Do We or Don’t We Want an ADHD “Diagnosis”? Pros/Cons
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Anonymous
| DD tested borderline for ADHD and definitely for dyslexia. The evaluator has given us the option of whether or not we want an official ADHD diagnosis included in the report that will go in her file. We don’t know what call to make. Trying to look at all angles. What are the practical pros and cons? I realize it will strengthen an IEP Request to have the formal ADHD diagnosis if we stay in public school. But we are also concurrently applying to private school. what are any downsides? Is it stigmatizing if DD wants to apply to mainstream private schools? We want to request specialized instruction for her for dyslexia so I’m not sure how having a formal ADHD diagnosis will help get tutoring per se. What is the long term impact of being formally diagnosed with ADHD, even if she is “borderline” per the doctor? Seems somewhat unfair to DD to overstate her condition just for the sake of trying to qualify for services for another true learning disability. TIA for any thoughts. This is keeping me up tonight bc I don’t know the best thing to do for her. |
Anonymous
| How old? |
Anonymous
| DD is almost 9. |
Anonymous
| Does your child need support or accommodations for the ADHD? That is the only relevant issue. |
Anonymous
This. Is it affecting her school work or social life? Then get the DX. If not, don’t. Please don’t take offense to this at all, but I think that 75% of 9 year olds could be diagnosed with ADHD with a formal testing. Not to say she doesn’t have it, but borderline might just mean that she’s coping fine with it. I would focus on the dyslexia first and foremost. |
Anonymous
| Anxiety can present like ADHD in children. Rule that out. |
Anonymous
You have a serious lack of understanding about how ADHD is diagnosed, or how norm based assessment works. OP, I would include it so that later you can look back if need be. For my kid, his ADHD wasn't an issue in elementary. I couldn't see any impact. But when things got harder in later middle school and high school, it was helpful to be able to look back at that early report to try and figure out if what we were seeing was a change in the child (e.g. a developing mental illness) or a change in expectations that he wasn't able to meet. |
Anonymous
| What are the downsides? |
Anonymous
| And how would a formal diagnosis impact OPs private school applications? |
Anonymous
|
OP, are you applying to a private that would accommodate dyslexia and ADHD? I feel like I'm seeing a different issue here. If the answer is "yes" then of course include the testing. If the answer is "no" then I think you are wasting a lot of money on an expensive school that won't meet your sons needs.
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Anonymous
| This is keeping you up at night? |
Anonymous
|
My kid was diagnosed with ADHD. He doesn't take medication. He has a 504. I don't really see a downside - to some degree I worry about stigma but overall so far no we have had no negative experiences and I believe the diagnosis helped us improve the classroom experience for him.
I guess it depends whether you think she needs more supports than what you could get with only a dyslexia diagnosis. I really don't know the answer to that. |
Anonymous
DP here. OP - you're not the only one who thought the learning disability diagnosis stage was difficult. I stayed up at night wondering about things too. |
Anonymous
| I am having a hard time understanding why you wouldn't let educators know, be it public or private, that your child has either ADHD or dyslexia. Wouldn't that be in their best interest regardless of where they are? |
Anonymous
| The issue is that OPs child was “borderline” for ADHD. The doctor said it was up to the parents to decide whether they wanted a formal/official diagnosis. It’s not hiding anything. |