My son had a Psychological Evalution done in Feb. 2006, that I prompted my ex-wife to have done to see whether or not he had ADD/ADHD. The results confirmed that he had a Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder. It also stated that he demonstrated isolated impairment on a task of visual attention. However, since birth my son had Stramibismic Amblopia ( a type of lazy eye). This condition has not been treated properly and can make visual attention hard. Lastly when it came to ADHD, it stated: Diagnostic Impressions: Rule out Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. However, as one of the recommendations listed for helping improve my son's attention and school performance the evaluator said consideration for a trial of stimulant medication would be appropriate. My ex-wife put him on Adderall XR in December 2006 without my knowledge or consent ( we both have Joint Legal Custody) and he's been on it since. Maybe I don't understand medical/psychological terms well, but my understanding is that if rule out a disorder, why on earth would you suggest taking medication for the same disorder you said the patient did not have. It's like saying "you do not have cancer, you have appendicitus", but then the doctor tells you you need chemotherapy. It does not make since and I want this stopped as the true reasons for his focusing issues are not being addressed and he's being given a drug he does not need.

well there is a difference between ADD and ADHD, they just get lumped together.. maybe he has symptoms of ADD... like me.. I only wish I was hyper.. maybe then I would have more modivation... heh. anyway. there is a difference.. you may need to talk to the doctor.. im not sure about patient rights and all that but you are his father so you should be able to get the diagnoses anyway.

ADD is an older term for ADHD. ADHD is now the proper term. However, there are different subtypes; Primarily innattentive ADHD, ADHD with hyperactivity, etc.

I don't know exactly why they would recommend Adderall, however one reason they do the psych eval is to determine what types of learning dissorders your child has. To see if there is a way to help with those problems. On the other hand maybe there is a problem with attention or focusing in the classroom that they may think can be helped with the Adderall. While making a diagnosis can help determine what the proper med should be, in the end you prescribe meds to treat the symptoms, not to treat the diagnosis.

Having said all that, I am no Dr. just regurgitating what I have heard in my many visits.

Maybe I don't understand medical/psychological terms well, but my understanding is that if rule out a disorder, why on earth would you suggest taking medication for the same disorder you said the patient did not have. It's like saying "you do not have cancer, you have appendicitus", but then the doctor tells you you need chemotherapy. It does not make since and I want this stopped as the true reasons for his focusing issues are not being addressed and he's being given a drug he does not need.As MGDAD has already stated so well, medication treats symptoms, not a diagnosis. Most experts consider it inconclusive to confirm a diagnosis with a lack of a response to a medication.

If you check out other forums about other disorders or investigate other sites where people go for support with other disorders, you will discover that stimulant meds are used for a variety of reasons. For example: my patient handout from my pharmacy states that methylphenidate increases mentlal alertness and is used for narcolepsy, adhd and may also be used for treating depression in certain cases. It is very common for kids with FASD and Asperger Syndrome to benefit from taking stimulant medication. Some people with ADHD also take traditionally "non-ADHD" meds.

I would suggest you dig in and do some research on medication from reliable sources so you can make an informed decision regarding your son. Knowledge is power.