doing this avoids the mis-diagnosis that tend to come out of schools who, though obligated to provide an equal learning environment to all children regardless of ability, tend to avoid the obligation by "diagnosing" things in favor of the school budget.

arkeita,

You may also want to consider having your son evaluated independently for learning disability. We are going through the same thing, with our son. The school says he does not show an indication of a learning disability, however, he is really struggling in school. We have taken him to a developmental pediatrician, and are in the process of getting an appointment to a psychiatrist. He has been diagnosed for at risk for ADHD, but because there are som many little things going on in his mind, we haven't had the "official" diagnosis yet. I see this as a good, thing, so the doctors are not just labeling my child for the sake of diagnosing something, just to diagnose.

I recommend you see a specialist.

Michellea, I agree with you that SOME teachers MAY have the credentials in areas of learning disabilities [LD].

That said MOST teachers only have the credentials to TEACH in their state of licensure. Those who ONLY have teaching credentials are NOT authorized to diagnose ANYTHING.

All teachers, regardless of credentials, are required to bring issues that MAY or MAY NOT be actual issues to the attention of those WITH the credentials to diagnose either the LD or ADD/ADHD.

Where ADD/ADHD increases the chance that there may be an LD, it is important that the diagnosis of BOTH come from those properly credentialed in each area.

It is very uncommon for a teacher to be credentialed to evaluate both areas.

It is very common for schools to send home a "diagnosis" based on the observation of a teacher who lacks any authority to diagnose anything.

Schools - and parents - need to be very clear on the difference between an "observation" and a "diagnosis." Unfortunately, that line is often blurred.

When you say that teachers are not able to diagnose ADHD you are absolutely right. Only a medical doctor can - and preferably a Psychiatrist, developmental Neurologist or developmental pediatrician. A general practice pediatrician may not be able to weed out some of the look-a-like symptoms that might be the result of some other condition.

As far as diagnosing learning disabilities - some teachers may have the credentials to conduct evaluations, interpret the results and design programs.

In both cases - ADHD and LD, teachers have a responsibility to report behaviors that are problematic. Schools have a responsibility to evaluate for LD to determine if alternative approaches should be implemented.

Parents have an obligation to support their kids by objectively considering what they hear, by learning about various diagnosis and by participating in the process.

Yes, some teachers are not effective. Class sizes are often too large. There should be a range of acceptable behaviors (not all kids automatically sit quietly and preform paper and pencil tasks!).

But, many kids benefit by extra help, medical intervention, behavioral plans. Without expert evaluation and advice, children that are having difficulty may miss out on important instructional years while everyone is frustrated and unsure as to the best way to help.

i viewed some of the respnonces, first and for most i have to say , matter the diag, or lack there of most kiddies or better yet mommies who getthe dretted phone call from there childs school. our actually not the norm as we parents like to think. if you get the call 9 times out of ten something up. now ovcoarse one needs to determine what that something is, #1 as the parent , first see if it is emotional, like is there major stuff going on in your lives , then really think about your child, was he or she the kid in the grocery store , the one that seemed to not play well at play groups and etc. and if you really think about and the answer is yes, then the journey begins,

fyi , never take the only word from a school official , about the diagnosis of your child, you legally have the right to asked and make them pay for private outside evalutions for your child, also on who should, a developmental pediatrition , some times other medical professional can , please check them out.

on the note of over diagnosing adhd , this is some what true , the word adhd is used to much and in nmost school systems acroosss the counrty a child really recieves no real supports or services under that diagnosis, really i am sorry to say unless it is a temporary fluke, most of the kids should be diagnosed
asd. autism spectrum disorder, here is were you will find info, services and support, on how to truly help your child. , if any one out there would like moor info. from me on this subject email me directly at lessstressed @gmail.com

Dancia makes a great point in this discussion. Students who are active and smart tend to be the ones teachers "diagnose" with a behavioral/learning problem.

As a teacher, I can say that the reason for this trend rests solely with the teachers. Most teachers take a seminar or two on behavioral and learning challenges - as Dancia mentions. In contrast, those who are actually trained and licensed to evaluate - and diagnose - these issues spend years in school and often decades in practice.

When a teacher "diagnoses" the student's behavioral or mental health "condition," what the teacher is really saying is "I cannot handle this kid."

The reason may be inexperience, lack of appropriate and effective classroom management techniques or the inability to bring the subject matter to life. But regardless, the problem is the teacher - not the children.

Teachers are almost NEVER trained to diagnose medical or mental conditions - unless the teacher is a retired medical doctor or mental health professional who completed the required educational program and practiced in the particular field under a valid license AND still possesses a valid license in that field.

Personally, I have never run into an K-12 teacher who once was a licensed medical or mental health doctor. College professors may fit this bill, however.

So, I agree with you that the increased number of "diagnosis" reached by people who are not trained to make such a diagnosis is a very scary thing.

My daugher was bored to tears in second grade and it was suggested by the teacher that she had a learning disability. We had her tested and she is above average in almost all areas and average in only two. No learning disability - just bored to tears. That diagnosis came from both medical and mental health professionals licensed to practice in our state.

Later that school year, another parent confessed that the same thing happened to her daugher [confirmed by licensed medical and mental health professionals]. Her daughter was in my daughter's second grade class.

Hmmmmm. Teacher boring kids to the point that they act out blames problem on kids when the real problem belongs to the teacher. Not as uncommon as you think! I taught middle school - and now teach college. There are some VERY bad teachers out there - but they just do not know it! But the students/parents do.

Bad teachers would rather blame the kids/parents - because they need the paycheck and admitting that they blow chunks as an instrucor would be career suicide. But at least it would be a mercy killing!!!!!!!

Danica,
The decision to medicate a child for any disorder should not be taken lightly. Parents should consult with medical professionals, consider choices, rule out "look alikes" and weigh risks.

It is not fair to withhold medication from a child that needs it. Would you withhold insulin from a diabetic? Stimulant medication for people diagnosed with ADHD provides the single most effective relief. Yes, it comes with side effects that must be considered, managed and monitored.

As far as ending up in jail. The research is clear. People that do not treat their ADHD are much more likely than those that choose medication to end up in jail or to self medicate. While your cousin's situation is unfortunate, it would be difficult to prove that it was properly prescribed Ritalin that landed him in jail.

It's also important to remember that not all kids with ADHD are hyperactive or misbehaved. These types may come to mind first when thinking of ADHD, but many are lethargic, inattentive, spacey and otherwise compliant, well behaved and low key. I know, I have one.

As a former teacher, my experience with "ADHD jump to diagnose " by other primary teachers and principals was because of there inexperience with children and from taking one seminar on the signs and symptoms of ADD and ADHD. They would come to school after a weekend seminar and start diagnosing every child that was sent to the office for discipline.
Most of the time it was the boys. The very active and very smart boys.
I strongly suggest diet and behavior mod before going pills. You know food dye in Cheetos can cause a hyperactive response in some kids. Just try it with your own sometime !! LOL You will be amazed (and they wont be harmed)
My cousin was on ritalin for years and ended up in prison for life as a young man.
Don't medicate a growing child, please.
Patience, patience, patience.

i thank you for your advice and the thing you sugested we were doing that every night he has an aunt that is a retired school teacher that tutored him the work at home was at his level the problem was the work at school during class is where he was falling short that why they tested him for ld and im glad to say he had above frade level on all his test he scored so high they didnt have to test his iq that when the seen that it was him not beeing able to focus and that he was easily distacted know im wanting to know how i can get him that attention at school to help him

i do agree with you but with my child he has more of the impulsive disorder so it do make it hard for him to focus when it time for example the school that my son attends give behavior buck for each day they attend and have good days such as homework, class time, etc.my son would bring home 0 just about everyday for not being on task when i ask the teacher what was going on he would give things like not pulling his folder out when the other kids did not doing simple thing like that he was having trouble being still doing class time i thought that was not being fair what about the homework he turned in the books he read the night before the bucks that he could be received in a day was up to 4 i would come up with different ideas like buying he thing at the end of the week if he would bring home 4 all week that didnt work at one time i started punishing him for not bringing home 4 like not going outside, no tv, took away toy none of it worked i even spanked him for bringing home 0 then i talked to him and he told me that he was really trying that broke my heart even one time he would even say he was not as smart like the others how do you take that as a motherand at the last day of school he could not do a lot of the events they had for field day he started crying mom why i tried to do my best after your child goes through that how do you handle the situation

arkeita...well seems like you've had a few hard years with your child's education and dealing with his teachers. You seem frustrated, but you have provided a solution right here in your own post! You say that your baby can do well with some extra attention?? Provide that extra attention at home especially during the vacation. Buy some workbooks and help your baby prepare for the next grade. When he starts school in Sep, he will feel more confident and perhaps even more secure. Don;t cry because your child was punished at school for something...try to address the problem! Question your child everyday. Sit with him everyday and make sure he does the homework. Read with him everyday before he goes to bed and most importantly, talk to him everyday! I hope healthy11 is reading this post, and she will surely give you a better advice, but for now, be strong and prepare your child in a positive manner. If you are scared of school, he will be more scared! Best of luck. :)

momvic, I'm just curious as to what ype of medictaion did your doctor prescribed for your SID child? I thought SID is most commonly associated with Autistic children, and the best therapy is either occupational or physical?? Most children have some issues with foods or tags! Most of them grow out of it with time. My husband still doesn;t like tags! I understand that SID is still not very well understood or diagnosed, and people are skeptical...Pls. forgive me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that perhaps you are trying to get a dignosis to something that may not exist??

This problem really does touch a nerve with me for some reason. . . There are so many kids that are diagnosed with ADHD that truely are not. The second a child misbehaves or has a hyper personality people automatically want to label them with a disorder; and thats not the case. I've noticed that with that label, (especially as they get older) the children use that as an excuse when they misbehave or act out. If something was done to correct their behaviors at a young age(ie. discipline!!!!!! and not just medicine) the children would prob not like that. Now, there are cases where the children have ADHD and Im not trying to discount their conditions, but labeling half the class with a disorder seems to me to make matters worse.

i have a simmuliar situation my son started have trouble (which is now the 2nd grade)in kindergarden i brought it up to his teacher and nothing was done he switched schools in the middle of his first grade year and that school caught on to his problem with in a month but took their time about giving me answers i went several meeting with ed teacher,ect.finally at the end of the year only they could tell me was he didnt have a learning disability. finally i went to a place on my on and they said it was adhd. now at the start of a new year i want to know what i can do to help my baby he had such a hard year last year because he could focas at school and all they would do was punish him. and all i could do is cry for him i want to be strong for him this year so if any one have any advice please help me cause i know my baby can do the work with just a little extra attention.

I have to say, I think there is some merit to the idea that teachers want the kids to sit still and behave and ADD can be a convenient diagnosis. I don't think schools are set up to deal with the challenges(and gifts) that boys bring to the classroom. Boys aren't wired to sit still and read a book. they are tactile and need to explore and don't develop at the same rate as girls. ( I wonder if the number of ADD diagnoses would drop if more men were teaching in the classroom -- sadly, they're leaving the profession in droves thanks to fears of sexual harrassment lawsuits, and the education system is primarily run by women.) Still, the teacher does have to teach both boys and girls and they need a certain level of order in the class. Some teachers will accommodate an overly active boy, some can't deal. We just had a big meeting with my sons first grade teacher and various faculty (all women) to discuss his difficulty focusing, sitting still, talking too much etc. Though ADD was not mentioned in todays meeting, the teacher did throw the ADD card out in private at our last conference. Just as a possibility. The gist of the meeting was to follow up with our pediatrician. And just FYI, my son does have some "quirky" self-stimming and sensory-seeking behaviors that he's had for some time, and his inattentiveness has followed him since pre-school.
Yes, I've heard the stories of schools trying to force parents to feed their kids ritalin, but that hasn't been my experience so far.....

I had the opposite, my school refused to acknowledge until he was "officially diagnosed". I had to get my own Neuro-Psych eval. before anyone listened to me. Though his ADHD is mild-mod, (no meds thank-you) he was discovered to have a cognitive deficit.
Teachers are not trained to accept parental input. For 2 years I've been asking for him to be in the front of the room and because of his activity they insist on putting him in the back, he's lost an entire year of learning. I'm learning how to be his advocate buy using behavioral modification principles and instructing the teaching. They have no choice but to listen!

The school has a responsiblity in two important areas:
1. They should determine the triggers for the behavior and adjust the environment to minimize, remove the triggers.
2. They should also provide explicit instruction so that the child can begin to anicipate the behaviors and employ strategies to manage the situation better.

Consequences alone will not teach the child how to deal with the situation. A child that is acting out is crying for help. Give them the tools and strategies so that they can manage their own behavior.

Wow... there are more kids like mine out there! He was diagnosed as a young child with SID (Sensory Integration Disorder) and has always had an acute problem with textures of food, tags in clothing, etc. He is doing a lot better when he is on his medication (except for his appetite-We just have to schedule his meds so it does not interfere with mealtime).
We have always thought in the back of our minds that he had some sort of dyslexia, but not sure to what extent. Now the psychologist (after one part of testing) says he has it, but has not given us anything more than a general "your kid has dyslexia" . My husbands aunt is a neuropsychologist but lives out of state. She was questioning the psychologist's diagnosis too.
I have gotten to where I do not trust the school and the psychologist we have hired to do additional testing.
Backing up to the school evaluation, the school cannot diagnose a child with ADHD. They can just comment in the psychological reports that the "child seemed distracted during the testing". I took the reports from the school to my pedatrician and got him to go through everything and he decided that he had a focusing issue. He originally gave us too much medication (I cut the dose myself) and switched to one of his partners that had a better understanding of my son's situation. We have had a great year this year in school. The only thing I am dealing with this year is the end-of-the-year IEP meeting. I infuriates me that teachers have their hands tied with the bureaucracy of the school districts. I used to work for Medicare, so I understand the government red-tape, but they are dealing with children's education!
Sorry I went off on one of my tangents:)
If your child is distracted and won't get his work done, sometimes you have to help them with medication. It may not be the ideal situation, but a child with no education is going to be digging ditches as an adult and I certainly do not want that career for my son!

Momvic,
We had exactly the same situation. In fact, I held the same erroneous belief that many have that ADHD equals behavior problems. Since my son is extremely well-behaved, I was shocked when the teacher mentioned ADHD.

Now I realize that much of his "good behavior" was actually time that he was zoning out and lost in his thoughts. While that played well during long dinners at a restaurant, it did not help him maintain focus during school.

Meds, small classroom, explicit multi-sensory instruction has made it possible for my son to learn.

My son has adhd and never has been a behavior problem. His is a focusing problem. He would sit in class and zone out. We have put him on a low dose of medication after waiting two years for the problem to go away. It didn't. With medication, he is happier and reading better.

Thank goodness your child is perfectly normal and healthy. And now that you've had that confirmed, it's time for you as his parent to step in and help make sure he controls himself at school. I don't mean come up with reasons why the teacher should be controlling him but isn't. I mean make it clear to your child that he is to take responsibility for controlling himself at school, and if he doesn't, his parents will have consequences for him.

The fact that he behaves for you at home isn't the point here. There's a big difference between dealing with a child at home and dealing with him as part of a whole classroom full of kids. It sounds as if your child has spent a good deal of time disrupting the classroom environment for the rest of his classmates. You don't want your child to be that kid who nobody wants to see on their child's class roster next September, so take charge of the situation now.

While teachers cannot diagnose ADHD, they have an obligation to apprise parents of how their children operate in the classroom. By sharing examples of observable behaviors, parents gain important insight and can pursue more data through testing, doctor consult and further observation.

Yes, MRI's do show differences in the brains of those with ADHD. But, using MRI's to diagnose is not the diagnostic protocol. Typically, medical doctors use rating scales and interviews from parents, teachers and others close to the child, may use some tests in their office, do extensive work-ups to rule out other look alike issues like thyroid, lead, Lyme disease, and sometimes order educational and psychological testing.

In our case, it was my son's teacher in 1st grade that raised the possibility of ADHD. While he is not hyper in the LEAST, he had a hard time planning, initiating and staying on task.

We exhausted many many causes of this behavior. Diet, learning issues, sleep issues, sensory and motor issues. The list goes on.

We learned after 2 years of research and denial, that the teacher's intuition was right on the money. He was diagnosed with ADHD-inattentive type. Since he has begun treatment for his condition (I do not see it as a disease, anymore than I see his dyslexia as a disease. It is a neurological condition), he has make great gains.

I don't know many people that have jumped into medication based on a teachers diagnosis. This is illegal and not possible! I've seen more people avoid the negative stigma that comes with the diagnosis and refuse to treat than those that jump at the opportunity to label and medicate their kids.

By the way, the reason we see more drugs for ADHD is because the companies are improving the delivery, dosage options and attempting to limit the side effects. Things like the patch (that cannot be shard or abused) is a great example of how companies are better meeting the needs of patients that benefit from the medication.

I am wondering how the public at large judges wether or not my child "really" needs medication or whether or not I am one of the lazy parents that want to drug my child? I also wonder what gives them the right to judge or question? If we were talking about a less controvesial condition like diabetes, would we have this converstation?

It seems that there is still a view that "good" and "bad" parenting are the keys to ADHD behavior. It sadens me that this stigma exists for the person with the condition as well as his or her parents.

4myaustin,
Although I didn't refer to it as a disease,
to be fair to lothuriel (who did call ADD a disease), I'm copy pasting something from Wikipedia! Sorry, I don';t mean to offend you, just clarifying! :)
In human beings,"disease" is often used more broadly to refer to any condition that causes pain, dysfunction, distress and social problems. In this broader sense, it sometimes includes injuries, disabilities, disorders, syndromes, infections, isolated symptoms, deviant behaviors, and atypical variations of structure and function, while in other contexts and for other purposes these may be considered distinguishable categories.

A few decades ago, ADD was not considered a disease but now it does!

"who have children with this disease"

Just a an FYI, ADHD is not a disease, it is a neurological imbalance of the brain.

Meds are a personal choice for many, and many use vitamens and control through diet and exercise. There is no "cure" for ADHD, again, just so you know it is not a disease, and no, schools can not make that determination about any child.

I am so tired of being told by school officials to have my son tested for ADD or ADHD because they are sooo sure he has it. Again, no offense to those who have children with this disease. Teachers today are simply plain lazy. If a child is more hyper than they can handle, they want them medicated so they don't have to deal with them. It's just that simple. Since my son started Kindergarten, his teacher has been on my case to have him tested. I finally (reluctantly) did after I was told something had to be done with him. I put him through the ringer; MRI, CAT scan, blood work, counseling, you name it. The diagnosis? A perfectly healthy, hyper, happy, rotten little guy who wasn't being challenged enough mentally. Of course the teacher didn't want to hear this diagnosis. This means she just has to find a way to do her job. As I have told the principal and his teacher numerous times, I can't fix what isn't broken. If a child is perfectly normal and well behaved for his parents and turns into a tyrant at school, something tells me the problem doesn't come from the home or the child.

He is only allowed a couple of hours a day on videos, and I try to get involved....but he kicks my behind in it, ha ha. We do do alot of other things, like finger painting, and we both love sidewalk chalk. And then if he gets too excited, I have him run around outside and I try to make a game out of it. He is a fast little booger!

I'[m glad you are working with your son to help him cope better. One caution would be (and this is from researchers and doctors) that video games or computer games really calm them down but in the long run, DO NOT help them focus at all. If your son is bored, you will have to find avenues other then computer games or tele. Find him an art class or pottery or something he likes to do. And you are right, most ADHD children are very bright but we curb their enthusiasm by labeling and with medication...no wonder there are no more Einsteins and Edisons...our children are all drugged!

My son was also evaluated and diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. I will not put him on any meds what so ever. I watch what he eats and drinks, and I make sure it doesnt have...if I can spell it right....acidomedafine in it. It will make him bounce off the walls! I got him a punching bag to get out his frustrations (HELPS ALOT), and his mind is constantly going so I buy him certian types of video games to help him think, and it seems to slow down his fidgeting in the chair. He is a very smart little man. He is in 2nd grade and is in 4th grade reading level. He is very advanced in other areas. He gets bored in class, and then starts to fidget and spaces out. I beleave children with ADD or ADHD are far more advanced and just get down right bored. They should have a special class for them. But that costs the school $, and they "need" that $ for sports. Which I think is a bunch of you know what.

Teachers are not allowed to "diagnose" anything. They are not medical doctors. They can recomend that a child be screened by a doctor and that is all. They can guess or insinutate, but they cannot diagnose anything.
To answer your question, yes, there is a tremendous rise in the use of drugs in our children who may or may not have this problem. Some teachers would love nothing more than to have a class full of little mini adults. And parents are just as bad. Instead of dealing with their children they can just put them on a medication that does it for them. I've seen people with 2yr olds that tell me about how their child has ADHD and that they're on medication. It makes me sick! There truly are children out there with this disorder and they're being made a mockery of.