Anonymous
Post 03/29/2026 20:53     Subject: When do you screen for ADHD?
We are going through the same thing. Kind presents mostly normal, but shows some evidence of ADHD. I'm not quite sure what to do. I think medication is unhealthy- I took some in graduate school and while it helped in the short term, it also masked some nutritional and other health issues I was suffering, that I only addressed much much later. Also, frankly, some people are simply not cut out for certain things. I dont think putting the kid on medication helps find the things that work long term for him/her.
Anonymous
Post 03/29/2026 15:25     Subject: When do you screen for ADHD?
We just did the formal testing for my son (7, first grade). We had discussed it with his teachers in the fall, and right before the holidays they recommended moving forward with screening. When we spoke with admin to get recommendations of doctors and just talk through the whole thing, they were so relieved that we were willing to do it now instead of waiting and seeing what unfolded down the road. We don’t have the final report yet, but should in a few weeks and then we will talk with his teachers again. We’re in upper NW if you have questions about doctors, cost, etc.
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2026 22:12     Subject: Re:When do you screen for ADHD?
Anonymous wrote:ADHD is the new gluten allergy. Suddenly, everyone has it!


Your kid is messy and disorderly? Maybe it’s a disability. Your kid cants keep up in the top classes? Maybe some prescription drugs will help. It will regulate his defective brain.

It does seem to be the go to if your kid isn’t perfect. My son is a disorganized slob. No matter how many times he has been helped in school on how to organize it doesn’t take. He doesn’t have adhd. It just not a strength of his
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2026 12:51     Subject: When do you screen for ADHD?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At most schools, teachers are not able to suggest screening. They are giving you many, many hints though. You have to take the initiative here.


Even if I straight up them if I should consider testing? The response has been, “He’s a 7 (or 8 or 9) year old boy!”


That’s what the new teachers told me. Then we had an experienced one who paused and answered, “I think you’re asking smart questions.” The experienced ones know when to take a chance and actually weigh in, while the newer ones stickers to the training to say nothing.

Third grade is a common time for ADHDers to start struggling more. Middle school is the next. At those times the expectations jump, so any deficits become more noticeable.

I have noticed anecdotally that inattentive type is diagnosed later than predominantly hyperactive.


"I think you're asking smart questions," is sticking to the training too.
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2026 12:50     Subject: When do you screen for ADHD?
school suggested we test DS. They suggested it in K, but told us that the test really can't be done until 7. I waited to see. Then the issues continued in First and the school suggested a second time we have him tested. Mainly from a "how can we help support him? vantage.

We had DS tested when he was 7.

School was really supportive before, during and after the test. school pushed us to get it done earlier than later; they said that K-3 is learning to read and then grade 3 + is about reading to learn. that we wanted to catch the ADHD and any learn disabilities as soon as possible, while he was still learning to read

we've been very happy after the test. we had a great plan to help support him. no regrets.
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2026 12:46     Subject: When do you screen for ADHD?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have a kid like this a year or so older. Bottom line is it sounds like you'd likely get an ADHD diagnosis if you pursue it. But immature organizational skills are 100% normal for boys. These days especially, so much of the school day is organization and processes. This paper goes here, the worksheet from yesterday goes in the green box, this cover page goes in your take home folder, click submit in google classroom, remember to bring your chromebook home to charge, etc. I'd challenge many adults to make it through the day with this sort of cognitive load. It's just really hard for elementary school kids.


I have a 3rd grader who struggles sometimes and YES to the idea that what is asked of them would be hard for a lot of adults. I struggle to keep track of it all as the parent sometimes, and I don't have ADHD and have pretty strong executive functioning skills. We do stuff at home like create a schedule of what different stuff is needed different days (sneakers for PE days, instrument for music days, swim stuff for swim days, certain necessities for after school clubs or classroom projects) and even keeping that schedule up to date is challenging because my kid has so many different teachers and they all communicate different ways. There is an expectation that they can tell the kids something at 10am during one class, and they will retain that information in their heads (they won't be instructed to write it down in a take-home notebook, which would actually be a useful skill to teach them, nor given a physical reminder) through the rest of the school day AND after school activities, relay it to us, and then follow those instructions exactly. That's absurd. I'm in my 40s and oversee a team of 10 people and if that was how I was provided information, I would 100% forget it.



This is so true. It's much worse in middle school. I see all the things my daughter is trying to track from several classes, several teachers, and a Chromebook system and I think this is about like an adult load of tracking to do at a job. It's stressful and stupid to ask this of children without a lot of guidance.

That said - the ADHD diagnosis could help OP by drawing attention to her son's needs and forcing the teachers to help him organize not just point out that it isn't happening.
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2026 09:36     Subject: When do you screen for ADHD?
Anonymous wrote:I have a kid like this a year or so older. Bottom line is it sounds like you'd likely get an ADHD diagnosis if you pursue it. But immature organizational skills are 100% normal for boys. These days especially, so much of the school day is organization and processes. This paper goes here, the worksheet from yesterday goes in the green box, this cover page goes in your take home folder, click submit in google classroom, remember to bring your chromebook home to charge, etc. I'd challenge many adults to make it through the day with this sort of cognitive load. It's just really hard for elementary school kids.


I have a 3rd grader who struggles sometimes and YES to the idea that what is asked of them would be hard for a lot of adults. I struggle to keep track of it all as the parent sometimes, and I don't have ADHD and have pretty strong executive functioning skills. We do stuff at home like create a schedule of what different stuff is needed different days (sneakers for PE days, instrument for music days, swim stuff for swim days, certain necessities for after school clubs or classroom projects) and even keeping that schedule up to date is challenging because my kid has so many different teachers and they all communicate different ways. There is an expectation that they can tell the kids something at 10am during one class, and they will retain that information in their heads (they won't be instructed to write it down in a take-home notebook, which would actually be a useful skill to teach them, nor given a physical reminder) through the rest of the school day AND after school activities, relay it to us, and then follow those instructions exactly. That's absurd. I'm in my 40s and oversee a team of 10 people and if that was how I was provided information, I would 100% forget it.
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2026 09:30     Subject: Re:When do you screen for ADHD?
ADHD is the new gluten allergy. Suddenly, everyone has it!
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2026 09:27     Subject: When do you screen for ADHD?
Anonymous wrote:+1. Teacher is hinting and seeing signs.

I teacher third grade and it’s a big year for identifying bigger issues. The work and expectations get more real this year and coping skills start to fall apart. It will only get worse from here so it’s good to get help now. If you start the process immediately, you call have the diagnosis in place in time for class placement next year which is huge.


Can you clarify what this means? How does this relate to class placement?
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2026 09:26     Subject: When do you screen for ADHD?
Anonymous wrote:I have a kid like this a year or so older. Bottom line is it sounds like you'd likely get an ADHD diagnosis if you pursue it. But immature organizational skills are 100% normal for boys. These days especially, so much of the school day is organization and processes. This paper goes here, the worksheet from yesterday goes in the green box, this cover page goes in your take home folder, click submit in google classroom, remember to bring your chromebook home to charge, etc. I'd challenge many adults to make it through the day with this sort of cognitive load. It's just really hard for elementary school kids.


Did your kid get diagnosed, and do you think it was worth it or helped in any way?
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2026 09:11     Subject: When do you screen for ADHD?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At most schools, teachers are not able to suggest screening. They are giving you many, many hints though. You have to take the initiative here.


Even if I straight up them if I should consider testing? The response has been, “He’s a 7 (or 8 or 9) year old boy!”


That’s what the new teachers told me. Then we had an experienced one who paused and answered, “I think you’re asking smart questions.” The experienced ones know when to take a chance and actually weigh in, while the newer ones stickers to the training to say nothing.

Third grade is a common time for ADHDers to start struggling more. Middle school is the next. At those times the expectations jump, so any deficits become more noticeable.

I have noticed anecdotally that inattentive type is diagnosed later than predominantly hyperactive.
Anonymous
Post 03/26/2026 09:03     Subject: When do you screen for ADHD?
I have a kid like this a year or so older. Bottom line is it sounds like you'd likely get an ADHD diagnosis if you pursue it. But immature organizational skills are 100% normal for boys. These days especially, so much of the school day is organization and processes. This paper goes here, the worksheet from yesterday goes in the green box, this cover page goes in your take home folder, click submit in google classroom, remember to bring your chromebook home to charge, etc. I'd challenge many adults to make it through the day with this sort of cognitive load. It's just really hard for elementary school kids.
Anonymous
Post 03/25/2026 14:12     Subject: When do you screen for ADHD?
+1. Teacher is hinting and seeing signs.

I teacher third grade and it’s a big year for identifying bigger issues. The work and expectations get more real this year and coping skills start to fall apart. It will only get worse from here so it’s good to get help now. If you start the process immediately, you call have the diagnosis in place in time for class placement next year which is huge.
Anonymous
Post 03/25/2026 13:07     Subject: When do you screen for ADHD?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At most schools, teachers are not able to suggest screening. They are giving you many, many hints though. You have to take the initiative here.


THIS. For some reason here (DC, anyway) they aren't able to "suggest" a disability or it's a very touchy subject. Legal things abound.

YOU have to request your child be evaluated for a disability such as ADHD.

I just did this with my 9 year old. Turned out the teachers also thought he had this and reported some behavior to the counseling team but we didn't know about it. Not until I said "please evaluate" (mind you I did not specify for WHAT, we just knew he was having a hard time) did they gather us into their big formal meeting and do the whole process which ended up with a 504.

Personally I also think these disorders are possibly overdiagnosed/a result of our current culture/ caused or worsened by schools forcing kids to do things which they aren't developmentally able to do, such as make little boys sit still all day. But anyways here we are and he now has special supports in class, plus a document that travels with him through schooling.


To add, and better answer your question: I think it's valuable because now the teachers provide special things for him such as: a wiggle chair thing, a visual timer, a visual chart to let him better see assignments and track, ability to do some drawing or art or get up and go out of the room for a few minutes in between activities (also with timer), and sessions with the counselor on executive functioning. He also might have gotten OT.

He also isn't affected academically by this other than slightly, so we didn't qualify for IEP.

Don't talk to the teachers first - talk to the school administration. There are legal things around the 504 compliance. Teachers may not want to deal with this paperwork/extra stuff, and may steer away.
Anonymous
Post 03/25/2026 13:01     Subject: When do you screen for ADHD?
Anonymous wrote:At most schools, teachers are not able to suggest screening. They are giving you many, many hints though. You have to take the initiative here.


THIS. For some reason here (DC, anyway) they aren't able to "suggest" a disability or it's a very touchy subject. Legal things abound.

YOU have to request your child be evaluated for a disability such as ADHD.

I just did this with my 9 year old. Turned out the teachers also thought he had this and reported some behavior to the counseling team but we didn't know about it. Not until I said "please evaluate" (mind you I did not specify for WHAT, we just knew he was having a hard time) did they gather us into their big formal meeting and do the whole process which ended up with a 504.

Personally I also think these disorders are possibly overdiagnosed/a result of our current culture/ caused or worsened by schools forcing kids to do things which they aren't developmentally able to do, such as make little boys sit still all day. But anyways here we are and he now has special supports in class, plus a document that travels with him through schooling.