First course of action in diagnosis?

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This topic contains 7 replies, has 2 voices, and was last updated by  Penny Williams 3 months, 2 weeks ago.

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  • April 12, 2020 at 9:49 pm #168686

    gtech
    Participant

    Hi, I’m new to this forum and was just doing some reading and I was just wondering what everyone first did when they first suspected that your kid had ADHD? Thanks!

  • April 13, 2020 at 11:19 am #168736

    Penny Williams
    Keymaster

    We went to the pediatrician. I had no idea what was going on (didn’t even suspect ADHD), but knew we needed help and guidance. The pediatrician referred my son to a psychologist for evaluation, and that’s how we got the diagnosis.

    Here are the steps to diagnosis:

    Your Complete ADHD Diagnosis and Testing Guide

    Penny
    ADDitude Community Moderator, Parenting ADHD Coach & Author, Mom to teen w/ ADHD, LDs, and autism

    • April 14, 2020 at 8:40 pm #169021

      gtech
      Participant

      thanks for the reply. what was the firs thing which made you think your son needed help or that something was off?

    • April 15, 2020 at 4:08 pm #169256

      Penny Williams
      Keymaster

      He couldn’t succeed no matter how hard he tried. We changed teachers and schools to a great environment and he still had the same struggles. He wanted so badly to meet expectations and he just couldn’t.

      Penny
      ADDitude Community Moderator, Parenting ADHD Coach & Author, Mom to teen w/ ADHD, LDs, and autism

    • April 17, 2020 at 2:00 am #169438

      gtech
      Participant

      gosh, that sounds rough.. did the teachers/school say anything about your sons ability to focus?

    • April 17, 2020 at 1:02 pm #169466

      Penny Williams
      Keymaster

      His kindergarten teacher told us we didn’t prepare him for school and give him enough responsibility (AS IF). Changed to new school and got the best teacher he’s ever had for first grade (he’s 17 now). She was doing so much to work with him and accommodate him and he was still struggling with so much. Focus was one of the core issues for sure. As well as hyperactivity and messiness.

      Penny
      ADDitude Community Moderator, Parenting ADHD Coach & Author, Mom to teen w/ ADHD, LDs, and autism

  • April 17, 2020 at 10:26 pm #169594

    gtech
    Participant

    ahh right, did the pediatricians/psychologists make any suggestions for things you can do about the core issues/symptoms?

    • April 20, 2020 at 12:07 pm #169733

      Penny Williams
      Keymaster

      Yes, behavior modification techniques, school accommodations, executive functioning accommodations (like writing out instructions, visual checklists, etc…), and ADHD medication.

      Penny
      ADDitude Community Moderator, Parenting ADHD Coach & Author, Mom to teen w/ ADHD, LDs, and autism

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