Reply to Do you have experience with ADHD-1 (inattentive)?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

So there are a bunch of us!  This all makes me wonder -- why do anything about my possibly ADHD-inattentive first grader?  She's happy and not disruptive.  She's doing well in school (all P's, but I guess that's fine, and reading way ahead of grade level), but I do think she's inattentive.  Like if I give her 3 instructions, unless it's something she's interested in, she'll drop one.  The teacher says she seems somewhat inattentive, but not unusually so for her age.  Anyway, it's kind of a gray area.  But part of me feels that her father and I are ADD-inattentive and very bright, and maybe there's some tradeoff there?  Like the hyperfocus that's part of the ADD-inattentive is helpful, and I don't want to take that from her.  You know?
I know it's an easy call to treat ADD when it's making the kid's life hard or making it hard for them to do well in school.  But if it isn't, then maybe there's a benefit to it as well...[/quote]

Why do anything? You said it yourself..."The teacher says she seems somewhat inattentive, but not unusually so for her age." That is because, in first grade, most 6-7 year olds are distractible so your daughter does not stand out. But as time goes on, her non-neuro-typical brain will become apparent as will her lack of executive functioning skills, working memory, etc. Waiting to help a child is never a good idea. Those with ADHD do not have "hyper focus" they have an inability to regulate their focus, thus making learning difficult. ADHD is also exhausting! Tasks which neuro-typical brain people can do without thinking, takes those with ADHD longer and uses up more energy. As school becomes more intense, ADHD issues become more apparent. Get your child the skills and help to cope sooner than later. [/quote]

Ok, but what help and skills are there for a kid who is doing well?  We don't even know if she has it at this point. I agree if she seems to be inattentive relative to her peers, an evaluation makes sense and go from there.  But so far,  she seems to be fine.  I notice in attentiveness at home at times, but I'm no expert on the difference between normal 6 and inattentive.  The teacher is saying the same thing -- yes, some inattentiveness but nothing  unusual.   And if it does turn out to be inattentiveness, but only in the degree that her parents had it, and we were very successful academically and happy kids/adults, then what's the harm?
To me, it seems like the mild version of this is kind of just a variation that maybe doesn't need treatment.  I'm not belittling the seriousness of it when it isn't mild or when it's having an impact emotionally or academically.  At all.  But if we are just talking about a kid who is happy and doing well, then what's the point?  Extra coaching on executive function stuff seems wise anyway.  As does having a clear routine for homework.  But otherwise I'm not seeing the point. [/quote]

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