Can you test a kid for ADHD without a pediatrician's referall?

[Anonymous]

Our DS 13 is a mess in school and at home. Doesn't turn in homework, cant keep track of a thing, doesn't pay attention in class, the list goes on. The ped had us do a screener last year at home and at school. The didn't rise to the level where she would recommend testing and suggested just working on routines, behavior, etc. We've stepped that way up and it is doing no good whatsoever.

Can we just go ahead and get this kid tested? I know the lists are long and we are going to have to wait a while. In the meantime, he has a 51 in history because he does his homework, but doesn't turn it in.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Just find a Dr for testing. It’s not cheap and most insurance doesn’t cover it.

[Anonymous]

There is no “test.” It’s diagnosed through completing rating scales, both at home and at school. I’m curious as to what you completed.

[Anonymous]

I have 2 kids with ADHD. One did a full neuropsych exam for learning disabilities. The other one did a screening with a psychiatrist. Neither needed a referral.

[Anonymous]

OP here. We did the Vanderbilt assessment last year.

I really have no idea how to go about this and our ped was pretty dismissive last year. Can someone tell me what kind of testing can be done? This kid feels awful about himself and is spiraling down because he either can’t remember to bring material home to do the work or he can’t get the work out of his backpack to turn in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We did the Vanderbilt assessment last year.

I really have no idea how to go about this and our ped was pretty dismissive last year. Can someone tell me what kind of testing can be done? This kid feels awful about himself and is spiraling down because he either can’t remember to bring material home to do the work or he can’t get the work out of his backpack to turn in.

I’m confused because the Vanderbilt IS used to diagnose ADHD.
Are you trying to get medication? This may be an executive functioning issue. Can you look into some coaching?

[Anonymous]

Of course.

You can go to any psychologist's practice and ask.
I recommend Stixrud's in Silver Spring. They're excellent and produce written reports that are hard for MCPS, the public school system of that area, to counter.

Be aware that the more competent/well-known practices are booking several months out. Always ask to be notified if someone cancels at the last minute, and be prepared to scramble.

[Anonymous]

Yes. We didn’t want to diagnose off just a Vanderbilt, so we just got a neuro psych. We waited about four weeks for the appts, then four weeks for results. In 2023. The long waits were on 2021-22 and if you need a provider who accepts insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no “test.” It’s diagnosed through completing rating scales, both at home and at school. I’m curious as to what you completed.

A full evaluation is more than rating scales. And if a kid is struggling but not "looking ADHD" on the rating scales, it's even more important to get a full evaluation.

OP, if you don't need insurance coverage, you don't need permission from the pediatrician or anyone else. Post your location in the SN forum for recommendations.

[Anonymous]

12:24 again. What you need is a full neuropsychological evaluation.

It takes several hours over two days. Your child will miss two days of school, but it's well worth it in your situation. There will be an intake conversation with you beforehand, and questionnaires about your child's functioning for you and teachers to fill out, so that the psychologist can tailor which battery of tests to give to your child. There might be a dozen administered to your child. It's very serious! Sometimes teachers are not cooperative, but try to get them to fill out the forms anyway. Then the psychologist will meet with you (your child can be present or not) to go over the results, any diagnosis they've found, and next steps: they will make recommendations on what services and accommodations to ask for at school, and what medical treatment and executive coaching to seek, and explain the disorders and what you can expect in terms of development and progress. You will need to consult with a psychiatrist to ramp up meds carefully. Pediatricians are NOT good at prescribing ADHD meds by themselves, but, once your child is stabilized on a particular medication and dose (which might take a year, if you try a few different things), they can take over the prescription.

[Anonymous]

12:24 again. Sorry for hogging the thread. I want to post because I feel for your child, who sounds similar to my severely inattentive son. He was diagnosed formally at 10, but we knew he had inattentive ADHD years prior. My husband didn't want to medicate in primary school, which is why it took so long to get the diagnosis. It's terrible to see a child do the work, then not get the credit because he forgets it in his bag!

Please do whatever you can to help him. This son of mine is now in college, and we got everything squared away before high school. In high school, every grade counts. In this recent test-optional climate, GPA matters more than ever. Your child needs the highest GPA he can possible get, so any accommodation you can extract from his school, any med that you can give him to be less forgetful and more attentive, will be crucial for his academic success and his chances of going to a selective college, or getting merit aid that will decrease the exorbitant cost of college. Some peers of my son were rejected from UMD, their state uni, even though their weighted GPA was 4.4. UVA is even worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12:24 again. What you need is a full neuropsychological evaluation.

It takes several hours over two days. Your child will miss two days of school, but it's well worth it in your situation. There will be an intake conversation with you beforehand, and questionnaires about your child's functioning for you and teachers to fill out, so that the psychologist can tailor which battery of tests to give to your child. There might be a dozen administered to your child. It's very serious! Sometimes teachers are not cooperative, but try to get them to fill out the forms anyway. Then the psychologist will meet with you (your child can be present or not) to go over the results, any diagnosis they've found, and next steps: they will make recommendations on what services and accommodations to ask for at school, and what medical treatment and executive coaching to seek, and explain the disorders and what you can expect in terms of development and progress. You will need to consult with a psychiatrist to ramp up meds carefully. Pediatricians are NOT good at prescribing ADHD meds by themselves, but, once your child is stabilized on a particular medication and dose (which might take a year, if you try a few different things), they can take over the prescription.

Thank you. I really appreciate the help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12:24 again. Sorry for hogging the thread. I want to post because I feel for your child, who sounds similar to my severely inattentive son. He was diagnosed formally at 10, but we knew he had inattentive ADHD years prior. My husband didn't want to medicate in primary school, which is why it took so long to get the diagnosis. It's terrible to see a child do the work, then not get the credit because he forgets it in his bag!

Thank you for understanding this parent's pain! He's a smart kid and he works hard to get things done, only to not be able to find it in his bag! And his current school is not a good fit for kids like this. I'm hoping that figuring out exactly what his challenges are will help us make a better school choice going forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12:24 again. What you need is a full neuropsychological evaluation.

It takes several hours over two days. Your child will miss two days of school, but it's well worth it in your situation. There will be an intake conversation with you beforehand, and questionnaires about your child's functioning for you and teachers to fill out, so that the psychologist can tailor which battery of tests to give to your child. There might be a dozen administered to your child. It's very serious! Sometimes teachers are not cooperative, but try to get them to fill out the forms anyway. Then the psychologist will meet with you (your child can be present or not) to go over the results, any diagnosis they've found, and next steps: they will make recommendations on what services and accommodations to ask for at school, and what medical treatment and executive coaching to seek, and explain the disorders and what you can expect in terms of development and progress. You will need to consult with a psychiatrist to ramp up meds carefully. Pediatricians are NOT good at prescribing ADHD meds by themselves, but, once your child is stabilized on a particular medication and dose (which might take a year, if you try a few different things), they can take over the prescription.

+1 this poster is spot on.

[Anonymous]

Yes, of course but depending on your insurance they may not pay without a referral.