I am the mother of a 7 year old wonderful little boy, struggling to learn how to read. We have been to an audiologist, who says that his hearing is fine but he may have dyslexia or CAPD, but whatever I do don't let anyone tell me he is ADD and do not medicate him. We also went to a neurologist that suggested a 4 week trial of ADD medication to see if his ability to grasp letters and phonics improve. Over the past several weeks the school has been evaluating him for special education services. The CSEA meeting is on Wednesday. I spoke to the evaluator, my son scored very well on most areas, with the exception of rapind naming, phonological and orthgraphic skills. He said that he feels that the very low scores in these areas is because he can not focus on the task at hand long enough to absorb the information or follow multi-step directions. As the conversation continued he told me that my son was ADD and needed to be medicated. My son is a very social child, he gets along well with everyone, he pays attention in class, participates (although fidgets when he knows its a question he does not know the answer to and does not want to be called on) he transitions well from one task to another, he does well with math and problem solving. The only behaviorial problem I have with him is he is over emotional. He will literally cry over the silliest things. My question to all of you is, does this sound like an ADD child? Or is the school putting the responsibilty off onto the medical profession instead of taking responsilbity for educating him? My experience with the school system so far has been horrible, is this the case for most people? Everyday that goes by we lose another day. He is falling further and further behind.

Sorry for the long post

This absolutely sounds like an ADD child... This sounds exactly like my son, and myself at that age. I talked with the doctor about why my son would be so good at math, and not at English, Spelling, and Reading. And the obvious answer is that nothing stimulates the ADD mind like a good problem to solve. The ADD child is typically very intelligent, and if they can get the stimulation they need, you will see how much they can do. My son also gets along with everyone and does pretty well in class. I was the same way when I was a child, and was never treated for ADD. If he does have ADD, you can bet he knows he's different already. If he goes untreated....not saying you have to give meds, but absolutely training and thereapy.... he could become an adult with many more problems. The crying and sensitivity are from the irrational worrying and ideas the ADD head. As you become an adult, your life becomes more full of responsibility...and a lot more boring. That may lead to him stimulating himself with bad and addictive behaviors. I know that all seems gloom and doom, but don't worry, ADDers have so many special abilities

Thank you, I guess I always pictured a child with ADD to be the kid that couldn't sit still, or the one that was hard to handle and disruptive. You a 100% right he knows he is different. He tries very hard to fit in. After reading the formal evaluation of him during a classroom observation I cried. It spoke of him sitting on the with the other kids around the teaching during a phonics lesson, and how he watched the other kids and copied counting on his fingers the syllables of words but obviously was not getting it, and how he sheepishly moved away when the teacher began asking for volunteers to count the syllables in the a word she would give. He is such a swwet kid, it painted a terrible picture in my mind.

He also has somewhat of a speech delay, is that common in kids with ADD?

I have an 11 year old that was diagnosed with ADD after the school noticed some focus problems and task transition problems. I took her and had her tested specifically for ADD and that is when she was diagnosed. I would suggest taking your son to a doctor that specifically tests for ADD. I would not suggest putting a child on medication without test results and a definite diagnosis by the proper doctor. DO NOT let the school dictate to you. YOU tell them what you chose for your son. I ran the show in my situation, not the school.

After I took my daughter to be tested for ADD the doctor also referred me to an audiologist where they found out that her hearing itself is fine but her processing of language is where the problem lies. It is genetic in my family and I have it and so did my father. It had no bearing on our intellegence levels though. My father was a brilliant electrical engineer. He was never diagnosed for anything, but I saw indications over the years that he processed information slower then normal. I have the same problem. This is another condition outside of the ADD that was discovered. You may want to also have your child checked out for what is called a Non-Verbal Learning Disability(NVLD). Again, this does not affect ones intellegence, it is just something that with the right programs can be worked with. There are programs to help the brain speed up the process. So far since diagnosed my daughter has been able to compensate very well on her own but should the need for one of those programs arise we will do it in a heartbeat. As for her diagnosis of ADD, the doctor and I sat down with members of the school and my daughter was put on what is called a 504 plan. The school will provide special assistance if needed by my daughter.
So far we have been very lucky and the teachers have been very cooperative. My daughter is an A-B student and is currently not medicated. She is at a very crucial growing period in her life and I have chosen not to medicate her as long as she is doing so well. I would not suggest this to anyone as each individual has a different situation, but just be sure there is a definite diagnosis of ADD before medicating. My daughter had some of the same problems as your son with multi-tasking and transitioning from one task to another. She was also distracted easily which was solved by wearing earphones. With a little bit of individual help she has been improving every year in those areas, but every child is different. I am so sorry that your experience with the school system has not been good. Is there a possiblity of another school? Just remember YOU ARE IN CHARGE and it is YOUR son. I did much research and consulted with a specified ADD doctor before I made any final decisions.
There are people here on this board that can give you very good advice. They know much more on the subject then I do, so please keep posting and see others advice also. The very best to you and your son. My heart goes out to you. Dee

We live in a rural area and the school that he attends does not have alot of the resources necessary. He is a december baby so he was almost 6 when he started school. He is in the first grade now. We have been trying to get the school to approach teaching him differently since he started kindergarten. One of the things the case worker is going to suggest to the district is ,to move him to a school in town ,where they have integrated classrooms. I have to put alot of thought into that though. I don't think pulling him out of the class and a school he knows half way through the year and bussing him into town and putting him in with a school of kids and a teacher he does not know would be a good idea.

I agree with you that would be a shock, especially if he has ADD, but if it is worth him getting the proper education for his specific needs that may be the answer. Maybe finish the school year and then start him fresh in the new school when he goes back. He is young and it is easier to move him now then later when he has made friends. Of course this is completely your choice. You know your son better then anyone else and you want him to have the teachers that can help him the most. I totally understand how you feel. This is all very scarey for everyone involved. There are so many decisions to make but in the end you will make the right one for your son. Hang in there and please keep posting. Hugs, Dee

I'm certainly not trying to give you any advice about meds. I managed to get a law degree without ever knowing I hadd ADD. It was, however, a constant struggle. There are many ways to stimulate the mind without meds.....and good exercise would be the first thing I tried. The day I stopped playing competitive sports, is the day I knew something was really wrong with me. The only thing I was talking about with the therapy, is the emotions. If he is anything like I was... and he sounds a lot like it.. he worries a lot. He gets anxious about things most other children have never even thought about. A lot of his time not spent actively doing something, is spent in worry. Typically these kids have a lot of separation anxiety as well. I'm just saying I wish I'd learned early how to deal with worries and anxiety.

My son is 10, and ADD innattentive type/Anxiety disorder. I did not start medication with him until last yr (4th grade), when we transferred him to a new school. At his old school, he had a horrible time! They told me he was a handful, he was going to end up in special ed (he's also gifted), the other kids don't get along with him, etc. You name it they said it. For me, it wasn't the message, but the delivery. They wanted me to medicate him, but they weren't doing their part! I even hired an attorney, and he reminded them of the legalities of suggesting medication. Anyway, I moved him to a different school, and they are wonderful! VERY informed on ADD. They never once mentioned meds, instead they suggested a stress ball to help with fidgeting, behavior charts, and a motivator (small device that looks like a beeper and goes off every few minutes to remind you to get back on task). After all these things weren't working, that is when I decided to give him medication. He starts middle school next year, and I'm hoping that I will not have to give him medication. I would like puberty to run it's course, but we'll see!

All of your post have been very helpful, and I am grateful that I found this site. I don't know anyone with a child that has ADD or any other disorder, and have been a little overwhelmed. It is the delivery in which I have been given information from the school. It almost seems like they are saying to me this is a medical issue, get him on medications then we will see what we can do about getting him an education. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that I will not allow him medications if, as some of you mentioned, we cant work through it other ways. I just want to leave it as a last resort.

ANN74 and lettie is the anxiety a product of the ADD or is it a seperate disorder? My son literally worries about everything and everyone. I often laugh and say he is his little sister's lawyer. When she gets sent to her room for misbehaving, he will begin negotiations with me for her early release :) (believe me she does not have the same concern for his happiness when he is sent to his room)

I'm certainly not a doctor, and there are so many diff types of symptoms of ADD, but generally kids with ADD are worrriers and get anxious about things... it's not really until we get to be adults do they say ADD-with Anxiety..etc. One of the reasons is that they are so intelligent, and their brain sorts things differently, they already have to ponder the problems of the world, or how something should work etc...

Well, I think my son inherited my disorder, because that is my diagnosis as well. When my son learned about slavery in the first grade, he cried SO MUCH. When I'm even a few minutes late to pick him up after school, he'll get upset and say, "I though you were in an accident!" When he started taking meds, the anxiety cleared up a bit. I am 31 and will be graduating from college this summer. It has been SO hard for me. I am the classic ADD case. When I started to research the disorder along with my personal difficulties, I did not want my son to go through the same thing. A lot of my problems as an adult were a result of so much failure through out my life. It takes a toll on your self esteem. I am on medication now, and I have a good grasp on my goals.

I agree with the others that this is consistent with the profile of an ADD child.

My son is a brilliant reader, but can't memorize a thing without meds. At nearly 8 years old, he didn't know his phone number. The 2nd day on Adderall he caught up; he learned his phone number, birthday (managed date finally, but couldn't get year), address and zip code!

My son's deficits were in math and writing, and they are now well above average (he's been on Adderall since December).

If you check out this thread, I think you'll see the emotional sensitivity that your son has.....

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25609

Good luck with it all, and keep in mind that it may not be ADD; it could be only an audio processing disorder. The silver lining to an ADD diagnosis, however, is that it is treatable.....

cwsmom....

It sounds like our children have done a lot of the same things..

My son's 1st diagnosis was with Central Auditory Processing/Short Term Memory...when he was 7 yrs old. He is now 10. We did all the accomodations to that...and worked with Earobics (phonics based auditory processing computer program) for months...He also worked with a speech therapist at school to learn how to rhymn his words (he couldn't *hear* the difference). His is great now with rhyming words.

Then...thru a *Ron Davis Dyslexia Program* we discovered that he is dyslexic...we have been claying words to help him retain *sight* words in his brain (dyslexics are visual and have a hard time remembering words that have no visual meaning ie: the, other, let..etc.

Still slow progress...NOW...he has been diagnosed as ADD. Again like your child, very well behaved, loved by adults and kids, he can comprehend any story read aloud...even memorize books that he has had read to him....BUT..he can barely read past 2nd grade (he is in 4th)..after two years of a home tutoring program, personal aid at school..etc.

I am told...that the ADD is preventing him from grasping what we are teaching him. That he can not concentrate enough to retain this work. Phonics did not work for him.

We have also recently cut out evening T.V and made sure he is getting 8 hrs of good sleep...but now after everything..I am considering Adderall.

I guess the only thing you can do..is to do all you can before you put him on the drugs. In the beginning..I knew I could find something to help him..without drugs. I haven't found it and my son is falling further behind in school. I have a wonderful support system at our school and have discussed this with everybody..and we have all agreed "maybe its the link that we are missing".

For me..I know its time to try what I never wanted to. Sometimes though...if you made accomodations in the classroom for CAPD..you will see improvement right away. I think sometimes my sons other diagnosis aren't the real problem is the inability to concentrate (add)..that has really been the issue all along. I feel bad that he has struggled all this time.

Weigh it all out...try what you can before drugs..then IF he still struggles you will KNOW that meds are the next step. I do wish though...that I hadn't *tried* so long..but nobody at the school or myself suspected ADD...It wasn't until I got a second opinion that brought the ADD issue.

Good luck!