Does my teen have ADHD?

buckeyegirl

buckeyegirl

Cathlete
Hi everyone,

I have a 15 year old son who, of my two boys, has always been the active one. He's always been a bit impulsive, always pushing the envelope and has tested his boundaries since he was 6 months old. No teachers have ever told me that they think he has ADD/ADHD but he's always been disruptive, speaking out, unable to control himself at times. I never have wanted to peg him as ADD - just figured he was an active boy.

He's now in HS. He could be a straight A student if he REALLY applied himself but he's doing ok - mostly As, Bs with an occasional C. I really try to stay out of my kids school work to a certain extent - it's *their* responsiblity.

Well, last night, he said to me "mom, do you think I have ADD?" This is the first I'd heard of that - he said people have asked him if he is (not teachers, but classmates/friends) He must have looked up the symptoms and he says his primary concern is that he cannot stay focused in class. He really makes an attempt but just can't stay on task. He has expressed an interest in finding out.

Where do I go from here? Routine dr. appt to start with?
Any experience or advice would be greatly appreciatd.

Thanks!
 
buckeyegirl said:
Hi everyone,

I have a 15 year old son who, of my two boys, has always been the active one. He's always been a bit impulsive, always pushing the envelope and has tested his boundaries since he was 6 months old. No teachers have ever told me that they think he has ADD/ADHD but he's always been disruptive, speaking out, unable to control himself at times. I never have wanted to peg him as ADD - just figured he was an active boy.

He's now in HS. He could be a straight A student if he REALLY applied himself but he's doing ok - mostly As, Bs with an occasional C. I really try to stay out of my kids school work to a certain extent - it's *their* responsiblity.

Well, last night, he said to me "mom, do you think I have ADD?" This is the first I'd heard of that - he said people have asked him if he is (not teachers, but classmates/friends) He must have looked up the symptoms and he says his primary concern is that he cannot stay focused in class. He really makes an attempt but just can't stay on task. He has expressed an interest in finding out.

Where do I go from here? Routine dr. appt to start with?
Any experience or advice would be greatly appreciatd.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

First of all, I think it's really great that you're taking your son's lead on this and not rushing to conclusions yourself. Yes, a routine Dr. appt. is the way to start, and he/she should be able to help you from there.

I'm a teacher, and our biggest question for parents and kids when they express a desire to "get tested" is "What's your goal?" You have an advantage here, because your son has already expressed an interest himself, and has identified a problem with staying focused. However, you should ask yourself if medication is something you'd even consider. If it's not, then you might be better off "treating" him non-medicinally (little techniques like having a stress-ball to squeeze and help him focus) as though he has it, without actually getting it diagnosed. For some, the label, stigma, and process of testing for learning disabilities is something they'd rather not put their kids through, especially if they don't intend to medicate. I've had students who probably have ADHD; their parents know it, we know it, but they aren't willing to medicate and don't pursue testing.

I might be coming off as anti-medication, but I'm really not. I had a friend in college who wasn't diagnosed until she was 19. She went on meds, and her grades went from C's and D's to A's and B's virtually overnight, so I know it works really well for some. On the other hand, some kids just don't like the way it feels to be on the meds and never get used to it.

I'm by no means an expert, but I hope this helps a little. Good luck to you and your son as you look for answers.
 
Hi there, you may have seen my previous posts regarding DS's ADHD diagnosis. He was officially diagnosed at the age of about 7 after falling seriously far behind in his academics, would poke at and bug other kids constantly, couldn't sit still, definitely couldn't focus, had outbursts, talked very fast, figided constantly, etc.. The school Pscyhologist who happened to be an ADHD expert (has written over a dozen books, does international talks on the subject, etc..) observed him for quite some time and she and his teacher met with me to discuss the possible diagnosis.

I had talked with his doctor and he felt Randy was definitely a candidate for ADHD. Initially I refused meds for the years prior because we don't want to medicate our children with Class 2 meds if we don't have to. However thanks to the Psychologists deft observations, she was able to pin-point the specific imbalances in him. With the correct diagonsis and medication he has done much better. See my BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER post on May 5th.

Now, having said that, the original medication we had him on was too strong- he was wayyyy to sedate, then over the course of a year or so we (the doctors and I) have tried multiple meds and have found one that is working beautifully.

Due to the official diagnosis (he's not offically through what's known as a 504 plan for kids with disabilities) but he was put onto an ILP beginning 2nd grade. That enabled the school to be able to provide a Reading Intervention Coach (oops- I still have to email her and find out what she's doing) which has helped him immensely.

Last summer I was having him tutored for basic sight words that first graders should definitely know, this year he is voraciously reading chapter books!!!!

In my son's case the school DID need to know since he was identified at an academically at-risk student. Your son may not need to "go public" if his grades are that good. Randy was on the verge of repeating 1st grade.

So, that's just been my experience. IMHO it can't hurt to have him tested.

If you want to PM me with any other questions or post here, I'm happy to share my experience with you.

Best of luck to you!! I feel your pain - and your son's as well.

Pam
 
Wow! Some excellent replies here. All I would add is that in your case, I would definitely follow up with doctor's appt, referrals and get my son tested.

However, I would want my son to be involved in the discussion of whether to medicate or not. He is 15. If he is diagnosed as ADHD, and he wants to try the medication, I would agree and observe keenly. It is his brain, his body, his grades, his future.

Clare
 
I found a very good psychologist through the university here to test my daughter. She was diagnosed ADHD but the quiet dreamy form. That was in 6th grade. She did not want meds or extra help. So we did things like have the teachers seat her in the front of the class, help her with notes. She is also LD with math and sciences, gifted with anything literary. She is 18 now, and the last two years of HS has been on honor roll, even with the higher maths. Next year she will double major(yes, surprises me) in theater and english education. She had to learn tons of coping skills to get where she is, but she has been driven to do that.

My nephew is on meds. He is a sophmore in college in engineering and it really helps him. I think my son should be, but he will need to figure that one out himself as he is an adult.
 
Thanks so much for all the insightful replies. It is truly appreciated.

I called the peds office (where he's been a patient since a newborn) and they are sending me and my husband a survey about our son and then one to go to each of his teachers. After these are accumulated, the pediatrician will go over all the results and we'll go in and have an appt with her.

I told my son that I was looking into it, and he seemed appreciative and relieved. Will be interesting to see how things unfold.

Thanks again!
 
Going through the pediatrician is OK, but it is better to find someone well versed in ADHD. Just my opinion though.
 
Hi,

My son was diagnosed with ADHD at 7 years-old by an ADHD specialist. He has the impulsive type, much like what you described as your son. When he was diagnosed, I didn't want to start him on medication, as I've heard so many stories about kids on medication turning "zombie-like". We tried different techniques at home and in the classroom, but it got to a point where such things just weren't working.

We started seeing a psychiatrist who was prescribing medication to him, but nothing seemed to work. It was a long, long process in trying to find what was right. My son is such a good kid, but he kept getting in trouble in school because of his impulsivity. It was so difficult to watch because he truly felt remorse for his behavior that he just couldn't control. Throughout all of this, his grades remained A's, B's and some C's.

When he was 10 years old, a different ADHD specialist was recommended to us, and we had him re-evaluated since a few years had passed since his initial diagnosis. (It is said that puberty can greatly affect ADHD, whether the symptoms subside or present themselves more obviously). His levels still fell within the same high range of impulsivity.

After giving the new doctor information on all of the meds he had been on, I was told that all of these years, he was NEVER on the right dosage of medication. The doctor prescribed him a new medication with the correct dosage, and when my son went to school the next day, the teachers said he was a different kid. That was 3 years ago. Today, at almost 14 years old, and graduating middle school, my son has won academic achievment awards, has been an honor roll student, and is vice president of his student council. He is a productive member of his classroom.

Just a few months ago, he came to me and told me that he thinks his dosage may need to be increased. I took him to the doctor and sure enough, the adjustment needed to be made. My son immediately felt a difference in his self control.

If your son feels that he may need to be evaluated, I would take his word for it. I would also recommend seeking an ADHD specialist. These doctors have done thorough research on the subject. Good luck with it all, and please keep us posted.
 
Thanks for the advice - I was told by the peds office that this particular pediatrician was an ADHD specialist, but I'll look into it further to be sure.

I am taking his Vanderbilt forms to school tomorrow for all his teachers to fill out, and my husband and I each have one to fill out as well. Then, we take all the forms in for her to evaluate. After the evaluation of the forms, we'll go in as an actual appt.

Do I need to find out if she has any special certification regarding ADHD?
I appreciate your opinions.
 
I don't think there are any specific certifications for ADHD. The forms that they gave you are the right start. It's to help them to compare how you all see his actions/behaviors in different settings at different times.

Really, you have to go with your gut. If you are comfortable with his pedi and trust her expertise, then that's important. You will know if it's the right fit with this.

In my son's case, I love his pedi but not for his ADHD. I don't feel he has enough knowledge on the subject. I wish you all the luck!

buckeyegirl said:
Thanks for the advice - I was told by the peds office that this particular pediatrician was an ADHD specialist, but I'll look into it further to be sure.

I am taking his Vanderbilt forms to school tomorrow for all his teachers to fill out, and my husband and I each have one to fill out as well. Then, we take all the forms in for her to evaluate. After the evaluation of the forms, we'll go in as an actual appt.

Do I need to find out if she has any special certification regarding ADHD?
I appreciate your opinions.
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