AD/HD...they want to evaluate!

[andromeda31]

Hi!

Brought Caitlin to school late today (she had the runs on tues & wed :( ) and chatted with her multicategorical (sped) teacher. She mentioned a form she wanted to send home a screening type thing. Well I got the form tonight out of her backpack and it is the Child Symptom INventory 4 (CSI-4) and she wrote next to the AD/HD ones (inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive type, combined type) that "we are looking at this area". I am kind of numb about it. Don't know what to think. Has anyone else here been through this testing? I talked to my sister (she just graduated magna *** laude this spring in social work) about it and she was like "are they kidding?!". I am going to talk to my friend tomorrow about it (she was a teacher and homeschools her kids now and does family day care). I guess I feel with the issues from her prematurity (and gr 4 ivh) it would be more of a "learning disability" and I do worry that she may be better off in a smaller class size or something. (she is in regular kindergarten with 18 other kids). Ugh-I have enough on my plate!!!

Lisa O.

[taft]

Hmmmm , I would talk specifically to the teacher about what they are seeing that would lead them to think that, it might be like you said that she has a learning disablity or with brain injury adhd is not unusal at all and that might be at play. A smaller classsize can never be a bad thing.

I have to say Im not impressed with the teacher at all. :mad: that is a cowards way out to shove the eval in her bag instead of explaining what the inventory is and specifically why they think she should be evaluated so you could ask all of those questions to her directly instead of having to mull over them.

[LIZARD]

OMG...If I hear "ADHD" one more time from a teacher...:mad: :mad: :mad: Just because it's the "Disorder du Jour" doesn't mean every kid who goes at a different pace has it, period. Many of us (kids and adults with hydro) have issues related to the hydro that are classified as a learning disability, generally NLD, which can (and often does) include some attention/memory/focusing issues. Let me say it loudly and clearly that this is NOT ADHD, and in all likelihood, stimulants such as Ritalin will actually aggravate it, rather than help, particularly if epilepsy is also an issue. It needs to be dealt with by utilizing structure, routine, and a heads-up about any changes that will occur. Behavioral modification and teaching organizational skills would also be immensely helpful. I am nearly 40 yo and have lived with these issues all my life. They can be dealt with, but I urge this teacher to read up on NLD before jumping onto the ADHD bandwagon and, in effect, abandoning Caitlin in her greatest time of need.

Good luck!

LIZARD :)

[Nick,Brian,andJon'sMom]

They aren't looking at the big picture. They are looking for a quick and easy fix to the problem. Jonathan has hydro and we did the survey with him and he doesn't have ADHD. He has other problems due to the hydro.

On the other hand, I do have 2 sons that are ADHD and they are classic ADHD kids. Jonathan doesn't have any of the signs that his brothers do.

Marcie

Nicholas 12
Brian 8
Jonathan 6, hydro, VP shunted, seizures, headaches, and etc....

[Mother's Heart]

don't they have to have an IEP mtg, or at least teleconference, which declares the need and procures your consent prior to performing any sort of evaluation that is not routine screening for all the students in that grade? even 'just a screen'?

[Carly'sMa]

I thought they cannot screen for something or perform and evaluation without parental permission.

Every 3 years we have to sign a permission form so that Carly can have the 3 years evlas.

They should be talking to you about this first.

[Denae]

((hugs))

I agree with Lizard, ADHD is one of those things that teachers, parents and even some doctors jusmp to rather quickly. There are other issues that can mimic ADHD. Sarahs sensory issues looked a lot like ADHD when she was younger.

Riley has sensory issues, and her neurologist feels like ADHD too. I don't really agree with the ADHD since she tends to be most impulsive when she is over stimulated- sensory stuff calms her down, brushing, deep pressure, ect. The ADHD meds just caused her increased seizures.

You may be able to use that as a tool to have her in a smaller classroom if thats what you are looking for though?

[hunterjjumper]

I have to agree with the posts here....I think any child that doesn't fit the "norm" of the classroom automatically the teachers want them evaluated for ADHD. This happened with my daughter, her first week in kindergarten! She had been diagnosed with a seizure disorder by then and was on meds. We fought the evaluation for a long time. She does think differently then everyone else, we tell her her brain works in reverse! Her Neurologist agrees that she probably does have some tendencies to ADHD, but he has not diagnosed her with it, and will not put her on medication for it. He has given us strategies to work with it. It is a long rode and hard sometimes, but I prefer her not be on another med for it.

We had a very astute third grade teacher who worked with us on setting up an IEP. My daughter was denied a 504 plan under the ADA that would have allowed us to put some of those strategies in place in the classroom. This teacher then decided that if we can't get a 504, we woud try for the IEP. We had to fill out a similar survey that you have Lisa, so did the teacher. The teacher and I discussed it beforehand, she had to fill one out also. The child study team was amazed at the correlation between the teachers survey and the parent survey, and agreed to place her on an IEP. It was the best thing we ever did she has her IEP and can use the strategies that work for her in the classroom (and these are small things, like organizational stuff, and being free of distractions).

I don't have any advice for you, as I probably handled it the wrong way, but fortunately it worked out well. I just know how you feel with the sinking feeling of the teachers maybe not having your child's best interest in mind.

Tammy

[RathyKay]

I don't know if I have any real advice. Just wanted to say that Mr. Kay recently checked out a new book from the library (he loves to see what the latest releases are.... doesn't usually READ them, but he checks them out:rolleyes:). Anyway, he checked out "Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Asperger's, Tourette's, Bipolar, And More!: The One Stop Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Other Professionals" by Attwood, Wolff, and Kutscher
(http://www.amazon.com/Kids-Syndrome-Aspergers-Tourettes-Bipolar/dp/1843108100/sr=8-1/qid=1160154937/ref=sr_1_1/002-1741175-0492821?ie=UTF8&s=books). This book actually got read, by me! Anyway, they give a smattering overview of all those syndromes and more and describe how they differ from each other and how they are similar. They also talk about various treatments... just the treatments that have had the most success as they can't cover every single treatment for every syndrome. They have suggestions for the teachers as well as parents. They also talk about medicines used for different syndromes. There are two general, "everyone should read" chapters. Then, the syndromes each have a chapter of their own, followed by the med chapter. They include sensory integration as one of the chapters (whatever they're calling it these days).

I enjoyed it. A nice overview of everything and a level-headed approach to meds. I don't know if it would help you or not. Just thought I'd throw it out there. It is a new release book, so your library might not have it.

[just laurie]

That is a medical diagnosis. Schools cannot screen for that. Only a physician--preferably a peditric phsychiatrist--can screen for that. When I was teaching I wasn't even allowed to suggest to a parent they might look in to it. It is mind boggling to me that they brought it up, and that they introduced the topic the way they did.

Definitely get some medical opinions if you think there may be something to this, but don't let teaching personnel give you a medical diagnosis!

Laurie

[Mother's Heart]

I second Jus Laurie's post! 100%

[taft]

:rolleyes: Taft is homeschooled but when he was evaluated at 3 the school 'dx' him with cerebral palsy lol, I Wrote a letter to the supervisor telling them how I felt about their unqualified medical dx. I wasn't in disagreement that taft had cp I always have thought he did but it was not and is not his dx. Now I don't think he has cp at all but has just had subclincial seizures. :mad: it wasn't their 'unqualified medical opinon that irritated me it was the fippiant way they said it.

[andromeda31]

Hi!

Thanks for all the replies! The form they sent home was just the permission slip for them to send the CSI-4 form home...which I assumed they would send home on friday that way I would've had the whole weekend to do it. Oh well. I joked to my sister "want to be my advocate?". (Half-seriously though!!) Our IEP is due in december so I think they are trying to get this done before then. It is just so weird though. When I talked to the kindergarten teacher tuesday I specifically asked her how Caitlin was doing in school otherwise (she had called about the diarrhea) and she said "oh pretty good" and that was it! I kindof feel like geez she could've said something to me then and not just have the sp-ed teacher drop a bomb on me 2 days later! I want to do what is best for Caitlin, but I am not going to medicate her for their convenience! I stopped in the classroom on friday morning to drop off a gallon of cider for their "apple fest party" and it was just chaos...I thought geez no wonder she can't focus! They were having her catch up on her work that she missed from being sick and everyone else was doing something else and the teacher was giving verbal directions for the other thing and the aide was helping Caitlin do her other work. Not the best impression for me! Well, I guess I will have to wait and see what this form is like and have my sister work with me on it (she doesn't have a job yet-she just moved back here from Texas in August). I think I will have her help me on this-it will be good experience for her (social work) and have her come with me to the IEP too in december. I don't know if it is the regular teacher or the Sp-ed teacher who initiated it all...maybe I will get a chance to talk with her regular teacher on wednesday, I am chaperoning the field trip to the orchard. Thanks again for the replies!!

[momster]

Hi Lisa - My oldest son's "primary" dx is adhd. My younger has CP. Be careful of the adhd label - I think it is wrongfully given to many kids with other issues.

Until the last few years, most doctors would not dx adhd before age 6. Until that point, it's really hard to distinguish differences in developmental rates from adhd. BUT adhd is also hard to distinguish from other conditions - in fact on the old adhd forum there was a sticky about conditions that mimic adhd. Most kids with developmental or neuro issues have trouble focusing. But that doesn't mean its adhd. My younger child, the one with CP, has trouble focuing. But it just isn't like my older son. My older son, the one with adhd, has trouble focusing b/c he is thinking about so many things. He looks out the window and is thinking about the scene. He looks over at the next kid and thinks about his book. My younger kid's attention is another matter. It's an off and on thing. When he's off, it's like he's just not thinking aboiut anything. That's not adhd.

BTW, one of the hallmarks of adhd is that the child must have the symptoms of inattention in more than one kind of venue (school AND home). If you are not seeing the attention issues at home, then it's probably not adhd.

Good luck and don't let the school get you.

- momster

[Heather]

I think that most diagnosed differences are complicated. There is nearly always co-morbitity and there are many symptoms, or characteristics of so called disorders that overlap too. When Aidan was first diagnosed with PVL, before he even left NICU, I was warned by a Ped Neuro that just being born at 26 weeks, let alone having PVL meant he was at high risk for learning disabilities and behavioral problems like ADHD, even autism. So, I would not be shocked that a teacher sees a need for screening a former preemie with some issues in the classroom.
My books are packed and my brain is foggy but one I can recommend is "Driven to Distraction". Drugs aren't the only solution to handling "ADHD". Nevermind the label, if it helps your child learn.
Ariana is about to be evaluated for the same thing and I will have a questionaire to fill out too.