I suspect ADHD but can’t afford the testing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this something his pediatrician can diagnose? Don’t they have some sort of ‘survey’ he can take in their office and then try him on a medication?

And/or work with him showing him ways to manage his issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can also ask your pediatrician if he/she would diagnose ADHD or refer you to someone who could. If you suspect ADHD and no other issues, you don't need a full neuropsychological evaluation, which is the testing that costs $3,000-$5,000 if you go somewhere that doesn't take insurance. ADHD can be diagnosed just through parent and teacher questionnaires, and it sounds like you do not need a full evaluation, just one looking at ADHD.

The questionnaires are just that, OP. They aren't going to tell you anything you don't know. It will get you a diagnosis and prescription if that's what you want. But if you want to actually have a sense of your child's areas of weakness and strength you do need to do an actual evaluation. others have listed the multiple options so I won't repeat them but I would encourage you to do an actual evaluation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can also ask your pediatrician if he/she would diagnose ADHD or refer you to someone who could. If you suspect ADHD and no other issues, you don't need a full neuropsychological evaluation, which is the testing that costs $3,000-$5,000 if you go somewhere that doesn't take insurance. ADHD can be diagnosed just through parent and teacher questionnaires, and it sounds like you do not need a full evaluation, just one looking at ADHD.

The questionnaires are just that, OP. They aren't going to tell you anything you don't know. It will get you a diagnosis and prescription if that's what you want. But if you want to actually have a sense of your child's areas of weakness and strength you do need to do an actual evaluation. others have listed the multiple options so I won't repeat them but I would encourage you to do an actual evaluation.

OP here. Excellent points. Thank you for clarifying this.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP - mom here of a 16yr old DS with ADHD. If you truly feel he cannot succeed in college until you have a comprehensive evaluation so that he can get accommodations, then you'll have to try to figure out a way to pay for the eval. It sucks - I know trust me. DS has had two of them over the course of his 16yrs.

I would suggest cross-posting on the Special Needs forum. This is actually where your post belongs - and you'll get many more eyeballs from those who can actually relate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he's in public school, I would start by requesting an evaluation through the school.

Even if he’s not in public school, he can still get a free eval there. My son is in private, but he just got a complete psycho educational eval from out zoned middle school.

We did this. You don’t have to pay, OP. Our 16 year old is in private school.

[Anonymous]

It is sooo easy to get an ADHD DX. I was super busy at work and needed thabits. (Like ass in chair 10hrs straight banging out work) and wanted to get my hands on some adderall. Just said that i was having a hard time focusing ....blah blah blah (insert key worlds which really are just normal ways stressed busy people feel anyways) and boom, ADHD and more amphetamines than I could consume.

Seriously go to any psychiatrist. Thry give this stuff to anyone.

If your kids actually has problems with organization and you don't want him all hopped up on amphetamines, dont get me wrong, they are amazing, there are some many places you can go to teach him basic study and organization skills. My teen sounds exactly like yours ( he definitely doesn't have ADHD, he's just a normal boy) and he's done some great workshops on organization that we've attended with him to help reinforce the habits.

Kids don't automatically come with organization skills or the ability to task themselves consistently. School rigor is hard and we need to help guide them.

[Anonymous]

The PP above - I’d ignore. May work for them but not how i would go about it.

Anyway......George Mason Univ in Fairfax. They have a center we’ve used few times ( RX only good for 4-5 yrs so once when younger and then before college.) you do pay but much cheaper.

It’s cheaper because they use PHD students who need the experience. Especially as you already believe it’s ADHD, you just need it confirmed and documented.

This is not a RX you just throw meds at and why I take exception to the above advice. If your DS is add it not only impacts academics but also social and emotional.

Our DS is now in college and doing really well. The H piece went way down about 7 th/8tg grade but still there a bit and definitely impacted friendships. Not immediately obvious but just never quite fit in but was accepted.

School was ok as he was very compliant. If you told him what to do he’d do it but no more. So we did have to monitor more than we did with other DC ( which was none

Also we only did meds a few years. When he was in HS he did not want them and by then the H was not obvious and he knew enough about his issues and we could discuss strategies.

Not until 11th did he understand the importance of grades and building habits that worked for him: lists, using timer, taking breaks, getting exercise.

He’s not perfect but he took a mix of classes ( honors, gen ed, IB) and graduated with a 3.7, took SAT only once/his choice, and is at a great small college doing it all on his own.

Not sure where I went with all of this! Just to say the testing is important for 504 or IEP but if you know it - you know it.

The rest of it is on the family. I read a lot, pushed for the 504 as they did not approve him for IEP, had good relationships with all his teachers ( he took that over about 9th), monitored some things, yelled at times, and always loved!!

It’s so hard on the day to day but there are great parts too. Sending hugs.

[Anonymous]

Honestly OP, the cost of medication will be far greater in the long run than the one-time cost of an assessment.

This is a priority. Tighten your belt, forego vacation and eating out like we did.

[Anonymous]

agree you should post in the special needs forum.

[Anonymous]

Low income single mom here. I just put the cost on my credit card. Best money I've ever spent since my DS now doesn't hate himself anymore.

[Anonymous]

For those of you saying that he can get a free eval through school, not necessarily. If the student is accessing the curriculum (getting good grades and SOL scores), the team can say no to testing. Regardless of a diagnosis, the team would probably not put the student on an IEP seeing as though there is no need for accommodations. That is if this is a school that is not bullied by parents.

[Anonymous]

There is an NIH ADHD study that does comprehensive evaluations of kids in the study. I'm not sure if they are still enrolling new kids, but it's worth looking into. I know that lots of kids drop out, so there might be an opportunity for a teen (DS started the study in 2nd grade and has been in the study for 10 years).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those of you saying that he can get a free eval through school, not necessarily. If the student is accessing the curriculum (getting good grades and SOL scores), the team can say no to testing. Regardless of a diagnosis, the team would probably not put the student on an IEP seeing as though there is no need for accommodations. That is if this is a school that is not bullied by parents.

PP is incorrect about accommodations.

Kids with ADHD can have IEPs or 504 plans depending on the severity. DCPS is reluctant to do evaluations or IEPs for kids who aren't two grades behind, but will do 504 plans that include required accommodations. For many kids accommodations are as important as meds. For example, kids can have preferential seating away from friends to minimize distractions. Also, teachers can provide verbal and non-verbal cues to kids to stay on task in class. All of these can be through a 504 plan or an IEP. Most teachers and admins are totally on board with complying with the requirements of plans and want to help kids succeed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Low income single mom here. I just put the cost on my credit card. Best money I've ever spent since my DS now doesn't hate himself anymore.

I've been through something similar. I just want to tell you that you are awesome and amazing.

[Anonymous]

Our family doctor wrote my son a script. 10mg Adderall to start. Upped to 20mg after a few months. Became a much better student and far more alert.