I had posted a while back when I first suspected that my 7yo was ADHD. She is seeing a couselor and then was refered for psych testing. The man who did the testing had excellent qualifications and was able to work well with my daughter. We are very happy with how the testing went. I just need to vent/share what the results were.

The testing took about 3 hours. He did the Wisc IV as well as some other cognitive tests. For the ADHD questionare he used something called the Brown ADD charts. It is a two page questionare. It seemed good. The questions were very straightforward. The results of the questionare were converted to scores in various areas. Her overall score was 64. The highest possible score is 70. Higher score mean more likely ADHD. Average kids score around 25. So, she is pretty severe.

Reading was high, math was low, but not too bad. He was impressed that her reading was so good. Reading is difficult for kids like her but he said that she has developed many tricks for figuring out words. This is a big help for her self esteem. We have read to her a lot over the years, and they have tons of books to choose from at home. They take books to bed with them every night, so that must have helped.

They said she had "auditory sequential memory processing difficulty." I always thought auditory problems related to comprehension. However, this relates to the fact that she cannot perform a series of tasks given to her verbally. You know, the "go get dressed, put your shoes on, brush your teeth, comb your hair, and come out for breakfast" She then comes back with her teeth brushed... Only. Sound familiar? I guess this is a key issued with ADHD kids. It is helpful to understand this specific diagnosis.

He also stated that repetition is a very difficult and frustrating way for her to learn. She need associative, or real world type examples. This explains why she cannot do her "money" worksheets, but does fine counting change with me.

He also confirmed that team sports are bad, due to the sensitivity to criticism. Gets frustrated easily. Likes to do things her way or the highway. And no, these behaviors are not normal (to this degree) in a girl her age. (so we are not crazy in thinking there is a problem there).

Writing is also very difficult thing for her, but he thinks it is a developmental delay that will correct itself over time.

It was kind-of amazing how he could know all about our daughter after 3 hours of testing. We discused the findings with him for about an hour and a half. First off he just started talking about generalities about our daughter and behaviors that are difficult for her. He was right on with most everything. Then he went into the specific results of the tests and what they mean. It is amazing what these tests can reveal about a child in such a short time.

Of course there was a lot more information, but it is too much to write here.

In short, we need to eliminate those timed math tests in class. Be aware that a large volume of work will be frustrating for her (100 math problems on a page). Teach by methods other than repetition. (manipulatives, etc) Small classes are better. Inform her teacher of her difficulty in executing verbal instructions, etc. We are also considering a tutor for a while and maybe private school next year. $$$$$$$$$

Yup, my daughter has CAPD problems also. Her biggest deficiency is her short term auditory recall. You are very fortunate to catch this so young! Most likely she is a visual learner. There is tons of information on the web for kiddo's like ours, and if I were you I would get an IEP in place for her with the school.

It sounds to me like that doc REALLY knows his stuff.

Your daughter also sounds like my son's twin (but I think we knew that already ;)).


My son hasn't had a timed math test since returning to school. I'm thinking they may have eliminated it from his requirements. Even though he's improved 10000% in every area, I don't think he'll be able to do those sheets.

Adderall has been extremely helpful for my son. There are some side effects that we deal with; I am afraid he'll lose weight and he sometimes has trouble sleeping, but he has a book light to read when he can't sleep.

I'm happy for you to have gotten the answers you were looking for. Now you can take steps to help her.

Thanks for chiming in Barby. My wife talked to her teacher yesterday and presented a few of the issues regarding my daughter. The teacher was very receptive. As far as the timed tests, she is will be told that she does not have to complete them in class. This sounds good, but I am not sure how she will react to the fact that she is the only one that does not have to complete the tests.

We are going to try other things before going the meds route. I am not anti-med. I just feel I need to exhaust other avenues first. I have been reading up on the whole "visual spatial" learning vs "auditory sequential" learning. I am just getting into the swing of helping my daughter with her homework and have had a few minor successes. Tonight I am going to let her "color" her spelling words on a large piece of paper. Strangley, when she incorporates words into pictures she draws, the handwriting is excellent. I think she will enjoy this new idea. We "act out" the money homework problems with real money. This has gone well. I am excited that I understand my daughter much better. This weekend I will try and "act out" the instructions to get dressed, brush teeth, etc. Who knows if it will work, but it will be fun trying.

I think we will use this summer to teach her how to type. Then next year we will move some of her homework tasks onto the computer.

Auditory Working Memory is almost always impaired (for IQ level) in ADDers.

(From the testing reports, and books, that i have read.)

That is why we have problems following long, multi-part instructions. (or disconnected lists of items.)


Emma

What kind of center did you go to for the testing of your child?

The place was called the Melmed Learning Center.

www.melmedlearning.com (http://www.melmedlearning.com)

He specializes in testing for learning dissablities. We really liked him and thought he did an excellent and thorough job of testing. He also has tutors for after school help. We were very happy to get a complete diagnosis of all the learning issues facing our child. He also gave us a list of accomodations that we should try to get at school.

To me, just getting a diagnosis of ADHD is helpfull, but only marginally so. You really need to understand all of the specific learning challenges facing your child. All kids are different. Also, all adhd kids are different and have different challenges.

Sounds like you are very lucky to learn these things so early on. It is exciting and scary all at once. But it does give you a sense of power, that you have the control to do something to make things easier for her. (did that sound right) My son also has issues in this area. His resource teacher says that she has never had a student catch on so quickly to pictures as he has. We dont' use them as often as we should, but when used properly they can make life alot easier. In his cubby at school he has a picture of the sequence of getting dressed. (pic of coat, boots, mits etc. in the order they will go on) As well to keep hiim on task. Keep in mind he just turned 5. In the bathroom, you could place a strip of pics beside the sink. Wash hands, brush teeth. At least, knowing what you know, now you might just give her shorter directions. Direct her to go get her jammies on, then direct her to get cleaned up for bed and refer to the pictures in the bathroom, etc. It all seems like a little too much at times, but if our children had a hearing disability or a sight disability, we would go out of our way to make successful learning possible for them. Our babies are no different. Good luck with everything. Remember knowledge is power!!