HealthUnlocked will undergo site maintenance on 8th April 2025 from 11:30AM (BST) / 6:30AM (EDT) for a few hours. We aim to restore the full service as soon as possible. Learn more
Hi all, I had my 15yo son evaluated for ADHD for to ongoing issues with focus/concentration and drowsiness.
The psychologist said he does not fit typical ADHD classification, but does fit the criteria for Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, also called Cognitive Deficit Disorder. No matter what you call it, it isn't an official diagnosis in the DSM.
Has anyone had any experience with this? Resources? I found a couple of articles from ADDitude website, but that's it. I'm a little lost.
Thanks
Hi there. I don’t have familiarity, but you can find research about just about anything medical or psychiatric here: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/. Once you’ve entered your search terms look for “free PMC article” in red in the search results for better info than just abstracts. Good luck!
thank you.
Did the psychologist make any recommendations? I would hope they could point you in a direction for treatment. If not, I would go back to your pediatrician and see if they could suggest next steps.
The psychologist recommended counseling, which we are starting for him, but really not much else. He said he didn't think a 504 plan would help, and that meds aren't proven effective for it. So now what? We have a name for it, but it isn't an "official diagnosis" in the DSM and we are basically right back where we started.
Yes- maybe another follow up with the pediatrician is in order. Thanks.
That’s not very helpful! Yeah, go back to the ped and then keep looking for a specialist with a better bedside manner. I just had this happen to us actually. The psychologist handed me the report and then was like “Good luck!” My new thing is to just keep calling until I find someone who can actually be useful.
Not sure I agree with the medical person telling you a 504 plan is not going to help. If they are telling you your child has "Cognitive Deficit Disorder", this will impact learning and there are many areas that could be impacted.
Maybe it's a really good idea to write to the school and ask them for an academic assessment. This could really help you know what "level" your child is learning at and what supports could help. This will lead to a 504 plan if appropriate or an Individual Education Plan( IEP), this will then lead to goals and professionals assigned to helping your child achieve them.
Hope this helps, you could also give the written information to the school psychologist so they can help your child.
Hope this helps.
Your child still has a long way to go in school and putting tools in place could make the difference.
You're probably right. Maybe I'll set up a meeting with his school counselor.
That would be a good start, maybe they will tell you who will do the assessment. Usually it is the Special Education department. This assessment is a long process, but getting things started will provide your child help soon.
Best of luck!
How frustrating!
I think in the UK it’s different because we go straight to a paediatric psychiatrist for ADHD assessment and diagnosis. Some children have just ‘inattentive’ subtype of ADHD and it seems your son might fit criteria for this? Maybe worth asking directly about the ‘inattentive’ sub type of ADHD because this is an official diagnosis then. Can you ask psychologist to now refer your son to psychiatrist? If your son is feeling drowsy all day (yet I understand that he has a good night sleep?) it might be that psychiatrist would know how to help him with this.
the psychologist specifically said he didn’t *quite* meet inattentive adhd criteria. Maybe a psychiatrist would be able to help. We are going back to the pediatrician (who referred us to the psychologist) first. Maybe he can suggest a psychiatrist. It’s all very confusing.
I was diagnosed with ADHD Combination type in my 40's, can't remember what age I was exactly! I think I also suffer from SCT, (CDD). Does your son experience this: It seems like my brain can't absorb and process info. very quickly AT ALL!!! It is as if my brain were to have legs & arms and it is trying to get through a dense spider web. It takes a lot of effort and time to take info. whether verbally or written process it, store it and retrieve it when needed. I am easily overwhelmed with information. Often times, when this happens, its like my brain just checks out! It is frustrating that it is not part of the DSM! The only info. I've found are videos on YouTube of Dr. Russell Baker stating he believes it is a separate condition from ADHD the inattentive type but I've been too impatient to really listen to what he says about it. From my personal experience, I believe it is separate from ADHD the inattentive type. The most helpful info. I've found is from psychiatrist, Dr. Tracey Marks who has a YouTube channel where she uploads mental health education videos . She is the best source I've found as far as offering practical life skills to cope w/ADHD symptoms. I would like it if you shared w/me any resources you find for your son because I believe I suffer from CDD too!
hi! So to confuse things further- it seems like now they want to call it Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome, which seems like the best descriptor yet. It really is a “disengagement” at least for my son
Yes, when he’s given too much info too fast you can see his eyes glaze over and he’s completely checked out. He’s a smart kid and very capable but once he gets overwhelmed it’s difficult for him to regain any focus or clarity to what’s presented.
I’d love to tell you I’ve found resources since I posted this but I’m still struggling. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital has a program now for Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome but we don’t qualify because we are in NY. It’s for kids up to age 17 which doesn’t help you either. It’s all very frustrating.
There was just an article in the last month or so in Attention magazine about it which discussed the Cincinnati program. I’m hoping that it leads to more exposure and more research.
Advice for finding a therapist for ADHD daughter?
Food triggers
medications
Severe Medication Avoidance in 9 year old
Guanfacine ER 1 mg reviews
