No one has responded...anyone out there?

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Onemore possible diagnosis, given his history of avuse and shelter life. RAD - Reactive attachment disorder. Who wouldn't have symptoms, given this person's history?v

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Unfortunately it is difficult to get a definitive diagnosis because who really knows? Or at least the Dr's we've been "fortunate" to run into don't seem to. Like yo we have a cocktail of diagnosis. My son refuses to accept the ADHD diagnosis but has to accept the bipolar one because the meds work, no more manic episodes. Try using all the suggested natural remedies tips for success in school. Certainly won't hurt. As for the others you might wanta to do your own differential, treat only as the occasion arises, not as if they exist.

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For example treat for anxiety since that seems to be the most prevalent symptom. Try meditation, breathing, finding out what makes him most anxious and then come up with some ways to eliminate those situations. Add meds as needed and start with natural ones first. Then move up to other means if there is no resolution. the two of you working together rather than you alone trying to find a solution i think helps with that age group. Keep us posted on his progress.

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You may have hit the nail on the head with the Reactive Attachment Disorder. Since the time I posted this, things have completely disintegrated. He is barely talking to me. When he does talk to me, he is mean and nasty. I spoke to him on Friday and things went badly. He begrudgingly agreed to speak to me tonight but did not pick up. He has not gotten to anything he needs to get done...and is going to get himself into trouble. In the meantime because I promised I would give him space I have to sit on my hands...I am so miserable right now.

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As much as you want to find an accurate diagnosis, to get the right help, it sounds to me like this young man needs help ASAP. After all, a there's no magic to a diagnosis that it will somehow solve the problems by just calling them by the right name. It sounds like these problems developed over his entire childhood, and I doubt that there is any quick fix, even medication may only have some small measure of positive effect. A therapist he can really connect with may be able to narrow down what the real problem (or problems) are eventually, with a great deal more accuracy and would have the added benefit of actually helping him, too. This really could be AD/HD with all kinds of secondary issues developed, and whatever you call it, RAD? or just a basic human reaction to having been abused/neglected at the most vulnerable time in his life (his childhood). He needs quality therapy, to get his life back from all of this. I think the best thing anyone can do for him is encourage him to pursue that. A clinical social worker would have knowledge of various services, and he may have more options in terms of finding real help while on Medicaid, as at least a few of them are more willing to accept it. You may want to do a little research, maybe contact a few professionals in your area that accept his "insurance" and are up for possible long term therapy, without giving his information to them, of course. Then sell him a little on the benefits, and on the fact that dealing with this isn't a weakness, it's help he has a right to pursue, just like he has a right to get his life back from all of these terrible circumstances. I think this young man is fortunate that someone is looking out for him (you). Everything happens for a reason.

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Believe me, I know he needs a quality diagnoses ASAP. Unfortunately: 1) he is mad at me and won't talk to me, 2) I am not where he is, I am about 7 hours away, 3) He has Medicaid and 4) He lives in a small community where options are limited, especially with Medicaid. Even here in NYC, with Medicaid it was tough. Right now, especially since he won't communicate with me, there is nothing which I can do.

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There really is not easy way on this one other than a comprehensive eval.

ADHD and many other psychological disorders are often diagnoses of exclusion. That is, you do not test positive for them. You have to establish every possible explanation for the signs and symptoms that are presented and establish level of impact. Then, you have to systematically rule out every other possible explanation.

My bias is that neuropsychologists and educational psychologists with a strong neuro-background - on average - do the best jobs in comprehensive evaluation.

However, it is really more about the quality of the practitioner that the letters after their name.

There are also issues with payment, insurance, etc. that make things more complicated.

In the end, there is a huge difference between an average eval and a great eval.

http://askdreric-schoolpsychologist.blogspot.com/

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