How to get diagnosis?

[Momneedshelp1]

I have a 4 year to be 5 year old, that has some behaviors that are associated with ADHD. I have talked with my pediatrician and the list of doctors he gave does not accept our insurance. I have called other doctors and they do not see children that young. I would like to get him in therapy sooner than later. Does anyone have information for Central Valley California? Or can you tell me how your children were diagnosed?

[JJMom16]

Our experience (WA state): every therapist who accepts insurance is booked out solidly for 2+ years and does not accept new patients.

Finding a therapist who had openings at all - insurance or not - was incredibly difficult. Covid has sent demand for therapy resources skyrocketing, unfortunately.

Therapy is a good starting point, but consider trying to find a neuropsychologist to do an evaluation, and a child psychiatrist to evaluate medication if you think you may go that route, as well.

[Momneedshelp1 in reply to JJMom16]

Thank you, I feel like I am just running in circles. He was adopted through foster care, so I know some of it might be trauma. Currently they haven’t helped much either since we have already adopted.

[JJMom16 in reply to Momneedshelp1]

You are. It's really hard out there right now to get the help that you need. For a diagnosis, a child psychiatrist can make a quick one. A neuropsychologist can do in depth testing to give you much more information. Good luck. Hang in there.

[MollyBell13]

I feel for you. We had issues getting a diagnosis too for our daughter until we found a community outreach program that diagnosed her. I would contact the state or your county department of developmental disabilities. They can refer you to providers that work with 4 and 5 year olds to diagnose them. I am on in the mid west but am assuming CA has something similar to what we have here. Also then can help with other services too and potentially pay for it.

[MollyBell13 in reply to MollyBell13]

One othe suggestion your school district should be able to evaluate too. Now they cannot do a formal diagnosis but if they find anything that impacts learning they can help put a plan in place.

[Momneedshelp1 in reply to MollyBell13]

I would love to get him into something before starting kindergarten. His first month of pre-school was horrible, but then he became a model student. And because of COVID we didn’t go to parties/etc so we didn’t see his behaviors again until we started to.

[Momneedshelp1 in reply to MollyBell13]

I reached out to the surrounding county, I couldn’t find anything in my own county. We live in a rural area. Thank you for your response.

[Mom2-15]

I live in CA and also was a foster mom for a bit. In So Cal they have foster parenting classes on Trauma. OC United has a parenting group and advocate for adopted kiddos from trauma backgrounds. Maybe contact them and see if they know of a group up by you. Also look into TCU Karen Purvis Institute. She did amazing things with kids from trauma. I think it’s called trauma informed parenting.

[Momneedshelp1 in reply to Mom2-15]

Thank you, I looked up that approach and it seems they have a counselor available at the post adoption services information I got recently. I am just waiting for them to get back to me. He really is such a wonderful and loving child, I can see he gets excited and wants to be friends with kids. He just doesn’t know how.

[MollyBell13 in reply to Momneedshelp1]

One other thing I have found it that with my daughter she has a receptive language disorder which caused her to be frustrated and not know how to behave and interact socially. Something to ask about once you finally are able to get him evaluated. Good call on contacting neighboring counties.

[Momneedshelp1 in reply to MollyBell13]

He has always been a little delayed in speech, but not enough for services. I do think this plays a role in his interactions.

[MollyBell13]

Definitely agree. It does play a role. Hang in there. Good luck!