New to this, need some advice.

[feelinglost1985]

Hello, I am new to this site and need any advice I can get. I never thought my child had ADHD until this year when he started coming home every day crying because he has no friends and everyone calls him annoying. My first thought was maybe ADHD but still not sure let me take him to his pediatrician and ask a few questions. He wants me to get him evaluated which I am having a hard time finding the right person. In the meantime I keep getting notes home, actually letters advising how my son is struggling and doesn't seem to understand any which way they try to explain it to him. I know he is very smart if he would just slow down, he has issues slowing down and not being distracted. My son has never stopped, since the day he was born he was going and I just thought he is a boy and hyperactive but now it is starting to hurt him in school.

He has not been diagnosed yet, I don't want him to only go through the standardized testing and them say yes or no and say he needs meds or he doesn't. I want to find someone that will help me decide what the best options are for him and use meds as the last resort only if he needs them. I have found physiologists will only test him and not really give you options and therapists cannot diagnose him. Any advice on who/where I can go that will evaluate him and give me the best options/alternatives? Or even a good pediatrician that is really helpful with this?

I am in the Ft. Worth/Dallas area.

[Adhd-mom]

I’m in a different state so don’t know who to suggest - however did you try to reach out to your local CHADD support group? They may be able to help. Good luck.

[Jimquill]

Dear Feelinglost1985,

I am a parent of 2 teen boys one who struggles with ADHD and one with high anxiety. They are doing well but after much advocating and help. Fortunately I am at home Mom and have made it a full time job. Anyway, my first recommendation is to ask the school for a PPT through your Special Education Dept. it sounds like based on his school struggles the school will conduct testing. I would find a neurologist and have blood work performed and an EEG. The EEG will find out what kind of brain activity he is producing and that can help determine what he is experiencing and what he needs.

Other suggestions...daily exercise, natural alternatives = vitamins, Neurofeedback, brain stimm devices, and a good family counselor.

Also an important piece is to find a way for your child to be successful whether it is through a sport, music, or art. Whatever his interest is. Many children/teens with disorders are constantly facing daily criticism they need to feel good at something.

Hope this helps.

[Pajamasam36]

Your journey is a real tough one.

I have a 13 year old with severe ADHD.

Not sure I can explain what I want to tell you if you will call me we can talk. 801-528-2290

My name is mary

[srwilhelm]

Ask your pediatrician if there are any psychiatrists that they recommend. Also check with your insurance company about in network providers before making an appointment. If you can find someone in network it might save you a couple headaches regarding billing. And if they have a good relationship with your pediatrician, that can help with communication between the two offices.

[andileemh]

Perhaps seeing both the psychologist and therapist might be a good idea. The Psychologist can perform the evaluation and give an assessment that you then take to a good behavioral therapist who can help you with ideas on what you can do besides medication. Many Psychiatrists will do an evaluation, but often they will then recommend a medication immediately (not all of course, but many as that is their focus).

We are in a similar situation as we try to find where to take our son for an evaluation. At this time we do not want any medication, we want coping strategies and methods we can use to help our son in daily life. Thankfully, our pediatrician understands our concerns and is being very helpful in finding as a place to evaluate him that isn't just about throwing drugs at him without trying other measure first.

I've also picked up several books on behavior ideas for ADHD kids and am reading through it now. Some of the ideas won't work for my son or our lifestyle and some I don't agree with, but some might be very helpful and I am starting to implement them and see how they work.

No matter how you proceed it's exhausting to us the parents and often frustrating, just remember, breathe... and know that you love your child (even when they drive you nuts)

[julissamejia]

I know it can be very hard but it is important to get him diagnosed and better if you do it on your own and not by the school because you have the right to decide if you want to disclosing the info or not and since you don’t want to jump in to medicine is the best way to go because you want to try everything else before stat to think about drugs, at least that’s what we’re doing, but is good to know exactly what’s going on with your kids and take it from there, wish you the best be strong and be patience blessings

[annett26]

We stared the whole process 2 years ago. First I called Childrens Hospital , the Behavior Department and scheduled initial consultation. You want to bring any possible documents from school like emails or

in our case suspension letters ,

all write ups, teachers feedback etc. After that appointment we were recommended family therapy , where we would go once a week as a family. We did that for 1 1/2 years and noticed big improvement as far as my son’s behavior. But he still struggled at school , not being able to focus and finish his assignments , forgetting stuff and being distracted by anything. As much as I was against the medication, we decided to give it a try . Meanwhile we sign up for martial arts classes. Medication do really work. We saw a huge improvement. Too bad it causes side effects so we are in the process of finding the right one.

We are seeing the doctor at Children’s Hospital where he gets all his blood work , EKG, blood pressure done.

Wish you all the best .