ADHD?

lisar wrote: Okay my best friend's child ADHD she is 10 years old. My question is does anyone have any advice on how she can help her. Without medication. She has failed the 4th grade again. She is supoosed to be going into the 6th grade. But she isnt. She sleeps in class and the school is no help. I have already talked her into changing the school she goes to. She is gone use my new address and put her in a better school. But does anyone have any advice I could give to her. Anything would be appreciated.

Personally I dont think this child has ADHD I think she just needs some discipline and for someone to come down on her and not let her get away with everything.

Boo&BugsMom replied: Make sure mom is giving her a routine at home...a STRICT routine. That is SO very important. Have her communicate with the teacher weekly, if not daily about her progress. Watch her diet. Are their foods that make her more hyper???

I think what you said at the end is very key. If there is no discipline or consequences at home, her behaviors are going to be out of control. Sad to say, but because of lack of parentship these days, many times ADHD is diagnosed when it shouldn't be. Some people just like to take the easy way out and disgnose something instead of actually parenting their children. That's a whole other thread though.

On a side note, she should really talk to her health care provider. He/she should be working with mom and dad in finding ways to help her out as well, even if it's just a matter of parenting skills. She also should be making sure she gets enough sleep, and plenty of physical activity (VERY minimal TV), just like any other child.

Boo&BugsMom replied: I just caught something...she SLEEPS in class? That is not typical ADHD behavior from what I have learned and researched, IMO. Is she getting enough sleep or is there an iron deficiency??? She should really talk to her doctor about it. That seems odd. Usually a child with ADHD has problems in school because they are unfocused, hyper, running around, not paying attention, etc.

lovemykiddies replied: I agree with TannerBugsMom. Her behavior doesn't sound typical of ADHD. I do think it sounds like the little girl has some kind of learning or behavioral problem, but I think she should see a doctor. I feel bad for her, failing a grade again. Perhaps a different type of school setting would be better for her? I hope it works out.

lisar replied: Thanks yall. I just wanted to see what yall thought. I agree I dont think it is ADHD. Which is why I am happy they got her off the meds finally. She is my best friend and I tell her what I think but sometimes I cant tell her everything I think. KWIM? I have talked to her mom about this and she acts like it isnt her that its the kid. So I am at a loss here. But I am gona talk to her again tonight and see how that goes.

Cece00 replied: Sleeping in class is NOT indicitive of ADHD. She needs to take the child to see a physician...could be iron deficiency, could be narcolepsy, could be a lazy child...she needs to do something, though. Why is the child failing, what is the problem?

luvbug00 replied: sleeping in class is somthing i used to do and i was board out of my mind in school and that's because my attention span was at 0. i was diagnosed with atenttion defficet disorder. i took meds for a coupple years and then cut myself off. i have learned to just take things one task at a time. i think disapline would have been effective for me as well as my parents were like oh she has ADD let her be. instead of laying down the law as they should have. ita with other answers

indywndy_04 replied: My 12 year old daughter has been diagnosed with ADHD. I had no clue she had this, I honestly thought she was just an unruley child at times. She hords food afraid that someone might eat it, she sneaks it as well. She used to do really poorly in school but now that has seemed to turn around (after going to counseling) she actually made the AB honor roll for the first time!!! She has always struggled with school and has always been sluggish, not interested in anything school wise. It sounds a lot like your friends child. My daughter can be such an angel, but then gets into these "moods" (not just during puberty) but has always been like this, she will get into these moods that nothing helps, she will yell and scream and gets out of control. But - since I have been sending her to counceling, she has been able to get things more under control without medication, we go to counceling every other week for over 3 months now. I am all for meds though, especially if they are struggeling in school. She is just going to get further and further behind as her peers move ahead. That has to be really hard on her. I know this because my youngest is in LSD classes.

Good luck to your friend, it is a challenge for sure!

Boo&BugsMom replied: Just want to make a note that ADHD is TOTALLY different than ADD, which I am sure everyone here knows, but perhaps the mom does not. I would like to know what quack doctor diagnoses a child with ADHD because they are falling asleep in class. Has she ever gotten a cat scan to prove it? Crazy.

my2monkeyboys replied: Just to let you know, she sounds like she's exhibiting some of the same symptoms as sleep apnea. Maybe they should keep an eye on her at night to make sure she's sleeping well, too.

lisar replied:
Do you mean that they can do a cat scan to diagnose ADHD? Sorry guys I am not familiar with this at all. Let me know. Thanks.

lisar replied:
No she doesnt sleep in class because of the ADHD she sleeps in class cause she is boared and wont do any work. So the teacher will let her sleep so that she doesnt interupt the class. I know I dont get it either. Cause to me thats not ADHD either way.

luvbug00 replied: i didn't have a cat scan for ADD. just a dr. evaluation..several actually. i don't know the apnia symptoms so i would have her ask her daughters doctor about that too.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
From what I have been told by several doctors and parents with children who have ADHD, a cat scan (I believe it's a cat scan...whatever it is, it's a scan that scans the brain) is the only true clinical way to appropriately diagnose ADHD, since is it something "in the brain". Same with depression, since it is a chemical inbalance in the brain. However, many doctors just dole out medication because it's "easier". If a person truly has ADHD or depression, it will show up on a brain scan.

The teacher LETS her sleep??? Time to find a new school. That's not helping her at all! They should be working with the parents, perhaps challenging her so she's not bored, etc.

Cece00 replied:
A brain scan can diagnose ADHD, but there are other ways. A full evaluation by a psychiatrist would be a best bet, they have certain tests they use to diagnose ADHD. The scan is not the only true way.

Anyway, I agree- time to get a new game plan and a new teacher, or school.

Boo&BugsMom replied: This is just my opinion, but I personally would want proof like a cat scan, something I can look at to prove my child has something like that and not just go by someone's man made test or opinion. There are too many quacks out there. A test like a cat scan is cut and dry and is physical proof...an evaluation is not, IMO. Again, just my opinion, but I would want the REAL proof...in the brain.

coasterqueen replied:
You are right about the test. There is a particular brain wave test done to diagnose ADHD/ADD and it's the ONLY way to diagnose it. Anyone taking their child to a doctor and the doc just says it's that without the test should NOT listen to them. There are so many children medicated for these things when they really don't need to be.

I say get her into a doc to do a complete physical work-up and then see an occupational therapist to deal with the rest of the issues. That is the way I'd go about it.

CeCe - I disagree that it's not the only way to diagnose it. Do you have any research on this? The reason I ask is I've done a lot of research on this for not only wondering if Kylie had this, but for a friend of mine. I also remember Dr. Phil (no, I know he's not the know-it-all of everything) stated the same findings I had. I'd love to see any research you may have that I've missed.

Boo&BugsMom replied: I just don't personally see how anything other than a brain wave or cat scan test could be AS accurate and thruthful. If my child is going to be medicated I want that proof! IMO, anything else is irresponsible. No offense to anyone. JMO. Any human being can make an 'evaluation'.

lisar replied:
Thanks for the advice I told her she needed to get a cat scan done to make sure she is getting the correct diagnosis. She is calling the dr today to ask them for one. She also has a meeting with the school board superentendant (sp?) and the school principal and her teacher to discuss all of the problems. (today is the last day of school so I dont know what good it will do at this point)

Cece00 replied:
>>A thorough medical examination is important to identify other conditions that may be responsible for symptoms or that coexist with ADHD and require treatment. Hearing and vision assessments should be included in the examination. The most important diagnostic tool is the clinical interview.

Clinical interview includes evaluation of signs and symptoms; family history; home environment; academic, social and emotional functioning; and developmental level. Various types of evaluative rating scales are provided to patients, parents and teachers in order to sort out the symptoms of ADHD (10).

Various psychological tests are used to diagnose ADHD; The Conners' Parent and Teacher Rating Scale (for children) and the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (BADDS) for teens and adults are useful tools for diagnosis of ADHD.

Impulsivity and inattention are assessed with the Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT), the Integrated Visual and Auditory (IVA) CPT, or both.
The Nadeau/Quinn/Littman ADHD Self-Rating Scale for Girls is a part of the assessment for all girls (3).


>>and your doctor may also use ADHD-specific rating scales, such as the Vanderbilt questionnaire, the Connors' Rating Scales or the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), to help collect and evaluate information about your child.

>>Written tests called rating scales are used to check for symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). These tests can help measure and compare a child's behavior with that of other children the same age.

It is best to complete one of these rating scales to help diagnose ADHD. The most common of these tests are completed by the child's parents and usually include:

Conners' Parent Rating Scales, which asks about the child's symptoms.
Child Behavior Checklist, which evaluates a wide range of symptoms.
Teachers also are often asked to complete rating scales, such as:

Conners' Teacher Rating Scales, used to evaluate the child's symptoms in the classroom.
Child Behavior Checklist/Teacher Report Form, which also evaluates classroom behavior.
Child Attention Problems, which monitors behavioral changes when the child is taking medication to treat ADHD.
Other people who know the child, such as day care workers or relatives, can complete some of these rating scales as well. Evaluations of a child in different environments can help determine if the child has a behavior problem related to ADHD.

If a child is suspected of having ADHD after a doctor reviews the responses on these tests, the DSM-IV SNAP checklist is often next used. This test contains subscales that evaluate hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity to determine the specific type of ADHD that a child may have. This test usually is completed by the parent or teacher, although a doctor can also do the evaluation.

>>There are two special sets of criteria for doctors to follow when diagnosing someone with ADHD. These are called ICD-10 and DSM-IV-TR.

ICD-10

ICD-10 is a set of criteria from the World Health Organisation that is used to diagnose 'hyperkinetic disorder'. This is a narrower definition than ADHD.


DSM-IV

The DSM-IV-TR criteria is published by the American Psychiatric Association. It can be used to diagnose different types of ADHD, including hyperkinetic disorder, which is a severe type.


>>The fourth step is formal ADHD Tests such as, DSM-IV Criteria (symptoms of ADHD), TOVA (computerized test), WISC-R (IQ test), WRAT (achievement test), or Bender Gestalt Test (visual motor integration test).

The TOVA (Test of Variables of Attention) is a very helpful tool, which should be used in conjunction with other ADHD Tests in the diagnosis of ADHD. The T.O.V.A is a 22.5 minute computerized test (visual or auditory), which is non-language based (to differentiate ADD from specific learning disorders), requires no left-right discrimination, and has negligible practice effects. Variables measured by T.O.V.A. include errors of omission (inattention) and commission (impulsivity), response times, and more. It correctly identifies 87% of normal and 90% of ADHD subjects. Also, you can take the computerized test before administering ADHD medications and after, so that the doctor can determine the specific dosage of the ADHD medications and watch for its effectiveness.


Here you go.

It should be noted that there are many other brain disorders that can be diagnosed WITHOUT a brain scan (depression, schizophrenia, alzheimers, etc) but with other tests. ADHD is no different. It can be diagnosed with a brain scan, there are also many other ways to diagnose it that ARE NOT off the mark- real TESTS not just an eval. Just because a child hasnt had a scan does not mean they dont have ADHD Just like there are ppl who havent had scans for their brain disease or disorder. But maybe they are irresponsible people, too

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I meant the doctors! If a doctor diagnosed a person to have a brain disease I would find it HIGHLY irresponsible of him/her to not go to the fullest extent to prove it otherwise. Many parents/people just do not know any better, so that is why we need to trust the doctors to do their job to the fullest. A test that literally shows your brain and what is in it, is the fullest extent and nothing less, IMO.