ADD / ADHD / Dyslexia - Exams and Schools

Re: Penses (Look It Up)

Awwwwwwww, I'm disappointed, JP. Here you had the opportunity to decimate me and to make a constructive contribution to others through your presumed powers of logic and persuasion, and you turned and ran with your tail between your legs.

Quel dommage . . . I hate it when people are soooooo easily defeated.

 

In my experience, ADHD is grossly overdiagnosed. Only a small fraction of individuals that recieve the diagnosis have had a thorough evaluation and actually meet the DSM-IV criteria. Physicians are notorious for giving the diagnosis and writing a script based solely on the report of a parent or a Connor's rating scale. I would guess that better than 75% of the kids I see in my schools with an ADHD diagnosis and scripts for Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, Straterra etc. do not have ADHD. As for who does the diagnosis, the CHADD organization which is the largest and best known advocacy group for children and adults with ADHD takes the position that School Psychologists are in the best position to make the call. I'm of the strong opinion that the evaluation to determine the presence or absence of ADHD must include direct observations of the kid in his school environment. Only School Psycs. are in a position to do this and only School Psycs. have the necessary knowledge of the educational environment to make a thorough analysis of the interaction between the cognitive, emotional, developmental characteristics of the learner and that environment. The ADHD evals I do include at a minimum: 1) A thorough developmental behavioral history, 2) Record review, 3) Parent, teacher, student interviews, 4) Behavior rating scales 5) Time on-task analysis via direct classroom observations, 6) Continuous performance testing, 7) Other neuropsyc. assessments as called for, and 8) Screenings to eliminate possible conditions such as depression, anxiety, chaotic home environment, cognitive deficits etc. that can produce symptoms that look like ADHD on the surface. I like to start off with a skeptical approach and assume that the kid does not have ADHD unless the data converges and paints a picture that can't be denied.

 

Rob, I agree with you completly and with your assesment of what procedure to follow to determine the problem(s). --Jpquinn

 

Some comments about ADD:
(I happen to have both ADD and Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism...)

*I feel the condition is BOTH over and under-diagnosed...

*Adderall helps, but watch out those prone to anxiety attacks or palpitations

*ADD like many conditions varies in levels of severity. Like arthritis, for some it is just a nuissance, but some end up in a wheelchair with it.

*Never compare yourself to others, and that includes others with the same diagnosis- first we are all individuals with unique circumstances and also, ADD frequently occurs with other neurological problems.

*Many people USE ADD and other conditions as an excuse for the strangest things (you cant steal a car and blame ADD...lol) BUT on the other hand when it comes to judging people, it's sometimes hard to tell how great a role ADD plays in some of their minor shortcomings(leave it to a higher power to judge).

*Those with ANY disability that overcome adversity and suceed deserve to be proud, HOWEVER thats not an excuse to become arrogant toward those who may have more severe cases or different circumstances.

*on the one thread of mine Mr Levicoff was referring to- I NEVER implied that ADD was an excuse for anything and I was NOT the one who even brought that subject into that thread. (and ended up putting words in my mouth that others percieved as mine)

*ADD, autism, dyslexia are exaples of "invisible" disabilities as opposed to downs syndrome or cerebral palsy where there r visible manifistations. When one has an INVISIBLE disability, they have to get used to the fact that much of the rest of the world view the subtle manifistations as a "character flaw", not always to your face, but at least subconsciously.

*Not everyone needs the meds and have found better techniques that work for them and that is good- but there are also those that do need them...

*For testing, I think I have had zillions of tests but little or none was done by the local school districts.

*As for colleges, most colleges with tell you they have lots of wonderful services for you, but much of it is lip service. Frankly I don't know what they really can do for ADD/Dyslexia except allow more test time if u need it.

*AS for my best option for me? Distance learning has given me the opportunity to work at my own pace. (esp the standardized tests) The sad part is too bad I didn't know that the BIG 3 existed a few years ago.

*I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all solution for anyone with these conditions however...

 

Actually any state licensed mental health professional (LSW, LCSW, LCPC, LPC, LMFT, LMHC, etc., can use the DSM to diagnose ADD/ADHD or any other so-called mental disorder.

 

This is of great concern to me, and getting off topic (sorry) way too many people look for, want and get scripts to SRRI's (anti-depressants) and are prescribed almost like candy (for almost any ailment, not just mental), a CIII drug, less restrictive than Ritalin and Adderall, a CII, still only requiring a DEA number and a triple Rx pad. This is done (pill pushing) in place of (b/c it's cheaper) more extensive research (read: often costlier insurance companies) mentioned in a prior post by Rob Coates? What he suggests as a course of action is a good one and well worth it, and in the long run the most beneficial ideally for the kid, and perhaps cheaper for all parties involved, like insurance. HMO's are in control for the most part as we now, which want the cheapest and fastest way out… a whole other topic not for here.

 

I think every single itemized bullet point you made is excellent and right on target.

I so dislike anyone who seemingly by default automatically thinks, implies, eludes and twists someone’s words (and persona) who says "I have ADD" into someone who is making up an excuse some how, a false excuse, to acquire ill gotten gains if it were. As if anyone really likes saying, "Hey, I have a disability, please discriminate against me".