Confused about next steps for child - anxiety, ADHD

[Anonymous]

We had an appointment at KKI. The Dev Ped asked a bunch of questions -then sent a questionnaire for us and the teacher. Followup appointment - Dx was Anxiety and ADHD (more based on our responses than the teachers). Child is in a Montessori so some of it is not as easily evident in that setup. We were told to look for care locally. Initially I thought that would be OT but the KKI MD said no.

If you have a child with these concerns how did/do you manage these - simultaneously Pyschiatrist MD and a Psy D or Phd? Or Clinical Psy first and then they tell us to see a Psychiatrist? Long waitlists for Psychology appts.

We've read books, tried a lot of strategies and think we need to go to the next step - not necessarily medication (but could be).

Maybe I am not asking this correctly - just beginning to look into professional help.

[Anonymous]

Maybe post this in the special needs forum? They're very helpful

[Anonymous]

One of the best things about KKI is that it’s a one stop shop. You do what they recommend and they can set you up with their in house services.

[Anonymous]

How old and how much are they suffering? The standard first line treatment for ADHD is meds and for anxiety is psychotherapy. But because ADHD meds can impact anxiety and some kids (mine!) can't participate in psychotherapy without anxiety meds, you might want to consider doing things differently, in consultation with a child psychiatrist (strongly recommend against doing meds with just your pediatrician when anxiety is involved).

[Anonymous]

My DS has this diagnosis. We have a psychiatrist that prescribes medication, we have at various times done therapy but not right now, the psychiatrist is the one that, for us, manages the treatment plan with help from therapists or pediatricians when needed.

DS did do OT when he was younger to help with small motor skills and handwriting and at one point for some gross motor skills, but those I found on my own based on what us and teachers said he needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe post this in the special needs forum? They're very helpful

+1/ there are a lot of us who try to help on that forum

[Anonymous]

Where is your child having difficulty? It seems like you said it is not showing up in the structure of their current school - that’s awesome! A disability is only a handicap based on environment. Just trying to figure out where you are trying to manage things to give an appropriate response.

[Anonymous]

Some examples -
1) Spacing out in the toilet - so instead of 5-7 mins - 30-45-60 mins if we don't constantly demand the door be opened - confessed that there are imaginary friends (only child)
2) Some OCD behavior
3) Every task one has to be follow and get it done - even something as simple as getting dressed.
4) Social Anxiety - nervousness even with family friends and cousins.
5) Crying easily, almost daily even at 8.
6) Long time to fall asleep - we do calming techniques, prayers, reading, foot soak etc

Very intelligent and creative and self-aware and said at school I'd be too embarrassed to act like this. Mature in a lot of ways but childish socially
We've tried charts for reward, punishment - maybe works 1-2 days. We have lists, white boards, time timer, smart watch. One of us is always around to guide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some examples -
1) Spacing out in the toilet - so instead of 5-7 mins - 30-45-60 mins if we don't constantly demand the door be opened - confessed that there are imaginary friends (only child)
2) Some OCD behavior
3) Every task one has to be follow and get it done - even something as simple as getting dressed.
4) Social Anxiety - nervousness even with family friends and cousins.
5) Crying easily, almost daily even at 8.
6) Long time to fall asleep - we do calming techniques, prayers, reading, foot soak etc

Very intelligent and creative and self-aware and said at school I'd be too embarrassed to act like this. Mature in a lot of ways but childish socially
We've tried charts for reward, punishment - maybe works 1-2 days. We have lists, white boards, time timer, smart watch. One of us is always around to guide.

This is OP. I can copy-paste this thread and post in the special needs forum - thank you for the suggestion.

[Anonymous]

This doesn’t honestly sound like adhd or anxiety. I’m surprised you got the diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This doesn’t honestly sound like adhd or anxiety. I’m surprised you got the diagnosis.

How is it not?? Couldn't be clearer. What is it then? See OP's social anxiety, spacing out in the bathroom, having to remind constantly about basic tasks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some examples -
1) Spacing out in the toilet - so instead of 5-7 mins - 30-45-60 mins if we don't constantly demand the door be opened - confessed that there are imaginary friends (only child)
2) Some OCD behavior
3) Every task one has to be follow and get it done - even something as simple as getting dressed.
4) Social Anxiety - nervousness even with family friends and cousins.
5) Crying easily, almost daily even at 8.
6) Long time to fall asleep - we do calming techniques, prayers, reading, foot soak etc

Very intelligent and creative and self-aware and said at school I'd be too embarrassed to act like this. Mature in a lot of ways but childish socially
We've tried charts for reward, punishment - maybe works 1-2 days. We have lists, white boards, time timer, smart watch. One of us is always around to guide.

Have you tried PCIT? You might be inadvertently reinforcing the behaviors with parental attention.

Sounds like something your child might grow out of as their brain develops. Some of this is normal-ish, especially given COVID (e.g. social anxiety).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This doesn’t honestly sound like adhd or anxiety. I’m surprised you got the diagnosis.

How is it not?? Couldn't be clearer. What is it then? See OP's social anxiety, spacing out in the bathroom, having to remind constantly about basic tasks.

Seriously, it all sounds textbook particularly the need for all the reminders.