Question: what do you do when the Dr. tells you that it might not be ADHD anymore but something else. My 8 yr. old son went to the Dr. today and she told me that she didn't think it was ADHD anymore but some other disorder dealing problems with authority.

Did she say that it wasn't AD/HD or did she say he has something in addition to the AD/HD?

She said that she thought taht it wasn't ad/hd anymor that it had turned into something else.

It doesn't just turn into something else. It can cause other problems and can exist with other problems. JUst to be clear, the only correct phrasing is that the doc changed their mind about the diagnosis. Persistence is a big factor in diagnosing ADD. The fact that it doesn't go away or suddenly appear. People might learn to cope in some way or enter a new difficult situation that makes it more of a problem but it's always there.

Did she give the problem with authority a name? I'll assume that it's Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and not the more serious version, Conduct Disorder.
Both are often co-morbid with ADHD - in fact ADHD is considered a risk factor for ODD. You can, however, have ODD alone.
Did your Dr tell you why she no longer thinks it's ADHD? What evidence is she basing it on - School reports, parent reports, her own observations in the Dr's office, etc - and is she a specialist in these types of things - how much experience does she have diagnosing ADHD & ODD? (a lot of pediatricians do have experience, so many can effectively diagnose it, but I'd ask her how many other similar patients she has treated)
I would ask her as many questions as you can and if she is not experienced with these conditions, I'd look for a diagnosis from an expert who is.
Unfortunately it does take some persistance sometimes to get the correct diagnosis - In my own case I first saw a psychiatrist (not an expert in ADHD) who said I was just depressed. I wasn't happy with that, so I searched for another Dr and was very lucky to find a bonafide expert who happened to be taking patients at the time. It was well worth the time, trouble and wait (it took me 5 months from start to finish).
Good luck,
Greg

This was the PA not his regular DR. and she has been working with us for about 6 mo. She thought that it was ODD I think because of the way he was acting in the office and because I told her that what he was doing was what I dealt with all the time at home. She recomended that we get him retested and start counceling, but my husband refuses counceling. He won't even tell me why, he just said NO! and that was that. I feel like my hands are tied. I don't have the money to have him retested. I am a full time college student and I don't work out side the home so we only make about 2,000 a mo. With the 4 of us that's not a lot. The wating lists to get tested here are long too and it can take months just to get in to see the Dr's in OKC who do the testing. UGHHHHHHHHHHH! I thank GOD that I found some one to talk to, I think that I was starting to go nuts... not really but ya know what I mean. My Hub. doesn't want to admit that there is anything wrong. I had to fight with him just to get my son on meds in the first place and now they arn't working like they should. HE said that I could have D. retested but what after that I don't know.

My daughter just had her diagnose's changed today after a lot of test's. I honestly don't think you outgrow ADHD or that it becomes something else completly but maybe grows into awwwww well... *rolls eyes*

My daughter for 2 years has been diagnosed ADHD. Her new diagnose's is ADHD/ODD. FUN FUN FUN!!!!!!!!!!!

The problem with retesting is that there really are no acurate tests for ADHD. An expert bases his diagnosis on observation of the child and on parent and teacher observations and parent and teacher questionaires. Other possible medical or psychological causes of the problems are excluded and then the diagnosis is made. All other psychological testing, like the TOVA (which test attention) or IQ tests (WISC ?) are just tools to pin down specific problems, etc - they aren't reliable enough to diagnose with (TOVA type tests give a fair number of "false negative" results). You can't see ADHD on an MRI or on a blood test and while there are Drs who say they have brain scans that can identify ADHD, they're controvercial and mostly their work hasn't been duplicated elsewhere.
What tests did they do on your son the first time? If money is tight I would question the necessity of retesting - a second opinion is always good, if you can find another expert and get in to see him/her - how experienced was the Dr who diagnosed the ADHD? Was this the same Dr who thinks it's now ODD alone? What is your son like at school, by the way, is he as oppositional there too? How about when he's playing with other children - do the ODD characteristis appear then too? I'm just wondering if he was acting up in the Drs office (and at home) or is he always pretty much the same.
Studies have shown that the most cost effective way to treat children with ADHD and associated conditions - like ODD - is by medication. Medication AND behaviour therapy/counceling is more effective than medication alone, but not that much more effective, and it takes a lot of time, effort and money for counceling - and it sounds like counceling is a fight with your husband that may be hard to win.
Perhaps you can reach a comprimise with him - agree to forget about the counceling for now, but try to find the right medication or medications for your son, and give them a chance to work.
What medications have you tried so far?
How effective was it?
It's too bad your husband has the attitude he does - My guess is he sees his son's problems as a reflection on himself. Does he understand that ADHD has a physical cause - reduced levels of dopamine in the brain - and that it has nothing to do with his parenting skills?
Regards,
Greg

Kathy,

I am not a parent, so please forgive me if I am out of line. Your son's mental health should come first, and if it is suggested that he have retesting, then you should do it even if your husband says no.

A counselor should be able to help determine whether it is ADD or whatever else it could be. I was tested by a counselor and all in all the cost wasn't too overwhelming, at least compared to that of a psychologist in my area.

Also, just my unprofessional opinion but I don't think a PA knows as much about behavioral disorders as a counselor (anyone please correct me if I'm wrong!).

Best wishes,
Britawn

Please remember that medicine/psychiatry and psychology are not exact sciences. Life would certainly be easier if they were. It never hurts to get a second opinion sometimes, if you feel there needs to be one or if things arent working well.

Russell Barkley encourages parents to become "executive parents", which simply means that the child is the corporation, you as the parent(s) are the CEO(s) and people like the medical docs. psychologists and the school(s) are your paid consultants. I wish you much good luck and success.

Take care.

I agree completely, McTavish. A second opinion is a very good idea, particularly when you feel the Dr might not be correct.
Upon re-reading my previous posting I sound as if I am against getting a second opinion. My point was about "testing" and it's usefulness vs it's cost. It's only human nature to want to see proof - like test results - that a problem exists. Many people don't believe ADHD exists because they can't "see" it.
My experience with testing for ADHD was at the patient end, back in the 70's. I was tested for everything, a bunch of times due to poor attention and academic performance that was below my ability. When I looked at my school file, there must have been 5 or 6 IQ test results alone in the span of 3 years. They diagnosed a learning disability - disgraphia - but failed to catch the ADHD - I got called lazy instead. My parents didn't have to pay for the tests - the school board and the OHIP paid - but I would seriously question their usefulness in my case - the comments from my teachers were far more telling, in retrospect.
If you have limited funds, spend them on an expert second opinion - in my opinion anyway ;-)
Regards,
Greg