Discerning ADHD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does an ordinary parent distinguish between a normal high energy kid and one with ADHD?

Just trying to understand my DC, and NOT looking to get an IEP or 504 or diagnosis.

Well, most parents would get a qualified medical professional to make a diagnosis. But since you're not interested in that...I suppose you could just flip a coin.

We have been cautioned that in our area many "qualified medical professionals" will almost always diagnose something -- even if a kid really is in the normal range -- because they think parents want documentation for an 504 or IEP filing.

We went to the pediatrician for an evaluation this year. Kid has had some emotional dysregulation and impulse control issues at home. There's been talking issues at school for a couple of years but teachers said not outside of the norm, until the teacher this year. Long story short, pediatrician said it was really borderline and suggested we see how it goes next year with a different teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does an ordinary parent distinguish between a normal high energy kid and one with ADHD?

Just trying to understand my DC, and NOT looking to get an IEP or 504 or diagnosis.

Well, most parents would get a qualified medical professional to make a diagnosis. But since you're not interested in that...I suppose you could just flip a coin.

We have been cautioned that in our area many "qualified medical professionals" will almost always diagnose something -- even if a kid really is in the normal range -- because they think parents want documentation for an 504 or IEP filing.

We went to the pediatrician for an evaluation this year. Kid has had some emotional dysregulation and impulse control issues at home. There's been talking issues at school for a couple of years but teachers said not outside of the norm, until the teacher this year. Long story short, pediatrician said it was really borderline and suggested we see how it goes next year with a different teacher.

+1 Suggesting that every medical professional in the DC area lacks ethics and will diagnose "something" because they think it will make a parent happy is a pretty dumb opinion. But it perhaps expected from an OP who wants to "discern ADHD" using random anonymous internet posters...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does an ordinary parent distinguish between a normal high energy kid and one with ADHD?

Just trying to understand my DC, and NOT looking to get an IEP or 504 or diagnosis.

Well, most parents would get a qualified medical professional to make a diagnosis. But since you're not interested in that...I suppose you could just flip a coin.

We have been cautioned that in our area many "qualified medical professionals" will almost always diagnose something -- even if a kid really is in the normal range -- because they think parents want documentation for an 504 or IEP filing.

I don't think that's true (and say that posting from Bethesda). I know plenty of kids with a diagnosis and also some who were seen and didn't get one. By the time you're paying $6k for a neuropsych, I think there is a pretty good chance something is going on outside the normal range, so it's not surprising to me that many evaluations end with a diagnosis.

For us the neuropsych was really helpful to help us understand the range and breadth of our kid's challenges and to understand how we might react or parent better in light of that information. A diagnosis is only helpful if you actually do something with it and having that information - whether it comes with a name or not - has been really game changing. You can also get a second opinion or choose to ignore it if you decide it's just "qualified medical professionals"...making things up?

I will say our kid has a mix of ADHD and Autism and we would have struggled to find the way forward without the diagnosis. Sending you good luck whichever path you choose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does an ordinary parent distinguish between a normal high energy kid and one with ADHD?

Just trying to understand my DC, and NOT looking to get an IEP or 504 or diagnosis.

Well, most parents would get a qualified medical professional to make a diagnosis. But since you're not interested in that...I suppose you could just flip a coin.

We have been cautioned that in our area many "qualified medical professionals" will almost always diagnose something -- even if a kid really is in the normal range -- because they think parents want documentation for an 504 or IEP filing.

There is some evidence of over diagnosis of ADHD, and I totally get not wanting to stigmatize your kid or give them medication with side effects they don't need. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33843998/

In case you do decide to get a neuropsych, the evaluator usually meets with the parents as part of the evaluation. They will gather information from you including what concerns led you to seek it. You can definitely tell them you aren't doing it create documentation for an IEP or 504 plan. And fwiw, you don't have to share the report with the school or share the diagnosis with anyone if you don't want to. Nobody is going to force you to medicate your kid. Take it one step at a time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ADHD isn't really about energy. It is an executive functioning disorder. It is more about not being able to plan or organize or manage time or focus on keeping track of things (working memory) or getting distracted. It isn't about too much go, it is about not enough stop and the challenge with mental inhibition. The hyperactivity is more of a mental or physical overstimulation than just high energy. It often affects friendships and the ability to function well at school or in sports or in other activities as the executive function center struggles.

this is not entirely accurate. one of the indicators can be a child always on the go or like they are driven by a motor. this would be for the hyperactive type.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When the entire preschool class can handle circle time but one kid can’t and is running around the room, that kid will likely later be diagnosed with ADHD.

You can tell more easily as the kids get older but not being able to meet age appropriate expectations for self regulation and focus is a sign.

my kid wasn't like that but he definitely has ADHD. please consult a professional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does an ordinary parent distinguish between a normal high energy kid and one with ADHD?

Just trying to understand my DC, and NOT looking to get an IEP or 504 or diagnosis.

Well, most parents would get a qualified medical professional to make a diagnosis. But since you're not interested in that...I suppose you could just flip a coin.

We have been cautioned that in our area many "qualified medical professionals" will almost always diagnose something -- even if a kid really is in the normal range -- because they think parents want documentation for an 504 or IEP filing.

cautioned by who exactly? if you're skeptical of the actual qualified medical professionals and seeing advice on the internet, there isn't much hope for you. this reminds of of the "i did my own research" crowd with covid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ADHD isn't really about energy. It is an executive functioning disorder. It is more about not being able to plan or organize or manage time or focus on keeping track of things (working memory) or getting distracted. It isn't about too much go, it is about not enough stop and the challenge with mental inhibition. The hyperactivity is more of a mental or physical overstimulation than just high energy. It often affects friendships and the ability to function well at school or in sports or in other activities as the executive function center struggles.

this is not entirely accurate. one of the indicators can be a child always on the go or like they are driven by a motor. this would be for the hyperactive type.

OP phrases like "child always on the go" as an indicator, and the inattentive vs. hyperactive dichotomy, has its place as a shorthand to help people think about ADHD. It's a good place to start with your kid. But the more I learn about ADHD, the less I find these shorthands helpful compared with the executive functioning descriptions the previous PP and others have offered.

[Anonymous]

For us, it was impulsiveness that wasn't age appropriate (by 2nd grade you should be able to keep your hands to yourself, not grab stuff, not blurt out in class etc), tremendous difficulty sustaining attention on things he was not interested in but hyperfocus on topics or activities he enjoyed. He did have a lot of energy but not necessarily bouncing off the walls. Lots of drumming the desk, foot tapping, still kicks his leg almost constantly when he's sitting. He holds it together at school but can struggle with emotional highs and lows at home pre-meds or when they are wearing off. He's not autistic at all but he'll miss social cues at times because he's not paying attention. Academically, it showed up as a delay in learning to read despite being really bright. Once he was medicated, all the reading interventions started to actually work and he shot up 2 grade levels really quickly.

It's like there's no functioning filter for your attention and it can be a bit of a cacophony in your brain so you can't always pick-and-choose what you focus on. I've heard it described as an orchestra with no conductor. If any of that sounds familiar, it's worth investigating!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does an ordinary parent distinguish between a normal high energy kid and one with ADHD?

Just trying to understand my DC, and NOT looking to get an IEP or 504 or diagnosis.

Well, most parents would get a qualified medical professional to make a diagnosis. But since you're not interested in that...I suppose you could just flip a coin.

We have been cautioned that in our area many "qualified medical professionals" will almost always diagnose something -- even if a kid really is in the normal range -- because they think parents want documentation for an 504 or IEP filing.

cautioned by who exactly? if you're skeptical of the actual qualified medical professionals and seeing advice on the internet, there isn't much hope for you. this reminds of of the "i did my own research" crowd with covid.

This. OP can go “discern ADHD” whatever tf that means using his magic eight ball and some bleach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For us, it was impulsiveness that wasn't age appropriate (by 2nd grade you should be able to keep your hands to yourself, not grab stuff, not blurt out in class etc), tremendous difficulty sustaining attention on things he was not interested in but hyperfocus on topics or activities he enjoyed. He did have a lot of energy but not necessarily bouncing off the walls. Lots of drumming the desk, foot tapping, still kicks his leg almost constantly when he's sitting. He holds it together at school but can struggle with emotional highs and lows at home pre-meds or when they are wearing off. He's not autistic at all but he'll miss social cues at times because he's not paying attention. Academically, it showed up as a delay in learning to read despite being really bright. Once he was medicated, all the reading interventions started to actually work and he shot up 2 grade levels really quickly.

It's like there's no functioning filter for your attention and it can be a bit of a cacophony in your brain so you can't always pick-and-choose what you focus on. I've heard it described as an orchestra with no conductor. If any of that sounds familiar, it's worth investigating!

Helpful. Thanks.