ADHD specialist?

[Anonymous]

We are looking for someone who specializes in ADHD. I guess either a behavioral pediatrician or child psychologist? (I'm not sure, because we are knew to this.) We are in old town Alexandria. We just received an ADHD diagnosis for our 2.5 year old son, but the behavioral pediatrician who gave it to us did not really engender much confidence, so we are looking to get a second opinion and, if applicable, advice for how best to deal with this going forward. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Do you have faith in this pediatrician? 2.5 is VERY young for a diagnosis of ADHD.

[Anonymous]

No, we don't have faith in this pediatrician. That's why I am looking for someone else. Our regular ped. recommended her as a developmental ped. because our son was having behavior problems. She observed him for two 40 minute sessions before making her diagnosis.
I really need a second opinion but I don't know where to go. I would like to get someone who specializes in this, even if it is outside insurance.

[Anonymous]

I would also not have too much faith in an ADHD diagnosis at that age either. That is almost criminal that a dr would do that. I would ask your own ped for a recommendation (unless that behavioral dr was your ped).

[Anonymous]

I am a clinical neuropsychologist in Virginia and specialize in the diagnosis of ADHD in children and adults. Unfortunately, I do not see children under the age of eight; however, I wanted to respond because it is concerning to me to hear that a child this young is being diagnosed. There are many other possibilities for behavior difficulties and ADHD should not be diagnosed before those have been ruled out. Furthermore, ADHD should not be diagnosed through observation alone. A neuropsychological evaluation is required to rule out other learning and developmental issues that may exist. I would be happy to speak with you (at no cost) and try to help you find an appropriate referral. Feel free to send me an email at [e-mail]. Best wishes.

[Anonymous]

i have another perspective. dd is 5 has an ADHD diagnosis. the diagnosis was made at age 3, but the doc all but told us that he knew she had ADHD when he first saw her at 2.5. for parents of a child with (significant) behavioral issues, a diagnosis can be extremely helpful, if just for the peace of mind. now i know my husband and i aren't just bad parents. now i my dd isn't just a "brat" or "out of control." now i know there isn't something worse going on.

children who have ADHD do, in fact, have ADHD at the age of 2. i think way too many excuses were made abotu my dd's behavior when she was younger. so many people just waved their hand at me and said "that is what a 2yo does." well, that attitude was a disaster for our family (at the time i felt like i was living an isolated, private hell) and could have been a disaster for dd if i hadn't insisted on proper evaluation despite DOZENS of people telling me i was over-reacting.

even after the diagnosis, btw, many people still dismiss it. most family members.

[Anonymous]

PP, what kind of treatment does your 5 year old get? Is it just a behavior modification plan? or are there meds? How are things in the classroom?
I have to admit, the idea of meds really scares me. My son just seems so young for that.

[Anonymous]

behavior modification, so far. things in the classrom as just OK. i used to be more afraid of the possibility of meds. i am less so now. if it was concluded by all involved (parents, docs, teachers) that meds were the way to go, then i would do it. when you what a difference it can make in your child's life--the reduction of stress and anxiety--you will see what i mean.