I'm concerned about the disadvantages of being labeled and possibly losing options in school at a young age. In other words, we are in a really bad financial place right now and I don't want to do anything to hinder our other options at other public (or private) schools. This is a big deal in the Los Angeles area.

I have not had my 8 year old (second grade) son formally diagnosed, because of this and other reasons (my husband is against drug treatment for now). He doesn't work up to his potential, but he isn't even close to failing; and he's not an extreme behavior problem. I know that having an official diagnosis and setting up an IEP, etc. are supposed to help him with "accommodations", even if we don't go the drug route; but I don't really trust the public school system to have that much to offer us. They are barely giving the "normal" kids a quality education and school experience.

If our finances improve, or we move, etc. - can a diagnosis of ADHD hinder my child when trying to get into a private school, charter school, etc? I worry about a diagnosis in his school records following him around. Btw, I've been researching ADHD for a few years now and I have absolutely NO DOUBT that this is his diagnosis. He has almost EVERY symptom - classic.

Quote