I'm confused and would like your opinion. My son...who has severe reading disorder and writing issues had his pediatric evaluation today.

The Dr. said he is NOT ADD..that the 9 types of criteria ...he shows no symptoms...so he is not ADD.

The pyschologist who I also saw a few weeks ago said "he is ADD...in which he can't concentrate enough to retain any information on reading or writing". He based this on a TOVA test.

The pyschologist wanted me to have him put on Adderal...which the Dr. said she would let us try it for 30 days...but she doesn't think it will help.

The Dr. said that ADD effects every area in his life..not just the two isolated ones. That he would have problems in other areas, wouldn't beable to concentrate on math or any other subject.

To describe him..he is just like my other two kids...just he can't read or write. He has no other issues...minds the same, has to be told the same kind of things, etc. etc.

I'm at the Dr's mercy cause she is the one that can write the prescriptions...the physcologist wanted to up his meds every few weeks until we saw a level of improvment in his reading.

I don't know who to believe. Is it true that just cause my kid has no issues in everything but reading and math that he is NOT add? I dont' know enough to
to say who is correct in this matter.

thanks..

Is either one of them actually an AD/HD specialist?

With ADD and adderall, you can exxpect to see a possitive change right away. You would not see the full benefit for several weeks once the appropriate dose has been determined.

Also, the TOVA has been widely criticized because it gives many false negatives.
I don't think it is an approved tool for anything.

I would expect to have the child undergo a full neuropsychiatric evaluation before coming to a conclusion. Has a full suite of neuropsychiatric tests been performed ? What was the diagnosis that came from the formal evaluation ?

If the MD thinks the kid does not have adhd, what does he think the problem is ?

Giving a kid meds to find out if he is add, is not a very good diagnostic... but if the meds help, who cares what the label is, other than the fact that an improper diagnosis could lead to improper treatment. If these yahoos can't make up their minds, maybe it is time for a third opinion. Make sure someone gives the kid a proper evaluation.

Me :D

Tara & Speedo...our Dr. is a pediatrician who does evaulations for ADD. Is she I *specialist* in ADD...I'm not sure. She does do evaluations and seems to be firm in what she is talking about. She IS thee best ped Dr. in our area...and I have a lot of confidence in her....

But I have confidence in the pyschologist too. His is a child councellor too...who specializes in testing children for learning disabilities. He has much training regarding brain activities and different brain issues. He says he has seen children like my son...who responded well with meds.

The pediatrician has put us on a waiting list to be on a evaulation *team* of different Dr's who specialize in different disorders. They come from all over the state..with different ideas .... Looking at everything from family life, medical history, etc. Its free...so I figure *why not* Unfortunately our turn will be next fall.

No full set of tests have been done. He did have testing done from the Elks Hearing Center, which determined Audio Processing Disorder..and then the ones from the pyschologist..which included the TOVA. Do you know of any certain test I should ask for that should be tested?

He is also dyslexic...the Dr. today said her opinion is "a severe case of dyslexia"

I thought I had a proper evaulation from the pyschologist..but my Dr. doesn't think so.

The Dr. did give me a perscription of Adderal...she said we can try it and see if it helps. She said that we don't need a *label* to make a medicine work...but the the meds aren't fixing the underlying problem to why he can't read.

I guess with the meds...unless the 1st dose works the first time...we won't be given a second chance on upping the dose or changing meds...cause she says he does not have ADD. The pychologist's idea was to test him again in two weeks and see if his test scores go up..if they do..then we know we have the right level for concentration...if they don't...up the meds and retest in a few weeks. (which we will not have that option)

I'm just discouraged because I have been searching for so long for some answers and a program that will help my son to read. I have tried so many programs that I dont' know what to do now to help him anymore. He is 1st grade reader in 4th grade...and nobody knows what to do. Its very discouraging. I guess I was hoping that a diagnoisis and a pill would make it all better. :-(

My daughter has ADHD and dyslexia. I'm currently homeschooling her in second grade. We've been helped a lot in the reading area by Hooked on Phonics.

Dyslexia unfortunately will not be helped by a pill, if that is the only problem. To receive an ADHD diagnosis one must have six out of nine possible symptoms and have impairment because of the symptoms. Some of the symptoms must also show up in two or more settings.

My psychologist gave me the TOVA at my doctor's request. He also spent an entire session getting a history of my symptoms. The TOVA isn't needed for a diagnosis and some of the leading experts don't believe it's valuable for diagnosis because of the number of false negatives. However, I haven't heard about a problem with false positives, so I don't know how valuable the TOVA results are in your son's case.

I listed the symptoms the doctor is looking for -- there must be six of either inattention or hyperactive/impulsive for a formal diagnosis. Russell Barkley's book Taking Charge of Attention Deficit Disorder is a good one if you're trying to understand ADHD better. There are good articles on diagnosis and treatment of ADHD at www.schablearning.com (http://www.schablearning.com/) too.

Inattention

(a) often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities

(b) often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities

(c) often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly

(d) often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)

(e) often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities

(f) often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort such as schoolwork or homework)

(g) often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)

(h) is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli

(i) is often forgetful in daily activities

(2) six (or more) of the following symptoms of hyperactivity–impulsivity have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:

Hyperactivity

(a) often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat

(b) often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected

(c) often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)

(d) often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly

(e) is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”

(f) often talks excessively

Impulsivity

(g) often blurts out answers before the questions have been completed

(h) often has difficulty awaiting turn

(i) often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)


Take care -- I know all this is confusing enough without your doctor's disagreeing. The team approach next fall sounds hopeful, but that is a ways away yet. Hope you find the answers you need to help your son.

Scattered

scattered...

My Dr. said exactly what you said about the 6 out of 9...he showed 0 out of 9. I guess because his concentration issues are ONLY in reading and writing..that he does not qualify...and not at home life either.

My son does not have the hyperactivity issue at all.

I am going to do the *team* thing...to try and figure this out. I was *hoping* he was ADD in the fact that maybe we could figure him out now. Nothing that I have done so far...Read Right...Ron Davis Program..Jeffery Freeed...has helped him in the area for him being dyslexic.

I'm wondering if I should start the *hooked on phonics* again from scratch...from the very beginning. We tried it before...but it never clicked with him. I wonder if he would get it now.

Thanks for the input. I appreciate reading these boards and knowing that even though he does not have ADD...that one day...we might find what works for him.

K

Dannysmum:

Try the meds and see what happens. BUT, with a learning delay auditory proccessing disorder and dyslexia already known to be present, I would suspect that there is more to this than ADHD.

There is no one test for ADD, but a battery of carefully chosen tests along with family history and patient interviews is typically quite useful in diagnosing these conditions.

work with yor doctor and psychologist on yhis... insist on having a full neuropsyciatric evaluation. Your psychologist can do this. Once you have that info, take it to your MD.

good luck

Me :D

Tara & Speedo...our Dr. is a pediatrician who does evaulations for ADD. Is she I *specialist* in ADD...I'm not sure. She does do evaluations and seems to be firm in what she is talking about. She IS thee best ped Dr. in our area...and I have a lot of confidence in her....

But I have confidence in the pyschologist too. His is a child councellor too...who specializes in testing children for learning disabilities. He has much training regarding brain activities and different brain issues. He says he has seen children like my son...who responded well with meds.

The pediatrician has put us on a waiting list to be on a evaulation *team* of different Dr's who specialize in different disorders. They come from all over the state..with different ideas .... Looking at everything from family life, medical history, etc. Its free...so I figure *why not* Unfortunately our turn will be next fall.

No full set of tests have been done. He did have testing done from the Elks Hearing Center, which determined Audio Processing Disorder..and then the ones from the pyschologist..which included the TOVA. Do you know of any certain test I should ask for that should be tested?

He is also dyslexic...the Dr. today said her opinion is "a severe case of dyslexia"

I thought I had a proper evaulation from the pyschologist..but my Dr. doesn't think so.

The Dr. did give me a perscription of Adderal...she said we can try it and see if it helps. She said that we don't need a *label* to make a medicine work...but the the meds aren't fixing the underlying problem to why he can't read.

I guess with the meds...unless the 1st dose works the first time...we won't be given a second chance on upping the dose or changing meds...cause she says he does not have ADD. The pychologist's idea was to test him again in two weeks and see if his test scores go up..if they do..then we know we have the right level for concentration...if they don't...up the meds and retest in a few weeks. (which we will not have that option)

I'm just discouraged because I have been searching for so long for some answers and a program that will help my son to read. I have tried so many programs that I dont' know what to do now to help him anymore. He is 1st grade reader in 4th grade...and nobody knows what to do. Its very discouraging. I guess I was hoping that a diagnoisis and a pill would make it all better. :-(

I would get another opinion. If his only difficulties are with reading and writing and he doesn't exhibit any of the other symptoms of ADHD I would more deeply question both Drs. the ADHD, especially because they disagree.

If he is dyslexic without the ADHD, he would likely be displaying some inattentive behavior at times because he would be trying to avoid a task that is difficult (reading and writing). Regardless of ADHD, people tend to avoid tasks that are too difficult.

I agree that trying different phonics programs will help you find the best approach for your son. Since dyslexia is a phonic disorder (sound/symbol relationships), phonics would be difficult. If phonics doesn't help, trying to help him read from context may.

Good luck with finding the right support and diagnosis for your son!