Reply to Where to start with possible ADD?

Forum Index » Tweens and Teens

Reply to "Where to start with possible ADD?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We suspect child has ADD. This would explain a lot!

Is starting with the pediatrician the way to go? I hope to avoid expensive testing and figure that a pediatrician might be a way around that. If nothing else, they will have an excellent referral to someone.

Is there another, better path we should take to determine if child has ADD and, if so, what to do about it?

[b](I read that the expensive ADD tests aren't necessary.)[/b]

[/quote]

Your pediatrician can diagnose by giving you Vanderbilt assessment forms for both parents and teachers. They are very detailed and your doctor can evaluate how much congruency there is between home and school concerning typical ADHD related behaviors.

I would recommend a teen psychiatrist if you child is diagnosed  with ADHD as pediatricians often don’t know how to medicate youth with ADHD. They often prescribe antidepressants (to combat depression and anxiety that often accompanies ADHD/ and antipsychotics in low doses (for reducing impulsivity) on top of stimulant medication (such as Concerta) to improve concentration. However emotional disregulation related to ADHD often is not well treated by anti depressants. There are non stimulant ADHD meds that work better for emotional regulation related to ADHD.  Anyway a psychiatrist may be best for finding right meds if needed.

An educational psych evaluation is expensive but highly helpful for different reasons - getting appropriate supports at school (IEPs) and in offering insights into your child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Also ADHD is often accompanied by other learning differences such as slow processing speeds/ dysgraphia/ dyslexia

Managing ADHD requires many adjustments in every day life 
-
Good diet with enough protein
Good sleep hygiene as many people with adhd have trouble sleeping 
Extra supports getting organized and self advocating 
Regular Exercise 
Accommodations for testing (usually need extra time and  room with reduced distractions )
Therapy to help with emotional regulation and self esteem as youth with ADHD very prone to low self esteem and risky behaviors.

Best wishes

[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics