ADD Primary Inattentive

[maple17]

We have the appointment with the developmental paediatrician for Mr 9 this week. Is there any difference with regards to the diagnostic process with ADD-PI? I assume it'll be the rounds of forms for us and the teacher. I've already had a WIAT and WISC completed that I'll bring (we can see that there is a massive discrepancy between his scores on reasoning and working memory/processing speed). His scores for processing speed are the same as his sister's and she has a learning plan in place to help address this, so I'm hoping to do the same for him. His working memory scores are lower than hers too. His cognitive profile was pretty uneven, with many areas around 95th percentile and some around 30th.

I've also got a letter from the psychologist and will have a report from the OT (we're also looking into DCD/dyspraxia which according to what I've read is often comorbid with ADHD).

He does not have any behavioural issues (like his sister has). None of the impulsiveness or emotional regulation challenges. No one at school thinks there's any problems. His teacher says he's lovely. Chatty, friendly, easy going. Day dreamer. Makes careless errors. You know the story.

[sarahsweets]

Originally Posted by maple17

We have the appointment with the developmental paediatrician for Mr 9 this week. Is there any difference with regards to the diagnostic process with ADD-PI? I assume it'll be the rounds of forms for us and the teacher. I've already had a WIAT and WISC completed that I'll bring (we can see that there is a massive discrepancy between his scores on reasoning and working memory/processing speed). His scores for processing speed are the same as his sister's and she has a learning plan in place to help address this, so I'm hoping to do the same for him. His working memory scores are lower than hers too. His cognitive profile was pretty uneven, with many areas around 95th percentile and some around 30th.

Who did all of these developmental tests? There are often differences that are noticeable between certain areas with adhd kids. Does he have an IEP or is that what you are trying to get?
]quote]
He does not have any behavioural issues (like his sister has). None of the impulsiveness or emotional regulation challenges. No one at school thinks there's any problems. His teacher says he's lovely. Chatty, friendly, easy going. [/quote]
Not all kids have to be behavior problems to have adhd.

[maple17]

The psychologist who administered his sister's assessments did his as well.

Yes, getting a learning plan is one of the goals. The school will not implement one without a diagnosis.

[sarahsweets]

I didnt use the quote function very well, sorry. I was curious to know if the school did these tests or if they were all private.My concern is the teacher might not be in your corner if there are no behavior issues. A lot of times if a child doesnt disrupt class its hard for teachers to give an accurate account of the troubles a child has.

[maple17]

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

I didnt use the quote function very well, sorry. I was curious to know if the school did these tests or if they were all private.My concern is the teacher might not be in your corner if there are no behavior issues. A lot of times if a child doesnt disrupt class its hard for teachers to give an accurate account of the troubles a child has.

So true. Even with my daughter who has the challenges with emotional regulation and impulsivity, she didn't raise any red flags at school and her teacher didn't notice anything until she had to fill out all the forms and reflect on each question and then when I compared the teacher's submission and mine at the time of handing them over to the paed, they more or less matched.

I have no doubt my son's teacher doesn't see an issue with him at all. He performs at standard, bit careless with his work and makes errors, chatty, but not disruptive. It's only now with the cognitive assessments complete and psych evaluation that we can see there is definitely something worth looking into and getting the appropriate supports if required.

[Caco3girl]

My now 15 year old is ADHD-PI, his lowest scores are in reading. Specifically having to recall something that he has read and answer questions about it. They also did a test where they showed him several pictures and gave the people in the pictures names, then put them away, talked for a bit, then brought them out and asked him for the names...he couldn't do it. Then there was remember these 3 words....10 minutes later he could remember the first one was a way to get around (bus) but couldn't remember what it was. The second was a fruit he liked, but he couldn't remember which one (apple), the third was actually the word house, but he said home.

I personally think there is more going on with him than just ADHD, he uses substitute words in his head...it's very frustrating for him. It's like playing the game telephone and always getting it just a little wrong. I didn't explore it further because after a year of teachers scales, my scales, the doctors observations...etc. they gave him an IEP. I hear it's rare to get one for ADHD alone, but it happened for him middle of 9th grade, and just in time. I truly think he would have left school by now if he didn't get the IEP and co-taught classes that help keep him focused so school isn't SO overwhelming for him any more.

[maple17]

Originally Posted by Caco3girl

My now 15 year old is ADHD-PI, his lowest scores are in reading. Specifically having to recall something that he has read and answer questions about it. They also did a test where they showed him several pictures and gave the people in the pictures names, then put them away, talked for a bit, then brought them out and asked him for the names...he couldn't do it. Then there was remember these 3 words....10 minutes later he could remember the first one was a way to get around (bus) but couldn't remember what it was. The second was a fruit he liked, but he couldn't remember which one (apple), the third was actually the word house, but he said home.

I personally think there is more going on with him than just ADHD, he uses substitute words in his head...it's very frustrating for him. It's like playing the game telephone and always getting it just a little wrong. I didn't explore it further because after a year of teachers scales, my scales, the doctors observations...etc. they gave him an IEP. I hear it's rare to get one for ADHD alone, but it happened for him middle of 9th grade, and just in time. I truly think he would have left school by now if he didn't get the IEP and co-taught classes that help keep him focused so school isn't SO overwhelming for him any more.

Aw, I think it's often tough enough for our boys in traditional school as is, and then the ADD makes it even more tricky. I'm glad that you got the IEP in place and with that extra support, it makes a huge difference.

We're off to the paediatrician this afternoon. I've got the OT's report to bring with me. She's the expert in her field and she was pretty blunt with some of her language. She reckons he's easily distracted, restless, has difficulty with organisation, and she was quite detailed about his particular motor skills deficits and problems with visio-motor fluency. I also have the letter from the psychologist and his test results (WIAT/WISC). So, looks to me like ADHD and DCD/dyspraxia, but will see what the paed says. I think there's more than enough to warrant further investigation and a possible learning plan for next year. We also need a diagnosis to access funding for continuing OT (which the therapist thinks he definitely requires).

[maple17]

Result: looks like kid #2 with ADHD. She read all the reports and we were there for an hour and based on the reports, her observations, and the family history, said it's very likely Mr 9 has it as well. She did note hyperactivity in the form of swinging feet, chair rocking, fidgeting etc. I guess I'm used to it and don't even see it. He doesn't have any emotional regulation issues and not much in terms of impulsivity, so different from his sister in that regard.

Meds trial in January, during our summer holidays. I'm not even phased by it. One kid was a surprise. I was expecting this actually ever since I saw the WISC results and noted how since the school year went on, his working memory just seemed to struggle at times. I do hope he fares as well as she did in terms of no side effects (besides her weight). Because he has no behavioural issues, I'm a bit more leery of how it will go. We would be doing meds mainly to help with school.

Oh and likely DCD as well with funded OT for him.

[Caco3girl]

Originally Posted by maple17

Result: looks like kid #2 with ADHD. She read all the reports and we were there for an hour and based on the reports, her observations, and the family history, said it's very likely Mr 9 has it as well. She did note hyperactivity in the form of swinging feet, chair rocking, fidgeting etc. I guess I'm used to it and don't even see it. He doesn't have any emotional regulation issues and not much in terms of impulsivity, so different from his sister in that regard.

Meds trial in January, during our summer holidays. I'm not even phased by it. One kid was a surprise. I was expecting this actually ever since I saw the WISC results and noted how since the school year went on, his working memory just seemed to struggle at times. I do hope he fares as well as she did in terms of no side effects (besides her weight). Because he has no behavioural issues, I'm a bit more leery of how it will go. We would be doing meds mainly to help with school.

Oh and likely DCD as well with funded OT for him.

Don't be surprised if the impulse control issues develop around puberty. My son did some tapping and feet swinging, nothing major until age 11/12. Then the phrase "think before you do something" became our house mantra. He spent over a month in in school suspension in 8th grade for the craziest crap I have ever heard of BUT he broke school policy so they had to reprimand him, repeatedly.

My favorite occurred last year, age 14, 9th grade. A girl sat in his lunch spot, he had put down his bags, and the girl said she wanted to sit there, but he said no he was. He left to get his lunch, came back and the girl had pushed his stuff to the floor and was sitting there. He couldn't accept that she was sitting there and told her to move. She didn't. So he phsycially picked her up very gently, and moved her to the table behind them, and then sat down and ate. The girl then got so mad she hit him in the head...he continued to eat. Her friend came up and poured water over him, he continued to eat. The lunch proctors hauled them all into the VP's office and they reviewed the video. The VP was very nice when he called, even chuckling a bit. He said he understood it was an impulse control issue, but they couldn't have a student bodily moving another student, but commended him for not reacting to the hit or the water and those girls got way more than 1 day of ISS. But yeah, that is a good example of the impulse control issues my son has. Not violent, but definitely not thinking before he acts.

[sarahsweets]

Originally Posted by Caco3girl

Don't be surprised if the impulse control issues develop around puberty. My son did some tapping and feet swinging, nothing major until age 11/12. Then the phrase "think before you do something" became our house mantra. He spent over a month in in school suspension in 8th grade for the craziest crap I have ever heard of BUT he broke school policy so they had to reprimand him, repeatedly.

My favorite occurred last year, age 14, 9th grade. A girl sat in his lunch spot, he had put down his bags, and the girl said she wanted to sit there, but he said no he was. He left to get his lunch, came back and the girl had pushed his stuff to the floor and was sitting there. He couldn't accept that she was sitting there and told her to move. She didn't. So he phsycially picked her up very gently, and moved her to the table behind them, and then sat down and ate. The girl then got so mad she hit him in the head...he continued to eat. Her friend came up and poured water over him, he continued to eat. The lunch proctors hauled them all into the VP's office and they reviewed the video. The VP was very nice when he called, even chuckling a bit. He said he understood it was an impulse control issue, but they couldn't have a student bodily moving another student, but commended him for not reacting to the hit or the water and those girls got way more than 1 day of ISS. But yeah, that is a good example of the impulse control issues my son has. Not violent, but definitely not thinking before he acts.

I cant believe those jerks did that to him! He must have EXCELLENT impulse control to avoid pounding them into the floor.

[Caco3girl]

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

I cant believe those jerks did that to him! He must have EXCELLENT impulse control to avoid pounding them into the floor.

LOL, well yeah, it happened. The thing with my son is that he doesn't think ahead for repercussions, he is more of a "I won't make that mistake again" type of learner. He misses a lot of social cues, so he has to rely on experience. We covered the options of what to do if someone hits you, or pours food or drink on you....we did NOT cover bodily moving people who were annoying you, lol, but we have now!

I personally think the girl was attempting to flirt. I think it just went really wrong when he didn't understand she was flirting.

[maple17]

I think it was pretty amazing that your son kept it together when they hit him and poured water on him. Omg. I did read it though and see my son acting pretty much the same way. His sister is more of the instant lash back with equal measure, although meds have helped this tremendously.

Thanks for the heads up re the impulse control at puberty. Gosh, puberty and ADHD, fun times.

I hope the meds help him with school. I'm pretty easy going about grades and just ask that they work to their potential. The paed noted from his scores and reports that he's very bright, but the ADHD is impacting how that is demonstrated. And my son is also starting to realise this when he told the psych that his brain gets tired trying to write and that he forgets what he is supposed to do. It's contributing to a sense of anxiety and starting to be more present on his radar, so best we address it now.

[Caco3girl]

Originally Posted by maple17

I think it was pretty amazing that your son kept it together when they hit him and poured water on him. Omg. I did read it though and see my son acting pretty much the same way. His sister is more of the instant lash back with equal measure, although meds have helped this tremendously.

Thanks for the heads up re the impulse control at puberty. Gosh, puberty and ADHD, fun times.

I hope the meds help him with school. I'm pretty easy going about grades and just ask that they work to their potential. The paed noted from his scores and reports that he's very bright, but the ADHD is impacting how that is demonstrated. And my son is also starting to realise this when he told the psych that his brain gets tired trying to write and that he forgets what he is supposed to do. It's contributing to a sense of anxiety and starting to be more present on his radar, so best we address it now.

When my son hit 5th grade his grades started to drop. Ability and willingness to do the work was a constant war.

The rule for my son is that he has to have an average of 80% in his core classes (English, math, science, social studies) or he's grounded. Now that could mean he has a 70 in reading and a 90 in math and all the others are 80% and he's fine. He finds it comforting to know if he's doing poorly in one class I'm not going to ground him, he just has to work extra hard in other classes to make up for the deficit.