Need Info on ADD.

[mother_star]

Hi. I am glad I found this site again after quite a long time.

I need some help on ADD. I met with my sons teachers and they want him to get evaluated for ADD. I have been trying to look for info on ADD but only find info on ADHD. My son is not hyper at all, he may have a little trouble paying attention in class, but is it just that or is it because he's just not interested. His grades are not the highest but average.

Does anyone know of any sites where I can get info just on ADD and not ADHD?

Thanks

[ErinYay]

As ADD isn't a diagnosis itself, but a sub-type of ADHD, you're not going to find too much on just ADD. Try looking at stuff for ADHD- inattentive type.

Good luck!

[mother_star]

Thank you! I didn't know that. This is all so new to me.

[Emmeline II]

ADD is an old term; the current term for all types is ADHD, with three subtypes.

ADHD predominantly inattentive type: (ADHD-I)

ADHD predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type: (ADHD-HI)

ADHD combined type: (ADHD-C)

http://www.help4adhd.org/en/about/what/WWK1

If hyperactivity isn't an issue than they may be thinking of ADHD-I; though hyperactivity doesn't necessarily show up as getting up and moving around--sometimes it's being excessively chatty.

Perhaps you should push for a more general psychoeducational testing, instead; if you are able to do it privately I wold do that as well. Though it may ultimately lead to an ADHD diagnosis, the results may also/instead indicate a very bright child who may not be challenged in school and/or a "quiet" learning disability. My ds' psychiatrist diagnosed ADHD immediately, but the psycho-educational testing at the children's hospital gave us a lot more information to work with as to how ds' learned and what his strengths and weakness are--such as a more than 15pt gap in what ds understands visually vs. what understands verbally (they also confirmed the ADHD diagnosis, and that he is possibly Asperger's as well).

Did they say why they wanted to do the evaluation? Perhaps they did some "standardized" testing and found he performed better on those than he typically does in the classroom?

I also suggest a visit to the optometrist if he hasn't been this school year; I was several months into 7th grade before I realized that it wasn't that I couldn't understand what was on the board, but that I couldn't see it clearly . Dh was a bit different in that he had a significant drop in grades before his eyesight deterioration was discovered.

What is Executive Function?

Language & Math

[mother_star]

They say he has a hard time concentrating in the classroom. While doing written problems, if he has to add, he'll subtract and when told it's wrong he will argue with you that it is not wrong, that it is right, then get frustrated when he has to correct it.

He did see a psycologist (sp?) when he was in Kindergarten and they wanted to put him on meds right there for ADHD. We refused because we did not agree with them (they were more on the hyperness than concentrating). he's in grade 3 now (repeated 1st grade).

[SpottedFoxx]

Originally Posted by mother_star 

They say he has a hard time concentrating in the classroom. While doing written problems, if he has to add, he'll subtract and when told it's wrong he will argue with you that it is not wrong, that it is right, then get frustrated when he has to correct it.

He did see a psycologist (sp?) when he was in Kindergarten and they wanted to put him on meds right there for ADHD. We refused because we did not agree with them (they were more on the hyperness than concentrating). he's in grade 3 now (repeated 1st grade).

That's not ADHD or ADD - that's an Auditory Processing Delay.  Problem is - their symptoms are very similar.  However, if his brain is hearing (processing) information incorrectly, then this can cause distracted behaviors and confusion.  Please have him seen by a speech pathologist who specializes in auditory processing disorders for an evaluation.  Most schools are not equipped to diagnose this disorder.  Quite often, it's misdiagnosed as ADD or ADHD.  If it is APD and not ADD, the medication will do nothing but make him hyper.

[ErinYay]

If he has a lot of problems with math like that, you may want to also read a little about dyscalculia- it's a little bit like dyslexia, but with math instead of words. I personally think it's important to look at things like auditory processing issues, sensory issues, etc, in addition to ADHD- just jumping on the ADHD dx is very easy, but often doesn't touch on what the kid's true issues are.

[mother_star]

Thank you for all your help. Its been helping me understand what ADD/ADHD is.I see my son with some of the symptoms but not all.

The teacher said he has difficulty in reading and writting and that leads to his problem in wriiten problems. he is getting extra help at school for it and math. They are currently working with his reading and writting and put aside his math for now. I read the acticle on Dyscalculia and the symptoms are just jumping out at me, thats my son!

I will mention this to the teachers and see if I can get him tested for Dyscalculia.

Again Thank you for the help.

[melissa17s]

Although your school will likely have their own system for evaluating and labeling disabilities, you might consider going to your ped and getting a referral for a neuropsych exam.  They are a series of test that can help identify disabilities, abilities, and/or giftedness.  When ds had his, it was used to dx him with adhd-i and dyslexia.  Hopefully, this type of test would also account for APD, but if not request it.  I am not totally sure that the test is the best or most accurate, but it is better than sending to dr to ask for add dx and drugs.  

[karne]

Did you mention if he has an IEP?  I'm guessing so, if he has repeated a grade, but perhaps not.  I would encourage you to back a little away from the dx part, and instead focus on getting a really good eval.  You can go the private route, but cost may be an issue.  I would ask for an eval, in writing, from the school to look at his overall functioning and skills.  They will not dx add/adhd/dyscalculia/etc.  They tend to work with umbrella dx such as specific learning disability, which is what qualifies one for spec ed services.  It's a jumping off point for you, and a way to begin advocating for his needs.

Many traits overlap w/in diagnostic categories, and year to year can look very different, sometimes better w/maturity, sometimes worse as school demands increase.  Either way, a solid eval is key.