trying not to cry...
We had to take DS out of school a month ago because of severe behavioral issues. His teachers agreed that the school environment was just too much for him, and it was suggested that he should have an evaluation to see if he's on the autism spectrum. We've always struggled with his sensory sensitivities, but this year (1st grade) was the first time we had professionals backing us up.
So I made a dr. appt and waited the 3 1/2 weeks for it to get here. I went in and gave her DS's report card and a page of short notes about our biggest issues. She reads though (while ds is sitting on the table making squacking noises with his gown over his face) and says she thinks it's ADHD and wants to put DS on meds. WTF?? Are you kidding me? Yeah he has some issues that overlap with ADHD but there are so many other things going on that are much more disturbing and not part of ADHD. Never once did his teachers bring up ADHD, and they have experience with that and autism along with a host of other disorders. It just doesn't FIT.
I mean do ADHD kids need a 2hr long bedtime routine? Are they unable to do buttons or tie shoes or hold a pencil with one hand at almost 7yrs old? Can they sit and draw intricate pictures of cars (with 2 handed pencil grip) or play with cars or look at cars for hours without losing interest? Do they cringe at physical contact or choose to wear earplugs because the sounds of the world are just too much to handle?
No he doesn't listen or pay attention to directions. He's very impulsive. He sometimes bounces off the walls and usually engages in grossly inappropriate behavior. But he also gags on certain texture foods, destroys clothes and toys by chewing, and gets sensory overload any time there's a change in routine or he's in an overly stimulating atmosphere (think grocery store!) He does have trouble sitting through lessons but instead of squirming and running around he'll seriously get up and go to his room and lay under the blankets in the dark until he's ready to come back to work.
I told the dr. I do NOT think it's ADHD from what I've read about the disorder and won't just stick him on meds. So she gave me the number of a couple organizations and a psychologist. I got home and looked into these places a little more, turns out the psychologist specializes in attention deficit disorders and parent-child conflicts! The organizations are mental health and offer counseling and whatnot. She did put in a referral for an evaluation at the county mental health office but his appt. wouldn't be for 4-5 months IF our insurance will pay for it.
I'm so, so so so disappointed. It's all I can do to just get through every day and it seems there's nothing I can do to help ds. I just don't know what to do now but I'm not going to give up and say it's ADHD. Are there any options other than go through the school district? I tried that route and since he's not in school they don't want to deal with it
We had to take DS out of school a month ago because of severe behavioral issues. His teachers agreed that the school environment was just too much for him, and it was suggested that he should have an evaluation to see if he's on the autism spectrum. We've always struggled with his sensory sensitivities, but this year (1st grade) was the first time we had professionals backing us up.
So I made a dr. appt and waited the 3 1/2 weeks for it to get here. I went in and gave her DS's report card and a page of short notes about our biggest issues. She reads though (while ds is sitting on the table making squacking noises with his gown over his face) and says she thinks it's ADHD and wants to put DS on meds. WTF?? Are you kidding me? Yeah he has some issues that overlap with ADHD but there are so many other things going on that are much more disturbing and not part of ADHD. Never once did his teachers bring up ADHD, and they have experience with that and autism along with a host of other disorders. It just doesn't FIT.
I mean do ADHD kids need a 2hr long bedtime routine? Are they unable to do buttons or tie shoes or hold a pencil with one hand at almost 7yrs old? Can they sit and draw intricate pictures of cars (with 2 handed pencil grip) or play with cars or look at cars for hours without losing interest? Do they cringe at physical contact or choose to wear earplugs because the sounds of the world are just too much to handle?
No he doesn't listen or pay attention to directions. He's very impulsive. He sometimes bounces off the walls and usually engages in grossly inappropriate behavior. But he also gags on certain texture foods, destroys clothes and toys by chewing, and gets sensory overload any time there's a change in routine or he's in an overly stimulating atmosphere (think grocery store!) He does have trouble sitting through lessons but instead of squirming and running around he'll seriously get up and go to his room and lay under the blankets in the dark until he's ready to come back to work.
I told the dr. I do NOT think it's ADHD from what I've read about the disorder and won't just stick him on meds. So she gave me the number of a couple organizations and a psychologist. I got home and looked into these places a little more, turns out the psychologist specializes in attention deficit disorders and parent-child conflicts! The organizations are mental health and offer counseling and whatnot. She did put in a referral for an evaluation at the county mental health office but his appt. wouldn't be for 4-5 months IF our insurance will pay for it.
I'm so, so so so disappointed. It's all I can do to just get through every day and it seems there's nothing I can do to help ds. I just don't know what to do now but I'm not going to give up and say it's ADHD. Are there any options other than go through the school district? I tried that route and since he's not in school they don't want to deal with it
I'm sorry it was horrible. Yuck.
And it's a whole big process once it happens, and it can take weeks for the official report.
